Recommend a used AWD estate to me!!!
Discussion
Hi all! I'm new to the forum, so please go easy on me 
I recently moved to Switzerland and I'm in search of an AWD estate - very keen to hear your thoughts.
These are my requirements:
- < CHF 15,000 (<GBP 12,500)
- <100,000 miles
- Petrol
- Manual
- 200-250bhp
My search so far has channelled me down to the Audi A4 and Subaru Legacy route. On the Audi front, I'm afraid of high maintenance costs and I've heard horror stories about reliability. I've mainly been looking at the 2.0 TFSI. On the Subaru front, the choice of engines is very limited and they seem incredibly thirsty. I've mainly been looking at the 2.0R (but I'm worried that it will feel underpowered at around 160bhp) and the 3.0R (pretty rare and an incredible gas guzzler).
Are my preconceptions about the above cars overdone? Are there any other options I should consider?
I recently moved to Switzerland and I'm in search of an AWD estate - very keen to hear your thoughts.
These are my requirements:
- < CHF 15,000 (<GBP 12,500)
- <100,000 miles
- Petrol
- Manual
- 200-250bhp
My search so far has channelled me down to the Audi A4 and Subaru Legacy route. On the Audi front, I'm afraid of high maintenance costs and I've heard horror stories about reliability. I've mainly been looking at the 2.0 TFSI. On the Subaru front, the choice of engines is very limited and they seem incredibly thirsty. I've mainly been looking at the 2.0R (but I'm worried that it will feel underpowered at around 160bhp) and the 3.0R (pretty rare and an incredible gas guzzler).
Are my preconceptions about the above cars overdone? Are there any other options I should consider?
cool_beanz89 said:
Hi all! I'm new to the forum, so please go easy on me
I recently moved to Switzerland and I'm in search of an AWD estate - very keen to hear your thoughts.
These are my requirements:
- < CHF 150,000 (<GBP 125,000)
- <100,000 miles
- Petrol
- Manual
- 200-2500bhp
My search so far has channelled me down to the Audi A4 and Subaru Legacy route. On the Audi front, I'm afraid of high maintenance costs and I've heard horror stories about reliability. I've mainly been looking at the 2.0 TFSI. On the Subaru front, the choice of engines is very limited and they seem incredibly thirsty. I've mainly been looking at the 2.0R (but I'm worried that it will feel underpowered at around 160bhp) and the 3.0R (pretty rare and an incredible gas guzzler).
Are my preconceptions about the above cars overdone? Are there any other options I should consider?
Ferrari FFI recently moved to Switzerland and I'm in search of an AWD estate - very keen to hear your thoughts.
These are my requirements:
- < CHF 150,000 (<GBP 125,000)
- <100,000 miles
- Petrol
- Manual
- 200-2500bhp
My search so far has channelled me down to the Audi A4 and Subaru Legacy route. On the Audi front, I'm afraid of high maintenance costs and I've heard horror stories about reliability. I've mainly been looking at the 2.0 TFSI. On the Subaru front, the choice of engines is very limited and they seem incredibly thirsty. I've mainly been looking at the 2.0R (but I'm worried that it will feel underpowered at around 160bhp) and the 3.0R (pretty rare and an incredible gas guzzler).
Are my preconceptions about the above cars overdone? Are there any other options I should consider?
Hello,
I also recently (ish) moved here. Last week we bought a Discovery 4 which has been incredibly handy in the recent snow!
I would rethink your manual criteria of you can. Maintenance is incredibly expensive here, and a clutch change could easily be over 1000chf. Remember too that you cannot really work on your own car. You see quite a few xc70 Volvos (some manual, mostly if not all diesels, some petrol v70s though) and Mercedes e350 4 matic (auto). I think a pair of good winter tyres would be ok too on any 2wd estate!
I also recently (ish) moved here. Last week we bought a Discovery 4 which has been incredibly handy in the recent snow!
I would rethink your manual criteria of you can. Maintenance is incredibly expensive here, and a clutch change could easily be over 1000chf. Remember too that you cannot really work on your own car. You see quite a few xc70 Volvos (some manual, mostly if not all diesels, some petrol v70s though) and Mercedes e350 4 matic (auto). I think a pair of good winter tyres would be ok too on any 2wd estate!
I’m just coming to the end of four years with a 2013 Subaru Liberty/Legacy GT wagon with 6-sp manual and 265bhp. It’s been a fantastic car and utterly reliable, I’d have no hesitation in recommending one, providing maintenance has been by the book and preventative. Parts might be perceived as expensive but I’ve not been required to buy any. And this is my sixth Sube...
As for the clutch change, that’s just one part that can wear out on any car - mines still on the original clutch at 8 years and nearly 140,000kms. An auto gearbox can go wrong too.
There’s another PH’er who also lives in Switzerland and drives a 2012/13 Legacy wagon - can’t remember who though...
As for the clutch change, that’s just one part that can wear out on any car - mines still on the original clutch at 8 years and nearly 140,000kms. An auto gearbox can go wrong too.
There’s another PH’er who also lives in Switzerland and drives a 2012/13 Legacy wagon - can’t remember who though...
Great, thanks for all your insight.
I test drove a Legacy yesterday. It was a 2006 2.0R with 75,000km on the clock. One thing that really put me off is how heavy the clutch was – it felt like being at the gym. Is this normal, or was I dealing with a lemon? I don’t think the car was driven for the best part of a year – could that play a role? Otherwise, the car seemed OK, but I wasn't overly impressed by the super light steering (perhaps something you get used to) and the engine, which seemed to lack a bit of poke.
I test drove a Legacy yesterday. It was a 2006 2.0R with 75,000km on the clock. One thing that really put me off is how heavy the clutch was – it felt like being at the gym. Is this normal, or was I dealing with a lemon? I don’t think the car was driven for the best part of a year – could that play a role? Otherwise, the car seemed OK, but I wasn't overly impressed by the super light steering (perhaps something you get used to) and the engine, which seemed to lack a bit of poke.
Edited by cool_beanz89 on Saturday 12th December 11:15
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