Damn I'm a lucky SOB...not only did I get.......(road tests inside)
10-03-2001, 01:41 PM
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Damn I'm a lucky SOB...not only did I get.......(road tests inside)
These:
<img src="http://lh5.google.com/bahnburner/R9GAJinhz8I/AAAAAAAAAWM/IfLmKQ25T-E/s800/160580.jpg">
...my Audi VIP tickets today to the 2001 Petit Lemans @ Road Atlanta ($200 each), which include private parking, catering, television coverage of the race, Audi memorabilia, and an autograph session with the drivers...
...but, while I was there, I got talking with the Owner/President & he offered me to test drive an A6 4.2, Allroad, and S4 (all 2001). Apparently these cars were sitting in the lot for way too long & I was doing HIM a favor by taking them for a test drive!Woo Hoo! Test driving impressions below...
4.2 A6:
<img src="http://lh3.google.com/bahnburner/R9GAJCnhz6I/AAAAAAAAAV8/lczVjVuBPE4/s800/160578.jpg">
The A6 4.2 is a heavy car compared to my A4, turning at speed (20 mph) feels a lot heavier/softer. The V8 sounds like it belongs more in an SUV than a car, quite a different growl from the 1.8T. The engine has tons of torque, and at speed (55+mph) is silent. The acceleration was a little too sluggish for such a high powered vehicle, due to its weight. Tiptronic shifting is very sluggish compared to manual tranny and isn't really worth using; shifting is super smooth otherwise. Interior is obviously huge, definetly a passenger car with rear heated seats & built-in sun shades on the rear windows (shades retract into doors). Bose sound system has a subwoofer in the GIANT trunk. The Owner/President said it best "old guys buy this car".
2.7T Allroad:
<img src="http://lh4.google.com/bahnburner/R9GAJSnhz7I/AAAAAAAAAWE/KHPb7rvf5X4/s800/160579.jpg">
The allroad was my favorite of the bunch, although the tires were extemely flat spotted for about 15 minutes of the test drive due to being parked for so long & battery was also dead. Loved the "up /\ & down \/" buttons for ground clearance. Interestingly, the car will lower automatically at high speeds. Car is very fast, although I didn't dare put the hammer down as it had only 16 miles on the odometer. Handling is very good around corners and didn't feel as front heavy as the A6. Auto tranny was smooth and effortless. Interior has as much space as any human could ever want. I love the look of this car; it emulates RUGGED like no other Audi.
S4:
<img src="http://lh3.google.com/bahnburner/R9F_FCnhz5I/AAAAAAAAAV0/xxCMoMSjrmM/s800/DSC00483.JPG">
The S4 was obviously the fastest of the bunch, speed is very intoxicating in this car, my right foot found it hard to let off the gas pedal. I had to keep reminding myself my drivers license would be in jeapordy if I were to drive this vehicle for much longer. The six speed was the hardest thing to get used too, it felt as though no matter what gear I was in, the engine had no problem accelerating. Handling felt similar to my sport packaged A4, although there seemed to be a bit more understeer. Engine noise was on par with the 1.8T with a nice growl, much deeper sounding than a 4 cylinder. The turbos were silent, and obviously way under-tuned. Fuel mileage was good with minimal acceleration, but once the foot took over bye, bye gas. Interior was no different from 1.8T except for a few badges on steering wheel & door sill; grey wood interior was nice without being too fancy(I have aluminum pin-hole trim). I actually didn't like the auto seats in the S4 (or in any of the cars for that matter), they seemed to be too high up even at the lowest setting compared to my seats without power.
*UPDATE* Incredibly this EXACT SAME S4 turned up on the lot again a year later with only 9K miles on it, and I just had to buy it! At the time, I had no idea that they were the same car. Go <a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/1382299.phtml">here</a> to get the story.
So my pick is the Allroad for its classy rugged looks and very good handling & power. Not sure I'd ever buy one though, I'm too attached to my A4 to even think about buying another car. Also, for those of you driving your A4 around & longing for something more, think twice, our cars are amazing well balanced good looking vehicles and you should be very, very proud to be driving one as I am.
