2001 S4 2.7 V6 Tiptronic vs. 2002 A4 1.8T Manual
 

I have the opportunity to purchase a used (12K miles) 2001 S4 with the 2.7 V6 and Tiptronic for about the same price as a new 2002 A4 1.8T with manual transmission. I know there were important platform changes between 2001 and 2002 that markedly improve the stiffness of the 2002 A4 and some other important changes as well, including the airbag system i believe. Anyway, in light of all this and some performance advantages for a manual transmission, i, perhaps naively, am not sure whether the 2001 S4 with Tiptronic is clearly a better choice. Please help!

Can you handle not being able to shift gears?
 

I personaly would not want an s4 with an auto tran.

S4 vs 1.8.....clear choice is the S4...if it hasn't been beaten to death by its previous owner IMHO

There is no question which is faster...
 

If you really want a stick, why not look for a used 6-speed S4. There are a lot for sale.

Went through the same thought process...
 

about a year ago and went with the S4. Never looked back... manual tranny won't make up the horsepower and the the "S" is going to be a timeless car IMO. And now that the 2002s have been out for about a year, I've decided I like the B5 bodystyle better than the 8E.

Even if it was an RS6? :)