Ask the Car People.SM


Audi A4 2004 and earlier

6042 messages,  Last post on Sep 20, 2011 at 4:33 PM

You are in the Audi A4 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Audi A4, Sedan

Messages Page 60 of 605

#583 of 6042 getz1 by cotmc

Feb 12, 2001 (9:07 am)

Funny. I could have sworn there was a reply to your post in here just 1-2 days ago from somebody else.
 
I drove the A4 for a 100-mile commute from the out-of-town Audi dealer shortly after I had purchased it, and it drove just fine. It might take a little while to get accustomed to the firmer seats, but they are quite comfortable for the long trips. It is also reasonably quiet when cruising at 75mph. I did not go 80mph on the new engine. I would suspect the 2000 Accord V6 *might* be a little quieter cruiser, but I can't say for sure because it's been awhile since I test drove it.
 
I agree with you on the Accord. It's a fine car, but it doesn't have the steering or road feel of the A4, and it doesn't brake as well as the A4. The Accord also doesn't feel as nimble, either on the corners or when accelerating. The Accord is good in many respects, but it doesn't bring about many emotions. It's rather "sterile".
 
Back in 1998 we almost purchased a new '98 Accord EX-V6 coupe for my wife, but after a couple test drives, we both realized we enjoyed driving a '98 BMW 323is much more than the Accord. It was $6K more, but we felt it was worth it mostly due to the better driving experience. In my opinion, the A4 1.8T is very similar to the BMW 323. With the A4, you lose a little bit of steering feel, but you get a little nicer interior and more value for the dollar. (By the way, that 323is also had manual seats!)

#584 of 6042 Model Year Changes by gooddesign

Feb 12, 2001 (11:00 am)

Thanks to all for the data! I will also check into the AudiWorld Forum site. This site is making my decision much easier. It sounds like I just have to find the "right" model with the "right" package.

#585 of 6042 cotmc, thanks for the info by getz1

Feb 12, 2001 (4:20 pm)

I agree totally with you about the rather anesthetic nature of the accord sedan. I actually have a 00' V6 EX Coupe as well, and also think that its handling doesn't quite live up to its agressive exterior. I think it looks nice though, the V6 is a very well designed engine, and dollar for dollar it is a pretty decent buy. I fell in love with the feel of the audi though, it felt much more refined and the interior is amazing. Also the 1.8T availability of low end torque makes it extremely pleasant to drive in the city. The only dilemna is to wait for the 02 model with the changes, or try and get a better deal on the current platform. Motor trend ran a preview on the A4 3.0 and seemed to like it. It has a little more room, especially in the backseat, which is good. The 220 hp v6 along with a stiffer body, should make it handle a little better as well. I have mixed feelings about the A6ish backend, and would like to see it in person. Again, thanks for the info.
-Getz

#586 of 6042 GETZ1: RE A4 on long trip by drc4

Feb 12, 2001 (5:01 pm)

I recently took my 2000 1.8T on its first long trip, a 2K mi round trip from Huntsville, AL to Miami and the overall driving experience was excellent...much better than the '95 Accord EX it replaced. Even though the Accord had custom leather seats with adjustable lumbar support, it was never as comfortable on long trips as the A4 (2000 A4s have no adjustable lumbar support). The Accord was a very smooth, comfortable ride but the A4 has a surprisingly good ride and has quite a bit more front leg room. I'm 5'10", 155lbs and I always felt a little cramped up in the Accord. I'd have to move the seat back to stretch my legs but in the A4, without having to move the seat, I can stretch them out completely and not touch anything. Although my A4 is tiptronic, I had no problem keeping up with the big boys on the highway. The A4 is basically quiet except for wind noise around the sunroof, which is very noticeable and annoying at highway speeds. This is my biggest complaint about the car. My Accord was overall noisier (road & tire noise, etc) but it had very little wind noise from the sunroof. Hopefully Audi will address this problem on its new vehicles.
 
One observation about Accords. I've driven new Accords and believe me, the '95/'96 Accords were completely different animals than the new ones. My '95 5-speed EX was actually fun to drive, handled excellent, had a great ride, and was reasonably unique in styling although it didn't exactly have a "Camry-quiet" interior. The new ones I drove had excessive cabin noise, squeaks, and had a very rough ride, much like the new Infiniti I-30s. The A4 is a noticeably smoother riding, quieter car (even with the noisy sunroof) and is an obvious leap in quality and refinement, as you've already mentioned.
 
