Timmay

I had put some thought into it before I pulled the trigger on a 2014 S4 but was tempted to go with something new such as an AMG. When it came down to it, the "feel" of the Audi brought me to the realization I couldn't go wrong with the S4. I did own a B7 platform S4 but what a different beast this one is. I think I prefer the newer style and engine. I used to be a purist who preferred rowing the gears but I do love the S-tronic and use the paddles almost exclusively. That's actually what led to my decision to buy an A3 back when they first rolled out.

PhilNotHill

Subaru WRX Sti. couldn't accept the boy racer huge rear wing and they no longer make a WRX Sti station wagon.

BMW 335xi Msport. Performance lacking. BMWs don't look good to me nowadays. Nearest dealer is 3.5 hours away. Audi dealer is 25 minutes away.

got the manual transmission and love it. My wife will not drive anything but a stick. Test drove an Audi with double clutch transmission and it upshifted on its own. Asked the salesman why. His answer: to save gas. How does the car know if you are about to pass someone or about to encounter a steep hill?

Test drove an S4 with DCT. Was not nearly as much fun to drive.

Best

Timmay

That's interesting about the S-tronic. I never use S-tronic/DSG in auto mode as I always manually shift in order to control when it upshifts/downshifts.

RickFLS4

I always drove larger cars before the S4 and was all over the board:

1) Considered another A6 but wasn't crazy about the C7 vs. my C6 and huge price jump
2) Looked at A7. See 1) above + $9,000
3) Infiniti M56 - just couldn't love it
4) CPO Panamera 4S - loved it but not the price for a used car
5) BMW 550 - liked it, didn't love it and have been looking at 5 series since 1998 without buying one; always a runner up
6) Jaguar XFR - never got that serious because they wouldn't let me drive it without running filling out a credit application

Neither the S6 nor the RS5 were available when I got my S4 but if they were I'd probably add them to the list. In the end, the S4 was the best combination of sport, luxury and price. Very happy with it.

moose_head

2013 models, only considering AWD:
1- Infiniti G37x or M56x
2- MB C350
3- Volvo S60 R-Design
4- Ford Taurus SHO
5- Lincoln MKZ (I swear I'm not 65 years old... I was interested in it when the 2013 details first started coming out. It didn't deliver though.)
6- Lexus GS350 (came close on this one.. they just had nothing in stock and Audi dealer across the street...)

DrGP

None. S4 was/is far superior to 335i coupe that I had been driving. even though I really liked the 335i. So after 42 months driving a leased S4, I could not find anything out there in the same price range that I liked any better. I then leased another S4 with a few more options and I an completely happy with my decision. THIS IS A GREAT CAR!

brooklyn86

Had to be 6MT and AWD. So in no particular order:

1. BMW 335xi (AWD not as good and just not a fan of owning a BMW)
2. Subaru WRX STi (wanted a better interior and something less boy racer)
3. Mitsubishi Lancer Evo (similar to the STi)

m444

Vehicles considered in 2010;

BMW 135i/335i - does not have AWD & the my right leg hits the transmission tunnel.
MB AMG C63 - does not have AWD & the EPA sticker MPG was bit shocking
Porsche Cayman - not practical to carry anything.
Subaru STI - kind of ugly & freeway mileage is poor (MT only?)
Nissan G35 - not enough power
Audi A4 - not enough power
Audi A3 - not enough power
Mitsubishi Evo MR - kind of cheesy looking, poor freeway mileage

evomr-to-s4

traded 2012 evo mr for 2014 s4, also looked at bmw m235i. s4 seems like the complete package that really satisfies.

safetywork

In no particular order....

Subaru STI WRX (Couldn't get past the styling)
BMW M3 (Lacked spare tire, Preferred the steering feel of my e36 M)
Mercedes C63 (No manual transmission)

Ended up keeping my '99 e36 M and got a 2013 S4 with manual transmission