gravedgr

<center><img src="http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/7307/sm001ay6.jpg"></center><p>I know this is a loaded question, given this is an Audi forum, but I'm looking for some honest feedback.

Here's the situation: I have a 2007 911 Carrera S (997), custom ordered, with only 15,800 miles. I love the car - best I ever owned. Great daily driver, smokes almost everything on the track.

Here's the problem: We have 1 baby (1.5 years old) and another due very soon. I was able to get the infant seat in the front seat of the 911, but its really impossible to get 2 car seats plus 2 adults plus strollers.

I used to travel for work a lot so last year the car only got driven 5k miles. Now I work from home and it will be driven even less with 2 kids - I figure short trips every 2-3 weekends, and maybe a half day of fun once per 1-2 months.

So I went and test drove the M3 sedan on Wed and really didn't like the clutch or shifter (I had an E46 M3 previously). The interior, seats, and room were great (better than the RS4 we sat in) but it has to be enjoyable to drive. The RS4 we looked at wasn't available to drive in the time we had, but I really like the styling and features.

So....am I nuts to consider the trade from the 911 into the RS4? I actually was seriously considering the RS4 a couple of years ago when I had an '03 911 non-S (996), but what I didn't really like was all the extra weight (about 800 lbs) so I bought the 997 since I really like its looks and it drives great.

Now, I do more family hauling than tracking, but I have to have something fun to drive or I might as well stick to the wife's Odyssey. So what gotchas should I know about the RS4 that you can't get from a showroom?

Ram@S4-MTM

No offence, but don't you have enough money to get a 3rd vehicle?

gravedgr

Wish I did, but not really. We're actually considering downsizing the house so my wife can stop working and stay at home. Besides, $160k of performance cars just sitting in the garage 6-6.5 days/week would just break my heart.

Ram@S4-MTM

If it were myself, I'd keep the Odyssey &amp; the 911... What say you other guys?

jbtexas

We are strikingly similar, except I have already learned this lesson. I have a 3 yr old boy and a 6 month old boy. I tried to hang on to my Porsches for as long as I could. Bottom line, it doesnt work unless you have another daily driver.

I used to spend so much time detailing my Porsches, driving them, etc. Sure you can sandwich car seats into them, but it is not really safe.

RS4 is probably the closest thing to a 911 with 4 doors. I didnt care for the M3 sedan myself...felt like any 3-series and the engine was so peaky, not very fun to drive. The RS4 has just the right combination of high revving but also with a little torque down low where you need it. Fit and finish is very Germanic and understated vs. the glitzy stuff going on with BMW and MB.

Unless you can afford both the Porsche and a daily driver, I would go with RS4. I am going through this process right now myself. Only, I cant decide how much 911 experience I need in my daily driver, so I am debating between RS4, MB C63 AMG, or S4 + older Porsche 911

CPT Midnight

course - the wife can't also fit. No problem with the carseats in back and the stroller in the trunk. All wheel drive is a must in the winter (...here anyway)

But I am a huge advocate as the car truly does it all.

The only issue I really have is the IPOD integration.

larryV

around a track. Its shifter &amp; clutch feel is great, one of the best I've ever had.

If having a manual is not a must, give the M3 sedan with the M-DCT tranny a test drive. It's a great tranny and you won't have to sacrifice as much in terms of lap times relative to the Carrera S over getting an RS4, and the overall feel and dynamics will be similar to the Carrera S in that it has more of a neutral to slight oversteer tendency being a RWD car. The RS4 corners and trailbrakes like a champ but oversteer and front end weight will be very noticeable for you at the track since you'll be coming from a P-car. Otherwise, I agree with you, the new M3's 6MT leaves a lot to be desired, which is why I got the M-DCT instead. The RS4's 6MT on the other hand is excellent.

nothingleft

I have a S4 which space wise is the same. I also work from home and do not drive many miles. The good thing with this car is it works great as a compromise between wanting a sports car and needing the space for family. I even had a backward facing car seat in the early days. The other thing I like about these cars is the understated look. It is really nice not to have a bunch of cars always trying to race you at a stop light when you have kids in the car. I have considered stepping it up to the RS4 for even more understated fun.

Obormot

I drove 911 4S and was not impressed AT ALL. Not sure about 2S. And of course turbo is whole different story I guess.

Here's my comparison:
1. 4S does not stick to the road as good as RS4 does.
2. Transmission is rough. They say they made it better in 2008 turbo, but 2007 4S I drove didn't feel good after the Audi's. RS4 transmission is really smooth and gives you sense of luxury in addition to pure performance.
3. 4S is simply slower than RS4 (not sure about 2S).
4. Interior sucks. Features? What features?

So if you do a daily commute like myself rather than track it, then I'd trade for RS4 any day.

And RS4 does come in your favorite Imola Yellow color. Take it with titanium package with a light tint.

gravedgr

What's wrong with the iPod integration? That's one of my "must haves". Radio/CD is so 1990's.