Sarge

In the extended overconsideration of my options I'm finding myself leaning toward a 997 C4S over the RS4. The Road and Track comparo was interesting, and as a second vehicle I'll have some form of Jeep Wrangler, and I have no particular need for the doors and trunk. Oddly, if the RS4 were available as an avant in the US I'd go that route, but the S4 avant is slightly under-tempting, and while the RS4 sedan is somewhat practical, if I'm shunning the avant option, I really may as well leave that role to the Jeep and get a coupe (which I've never done before out of deference to practicality.)

So the siren song of a nicely-equipped 997 C4S (buy '06 for less depreciation) is tempting me over the RS4. While I thought about waiting for the R8, it's probably 8 months off, and I'm somewhat unsure of the resale 'loss' on that, so a C4S might be a nice seat to 'observe' from before jumping on that (and/or waiting for the V10).

I'm interested in what the estimable local cognoscenti here on AW think of this whole scenario.

Penny for your thoughts...

BlkJet

And I would pick the RS4. I personally had my heart set on a 997S and it made me grin everytime I drove it. But the RS4 gives me a stupid grin. The car is bananas! I like the sound better than the 997, its MUCH more comfortable to drive distance. Even though the '06 997 dash has been nicely upgraded, the fit and finish in the Audi is superior. Even though you don't need the extra room, I'd rather drive the RS4 for a round of golf. I keep finding excuses to go for drives, and I find myself turning off the music to listen to that FSI and exhaust. IMHO

Pete @ Stratmosphere

I agree. I had a 997S for a time as well.

Rudy H

Ok I haven't owned a RS4 or a 997S (although working on the RS4 next year when the bugs are worked out).

Going back to when I first started driving, I kept flipping between sport coupes and sedans (although always ranged in the $25-35k range) and even right now, I am young and single.

What I found was that the coupe was always much more fun to drive, faster, better handling and better braking. It was a pain in the butt for everything else. There are still those days where you are like 'man I wish I had a sedan'.

So from general personal experience I think I would take a RS4, since I make it to the track maybe 1-2 times a year. PLUS, it is IMO the best sport sedan on the market (M5 owners can probaly bash that statement if they want).

I would only drive a coupe when I am married probaly and make the wife drive the sedan (as I would trust German safety over SUV safety, since I hate SUV's) and I get the coupe so that I never have to worry about not having a sedan.

***Add
Although one thing I always noticed with the coupe, chicks dig the coupe, sedan not so much. You can drive a S4 and put $10,000 into it, and for some reason I still got more 'nice cars' driving a bloody Hyundai Tiburon. I only get the $$$ glare in the girls eyes with the S4.

tlaird

If practicality were not needed then I would have just opted up from the C4S and bought the turbo. Of course depreciation is a big problem so I would have just found a low mileage used turbo Porsche coupe.

Aftermarket upgrades are plentiful as well.

All said and done however I really like my RS4 and I only have 130 miles on it. Invisible bra is now installed and I am prepping the S4 getting ready to sell it, so I should really have fun in the next few weeks.

Bob W.

and I've even driven a 997S with fairly extensive mods (suspension, wheels, intake, headers, chip). It's fun, but I wouldn't want it as a daily driver. Such a completely different car than the RS4, they really have no similarities at all.

Inclined

In daily driving my S4 is more fun to drive ( and sounds so much better )than my weekend 996 Turbo. The turbos muffle the 911 engine note completely and to enjoy it requires minimum 70-120 mph sprints at freeway speed - do that often and you irritate every driver on the road and jeopardize your license.

tlaird

As soon as the RS4 is broken in I suspect it will be a regular occurence also. It is somewhat easier in Nevada to do that with our rural highways being nearly deserted at times.

However your point is well taken about the Turbo not being a daily driver. I would keep the S4 if I had bought the Turbo instead of the RS4.

I sold my e30 M3 race car and bought the RS4 to make up for my loss (somewhat). It is hard to replace a 2100 lb. 300 hp track car with a street car. The S4 is getting prepped to sell. Then I will be looking at pure track cars again next spring.

Parikh1234

2nd the turbo!

Sarge

The new 997 turbo was just released, so there's no 'used' ones available. IMO it does not look as good as the C4S due to its many scoops and intakes and outlets for airflow, and the wheels are fugly. As well the LED lights on it glow orange, which is also not pretty.

So from a 'form' factor, it's a step down. Performance is up, but price is in the $140-$160 range or more, depending on the options you choose.

OTOH a 2006 C4S with 2k miles on it can be had for $89k. It looks nicer, has more immediate torque as it has a larger engine (meaning off-idle torque - no waiting for turbos) and for the 50% price increase to step up to a 997 turbo it just isn't worth it to me.

All that said, the RS4 is a performance bargain, relatively, and also looks and sounds great, and has far more practicality with the downside of slightly lower performance.

I dunno. It's a tough call. This IS pretty nice...

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/SESchutt/Cars/833541533-1.jpg">