Decision time...

[longhorn2005]

Thanks guys...

I have definitly been leaning towards Lib GT simply put I want a car that has bit of class and toys.. GT fits in well.

I started considering Audi due to its fuel consumption (7.1/100 KM new A4) and definitly for its looks (new A4 is bloody HOT)

[wrxbouy]

That would be the front driver though? The only Audi i would have would have RS in the name, with prefferably a 6 at the end. The only awd wagon better than the gt. imho

[cpitts]

At this stage i am considering

AUDI A4 1.8T
Subaru Lib GT
Sub Lib 2.5i Prem (Just to save some cash)

I am just wondering is it worth going for GT or should i just get myself 2.5i ?

If I did consider GT then AUDI is just too tempting especially its better build quality.

I own a 2004.5 MY05 B6 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro (brought new in 2005) AND a 2007 MY07 Liberty GT Spec B (purchased 16mths old).

My wife uses the A4 as her daily driver and has done since new. I had a new MY05 WRX from Nov 2004 to Sept 2008 and have just changed to the '07 Lib GT. I've previously owned a MY02 Lib RX (basically a 2.5i) for 4 years from new.

As an owner of BOTH cars I can answer your questions and a few other critical ones:
1. Fuel usage (taken from fuel dockets litres in fill and km's on trip meter logged for life of vehicle)
- 05 Audi average ~9.5km/l or ~10.5l/100km (city cycle). Best economy on the highway ~12km/l
- 02 Lib 2.5i ~10.75km/l mix city cycle/freeway -> 9.5km/l when driven by wife constantly (same as Audi). Best econo on highway 12.75km/l.
- 07 Lib GT Spec B ~10.5km/l (city/peak hr freeway cycle) -> ~9.75km/l pure city cycle. Best run highway ~11.5-12km/l

2. Cost of service
Audi - You don't really want to ask. Lets just say the 4yr/1000K service won't leave you with change from ~$2000. The minor services aren't much better. They make STi service pricing look cheap.

Subaru - There are HEAPS of good quality after-market tuners around that will service your car to the same level as a dealer for half the price OR you can use the dealer and still pay less than Audi. Price to service the GT will be pretty much the same as for the 2.5i.

3. Reliability of the car

Subaru - you've owned one, you know that nothing ever goes wrong. That's what's great about them! They just don't break, even when you mod them a bit!!

Audi - In the 4 years we've owned it, we've had a list your arm long of things that have broken, been replaced, died under warranty and been back to the dealer many times to try and fix.
Oh, and when something odd breaks, you have to wait months for it to come from Germany. Also, the dealers are all VERY independent of each other so you REALLY have to keep going back to the same dealer to keep the relationship running for those weird warranty issues.

4. Drivability

Subaru - Again, you've been there an done that. The GT is VERY nice and the 2.5T engine provides a VERY linear drive and power delivery. The added benefit of the Subaru is you can get mods done for it VERY cheaply which will improve the drivability even more very quickly. SO many good points.

Audi - Engine is not powerful enough for the weight of the car. It makes the Impreza RS you had look quick. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice car and has enough go to get you about, but it's heavy and underpowered. If you want to mod the car to make it have a bit more go then get out the cheque-book and prepare to go broke. ~$10000 will see you have as much power as a WRX, not even as much as a Lib GT.

Judge that one for yourself, it's pretty clear to me.

5. Living with the car.

As the owner of 2 WRX's that have been modded to the limits of the stock turbo and NOW the driver of the stock '07 Lib GT Spec B, I can say that the Lib GT doesn't have the sheer go-kart nature of the WRX. It's softer and a little more boaty. BUT compare it to the A4 and it's a much better ride on Vic and NSW roads around city and country towns. On the freeway, it's much of a muchness. Audi don't to bump and rebound real well in their suspension.

My wife is the driver/owner of the 05 A4 1.8TQ and since the 07 Lib GT Spec B has come on the scene, she now drives it in preference to the Audi. She's even stated that she now 'likes the Lib better' because it's:
- got much better power delivery
- more punchy around town in all gears
- bigger inside than the A4
- less crowded inside
- otherwise at a very similar trim level as the Audi

Bit of a Conclusion

Would I buy a $60K Lib or a $60K Audi? Well, I can see (and feel) $60K in the Audi, there's so many little things that Subaru don't get when they build a car that can only be seen when you go from an Audi back to a Subaru rather than from the Subaru to the Audi. I wouldn't buy on build quality and features. But I WOULD buy if the goal of cheap light to hard modding and more power and better drive was your goal.

HOWEVER

Would I buy a 12 month old Lib GT Spec B for 2/3 new price? HELL YES!!! There's a LOT of great 2nd hand near new gets that will have you with the best of both worlds. Very good car, cheap price and excellent mechanical reliability/drive/modding options.

At least, that's my take on the situation as an owner of all 3 cars mentioned.


EDIT: The Audi FWD cars drive like SHIT. Have driven A3, A4, A6's all with FWD 1.8T and above and they're absolute crap compared to the Quattro setup. I'd never own the FWD versions they're attrocious to drive.