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Comments
Anyway, had ruled out the automatics since they don't seem to have the "pep" of the 5 speeds and notice a hesitation when it shifts gears. The 5 speed seems so much soother and assume it will get better as I get more practice shifting!
So.... have a choice of 2 A4s: both 5 speeds, both can be gotten for around $25K, one (mŽlange)has the dose system and xenon lights, the other (cactus green - kind grows on you) has the Celebration package and sport package.
Any input would be appreciated. Not much on sunroofs but seems a shame to have an A4 w/o one. Sport package: how will it impact my driving, tires, etc? Discernible difference in the 2 stereo systems? Have heard good things about xenon lights - are they reliable (don't burn out fast)?
Told the dealer would decide on Mon. FWIW, I live in San Antonio.....and have been driving Volvos for 18 yrs.....
Appreciate any input.....
Well, I guess you can see that I really love the 1.8t engine, lol... but as far as the choices you mentioned, hmmmmmm... yeah, it's a tough choice. I'd have to believe that the one with the Bose and Xenons will have either the Premium package (left-over 2001.0) or the Celebration package (2001.5) so you'll get the sunroof no matter what ...and believe me, it's one slick sunroof; the controls can't be beat! As you might know from looking at my profile, I have Bose and Xenons but no Sport package and everyone who's been reading my posts knows that I regret not getting the Sports pkg. I've come to love the Xenons but Bose IMO is not worth the cost the Audi is charging. So with that said, I'd have to recommend the catus green (nice color, btw) with the Sport package. Having the celebration package means that it is a 2001.5 and has not been sitting around the dealer's lot as long as the one without it.
So anyway, Don, I'll give you more impressions on the Sport package issue (and I'm assuming that others will contriubte to that discussion too, lol) if you need it but let me just say, IT'S WORTH THE MONEY. I'm assuming you are not looking at Quattro models and since you are in TX, you don't have the worry of changing rims/tires over in the winter. Let us know if you have any more questions and good luck!
--'rocco
The melange has only a few miles (6 when I test drove it yesterday) on it (not sure if 2001 or 2001.5) but no sunroof which is a rarity - only the 2nd one I've seen at the dealer, other one was a CX'd order. Personally, I wouldn't pay extra for the Bose system either but it's there. Yes, the cactus green (80 miles on itand a 2001.5) is growing on me after seeing it the past 2 days - dealer got it in a "trade" with another dealer. Only quattro models here are automatic and are loaded - more than I care to spend (test drove one today - def not as perky as 5 speed). However, if there was one w/manual I might consider it. For $25K I think either will be a good deal - nice that I have a choice. Only other colors here are blue and black which I would never get or automatic.
Don
Volvo's aligning with Ford was definitely disappointing along with the Saab and GM marriage. There was a funny post over on AW a few months ago that I posted here before but I'll post it again... I had to laugh, it's about Audi merging with Cadillac: CONFIRMED! VW sells Audi to Cadillac
--'rocco
Yeah Bose is nice, but not THE thing to have. I'd take Xenon for sure, Convenience pkg for sure, Quattro for sure, Sports pkg if I were you living in TX, and that's about it.
Billy
btw, convenience package?? now what's that?
-'rocco
1.8TQ Tip
Celebration package
Sport seats (but not sport suspension 'cause I didn't wanna hassle with changing tires for snowy weather)
Light silver/onyx cloth interior
Stuff I wish I wouldda gotten, in retrospect: ESP and cold-weather package.
Didn't get Xenons 'cause I live in a hilly area and have heard that they're not well-suited for that kind of terrain. Didn't get Bose 'cause I heard it's not worth the extra $$$.
Really hope I don't regret having gotten the Tip. I love driving manuals -- always have driven them -- but opted for the Tiptronic for two reasons: foot problems (screwed-up bone alignment gets painful when I have to depress a clutch in traffic, and Tip seemed less expensive than surgery!) and needed a car I could loan to my parents, who can't drive a stick.
First impressions:
It's really frustrating not to be able to goose this thing during the break-in period. When I test-drove the 1.8T automatic, I was surprised at how responsive it seemed. Now I wanna see what this new car can do, but that's gonna have to wait. Oh well.
Also: am really impressed at how solid this thing seems. I've read that the 2002 models will have greater body rigidity, and I'm thinking: how -- pour concrete over it? Fit and finish seem superb too. Also, it's so nice to have a car that I can see out of well (I'm 5'1"). But Scirocco, you're right about the B pillar causing a bit of a blockage. Am gonna have to experiment with the seat position a little bit to try to work around that.
