Others considered... (thread comment)

[auditodd at comcast.net]

Just wanted to add my $0.02 to the thread.

I'm committed to my current ride for another 3 years for personal reasons, but I'm already starting to look around for a replacement.

The top two contenders right now?
An Audi A4 2.0TSI Quattro and a Subaru Forester Turbo.
Either way, I'm looking at premium fuel to feed the beasty.

If I go with the Audi, I know that I will NOT be purchasing it from either dealer in the Twin Cities (Minnesota) since they are both owned by the same company and treat owners of older cars like crap. I've heard some good things about the Audi dealer in Rochester...

About the Ford Five Hundred and Fusion comments...
The 2005-2007 Five Hundred, Freestyle, and Fusion AWD models use the Haldax rear differential and I can speak from experience that they go through the snow quite well as I currently own/drive a 2006 Five Hundred AWD.

As for the 2008 Taurus and Taurus X, and Flex models...
It's not a Haldax system anymore.
Ford switched over to some cheaper AWD system to cut corners. There is no way in hell I would buy a 2008 Ford model with AWD, since I know it will be some cheap POS rather than the Haldax system.

I did read something about a "Fusion GT" or some alphabet soup name that would have the Eco-Boost V6 (300 and some horsepower) and AWD. Apparently that model would have to have the Haldax again because the cheaper AWD system would not be able to handle the horsepower and torque from the Eco-Boost V6.

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Todd Young (still lurking even though I'm driving a Ford/Volvo)