Do You Need to Go the Luxury Brand Option?
Just like a man in lycra with mismatched hairplugs there are some things in this world that are just wrong. Another example is buying a turbocharged sports sedan with an automatic transmission. Can you say poseur? You might as well be driving that automatic turbocharged sports sedan in a full body lycra bodysuit for all the grief your friends will give you for being such a wimp.Such is the reason that Subaru is only offering its Subaru Legacy GT with the turbocharged 4 cylinder (same as the one in the WRX) as a manual transmission model. No need to apply if you have a third pedal-phobia. Kudos to Subaru for having the guts to market its most sporting Legacy to the sorts of drivers who love the full control a manual transmission allows them.
Although the Audi A4 2.0T is predominantly bought with an automatic (Quattro models) or CVT (front drive models), the most sporting A4 will always be the one with the manual. While the 2.0 liter, direct injected and turbocharged 4 cylinder has plenty of torque to handle the automatics it is far more fun to drive with a manual. But do you need to pay the extra for the Audi name to really enjoy yourself? Or has Subaru finally built an Audi killer? Let's see.
Subaru 2.5 GT Premium ($27,995)
Equipped with a six speed manual transmission (a bit notchy but a pleasure to use), this 256 horsepower turbocharged 4 cylinder lacks the immediacy of the Audi engine due to its lack of direct injection. Fuel economy ratings of 22 city/25 highway offset somewhat the higher than average need for maintenance for the turbo Subaru motors. Whereas the interior is a true tour de force for a Subaru it cannot compete with the Audi for build quality.
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