vanilla

Have had my 99 VR6 automatic for about a week now and thought I'd comment on how it compared to my 99.5 A4 2.8 stick.

While they share similar engines, the A4 was rated at 190hp vs. 174 for the VR6. However, the VR6 just feels quicker. Not sure why, perhaps because it's front wheel drive train.
The ride is softer and obviously I can't hug the corners and accelerate out of a turn as well as the quattro Audi.
Build wise is pretty close with the Audi perhaps a bit tighter.The VR6 sucks gas pretty bad though.

All in all, for a savings of $8K, the Jetta stacks up pretty well. Not sure what to do in two years time or so, when the new Jetta is out.
Still, getting back into the Audi family would be sweet...if i could only afford it!

Mica

For 8 grand less... the interior is pretty impressive.

If i were you I'd do some suspension... it's pretty necesary on the jetta.

quattrofrog

the VR6 is a 15 degree V
The 2.8 is a 90 degree V

The 2.8 also have a totally different head, 5 valves per cylendar.

The two engines are NOTHING alike. Only thing simmilar is the displacement.

quattrofrog

it has like half the drive train loss of the audi, so of course its gonna be quicker.

Automatic, WHY?

DK '98 A4 1.8

I have a chipped 1.8T quattro with a 5 speed and bought a '99 Jetta VR6 Auto for my wife. The Jetta would absolutely smoke the A4 but I'm hoping the install of a Borla exhaust in the A4 will shorten the gap. (Not that I have high expectations.) The fit and finish of the Audi is definitely better than the VW. Even w/ 111,000 vs. 40,000 miles.

vanilla

I didn't mean to come off sounding anti-Audi. It's just the current circumstances that had me going to a "lesser" brand.

But as I said, one day I'll be back to the Audi family.