[s-cars] VLAC

[LL - NY]

If you want cheap, fast, decent handling and an "Avant",
consider the Subara Legacy GT Wagon AWD. Performs well,
not as luxurious as even the olde S-cars, but still quite
nice, and room for the pups to spare.  250HP, 250 torque,
tuning seems a bit more bottom end, so it's throttle is 
responsive, but it doesn't quite have the breath of a nicely
chipped S-car/20VT. Handling is actually rather similar,
a little push when pressed, more reasonable driving seems
relatively neutral, rather sporty feeling. Didn't really work
the brakes on the test drive, but they seem better than the
G60's that our S's came with. Fit and finish not up to VAG 
standards, however, but quite servicable. If you get one up 
in your parts, I would most definitely get a clear bra for it,
Subie paint seems chip prone. If I had the cash and wanted
a quick servicable wagon, I'd get one, 'specially since I am
considering adding the four footed option to the rear. Don't
want to mess up the Audi, ya know. Availible with both a 6sp 
and slushbox. Not a bad looking car in either sedan or wagon
form. My boss has one and he likes it. And no, I didn't beat on
his car, that was a dealer's wagon.

Somewhat prettier, a bit more Germanic, perhaps (haven't
driven them yet, as they aren't out yet) would be the Mazdaspeed
6 AWD, which is also rated at over 250HP/torque, but ONLY availible
as a sedan only. Don't know if it will have a slushy availible, but
as I recall, that's not an issue for your family. It's too bad they (at 
least for now) won't offer the Mazdaspeed 6 as a wagon. I'd buy
it over the Scoob on looks alone. From the auto-rag reports, it's
performance sounds quite similar to the Legacy GT, but a bit more
refined. Looked quite nice at the NY Auto show. 

With respect to price, either car is priced about 10% more than a
Passat GLX 4-motion, which, IMHO makes either a better buy. And
I'd rather doubt you'd convince the wife that the Passat isn't just
another version of an Audi. So, in my way of thinking, they'd make
a good compromise, Japanese reliability for her, fun to drive for you, 
and at the rate that Subie is going, probably some decent discounts,
which means maybe room for the doggies too. 

HTH,

LL - NY - knowing that if the better half doesn't want Audi, she
doesn't want VW either....

On 4/22/05, cello at adelphia.net <cello at adelphia.net> wrote:
> Bob,
> 
> I've had to run in the same issue with the better half as well, though currently she's appeased with an A6 that's proven to be reliable lately (rapidly knocking on wood).....
> 
> But, if 0000's aren't in the running I'd turn to a used Acura TL Type S.   My father-in-law owns one and is very happy with it.  It was $29k new, fully loaded, and he averages 28 mpg on the highway - which is phenomenal considering his lead foot.
> He does have a set of snows for it for winter, and hasn't had any problems in CT where he lives.  Decent room, too.
> 
> He'd get another one.
> 
> Paul
> ---- Robert Myers <Bob at chips-ur-s.com> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Y'all,
> >
> > The better half has been making nasty noises about my mistress, Miss
> > Piggy.  It seems that when Miss Piggy develops a new (or recurring) problem
> > the better half gets all nervous and is convinced that Miss Piggy will
> > leave her stranded by the side of the road.  Well, anyway to make a long
> > story a bit shorter, the better half is wanting a new car (for her, not to
> > replace Miss Piggy).
> >
> > She wants a (non-OOOO) vehicle which is capable of carrying at least four
> > people including the driver and is fairly economical to drive and not
> > priced as a luxury vehicle.  It should perform enough so that she will feel
> > comfortable driving on I-81 with all the 75 mph 18 wheel traffic and should
> > handle well enough for her to feel secure driving our winding mountain
> > roads here in southern WV.  I want something which will not be terminally
> > boring should I end up being forced to drive it.
> >
> > I haven't driven anything but Audis since 1983.  Any recommendations?
> >
> >
> > Bob
> > Http://Chips-Ur-S.com
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> 
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