A(va)nticipation

I was having the Jetta serviced at my Audi/VW dealer, so of course I checked out the '02 A4s for the umpteenth time.

I was again struck by how much I like the look of the car in person. The main thing that detracts from its appearance in a photo is the unpainted lowers, especially in front, where the car seems to have a funny chin. But in person, the front quarter is perhaps my favorite part, and I don't mind the lowers at all. In fact, I kind of like them that color (blasphemy!). What is going on?

I think that in a photo, with its limited contrast, the unpainted parts seem to have little or no detail in them, and just turn into a "black hole" that your eye ignores. So it looks like the actual body of the car stops where the lowers start. This makes the front look skinny and pointy, the midsection look too thin, etc.

In person, however, there's no question that the lowers are an integral part of the car, and the proportions seem right.

I'm not saying it might not look better with painted lowers, though. :-)

Bada Bing

Right now, the last 2" or so of the doors is gray. The gray looks esprcially thick in the rear bumper area.

Dennis H.

I agree....I just test drove the new A4....they need to paint the lowers

lowPhaT

Also perhaps because in person you're viewing it at a downward angle..the lowers don't show as much

summersr

This seems to be a personal preference thing. You either love it or hate it. Am sure there are thousands of paint shops out there that would be glad to paint the lowers for those that find them ugly...

trifona

When you see it in Person...You get to see the Aggresive Stance....No picture can duplicate that.