One surprise: The fabric in the cloth upholstery is unlike any other upholstery fabric I've seen. It seems very durable but is definitely a synthetic -- none of the soft, "veloury" fabric that you find in many near-lux cars. On a scale of 1 to 10, it ranks 10 in sportiness, 0 in luxury. This isn't a criticism, just a surprise. Dealer didn't have cloth seats on the lot, so I knew this would be a bit of a crapshoot when I ordered them. Really like the configuration and support of the sport seats, though.
Handling is great. Now I've just gotta figure out what all the bells and whistles will do!
It kicks total [non-permissible content removed]. 'Nuff said.
Yes, I'm also impressed with it's "solidity" ...but what I'm hearing from those in Europe (from the VWVortex and AW boards) that already have been driving the 2002 model, the "new" body is far superior in terms of rigidity and solidity, etc. ...so lol@your comment about "concrete!" yah, so the '02 must be "really" impressive then! But I agree, after owning so many Japaneses cars, there's just something unique about the Audi's fit and finish. And about that right side blind spot: I think that adjusting the position of the passenger seat helps. I'm finding that it's the passenger seat head-rest that's doing most of the blocking.
I'm glad that the cloth seats weren't a real big disappointment. I was wondering what your impression was going to be. I'm glad it's a relatively positive one! Now, it isn't the "sport" seat option, is it? --oh wait, it is, I just noticed that you posted that! Great! I saw those seats at the dealer and would have opted for them if I had ordered the car too!
Oh man, yah, bells and whistles! How many of us have really used both "speed alarms" anyway, lol?! I've just set one of them to about 65 mph because I do most of my driving (so far) only on the freeways within the metropolitan area which have a speed limit of 60 mph. And impress your friends or maybe even yourself, lol, by going through the driver information display check! ...I know I was impressed the first time I tried it!
Again, congratulations, Karen and keep us posted on your further impressions! oh, btw, it's ok to let your parents drive it but just keep it away from hubby until you pass the 1K mark, lol ;-)
--'rocco
--'rocco
Custom Auto Trim
Wood Dash Factory
I'm sure there's more if you used a search engine.
--'rocco
BTW, I started my own business -- based out of my home -- three years ago, and for the past three years I've loved working at home and having clients' projects delivered to me there. It was so nice not to have to bother with a commute anymore. But -- lol -- this new A4 is almost enough to make me wish I had a regular job to drive to again! Almost....!
Karen-- lol! *winks*
--'rocco
I didn't care about wood or leather (the leatherette looks good to me), so I got the 1.8T and saved myself some money. I think the 1.8 is more fun to drive, anyways (as long as you get a manual tranny).
In addition to leather and wood trim that Mike mentioned, the 2.8 also comes with power front seats. This is also not a huge issue for most people, but I confess that I really like the power seats and the leather. You can check Audiworld.com and do a search on this topic for some other opinions. This is one that really comes down to personal preference and I don't think you can really go wrong!
Of course if you go down to 16" there're lots of winter tires to choose from, and maybe in the long run it's better than 17", but if you insist on the looks of 17" snow tires, the Winter Sports are the best to go.
Billy
There's something about feeling that turbo, though!
Jack-- First of all, welcome! And yes, you are right about 2.8's being slower movers and consequently may have better incentives offered. I can't really comment too much about lease rates because I'm not a "leaser" or for that mattter "a monthly payment person" period --I despise the idea of taking out a loan on a depreciating asset but that's an entirely different topic, lol! But as we have discussed before, a lot of people that consider the 2.8 (for the extra 4-5k), usually start looking more closely at Bimmers for the value gap now starts to get smaller. IMHO, the A4 with the 1.8t reprsents value that's hard to beat. I test drove both the 2.8 in the A4 and the Passat (each with 5-speeds) and didn't find them as satisfying as the 1.8t. The flat torque curve of the 1.8t with its low pressure turbo just gives it that certain "character" that, yes, there's just "something" about, lol. ooops, here I go again... I better stop now! ...sorry all:-P
Thanks!
