Simple question. At first glance, this may seem like a mismatch. Why on earth would I consider the 212 hp Subaru over the type S?

The simple answer is that I am an emergency physician. I absolutely must be able to get to the ER, no matter what the weather. In Maryland, it doesn't snow as much as it does in other parts of the country. But we are good for 2-3 bad snows each winter.

Does anyone have experience with the Acura in the snow? (Without snow tires?)

The Outback Sedan is smaller, and only 212 hp. It does, however, come nicely equipped. (The McIntosh sound system is truly excellent!) And I'm guaranteed of making it to work...

 

Yah, I went on the site and it seems like a nice station wagon. I can't believe it comes w/a 11 speaker McIntosh system. I wonder how it sounds. I would never get a station wagon, but this sounds like it's pretty good. For your reasons, I can see why you would choose this over a type S. But, I love my TLS!

By the way, the stock tires on the type s suck!

 

Go look at the WRX. Comes in sedan or station wagon. (Although the wagon seems almost smaller than the sedan).Nice lookin car. 227 HP, AWD.
It'll get ya to work, with alot more fun doing it....

WDP 02 TL-S
18"Konig Imagine P7000 225/40/18

 

I've never driven or owned one but I think they are cool. I considered it because of the AWD but my wife does not think they are attractive at all. No station wagons or mini-vans in our household. Never even went to the dealer.

She did like the MDX. It was out of our budget but have you considered it?

 

You should also look at the A4 2.8 Quattro. Since the new ones are coming out soon they have some incredible incentive programs going. I'd pick the Audi over the Subaru for the interior alone. Volvo has also announced the S60 will have an all-wheel drive option starting in '02. The WRX is a cool boy racer but at heart is still an Imprezza which is really an economy car on par with the Civic.

 

The only S60 with AWD will be the low pressure one (197hp?).

 

I think your best bet is probably either the WRX or the A4 Quattro. The WRX is very 'boy-racer' while the A4 is much more refined. If I was in your position I'd go for either the 1.8T A4 or the 2.8 (both Quattro) depending on budget and personal prefrences. Oh yeah, you can always get a Passat with 4Motion...

 

Just got rid of my 99 audi a4 quattro to buy my TLS. Man, what a car in the snow...I am originally from Roanoke were the snow occurs more often and it did awesome. i also took in to the outer banks and played in the sand, (not on the beach) but close. I would highly recommend the A4 for your needs. unless you are carrying dogs dont get the wagon....The new A4 has more horseys that my 99 did......FYI>>>>thanks,

D

 

I'm gonna hear it from the WRX luvers but...
SWEET JESUS that car is ugly! I know, I know, its a matter of taste I'll give you guys that. BUT I still wouldn't buy it b/c of price.
Yeah the base is around 26k, but it come stripped(and I mean stripped) For example, no leather, no momo wheel/pedals, and to top it off, no turbo gauges. HOW THE H*LL do you have a turbo car with no turbo gauges on a high performance car!!! (they're an option around $500) Basically for $26k you get a sh*t box racer. If you want it nicely equipped it'll end up runnin you around $32-$33k.
Anybody who buys a SUBARU for $33k needs to be hit in the head with a brick just to knock some sense into'em.
Anyway just wanted to vent. I actually briefly looked at the car but when I got details I was like hell no! (especially when I found out the turbo guages were optional) I like luxury AND performance so for $33k I got myTLS. Now if you don't care for nicities in a car then maybe $26k for a wrx might be for you.
OK I'm calm again

 

the awd for the S60 only comes in the 2.4T engine..

however, I'd rather get a Passat W8 4motion rather than an A4 quattro (3.0?). man...I wouldn't mind getting the WRX thou... w/ factory mod...280hp!

 

Not that I'm a huge WRX fan, but I do know about it.... where are you shopping that the WRX costs $33k loaded? One of the girls I work with got it for $26 and the only options she got was automatic (yeah, I know) and the adjustable armrest (can't believe you have to pay for that). Anyway, all of the Momo stuff came standard and the turbo gauges are only a couple of hundred dollars. Now, there are dealers selling the WRX for around $22k, so you could probably be OTD on a fully loaded one (manual) for $26k. Of course once you get into the STI stuff, it starts adding up, but that's the same as with any car.

Anyway, my fiance wants an AWD car b/c of the winters and we're looking at the 2.8 A4 (Quattro). Since she doesn't like the lights on the WRX, she jumped to the Audi (even though the WRX is supposed to get a facelift which will be unveiled 9/10). We should get a good deal since the new one is coming out. We'll see.....

 

First and foremost, I would have to say that all-season tire=no season tire.

Whether you buy a FWD or an AWD, in order to stop and turn effectively, there is no substitute for snow tires. Even if there is no snow, the rubber compound on all season tires is not designed for extremely cold weather. Ever try and bounce a frozen basketball?

I own an A4 1.8T and I love the car. If you don't need the back seat space of a TL-S or Outback sedan then it is a good choice and good value IMHO. The A6 is larger but then you start paying big coin for an asset that depreciates quicker than anything else (except computers hehe).

I think you are comparing apples to oranges. If you buy the TL-S and get dedicated snow tires, it will get you through almost anything. The money you save by wearing down $100 snow tires instead of your $200 stock tires will more than pay for an extra set of rims in the long run.

That being said, if you like the Outback Sedan then you will not regret it. Subaru and Audi have excellent AWD systems and they will perform better in snow and rain.

You should expect that most here will prefer the TL-S for it's greater horsepower and styling. It comes down to what you like.

 

I used to own a '97 Subaru Outback Limited for about 4.5 years. That car had great traction in foul weather in PA. You won't have a rocket, unless you're racing an Expedition or a tractor trailer. What you will have is a well built, comfortable car. Our Outback was squeak and rattle free after 65000 miles. It was very dependable and got decent gas mileage. I don't think you'll regret buying one unless you want serious get-up-and-go.