Philip Klein

We are looking at midsize wagons with automatics and preferably with
AWD. We say a 99.5 Audi A6 Avant
(quattro, leather seats, sunroof) at a dealer and while we really like the car, we
are hesistant to sent the extra 10 to 11 thousand over a well equiped
2000 Subaru Legacy or Outback wagon. (though reading the other forum letters, we maybe able to get a lower price by 1 to 2 thousand)

While I know this is ultimately a question only we can answer, I would
be interested in hearing others opinions about the two cars and how
they compare.

As background, we are in the Bay area in California but may be moving
to Chicago within the not too distant future. We expect/hope to keep
the car for 10-12 years or more. It will primarily be used for trips
around town to shuttle kids, other errands but expect/hope to take
longer 4+ hour trips on the highway with some regularity to more
exotic locates, often with snow, ice, dirt roads but not off-road in
any real sense.

Thanks for your input

- Phil Klein
philklein@home.com

P.S.- We would be very interested in the VW Passat with the V6 2.8L
engine and AWD/4motion but don't know when it will be available in the
US.

John Sargent

Test drive all of them as new cars, also test drive versions that are two to four years old. Even though all the models mentioned have changed, you should get a real good idea how the different brands take wear and tear. If you intend to keep a car for 12 years, you should be interested in the long run.
Even cars that have the same engine and trans can wear quite differently, look at GM products as an example.
10,000-12,000 extra is a lot of money but at 12 years it is only 1,000 extra per year.
For all the safety alone, I would feel better if all my grand children were in Audi Quattro's.

larry

They are really in different class and price range. But A6 would be a safer car which would
be my prime concern, and if the price falls within your budget.

A6 avant should be a safer car even if they both achieve the same crash test ratings because
of the larger size and the availability of rear passenger side airbags (+front sideguard curtain
in 2000 model yr).

I personally think that side impact crash is most vulnerable; rear passenger side airbags
should be a good investment if you consider putting kids at the back.