Jeff

I have been a "Very Happy" Saab owner. My '92 9000 was sold in '95 with 150,000 miles and is now over 200,000. My current '95 Automatic 9000 Full Turbo has 160,000 and is going strong with no major or annoying little problems.

Can I expect the same out of an Audi? Do they run for 200,000 + miles? I know every car has their issues, but what are some problem areas on Audi's?

I will probably need to go with a wagon, is the A6 coming out with the Avant with the 2.7T engine? Personally, coming from a Saab with little turbo lag, the standard engine in the A6 is a dog unless you're on the highway!

By the way, are there any performance tweaks if I were to purchase the standard A6 engine?

Sorry for all of the questions but I want to be educated. By the way stop by the Saabnet.com website for some interesting comparisons on the Aero with Abbott tuning vs. the 2.7T.

Jeff

wik

I, like you, had two 9000s over the last 10 years and put about as many miles on them. Since you know what they feel like, I would tell you that compared to the '95 9000 Aero, the '00 A6 2.7T is:
PRO:
* smoother-riding
* just as fast
* Quattro - way better in snow
* front and rear heated seats (9-5 also has)
* prettier interior
* more solid-feeling (and 700 pounds heavier)
CON:
* steering feel is woozy and too light
* burns 50% more gas (!)
* not as space-efficient (small cargo area too)
* Bose stereo not as good as Saab Harmon/Kardon

Overall, of course, being 10+ years newer, the Audi is the better car. It's tough to give durabilty ratings with such new componentry but hey, old Audi 5000's and 100s lasted just as long as Saab 9000s judging from used car lists.

phred

it's got too much car to haul around, esp. with the slushbox (excuse me, Tiptronic). On the other hand, the same engine in my A4 5 speed is sweet! There are a few solutions: only drive in "4" to lock out fifth, stick with the 2.7T or 4.2, work the hell out of the Tip (even though it is programmed to get out of first immediately), or chip. Check out the A4 forum since chipping is currently the #1 topic (waxing and oil changes having fallen by the wayside). You'll have to decide if there are warranty ramifications that you can handle.

Jeff S

Thanks for the info. I am considering the A6 Wagon or the 95 Wagon. If I go the 95 Wagon, I will probably go 5 speed and use the Abbott ECU that ups the HP to 230 - 250 as well as the torque. I've been told this mod is only $1,000. With 17" wheels, the 95 should feel pretty good. OR, the A6 2.7T AVANT Would be nice!

What do you drive now?

JimR

2.7T A6A doesn't exist in the US yet, only 2.8, and A6A's are tip only, I'm pretty sure. I'd love another 30-50 hp (would get me to the hp:wt ratio of my previous car), but can work with it as-is, just have to pay more attention. Love the car so far.

wik

You can really get 230hp out of the 2.3L LPT engine? Wow. My feeling is that the current A6A is too slow, so if you can, wait for the A6A 2.7T. You could probably get a 6-speed in that car too, and chip it to ~300hp easily if that is your preference. The Saab would probably be 5-10k cheaper of course. Right now I'd go Saab. Volvo V70s are fine too, though ugly...
Sorry to offend anyone but I wouldn't want to spend $40,000+ on a fancy car that gets utterly blown away by Dodge Neons and Ford F-150s, something I experienced on a test drive about a year ago.