LGT versus other mid-size AWD sedans

[Nick Koan]

From Road and Track via NASIOC. I knew there was a reason I liked R&T the best out of the big car rags.

The final write-up:

The test came down to two cars -- The Audi and The Subaru -- that distanced themselves from the others in the test. One, the Audi took top honors overall, while the other, the Subaru took solace in winning the price-dependant category. Also showing their parity was that the Subaru won the Performance division of our ratings, while the Audi dominated the Subjective section.

Whether the A4 is better then the Legacy comes down to a personal preference. If you really care about power, the choice is obvious -- only the Subaru will do. If you crave the utmost in refinement and class in your awd sedan, and are willing to be smoked in a straight line, the Audi is the best choice. What was interesting to note was that of the seven editors, the four "old fogeys" chose teh subdued can-do-no-wrong Audo, while the three "young whippersnappers" chose the more playful Subie.

So take your pick: Both cars are absolutely terrific sports sedans that just happen to possess year-round traction; we'd be thrilled to own either one.

No comment on the "old fogey" portion of the article

[sonicsuby]

I laugh everytime I hear "refinement" and "a4" in the same sentence. Enjoy your trips to the service dept for your $35k Jetta..

[tysonK]

I like to drive around one of those mazdaspeeds.

[JC]

Wow there are 7 AWD midsize cars now. How times have changed.

[Dean]

Lets see... The two winners are the manufacturers that have been making AWD sedans basically forever... Big surprise...

Wonder how the GT Limited would have done instead of the Spec. B?

It would be interesting to run the tests with the 2 cars with a Stage 1 tune... Probably help the Audi more.

If I had to buy one or the other today instead of 1999, I'd pick the LGT.

[Nick Koan]

Yup. And both vehicles are leagues ahead of the others too. I like 'em both.

The differences between the GT Limited and spec b are bigger wheels, better rubber, stiffer suspension and about 200 lbs. Performance wise, anyway. Either Legacy with a Stage 1 flash (and no other mods) would be putting down about 230whp. Don't know excatly how the compares to an A4 w/ reflash.

[bemani]

Spec B isn't going to help with making up for the 'refinement' against the Audi, and it'll just lose points on price.

[MattR]

Originally Posted by Dean

If I had to buy one or the other today instead of 1999, I'd pick the LGT.

Agreed...Up until recently, I would have taken the Audi over Legacy sedan any day, in 1999-2000 I was real close to buying an A4, and I'm still a big fan big fan of the A4, but the LGt is a wonderful car Subaru should be very proud of.

[Dean]

Originally Posted by nKoan

Yup. And both vehicles are leagues ahead of the others too. I like 'em both.

The differences between the GT Limited and spec b are bigger wheels, better rubber, stiffer suspension and about 200 lbs. Performance wise, anyway. Either Legacy with a Stage 1 flash (and no other mods) would be putting down about 230whp. Don't know excatly how the compares to an A4 w/ reflash.

Wow, that much with SW only, no other mods...

The A4 goes to about 240 peak horsepower and 290lb-ft. of torque with software only, but the best part is it gains up to 57 horsepower at lower rpms. And that's on a little old 2.0l...

[sperry]

Originally Posted by Dean

Wow, that much with SW only, no other mods...

The A4 goes to about 240 peak horsepower and 290lb-ft. of torque with software only, but the best part is it gains up to 57 horsepower at lower rpms. And that's on a little old 2.0l...

Yeah cause the JDM 2.0L STi motor hasn't been putting out 280+ hp for the last 10 years. It's easy to make a 2.0L Turbo motor make power, all you have to do is ignore those pesky emissions laws!