Looking for an AWD model. Are there any issues with them?

[samsonite]

Wondering if the AWD model has any quarks I should be worried about. I'll be driving in the mountains and plan on driving it fairly hard.

[ehoff121]

Well, things to know when buying a 1st gen AWD (2003-2006):

The 2003-2005 have cabled throttles, the 2006 is drive-by-wire.

The rear differential seals can leak, so check underneath for seepage from the sides.

There is no off the shelf performance exhaust system for the AWD.

There are two catalytic converters- one is inline and the other is inside the exhaust manifold.

They are slightly less peppy than the FWD, so drive one to make sure you like it.

You'll probably need to change the intake manifold gasket if it wasn't done already, but this is a straightforward DIY job.

Anyone want to chime in with 2nd gen (2009-2010)?

[dmottv]

My '05 AWD is slightly less peppy than the '05 FWD, but I toggle the overdrive button on the shift lever and find it quite capable. I've driven it in the NH White Mtns and it handles well. The '09 AWD 2.4 is peppy!

Both of my AWD's rear differential seals leak. The '09 is new to me this past week with 57k, but didn't take much to top off. The '05 was similar, it didn't take much to top off when I bought it with 83k, and didn't lose much in the last 60k.

I was lucky when I test drove the '05 AWD. It had just snowed and there was several inches of wet slush on the road. The AWD was so significantly more surefooted in the slush then the FWD, that I was sold.