Jumping to the top of board since my original post got buried... Sorry... Also, don't want to seem like I'm flogging a dead horse..

But first, lemme make clear I'm NOT a troll and I really do want to buy this car(2.7t).(Note: it'd be my first car..)

1.It's fast with lots of torque down low AND a 50/50 split AWD so I can blast off the line when necessary
2.It's got lots of features (though how they put so many in while keeping prices low makes me wonder where they're cutting costs... Still, I'll take that risk)
3.It doesn't have the terrible BMW and Merc "image". I can quietly drive about in mild-mannered form without being labelled "yuppie trash" or ostracized at my church meetings and at work!!

But this "float/rock/roll/elvis gyration" thing has got me very worried. I can't test drive too many cars owing to endless quantities of trips. More importantly, the fact that SOME people see it and others don't is confusing! I'd like to believe there's SOME consistency in Audi products and NOT that one car is fine while the other leaps about like Liberace on crack...

April/verdegrrl? Anyone? I really do want to like this car but umm $40,000-$50,000 is NOT pocket change for me...
Thanks!
- J.<p>-------
No animals were hurt and no trees destroyed in the creation of this message.

 

You may not be a troll but you seem like you're running a thousand miles (kilometers?) an hour.

In the 4 months or so that I've been on this board I don't recall anybody making an issue of this MArk Spitz like behavior. Many people have voiced some dissatisfaction with the stock handling characteristics but PSK-equipped cars seem to be satisfying their owners nicely, as are aftermarket spring installed cars. The point is I don't think it's been recognized as any kind of major design flaw or anything. If we were talking about pull away bumpers, fuel gauges and gas tank groans that'd be a different story.
Test drive a PSK-equipped car (when you have the time on or between your frequebt business trips) and if you don't like it then wait for the 530 in the Fall. I'm not sure why you'd run to a Boxter or 911 if you opt against the 2.7t.
PS - I shot 3 squirrels while typing this.

 

No one here is going to try to talk you into/out of a 2.7T. A car is a very personal choice. Like I said B4, I did notice a bit of body roll in the non-sport, but not any severe nose diving, bouncing, rocking etc. And the sport package I drove was IMHO the ultimate in ride/handling. This is one you've got to answer for yourself by taking the sport package for a ride. If you still feel the same afterwards, don't buy it. Too much $$ to spend if you're not 100% happy with your decision.

I squished 4 cockroaches while typing this message and have no remorse.

 

MEANIES! Killing lil' furry squirrels and scoot-about roaches! ROFLMAO.

Hmm... I shoulda clarified that I'm a certified car-nut and know them backwards.
True, I haven't tested a PSK-car and am certain the cars I saw were all NON-psk since the clearance and the space in the wheel wells was much too high.

As for the 530i - not unless I have to. Bottom-end torque is uh "not great" and while they've increased horsepower for bragging rights, note that torque is only up marginally to 214 (vs 206 in the 2.8), implying the hp gain comes in at the top-end of the rev range. That doesn't interest me as much since I like off-the-line performance.

Why a Boxster or a 911? Handling and stopping in both are stunning - and I've test-driven both. Off-the-line in the Boxster S is good and is excellent in a Carrera 4 (courtesy the relatively low weight in the latter). The 6-speed is very very nice.

So, I'll make yet another dealer appointment *sigh*, roll around and get into a PSK-car if they've got one available for a test-drive.

FWIW, I will almost certainly get the car for reasons alluded to in various posts. Life is a compromise and you can't have everything. Unless the PSK-car really is like my old Pogo stick, I'll probably just bite the bullet. At under $40,000 around here you can't really go too far wrong.
Thx,- J.<p>-------
No animals were hurt and no trees destroyed in the creation of this message.

 

...including AT LEAST one with the PSK sports package - NB: specify PSK, it's the one with the tighter suspension. Make sure the package cost $1000 MSRP. Make one trip and drive multiple 2.7Ts, including the PSK car, and decide yourself if it floats/rocks/gyrates, if there's some variation between the various cars (PSK vs non-PSK aside) and if it's the ride for you.

As others have pointed out, it's your money, your car. Who cares what we think about the feel of the car? It's what you think that matters.

//Greg

P.S. I cannot tell a lie; I chopped down a cherry tree while creating this message.

P.P.S. If you're in Boston, Iras Audi in Danvers had a bunch of 2.7Ts on the lot last week.

 

I hope your college degree comes with a moneyback guarantee.

Plus, is this really a sensible expenditure for someone who's just starting out in life?

 

Hey phred, what did you kill when you composed your message ;-)

 

For approx $40k you can get a pretty clean late early to mid 90's 911. Personally, I think you'd love a 97-99 M3 sedan. I bought mine for $40k and two 3/4 years later sold it for $39k with only 18k on the odo. 4 doors, helluva engine and chasis, 50/50 weight, but small back seat, small trunk and no quattro. Lousy in the caca, but great in the dry.

I suffocated three goldfish with an air biscuit while typing this message.

 

College grads only make $45k these days? Entry-level salaries are actually much higher, specially if you're graduating debt-free and your take-home salary is your post-tax salary.

So, yes, I've done the math and a $45,000 car is perfectly within my budget.

If my $150,000 degree came with a money-back guarantee, I think my family would have me declared legally insane and try to recover the costs....

Peace,
J.<p>-------
No animals were hurt and no trees destroyed in the creation of this message.

 

Thanks! But since I'll be based out of Boston in a couple of months, I'm going to need something for the non-winter months of the year. TWO cars would be a bit of a stretch...

Overall, the M3 is a great performance car but pretty impractical - and switching regularly between 2 cars is a pain in the neck... Ideally, I'd only need ONE car which had enuff trunk space for 2-3 suitcases, a usable rear seat, could go in the snow and would still be LOTS of fun. Far as I can tell, the only cars which fit those bills are the 2.7T, the E320 or E420 4Matic (with upgraded tires) and maybe the new C-class if it does indeed come with 4Matic (as is rumored).

However, if I do get 2 cars, a Boxster or a 911 and maybe an M3 would definitely be on my list.
Lessee,
J.<p>-------
No animals were hurt and no trees destroyed in the creation of this message.