<img src="http://lh5.google.com/bahnburner/R9GAJinhz8I/AAAAAAAAAWM/IfLmKQ25T-E/s800/160580.jpg">
...my Audi VIP tickets today to the 2001 Petit Lemans @ Road Atlanta ($200 each), which include private parking, catering, television coverage of the race, Audi memorabilia, and an autograph session with the drivers...
...but, while I was there, I got talking with the Owner/President & he offered me to test drive an A6 4.2, Allroad, and S4 (all 2001). Apparently these cars were sitting in the lot for way too long & I was doing HIM a favor by taking them for a test drive!Woo Hoo! Test driving impressions below...
4.2 A6:
<img src="http://lh3.google.com/bahnburner/R9GAJCnhz6I/AAAAAAAAAV8/lczVjVuBPE4/s800/160578.jpg">
The A6 4.2 is a heavy car compared to my A4, turning at speed (20 mph) feels a lot heavier/softer. The V8 sounds like it belongs more in an SUV than a car, quite a different growl from the 1.8T. The engine has tons of torque, and at speed (55+mph) is silent. The acceleration was a little too sluggish for such a high powered vehicle, due to its weight. Tiptronic shifting is very sluggish compared to manual tranny and isn't really worth using; shifting is super smooth otherwise. Interior is obviously huge, definetly a passenger car with rear heated seats & built-in sun shades on the rear windows (shades retract into doors). Bose sound system has a subwoofer in the GIANT trunk. The Owner/President said it best "old guys buy this car".
2.7T Allroad:
<img src="http://lh4.google.com/bahnburner/R9GAJSnhz7I/AAAAAAAAAWE/KHPb7rvf5X4/s800/160579.jpg">
The allroad was my favorite of the bunch, although the tires were extemely flat spotted for about 15 minutes of the test drive due to being parked for so long & battery was also dead. Loved the "up /\ & down \/" buttons for ground clearance. Interestingly, the car will lower automatically at high speeds. Car is very fast, although I didn't dare put the hammer down as it had only 16 miles on the odometer. Handling is very good around corners and didn't feel as front heavy as the A6. Auto tranny was smooth and effortless. Interior has as much space as any human could ever want. I love the look of this car; it emulates RUGGED like no other Audi.
S4:
<img src="http://lh3.google.com/bahnburner/R9F_FCnhz5I/AAAAAAAAAV0/xxCMoMSjrmM/s800/DSC00483.JPG">
The S4 was obviously the fastest of the bunch, speed is very intoxicating in this car, my right foot found it hard to let off the gas pedal. I had to keep reminding myself my drivers license would be in jeapordy if I were to drive this vehicle for much longer. The six speed was the hardest thing to get used too, it felt as though no matter what gear I was in, the engine had no problem accelerating. Handling felt similar to my sport packaged A4, although there seemed to be a bit more understeer. Engine noise was on par with the 1.8T with a nice growl, much deeper sounding than a 4 cylinder. The turbos were silent, and obviously way under-tuned. Fuel mileage was good with minimal acceleration, but once the foot took over bye, bye gas. Interior was no different from 1.8T except for a few badges on steering wheel & door sill; grey wood interior was nice without being too fancy(I have aluminum pin-hole trim). I actually didn't like the auto seats in the S4 (or in any of the cars for that matter), they seemed to be too high up even at the lowest setting compared to my seats without power.
*UPDATE* Incredibly this EXACT SAME S4 turned up on the lot again a year later with only 9K miles on it, and I just had to buy it! At the time, I had no idea that they were the same car. Go <a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/1382299.phtml">here</a> to get the story.
So my pick is the Allroad for its classy rugged looks and very good handling & power. Not sure I'd ever buy one though, I'm too attached to my A4 to even think about buying another car. Also, for those of you driving your A4 around & longing for something more, think twice, our cars are amazing well balanced good looking vehicles and you should be very, very proud to be driving one as I am.
10-03-2001, 01:46 PM
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Dood about the S4
I found myself telling myself the same damn thing.. I can feel my licensce burning a hole..
That car just wants to go, and my foot just wants to push it.. Bad bad car to have.. Some day when my record is not as bad as it is now I will own one....
That car just wants to go, and my foot just wants to push it.. Bad bad car to have.. Some day when my record is not as bad as it is now I will own one....
