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It Runs on Cachet and Makes You Pay for It

2008 Audi A3 3.2 Quattro wagon (Courtesy of Audi)

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Even if you did a more logical comparison -- small all-wheel-drive wagon versus small all-wheel-drive wagon -- you'd have to scratch your head pondering the cost of the tested 3.2 Quattro versus that of, say, the much more accommodating but equally powerful Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited that sells at a base price nearly $2,000 less.

But, again, perception rules the auto retail business. In that world, comparing an Audi with a Subaru makes about as much sense as comparing a diamond bought from Jared with one purchased from Wal-Mart. Both glisten. But only one has cachet.

That one, here, is the 3.2 Quattro. It does not carry five people as comfortably as transporting them in a Chevrolet Impala sedan or a Subaru Legacy wagon. It does not offer more safety, reliability or fuel economy. It runs faster and handles better than many vehicles in the same price category. It is more fun to drive. It definitely has pizazz.

But there is only so much I'm willing to pay for fun and prestige, especially at the expense of almost everything else. The 3.2 Quattro pushes the limit.

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