If you start shopping Audis, I think you'll find that their interiors wear much better than Subaru. Both cars have similarly mechanical reliability, the Audi 1.8T and 2.0T and manual transmissions are very stout. There are a lot of these cars around with a reliable 300+ HP. The Audi will be more prone to annoying little issues like sensors and bushings, but it's nothing that's going to break you.

If anyone can show me an A4 Quattro wagon with manual trans for sale anywhere in the country, I'd love to see the ad. I'm finding 100% automatics.

They have never offered the TDi w/ AWD in the USA, so not looking at those. :cool:

Here's one in San Diego.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=16602&endYear=2015&vehicl eStyleCodes=WAGON&modelCode1=A4&showcaseOwnerId=0& startYear=1981&makeCode1=AUDI&transmissionCode=MAN &transmissionCodes=MAN&searchRadius=0&showcaseList ingId=0&mmt=[AUDI[A4[]][]]&listingId=362570215&Log=0

I still like Porsches but this quest is for a small wagon that will be a DD. Budget around $10k or less, maybe a little more. A cheap, high-mileage 996, (which I've already owned, btw), would not suit my space requirements, cost more than I'm looking to spend and would have the IMS and other 996 specific issues to deal with. I'm sure they're a blast in the snow with the right tires but a wrx or A4 Quattro turbo with good tires is also more fun than a barrel of dykes in the snow. :)

Dave, thanks. That's a nice one. When I get ready to pull the trigger, I'll check autotrader. For some reason, I usually only look at ebay and CL, (in several states), and find what I'm seeking.

Monterey? Older but less cash. I've found a few nice cars on AutoTrader, but bought my S4 from Craigslist.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=16602&endYear=2015&vehicl eStyleCodes=WAGON&modelCode1=A4&showcaseOwnerId=0& startYear=1981&makeCode1=AUDI&transmissionCode=MAN &transmissionCodes=MAN&searchRadius=0&showcaseList ingId=0&mmt=[AUDI[A4[]][]]&listingId=384668107&Log=0

Great looking car, IMO. I've been concentrating my browsing on 2006 and newer because of the 2.0 vs. 1.8 turbo and because they are cheap, I had heard that the nadir of Audi reliability was late-'90s through mid-2000s, anyone comment on that? Still, that's a looker.

You might also look for A3 hatchbacks. Mine was MT. Same 2.0L turbo as the A4 iirc.

I drive an A3 2.0 turbo occasionally and it's an ok car but I've never understood the appeal of it over an A4. The A4 is still small enough to be sporty, (IMO), and interior volume is a big deal to me in this size class. The appeal of the A3 to me would be that they sold it here with TDi but not in AWD and not in MT.

The A4 interior seems much roomier and comfortable to me, some of that might be *size perception*, (the illusion of a vehicle interior size and "cramped feeling"), as opposed to actual dimensions. A good example would be the distance from your knees to the dash in a car, you might not technically need that room but it feels a lot roomier with it. Old 911s and Saabs excelled in this regard. :)

I should probably keep an open mind in case the right deal came along on one, though.

Here are 5 interesting Avants to consider. They're from all over but a few are close to you.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/Wagon/Audi/A4/Altoona+PA-16602?driveCode=AWD4WD&driveCodes=AWD4WD&endYear=2 015&makeCode1=AUDI&maxPrice=13000&mmt=[AUDI[A4[]][]]&modelCode1=A4&searchRadius=0&showcaseListingId=0& showcaseOwnerId=0&startYear=2005&transmissionCode= MAN&transmissionCodes=MAN&vehicleStyleCodes=WAGON& Log=0

^^ this ^^

We considered A3, but for just a little extra external size we got much more usable interior space from the A4 Avant. Easier to find MT in A3 than A4 Avant, but -- at least around here -- far fewer A3s with Quattro.

You need a V8 ;)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1415992045.jpg

Audi A4 Avant Wagon | eBay

I should have qualified that a little: 2006 or newer and not from the rust belt. :)

Though if I could buy that for nothing, it might be worth driving it until it roaches.

In my research around the Google, it seems that the 1.8 turbo struggles in the relatively heavy Audi Quattro Avant but it's fine in the lighter VWs. The 2.0 in <2006 is a lot better and less issues as well.

How 'bad' is Audi you ask?
ABT Sportsline shows 700-hp Audi RS6 Avant | Autoweek

We have a 2012 A4Q 2.0 turbo that screams. I swear it's faster than my Boxster. It has an 8 speed auto though and it seems to stay in the meat of the torque curve when you're accelerating. It's amazing for a 3600-3700 pound car with a little over 200hp.

I had a '99 A4 1.8T 5-speed that was bone stock and more than adequate. Much more power is an ECU tune away.

We had a 2000 A4 1.8T Quattro 5 speed with sports seats. Awesome car. Just got scared off by coking issues and A arm bushings that were plaguing so many, so we sold it after 1 year. Still wonder about running a turbocharged car in the desert where temps can hit 120 in the summer.

Yes, the chip did wonders for the car.