[CharlieS]

Doug,

I'd agree, the Audi quattro system is a very nice setup.

Having owned a number of four wheel drive vehicles of different sorts including several subarus and audis, I'd say the quattro AWD system on the audi is the best system out there of the street vehicles I've driven. That is, for on road performance in inclement weather (I live in VT so we see a fair amount of ice and snow).

I don't own it anymore, but my favorite was an audi A4. Nice vehicle. Good ergonimics, excellent build quality, nice looking, great road manners.

Off the beaten path (not on pavement or good gravel roads) is an entirely different story and other factors come into play other than the 4wd system (ground clearance, selectability etc). I'm not sure my choice would be the same if the intended use was not good roads.

Charlie