Anyway, since having purchased our 2001 allroad I must confess that the extra power of the 2.7T engine has become very intoxicating, and actually makes the 2.8 engine feel lethargic by comparision, unless you let the revs climb well into its power band. I realize that there is about a $15,000 difference between the 1.8T (fairly loaded) and a "base" S4 (which comes very loaded) but such is the price of performance - that 2.7T engine really moves. Since three years ago the A4 2.8's pecking order seems to have been somewhat squeezed by the increased power of the 1.8T and the availability of much greater power of the S4, which is available today at a price that's less than $5,000 more than what I paid for a loaded A4 more than 3 years ago! (A4's were in very short supply at the time, and MSRP prices were the norm).
These are ALL great cars, but arguably for most people "on a budget" the 1.8T (with a stick) delivers the most bang for the buck. For the more luxury-oriented folks where performance is not as much of a factor, some great buys can now be found on the A4 2.8. But if I were in the market right now and I was looking seriously at the 2.8, I think I would try to hold off until fall when I could then hopefully test-drive the 3.0 and a leftover 2.8 back-to-back, and then make my decision.
And I think either 16 or 17 in snows would work just fine. Personally, I'd get an extra set of rims, though (and just leave the snows mounted).
Joel, I agree with your points. In my case I did not want to wait for the 2002 because I prefer the current body style and the smaller size, and I know from my Passat that the engine would be plenty satisfying. The S4 was a bit out of reach for me at this point, but I was happy to "splurge" for the other creature comforts. Bottom line is I'm really enjoying my A4!
Mark
"...But folks, this engine just storms. All 258 lb.-ft. (350 Nm) of torque is there for your exploitation by the time this V-6 measures off 1,850 rpm; never mind that in terms of specific output the 93 hp/L also places this unit firmly in the upper strata of current production engines. Pair that output with Audi's ridiculously enjoyable 6-speed manual transmission and 60 mph (97 km/h) in an A6 sedan rolls up in 6 seconds flat.
Choose a gear--just about any of the available six will do --step on the minutely responsive throttle and that monstrous wave of torque blows the car past lesser-engined conveyances with majestic aplomb. With that sort of thrust, we don't need no stinking V-8s!
Considering the contemporary state of V-8 development, you won't get anywhere near the Audi 2.7L V-6's techno package, anyway. Although we tested the 2.7L/6-speed driveline in the new (and quite good, by the way) A6-based allroad quasi-SUV, the "regular" A6 sedan/wagon also is available with Audi's engaging 4.2L DOHC V-8 --and the fact remains that we deeply prefer the twin-turbo V-6. To our way of thinking, the 2.7L twin-turbo V-6 is the perfect engine to promote what Audis are supposed to be."
I want one! :-P
--'rocco
Currently, I'd love an S4 Avant with the manual tranny. But I doubt they will still be making it in 3 years when my lease is up. Hopefully the new S4 will be out by then so I can choose (but I do think I'd want the Avant - so much practicality for so little penalty).
Such tough choices!
Oh, don't even try to drive in the snow with the high performance sports tires. It's just plain too dangerous.
Billy
Any good web sites that have user reviews of 2002. Thanks in advance for your help.
D.J.-- No offense but "duh" ...yes, the 1.8t in its stock form will "feel" underpowered compared with a WRX, lol. And a 2.8 superior to a 1.8t?? well, you know my opinion on that :-P --I don't know where you are located but here in the NW, there are very few new 1.8t with 5-speed manuals left so you wouldn't get too much of a price break on a manual as you would on a Tip.
--here's a guy in Sweden that just got an '02 that posted on a VWVortex thread... he answered some questions that some of us had: http://forums.vwvortex.com/vwbb/Forum26/HTML/001318.html
--and if you are a Yahoo member, here's 116 various pictures: 2002 A4 pics
--'rocco
--'rocco
I would hate to see the S4 go to a V or W8. Too much weight up front (on a car that already has a roughly 55/45 front weight bias).
Just decide what is more important to you - a great performer with blah looks and interior (IMO), or a good performer with great looks and interior.
Just drive them both, look at them both, and decide for yourself.
BTW, if you are leasing, my A4 lease payment is less than my payment would have been even though the A4 costs about $3-5k more, due to Audi's subsidized lease rates.
"Honey, is it about time to trade in your car??" I said to my girlfriend.
Billy
--'rocco
How you likin' that Avant so far?? --or do I even need to ask, lol! :-P
--'rocco
mgmyers, there were a lot of A4s at the dealerships, but not too many Avants, and certainly not many 2.8s (we were looking for a very specific package in Silver or Santorin Blue).
-Shannon
A4 2.8 Avant w/ Leather, Sport, Celebration, Bose, Xenon and Cold Weather (not sure why the dealers order these in California!)