[s-cars] also starting to consider other awd sedans

[Wayne Dohnal]

> How about a Subaru Legacy GT?  Rumor has it that next year they're
> bringing it over with a high revving 2.0L turbo or even a variation of
> the STi 2.5L turbo motor

As the owner of a 1995 Legacy since it was new, let me chime in on this. 
First disclaimer: I'm not judging performance.  My '95 2.2 is a slug. 
Second disclaimer: Maybe they've changed a lot, but when I test drove a new 
'02 they were sitll the same as mine.

The Subaru is a good put-put for short trips, but it's hard to even compare 
it with an Audi because it's like apples and oranges.  The solid feeling 
just isn't there.  The comfort isn't there.  After 30 minutes in the Subaru 
I have the same fatigue as with 4 hours in the Audi.  It's just the 
individual things like road noise and seat comfort that all add up.  I 
usually have a free choice of which car to use, and if the trip is over a 
few miles I never choose the Subaru.

The positive thing for the Subaru is that you can kick it around and it 
still keeps going.  In 10 years and over 100K miles the only major problem 
was a horrendously leaky front crank seal.  It took less work to replace the 
seal and the timing belt that it takes to get the Audi's front end taken 
apart just to get started on the engine.  I've spent less on parts for the 
Subaru in 10 years that I spend every year for the Audi.  But I like the 
Audi better.  It's not even a close choice.

Wayne Dohnal
1994 S4