90 vs A4

["Hardwick, Robert C" <Robert.Hardwick@PSS.boeing.com>]

Greetings,

I've finally had it with getting stuck in my 2WD and feel that I can
justify a long putoff Quattro purchase - only, which model?  Constrained
by a Boeing engineer's salary I'm definitely in the used market, say
<$15k.  I like my cars light and nimble.  The car magazines can't seem
to praise the A4 enough, but it'll be a long time before it enters my
price.  Could anyone contrast the major differences between the 90 and
A4?  Also, how did the 90 change through its lifespan?  One important
mission for the car is to take 2 to 3 adult skiers and packs (skis on
rack) to and from trailheads - is the 90's backseat legitimate?  Can the
packs fit in the trunk?

Pardon my lack of basic research.  Magazines and automaker websites have
lots of information on current models and almost none on those out of
production.  Getting to the downtown library for backissues is, well, it
would mean that I could ski less!

robert hardwick, seattle usa
'79 Alfa spider (setting up for club racing)
'91 Alfa 164
Quattro tbd