Let me bother you guys with one more question. My insurance company (GEICO) is willing to give me an additional discount for ordering an A6 with the additional airbags...about $60/year savings. If I happen to get any points assessed (that 4.2 might be a little too tempting), the savings would increase significantly. I have 300/100/300 with a $1 mil. umbrella on my current auto and plan to keep the same coverage level. My preferred sales guy has concerns about the airbags blowing the heads off of little kids who've fallen asleep against the side of the door. They can trigger accidentally after all.

Honestly, I've never had anyone under the age of 14 in my car in the past 3 years. With a vanilla interior, that trend is likely to continue. I seldom have any passengers, and extremely seldom have more than one. On the other hand, I'm very likely to lease, so NOT getting the rear airbags makes the car cheaper for me and I needn't worry about resale value. On the other hand (third one), I would hate to have an accident that would seriously harm a "rear seat" passenger and know that I "could've" gotten the rear airbags if I weren't such a skinflint.

What have you guys heard about this? How are you ordering your cars? Advice and opinions appreciated in advance.

Y'know, given how much I've agonized over these few options, I could never buy a Porsche. It would take me an entire year to decide where I want the leather!

 

I've got two kids (5 and 7) I tote around all the time and the additional protection of the rear bags was a no brainer. Of course, I plan on keeping the car for a long time (purchased) and eventually handing it down to my son in about 9 years when he begins to drive. I want him in a really safe car, and the A6 will fit the bill nicely. My opinion is that eventually we'll see this feature standard on all cars/trucks like we have with fronts only. I think it's cheap insurance if ever anything nasty does happen. My 2¢ ;-)<p><img SRC=http://home.earthlink.net/~gstahara/Graphics/Coloraudi.jpg Border=0></a>

'01 2.7T Tiptronic, Luxury, Premium, Bose, CD, Xenons

 

My first question is: If you never have passengers, or never more than 1, why would you get the A6? I would go for a Porsche or the S4.

Having said that, You have good taste in your selection of the A6 4.2 (or 2.7T). I ordered the rear seat airbags even though we have a 5 year old (she was 4 when we ordered our 4.2) because those kinds of airbags make sense. The ones in the front dont. If you are properly belted in, then you dont need front airbags. But the side seat airbags and the curtain airbags offer excellent added protection. The booster seat we have for our 4.2 has a design that prevents the child from leaning over even when asleep. It sits well within the airbags deployment space. Not all booster seats are the same of course, and you must take your car with you so you can test fit them before you purchase them. We feel with our seat (a Volvo seat) that our daughter is safer with the rear airbags.

About 2 or 3 months ago, the Wall Street Journal ran an article about side airbags and the photo they used was of an A6 that was hit broadside hard. Both the front and rear passengers walked away without major injuries. You should check their archives online (if you subscribe) and read the article. It was very compelling in its assesment of side airbags, both front and rear.

Good Luck! PS - We never even checked with our insurance company about the rear airbags. We just did it wanting all the protection we could get.

 

So, any fear about your kids falling asleep against the side door and being decapitated by the air bags?

 

Thanks to rear fold-down seats, my current car does get occasionally light-moving duty. I can put a small curio, vacuum cleaner, computer and printer, whatever in it. Between the roomy trunk and the fold-down seats, it's quite adequate for me. If I ever have to move a desk or something, I'll use a U-Haul or a friends' pick-up. I love the independence of finding a great deal and just putting in the back of the car.

I *would* consider an Avant, but it's nice not having everyone realize you have a 21" monitor and a $7,000 workstation in your trunk. If I need to fold down the rear seats, it's likely I'm on my way home anyhow.

Do you know if the curtain airbags only come with the extra package? Those seem particularly useful!

Also, any mention of kids being decapitated in that article? I don't have any kids, nor do I suspect any near-term surprises, but just in case I give a neighbor a ride...

 

Nah. I've usually got 'em with me during the day. If we're heading out late with them or on a long trip, we usually take the Expedition so they can crash with more room ;-)<p><img SRC=http://home.earthlink.net/~gstahara/Graphics/Coloraudi.jpg Border=0></a>

'01 2.7T Tiptronic, Luxury, Premium, Bose, CD, Xenons

 

*laugh* No puns intended, right?

 

<p><img SRC=http://home.earthlink.net/~gstahara/Graphics/Coloraudi.jpg Border=0></a>

'01 2.7T Tiptronic, Luxury, Premium, Bose, CD, Xenons

 

<p>mpuzach
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/audiworldpics/2000/SigPicA6.jpg">
2000 A6 2.8Q Tip
Racing Green/Tungsten Gray
Conv Pkg/Cold Wthr/Xenons