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Comments
May you have continued enjoyment!
--'rocco
Congratulations and enjoy your ride!!
--'rocco
We only to up to Tahoe once per year in the winter (and more in the summer). I guess we will cross that bridge when we get to it.
As far as the suspension, I don't really notice a difference (but I also drive fairly conservatively and that may be why). It seems to be similar to my mom's A6.
So I am probably the wrong person to ask
-Shannon
Anthony-- Ahhhhh yah, that's the dead giveaway --didn't think of asking you that ...but the 16" rims and tires are a good combination, IMO. No offense to Shannon (and all you others that have the 17" sport rims) but I actually kinda like the old 16's. Sure, they're not as quite as kewl looking as the 17's but I believe that they are a good compromise between the ultra-performance 17's and the stock 15's as far as looks, handling, less potential for being damaged, lower cost of replacing the tires, and not having the need for winter change-over. They are definitely more conservative in their looks but I almost like that. So Anthony, if you ever plan on up-grading those rims later, I'll take, 'em! lol :-P With Shannon's suspension parts and your rims, I'll be SET!!!! :-)
--'rocco
Nate
If you get the sports package, just make sure you have all-seasons or snow tires for the winter. Summer tires are terrible in snow, even with Quattro.
I don't have ESP, so I won't comment on that.
Mark's right, ESP has nothing to do with the Sport package. My A4 has ESP but doesn't have the Sport package. Another car that I was trying to buy but was purchased just seconds before I could begin negotiaing for it, had the Sport package but no ESP. Read back a few posts to post #1496 to read Markincincinnati's excellent post about ESP.
-'rocco
--'rocco
Kih-- yah, you might just have to order a 2002 now. Since production of the 2001's have now ceased, whatever you find out there will be all that you'll find out there, lol, although I hope you'll get lucky and find one equipped like you want.
--'rocco
Also regarding Quattro in snow, I once read on Audiworld.com that Audi's have a problem with the rear swinging out when starting on snow/ice. However, I wonder if these cars were equiped with ESP? Would ESP minimize/eliminate the car swinging out when starting on snow/ice? One theory why this happens is that quattro sends too much torque to the gripping wheels too quickly. Don't know if I should believe that.
TIA.
ESP does not actually aid in traction from a standing start, so no, I don't believe that it will help with the car's rear end swinging out starting in snow and ice. As with any vehicle, the "slow-and-easy" rule applies with Quattro as well when driving on snow and ice. I'm not anticipating any problems at all when winter comes. Quattro is going to be far superior to rwd (obviously, of course) and fwd as well.
--'rocco
--'rocco
While shopping for a car back a few months ago, it actaully came down to the new Passat (2 wheel) and the A4(quattro)
Loved the exterior of the Passat and all its standards and those offered options with the GLX, loved the interior of the A4.
I see the pics of the new A4 and I say great, that would have made my decision easier, until I saw the pics of the interior, not that it is a bad layout, it's just not as good as the old one.
Shawn, isn't that a "tragedy".....I think VW is trying to minimize the gap between the A4/A6 and the Passats.....eventually buyers will be so confused.....also the Audi brand will be degraded.....as we all know VW is known for its "Volks" which means "People or everybody" and good for "Value for Money". Raising the VW's brand to a level similar to Audi is dangerous to both companies (same parent company).
Yeah I believe ESP won't help you to launch faster in snow/ice conditions. ESP will stop the wheelspin once it senses it, so if you are that adventurous to floor the gas on snow/ice, the wheels will be slowed until there is grip. I'd say launching a non-ESP equipped car skillfully should take about the same time as a ESP equipped car. ESP helps when you take a 90 degrees curve at 30mph when you are at the edge of over/understeering, but not straightline acceleration.
Billy
The cloth seats were a must for me as I generally like the grip of cloth. The sport seat option is GREAT. They are the same seats as in an S4, only covered in cloth. The sport seats are difficult to locate, but very much worth the extra cost. They are very supportive and comfortable and come with power lumbar as well. I highly recommend them!!
Having said that, I feel the A4 1.8T is the best built, best valued car in the upper-$20K range, regardless of the seat coverings...
Also I had tried to follow a link that gave driving impressions of the 2002, but I did not find the site. Anyone read one of these. Thanks.
Good luck.
--'rocco
Oh by the way, where do you live spike66? I better watch out for an A4 1.8T who might be doing 136mph. That's a little too fast on the road, don't you think?
Billy
-driving in a silver Taurus in PA and thinkin' about my 1.8T anxiously
P.S. I too can't wait for that first snow!
Ken-- From what I'm reading over at AW and VWVortex, people are negotiating for and ordering their 2002 A4's at a "price over invoice" so they're inferring that the official prices haven't yet been released. I have heard the brochures are out, though.
Mike-- "rock solid" at that speed? *thumbs up*
Billy-- silver Taurus in PA?????
Joel-- I agree completely with taller and narrower being better in snow. But I have a friend with an S4 and one with an A4 Sport pkg and both went with 16's for snows. Neither considered 15's (wouldn't even fit on an S4) and 16's were a good compromise (coming from 17's) for the profile was higher and the tread width slightly narrower than their standard tires. Since both vehicles have slightly lower suspensions, 15's would've looked ridiculous and the 16's offered both decent looks and better over-all performance/handling on dry pavement over the 15's. In a place like MN where snow is on the ground for most of the winter, then yes, I guess 15's would be a better choice. For me with my non-sport set-up (*waaah*), I'm obviously going to get 15's for snow change-overs (if I do it at all) and eventually upgrade to 16's for everyday use.
--'rocco
--'rocco
Can you spell R-I-P O-F-F. A recent post mentions that some folks are are negotiating __$ over INVOICE. There are not an abundance of Audi dealerships in my area, so I can't drive across town to another dealership. Any advice would be appreciated.
Topic: July 24th: "What is the stupidest thing you've seen someone do while driving?"
Why don't you get a 2001? You can get some pretty good deals right now.
Sideshow, I had a 96 Accord with 120k miles when I traded it in in Feb this year and it had ONLY a problem with the driver's window motor (replaced) and an overreactive door lock (still lockable but also replaced). Other than that, the thing ran solid and smooth. Started whenever I wanted it, even after 30 days of sitting in the snow in Wisconsin's winter. I can't say the same about German cars, although mine (a 2001.5 1.8T) got no problems since Feb 28 this year with 5700 miles, well excluding the radio all of a sudden died on me and after I pulled the fuse out and wiped it down, it came back alive and no problems since then. Hope it's built as reliable as the Accord.
Oh yeah, Mark, you are right about those accidents. I *almost* got T-boned by a Camry not seeing me. 100% her fault, and mind ya, I never had one single accident before that in my Accord for 120k miles. How the heck did the other driver miss a silver A4 coming their way? I dunno. It's time to paint my car Imola. Just kidding.
Billy