I'm with you on the new A4 styling. Overall it looks good but like most who have voiced opinons, the A6-ish rear end looks dubious, as does the squared-off front grill. In the pictures I've seen, it also appeared there are chrome accent strips just below the trunk and on the front spoiler that looks just as tacky as it does on the A6. But I'm keeping an open mind and will wait until I actually see one to make any judgements.

#587 of 6042 drc4 by mmcbride1

Feb 12, 2001 (5:07 pm)

"The new ones I drove had excessive cabin noise, squeaks, and had a very rough ride, much like the new Infiniti I-30s."
 
What do you mean by this? I have a 2000 I30 and it rides very smooth, has very little cabin noise, and no squeaks. It has 12,000 miles.
 
That said, I drove an A4 1.8T Quattro on Saturday and liked it very much, but I don't think it is any quieter than our I30. I will probably get the A4 in a month or so, as soon as I sell my 4Runner. I30 was for my wife - all she wanted was a quiet, powerful car with a nice interior. I want a fun-to-drive car (one area that the I30 is lacking - fun).

#588 of 6042 mmcbride1 by drc4

Feb 12, 2001 (5:54 pm)

I certainly don't mean to diss yours or anyone else's choice in vehicles. I just gave my personal opinion after driving two Y2K I-30s and to me it was a rough ride. From my statement I can see how you would naturally assume I was accusing the I-30 of being squeaky and noisy as well, but I was referring only to the ride quality (I'd edit that statement but it's too late!). I-30s are extremely quiet and I've always loved their V6. The two I drove were tight and dead-quiet, and certainly quieter than the A4. I just didn't like the ride. Even the salesman admitted it rode "a bit on the stiff side" so I know I'm not alone here. Ironically, while looking at cars, my decision came down to a used '97 I-30 and a new A4. The '97 rode fantastic but you hit the nail on the head: although the I-30 is a quiet, powerful luxury car, it isn't much fun. You'll love the A4. What color(s) are you considering? Since you mentioned "fun" I imagine you'll be going with a 5 speed.

#590 of 6042 drc by mmcbride1

Feb 12, 2001 (6:03 pm)

I'll probably get the following (if I can find it):
 
2001 A4 1.8T
Celebration package (Includes Quattro, moonroof, Homelink)
Xenons
5 speed
Cold Weather Package
Bose
ESP
Casablanca White with Ecru leatherette
 
What kind of deals are people getting on the 1.8T's right now? I'd like to get the car for around $1,000 over invoice (MSRP $29,600, Invoice $26,400 - I'd like to get it for $27,500 or so). Is that do-able, or do I need to re-adjust my sights?
 
I'm curious (not mad - don't worry), did you drive an I30t? I think the ride of the I30L is very smooth.
 
Up here in Denver, I think the 1.8T is as fast as the 2.8 (turbos do very well at high altitudes as you probably know). For a few hundred more, I can have a little pocket rocket.

#591 of 6042 mmcbride1 by drc4

Feb 12, 2001 (6:31 pm)

Nice combo! $1k over invoice seems to be in the ball park but you might want to check the AudiWorld A4 Forum since they're always talking about current deals. I got mine for $150 over invoice but it was a rare situation. It was a special order for a foreign customer who wanted the nav system then changed his mind. They wanted to move it and I was in the right place at the right time for a change. It just happened to be the exact color combo I would have chosen. I'm not usually that lucky.
 
The 1.8Ts are quicker than one would think, especially chipped. Mine's not chipped and it's not a pocket rocket by any means but still holds its own pretty well for a 4-cyl with tip. Audi produces one of the best turbos in the business. If you want something closer to a pocket rocket, chip it.
 
I drove both I-30s and admittedly, the "t" was obviously the rougher ride but the "L" just didn't feel very smooth at all. It was fine on the highway but there's a particular section of road near my house that's always a good test and the I-30L reacted very stiffly, while the A4 smoothes it out very well. I can feel a big difference. My roommate went on many of the test drives with me and even she's impressed with the A4's ride quality. It's just a personal thing.

#592 of 6042 drc by mmcbride1

Feb 12, 2001 (6:38 pm)

Fair enough. I guess I know where you're coming from. I'm getting excited about the A4, though. I'm tired of driving a truck.

Messages Page 60 of 605

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement