My A4 2002 1.8TQS test drive
01-15-2002, 12:13 PM
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My A4 2002 1.8TQS test drive
First, what is hot to me.
- This is a highly desirable car. Its look alone would be a sell for me. It feels and look less like a small car than 3-series.
- Level of built quality is very high; it impresses. Light color interiors feel cheaper though. Leatherette feels good.
- Road and engine noise is well contained.
- Sport suspension with 17" rides not that bad.
- A normal human being can seat in the rear.
- ESP and CD changer are std. I don't care about Quattro but I value ESP very much.
- Truly fun-to-drive even if it is porkier than ever.
- 3.9% 5 yrs financing.
- Resale values of older model look OK.
- Did I say it is a looker?
What's not hot to me.
- I'd trade in a minute the Quattro in favor of a "6". I never got used to this engine because its sound, complexity and it shakes too much on idle (it was a manual). Power was adequate, though, if not outstanding. Just don't like the idea of a "4" in a 41650$CAD car.
- The shifter is NOT good. Even a recent Passat I drove was feeling better, both the 1.8T and gear linkage. Not obvious why.
- One of the two dealers I visited had horrible sales service; AudiStrasse in Montreal. The guy was not interested, not interesting. When asked for a test drive, he didn't have a demo manual, even if there were many cars, neither did he propose to try even an automatic. I was more than welcomed in the second dealer and the guy had the right tone.
- long-term reliability (6 yrs and more) is still questionable.
Will I buy one at the end of my lease, which is due soon? My cartesian side has decided "later" after budgeting and after I realized what I need to put in my retirement funds to compensate poor performance lately. Mortage will be over in 3 yrs and then I'll fight harder against my cartesian side. It is much more its styling that attract me that any kind of functionnality; my actual loaded Accord is very competent and reasonnably fun-to-drive.
But styling wise, the Audi is clearly superior and more agile, specially with its sport package. A Passat V6 5 sp. would make sense but that it is only that; make sense. I don't see as desirable as the A4.
- This is a highly desirable car. Its look alone would be a sell for me. It feels and look less like a small car than 3-series.
- Level of built quality is very high; it impresses. Light color interiors feel cheaper though. Leatherette feels good.
- Road and engine noise is well contained.
- Sport suspension with 17" rides not that bad.
- A normal human being can seat in the rear.
- ESP and CD changer are std. I don't care about Quattro but I value ESP very much.
- Truly fun-to-drive even if it is porkier than ever.
- 3.9% 5 yrs financing.
- Resale values of older model look OK.
- Did I say it is a looker?
What's not hot to me.
- I'd trade in a minute the Quattro in favor of a "6". I never got used to this engine because its sound, complexity and it shakes too much on idle (it was a manual). Power was adequate, though, if not outstanding. Just don't like the idea of a "4" in a 41650$CAD car.
- The shifter is NOT good. Even a recent Passat I drove was feeling better, both the 1.8T and gear linkage. Not obvious why.
- One of the two dealers I visited had horrible sales service; AudiStrasse in Montreal. The guy was not interested, not interesting. When asked for a test drive, he didn't have a demo manual, even if there were many cars, neither did he propose to try even an automatic. I was more than welcomed in the second dealer and the guy had the right tone.
- long-term reliability (6 yrs and more) is still questionable.
Will I buy one at the end of my lease, which is due soon? My cartesian side has decided "later" after budgeting and after I realized what I need to put in my retirement funds to compensate poor performance lately. Mortage will be over in 3 yrs and then I'll fight harder against my cartesian side.
It is much more its styling that attract me that any kind of functionnality; my actual loaded Accord is very competent and reasonnably fun-to-drive. But styling wise, the Audi is clearly superior and more agile, specially with its sport package. A Passat V6 5 sp. would make sense but that it is only that; make sense. I don't see as desirable as the A4.
01-15-2002, 03:49 PM
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Stability control is more important ...
than quattro for winter driving, if I had to choose
only one. But the combo is even better!
I agree that the frontrak with ESP in the new A4 is just fine for the winter.
But, of course, the most important thing for winter driving is the TIRES.
only one. But the combo is even better!
I agree that the frontrak with ESP in the new A4 is just fine for the winter.
But, of course, the most important thing for winter driving is the TIRES.
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