Audi-X2

Choose between an A6 (with the 4.2 engine set-up, of course!) and the A8L? Wow...a tough choice. They're two completely different cars in so many ways.

I've had the A6 longer, so I'm more familiar with it. The A8L is only a bit over a week old, so I'm still getting familar with it. But the cars' personality differences are very striking:

Speed/agility: A6 wins. Very sporty. Feels much faster than the A8L, and more nimble, too.

Overall comfort: A8L wins. Far better seats, better dashboard layout, more creature comforts.

Styling: Almost a draw...but I might give the edge to the A6.

Elegance: A8L, of course.

Bottom line between the two cars: A6 is sporty and more fun to drive. A high-spirited young sprinter. A8L is a very noble car, more at home on the highway than on twisty country roads. It's a good mature marathon runner, ready to go long distances.

If given a forced choice? This may get me booted off the A8/S8 forum, but I'd probably go with the A6. That could be because my A8L hasn't been broken-in yet, and doesn't have the oooomph that the A6 has (but then, too, I think the A6's handling is much sharper and brighter). I think there's a slightly better value in the A6 4.2, too -- it's about $17,000 less than an A8L. There's a great feel coming from the A6 I'm just not getting in the A8L. Unless someone really needs the extra room offered by the A8L, I don't think they'd be much disappointed (if at all) if they had to "settle" for the A6 4.2. Indeed, they'd be extremely pleased with the car!

Audi-X2
'00 A6 4.2 black/vanilla
'01 A8L black/black