Opinion: Mid 90's Subaru AWD versus Audi Quattro

Thinking of buying a used station wagon for my mother. It looks like the only two manufacturers who make an all wheel drive are Subaru and Audi. The car is going to be used mainly as a commuter vehicle. We're looking to spend no more than about $6,000 dollars so we've been looking at mid 90's Audi 100CS/A6 and the Subaru Legacy. I've done some comparisons on how they're equipped and they seem pretty equal with the audi being a little more plush of course. What would you recommend as far as reliability, safety, operating and repair costs? Does anyone have any experience with how long the respective engines last? Thanks for the help. If you have any other make or model we should consider (maybe AWD isn't that important??) let me know. Thanks.

The Subaru Legacy is, in my opinion, the best AWD station wagon on the used market, and probably on the new market too. They are reliable, safe, affordable, and very capable. The Audi quattro is a good wagon too, but its reliability isn't as good as the Subaru's, and like most German cars, it's a bit costly. Stick with the Legacy :P

i agree. legacy would be the best bet. out of those two choices.

Depends really. Most, if not all Legacies are flat fours, there are VERY few mechanics who would fix one without charging you your first born once the car is out of warranty, generally Subies are probably the most expensive of the mainstream car makers to repair out of warranty.

That said, they are reliable, safe and well built and generally very good cars, back when I was in New Zealand the most common car on the road was the Legacy, so really it says a lot I suppose

legacy = :bigthumb:

its not really that common where i live, but i know for a fact that they are reliable.. repairing my cost a lil much because parts are harder to find for subaru, also the mechanics might not be the best at fixing H4 engines like jimster said.. its a great car lots of room so yea.. heh legacy

Both cars are pretty reliable, and like any car if well maintained will last a long time.
The Subaru will still be cheaper than the Audi to fix, although for a family commuter wagon it will be on the expensive side.

But if its just going to be driven by your mother why does she need AWD?
Unless she lives down a long dirt road, or in an area that gets frequent snowfall then the AWD is going to add nothing to safety, but will add a lot to running costs.

The idea that AWD is inherinatly safer is just a myth. You only get the advantages it gives while you are acclerating, and most people lose control while actualy braking, or simply turning. Once control is lost, AWD can sometimes make it easier to regain control, but in the cases when it can help you need large amounts of hp. Certianly more than 95% of the AWD cars on the road have, if you want a Subaru it needs to be a WRX or GT/RS legacy to have enough hp to make the AWD useful as a safety feature.
In all the other models it makes an excellent marketing tool (its primary reason for being used) and is usefull for the niche market that need a car capable of getting into places most cars can't.
For example people living in rural areas where there are lots of dirt roads, or people who live in areas that gets lots of snow, or people who ski a lot and expose themselves to snow covered roads.

If your only useing it about town, to get the shopping, visit friends etc its a complete waste of time. All you will get is expensive running costs as you double your tyre wear and use a lot more fuel pulling extra weight and driving an extra set of wheels.

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For example people living in rural areas where there are lots of dirt roads, or people who live in areas that gets lots of snow, or people who ski a lot and expose themselves to snow covered roads.
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darbykidd's profile says he's from Nebraska. There's enough snow, heavy rain, and unpaved roads to justify AWD there.

Thanks for the replies. I'm actually home in Montana now. She would be driving a lot of rural roads and we get quite a bit of snow here also. Subarus are about the most popular car here also. I don't see many Quattro wagons.

Thanks for the replies. I'm actually home in Montana now. She would be driving a lot of rural roads and we get quite a bit of snow here also. Subarus are about the most popular car here also. I don't see many Quattro wagons.
If they're common in your area, then you could be in luck come servicing time- plenty of parts and plenty of people able to fix them.