ThorsHammer

I had told myself that I wouldn't chip before I had paid my CC debt to $0. Now, however, I have the Audi Quattro Challenge at the California Motor Speedway coming up at the end of September. Considering it's "teaching" me how to drive my car better, I'm thinking it may be, shall I say beneficial, to have it chipped before the event.

The question here is whether I'm looking for an excuse to get the chip before the payoff (though it is at 1.9% for another 10 months - so the debt is practically free), or is it a legit reason.

BTW - any word on when APR will have a So-Cal distributor?

markbradford

Get the chip before the Challenge - it will be a lot more fun. :-)

RKA

If the car is slower, it forces you to look at your driving habits with a little more scrutiny. You'll learn to anticipate turns, and prepare for exits, rather than relying on some quick horsepower to get you down the straight and make up for lost time (sloppy driving).

I'm not saying it wouldn't be more fun with a chip (it would), I'm just saying that you'll learn to compensate for lower horsepower, but improving your driving technique. Either way, you'll still have fun!

markbradford

the A4 is so underpowered in stock form, that there are many situations that you should learn to deal with that simply can't be replicated without the chip. The extra 30-50 HP is sometimes necessary to produce a drift, depending on your speed and turning angle. Also, sometimes holding a line can be a little more difficult with a twitchier gopedal.

The Quattro Challenge isn't a race event anyway - it's an opportunity to explore the limits of the car in a controlled environment. Therefore, it's not like he's using the chip as a "cheat" or anything. If the car is going to have higher limits, and perhaps more visceral responses after the chip, then he may as well learn them in this controlled environment.

I'm thinking, if he's going to be using the chip down the road anyway, then he may as well learn the basics of quick driving in a car equipped similarly to one he will be driving in the future.

RKA

If he doesn't get the chip, we gotta make him feel good...after all, this is the "Feel Good" forum, haven't you heard! =)

markbradford

*hug* Yeah man, I'm feeling it. Are you guys feeling the love? :-P

jason in toronto

it's a lot of fun, and the instructors don't work for audi anyways so i wouldn't worry about audi finding out.

ThorsHammer

Thank you all - I guess I need to start deciding bet. GIAC & APR - but I won't start that debate ;-)