My wife fell in love with this car while I was nervous about its reliabilty. After 3 months I am slowly falling in love. The car doesn't feel like a wagon (and certainly not an SUV). Compared to the Volvo XC70 we had before and liked, the allroad is a real performer. Five years old with 55k, it feels brand new. Tight and quiet and the quattro handles in the wet like it is on rails. Haven't had a chance in
the snow yet. The interior is the best I have ever had. I am still nervous about the costs of ownership. I am surprised to find it gets better gas mileage than the Volvo, but it is still pretty mediocre. I don't know yet if buying a $45k car for $17k was a bargain or a money pit. For now, at least, I am enjoying it a lot.

I specialize in repairing vw and audi autos.  Although I agree there is substantial maintenance required to keep an allroad in tip top shape there is not another comprable auto out there for more or less $