Once again I saw it necessary to completely start over again...
Everyone needs an escape sometimes. Some people meditate; others listen to music, read a book, play sports, or even skydive. For many, there is no better way than to hop in their car and just ride. Often times, this type of person is sincerely interested in their vehicle’s power and performance. Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and BMW all make viable options for any car enthusiast; however, not everyone has the money to afford those cars. For the budget-conscious enthusiast that wants luxury, reliability, safety, performance, or a good balance of all these aspects, Audi and Subaru each make more economy-friendly options in the S4 and WRX models. Though both vehicles share many of the same characteristics, the Subaru WRX is the clear choice for the budget-conscious consumer because it provides everything at a much more affordable price.
Ever since their beginning in 1910, Audi has been recognized as a symbol of great stature. They have the ability and resources to produce automotive excellence in all of their vehicles (Auto QHD). Known for their performance and safety, every model in their lineup of cars is engineered with the highest attention to detail and perfection. The Audi S4 is no exception. Created to be the ultimate mix of performance, handling, luxury, and safety, the S4 has brought pure inspiration and joy to car enthusiasts all over the world ever since its conception in 1991. Between 2000 and 2002, the S4 was powered by a twin-turbocharged V-6 engine that produced 250 horsepower (Internet Autoguide). After a 2 year hiatus in production, Audi then revised the S4 to have a V-8 engine that produced 340 horsepower (Internet Autoguide). No matter the source of power, Audi is able to give the S4 superior drivability under any road conditions. The S4’s greatest strength is its superb German engineering; however, it does come at a cost. At their best, Audi’s are known for their luxurious styling and more refined aura; but they have also built a reputation for costly scheduled maintenance plans, repairs, and replacement parts (Audi Chats).
When Subaru first began operations in 1917, they did not even produce cars. Instead, their main focus was on aircraft and scooter engines. Since then, Subaru has developed into a full-fledged automobile manufacturer (Subaru Global). Originally, the Japanese automaker prided themselves in the safety and reliability of their vehicles, which was unparalleled at the time. Focus on producing performance-oriented vehicles like the WRX wasn’t a main consideration. It wasn’t until 2002 that Subaru released the WRX, which was engineered in order to compete with cars like the Audi S4. Since its beginning, the WRX has possibly been one of Subaru’s most successful and popular vehicles. Powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, the WRX boasts anywhere from 227 to 265 horsepower, depending on the year (Auto Channel). By combining ultimate performance, handling, safety, and reliability all in a single and complete package, the WRX continues to be a car enthusiast favorite.
Although the Audi S4 has the significant horsepower advantage over the WRX, both vehicles are comparably fast. This is because of the power to weight ratio in each car. The Audi has historically been heavier than the Subaru, however, the WRX is able to accelerate just as fast as the S4 and change direction even faster. Because the WRX is lighter, it holds the clear advantage in the areas of acceleration and handling (Inside Line). Although the Subaru is lighter than the Audi, it does not compromise safety. While both vehicles hold five-star safety ratings, the WRX is able to provide this at a much cheaper price (IIHS). That is not the extent of the WRX’s advantages however. The Subaru is not known for being as luxurious or refined as the Audi, but the Japanese manufacturer is able to produce extremely safe and reliable cars (Consumer Reports). Reliability and repairs have been a reoccurring problem with Audi, subjecting owners to high maintenance and repair costs. Since the WRX does not carry the same price tag as the S4, it is able to cater to a much broader audience.
Everyone needs a break once and a while, and for those that turn to driving for this escape, the Audi S4 and Subaru WRX are excellent options. Both provide performance and high levels of safety – all at a reasonable price. Each car has its advantages, but because of its ease of maintenance, reliability, and ability to provide all of this in a complete package, the Subaru WRX has become the preferred choice of vehicle for car enthusiasts (Associated Content).
Works Cited
"Audi Cars." Auto QHD. Web. 16 Oct. 2010. <http://www.autoqhd.com/Top Cars/Audi Cars.html>.
"2001 Audi S4 Specifications - View New Audi S4 2001 Specs & Data at InternetAutoGuide.com." New Cars & Research | Used Cars For Sale, Classifieds, & Auto Sales. Web. 16 Oct. 2010. <http://www.internetautoguide.com/car-specifications/09-int/2001/audi/s4/index.html>.
"2004 Audi S4 Specifications - View New Audi S4 2004 Specs & Data at InternetAutoGuide.com." New Cars & Research | Used Cars For Sale, Classifieds, & Auto Sales. Web. 16 Oct. 2010. <http://www.internetautoguide.com/car-specifications/09-int/2004/audi/s4/index.html>.
"Are Used Audi's Reliable?" Audi Chats - Repairs, Maintenances, Mods and Blow Ups! Web. 16 Oct. 2010. <http://audichats.blogspot.com/2009/11/are-used-audi-reliable_21.html>.
"From ConsumerReports.org on Yahoo! Autos." New Car Pictures, Prices and Reviews - Yahoo! Autos. Web. 16 Oct. 2010. <http://autos.yahoo.com/consumerreports/article/best_and_worst_used_cars.html>.
Top 10 Most Popular Tuner Cars, Page 2 of 4." Associated Content - Associatedcontent.com. Web. 16 Oct. 2010. <http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2591581/top_10_most_popular_tuner_cars_pg2.html?cat=27>.
"SUBARU | History." SUBARU GLOBAL. Web. 16 Oct. 2010. <http://www.subaru-global.com/history.html>.
"Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan (2002)." Car Comparisons, New Car Buyers Guide, Used Car Buyers Guide - Premium Content on The Auto Channel. Web. 17 Oct. 2010. <http://www.theautochannel.com/vehicles/new/reviews/2002/russ0113.html>.
“Full Test: 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX." Inside Line: News, Road Tests, Auto Shows, Car Photos and Videos. Web. 17 Oct. 2010. <http://www.insideline.com/subaru/impreza-wrx/2002/full-test-2002-subaru-impreza-wrx.html>.
"IIHS-HLDI: Subaru Impreza." IIHS-HLDI: Crash Testing & Highway Safety. Web. 17 Oct. 2010. <http://www.iihs.org/ratings/ratingsbyseries.aspx?id=349>.
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