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Ultimate AWD Sports Sedans

828 messages,  Last post on Oct 03, 2009 at 9:40 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Volvo S60 R, Subaru Legacy, Audi S4, Mazda MAZDASPEED MAZDA6, Sedan

#276 of 828 Why I went back to Audi from Volvo by tucsonbob Apr 18, 2006 (3:26 pm)
I drove the S60R less than year ago after test driving the M3 and S4. After driving all three cars, I paid 36k for a 05 S60R that listed for 45k. The most "bang for the buck" decision. This car is stunning with the car kit but painful to drive because the front scrapes often simply entering gas stations or any sharply angled driveway. The turning radius of this car is laughable. You would think the car is 2x as big as it is really. Where this car really shines is on the freeway. It is fast, comfortable, and great in a straight line. However, if you like to drive through the twisty roads, FORGET THIS CAR. At any 90 angle the Pirellis will hit the inside of the wheel well. I don't find this acceptable in any car, let alone a 45K car. Try and make a U-turn without his happening? Forget it. I took the car to the Volvo dealer and was shown Ford/Volvo put a plate where the tire rubs against the wheel well. Therefore, Ford/Volvo is aware of the problem and have decided to band aid the problem rather than properly engineer the car. If you think about this, this is not SAFE and a lawsuit waiting to happen. I was told my only other option was to install spacers which would make the turning radius worse. Do Not Buy this car and reward childlike engineering. I recently traded in the car for a S4 and couldn't be happier. If the Germans are too pricey, check out the Subaru Legacy Spec B. My 2 cents.
#277 of 828 Hmmm by dhanley Apr 19, 2006 (7:41 am)
I admit, i still have the s60R on my list as a bang-for-the-buck wildcard. But rubbing tires on the wheelwell is simply not acceptable. Would it be possible to switch to slightly narrower tires/rims?   How do you like the s4? Replies to this message: tucsonbob (Apr 19, 2006 9:55 am)
#278 of 828 Re: Ford/Volvo marketing??????????? by tucsonbob Apr 19, 2006 (9:55 am)
Replying to: dhanley (Apr 19, 2006 7:41 am) Yes, putting smaller tires and wheels on the tire would work....if you think it is right to spend another 3k to fix a problem that Ford/Volvo engineered improperly. Some have postulated on other newsgroups the car was really engineered to have 17 inch tires but the marketing guys wanted bigger tires and wheels. Whatever the reason, this car is a recall waiting to happen. All I can say about he S4 is WOW! It is like it is chiseled from a block of granite compared to the Volvo. It is also so tight, responsive and the engine is to die for. Finally... an Audi with power...that corners like it is on rails. It is as close to perfection as any car I have ever owned.
#279 of 828 spec.B by ateixeira Apr 19, 2006 (10:08 am)
Gets even better for 07, 6 speed manual confirmed, plus a Torsen rear diff, memory seats, black/blue seats that look nicer, and some new colors.   That vehicle took a close 2nd in an R&T comparo, 1st when price was factored in, and these updates only make it better. It already had the quickest lap times and acceleration/top speed in that comparo.   -juice
#280 of 828 Re: I thank you, Bons... [themugster] by esf Apr 19, 2006 (7:15 pm)
Replying to: themugster (Apr 09, 2006 1:39 pm) The S60R is a wonderful value- I'm just a bit confused about what class it's in exactly.   I have an S4 (Cabriolet) myself, and the S4 (and C55, M3) seems to be just a touch more extravagant (no offense!). It has the usual gorgeous Audi interior, 40 more horses, and it's about $10K more expensive on average dealer cars. The S60R is definitely above the G35/TL, and I can't pinpoint exactly where it is.   Maybe it's in a class of its own? I think the S4 sedan is its closest competitor, but there's nothing direct...       '06 Audi A3 2.0T FronTrak • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet • '04 Lexus RX330 AWD Replies to this message: volvomax (Apr 20, 2006 2:01 pm) esf (Apr 20, 2006 5:55 pm) kurtamaxxxguy (May 08, 2006 6:04 pm) tucsonbob (Apr 21, 2006 12:53 pm) esf (Apr 23, 2006 2:05 pm) themugster (Apr 23, 2006 3:00 pm)
#281 of 828 Re: I thank you, Bons... [esf] by volvomax Apr 20, 2006 (2:01 pm)
Replying to: esf (Apr 19, 2006 7:15 pm) The R is an in between car. It doesn't have the punch, or pricetag of the M3 or S4. But it is nicer than the 330ix or G35 AWD or A4 3.0 Replies to this message: esf (Apr 20, 2006 5:55 pm) kurtamaxxxguy (May 08, 2006 6:04 pm)
#282 of 828 Re: I thank you, Bons... [volvomax] by esf Apr 20, 2006 (5:55 pm)
Replying to: volvomax (Apr 20, 2006 2:01 pm) I'm sure you knew this, but Audi no longer produces the 3.0 liter engine.   It's the 3.2 FSI V6 in the A3/A4/A6/TT- and it generates 255hp.   Something a bit confusing is that the new Q7 has the 3.6 liter FSI V6 from the '06 Passat- which generates 280 horsepower. Once the A6 and A4 get updated, they will most likely gain this engine, probably with about 10 more horsepower than in the Q7/Passat. For some reason, Audi decided not to put this new V6 in the new TT, and is sticking with the wonderfully-executed 3.2, but I think the 2.0T is good enough! Replies to this message: kurtamaxxxguy (May 08, 2006 6:04 pm)
#283 of 828 VR6 by krzyss Apr 21, 2006 (10:16 am)
VR6 did not make it to previous Passat. I would be surprised if it is adopted into Audi family. VR6 seems to be used in transverse applications and V6 in longitudal (North South).   Krzys   PS I hope I got spelling correct. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Apr 24, 2006 8:13 am) esf (Apr 26, 2006 7:23 pm)
#284 of 828 Re: $35,000 Sports Sedans by tucsonbob Apr 21, 2006 (12:53 pm)
Replying to: esf (Apr 19, 2006 7:15 pm) Here is where the Volvo might fit? I don’t know if the group has discussed this but Car and Driver (October 2005) tested the S60R Volvo against the following cars.   Here is the order of finish:   BMW 330i Lexus IS350 Infiniti G35 Acura TL Audi A4 3.2 Quattro Cadillac CTS Volvo S60R AWD Saab 9-3 Aero   I guess they couldn’t get the Volvo do go faster than 0-60 in 6.4 because of the desert heat. Replies to this message: esf (Apr 23, 2006 2:05 pm) themugster (Apr 23, 2006 3:00 pm)
#285 of 828 Re: $35,000 Sports Sedans [tucsonbob] by esf Apr 23, 2006 (2:05 pm)
Replying to: tucsonbob (Apr 21, 2006 12:53 pm) It's funny you mention that- in Road & Track from March 2006, they tested these cars, and this is the order in which they ranked:   Audi A4 2.0T quattro Subaru Legacy GT 2.5 Spec_B BMW 325xi Lexus IS250 AWD Mazda Mazdaspeed 6 Infiniti G35X Volvo S40 T5 AWD   As you can see, this was purely an AWD sport sedan test. I do wonder, however, why the Jaguar X-Type and Mercedes-Benz C240 4Matic weren't in here? Maybe they are too pricey, but still...   I believe the S40 was unfairly put into this test- the S60 is more of a competitor here. The S40's main competitor is the Acura TSX, because both are oddly-positioned premium small sedans in the market, while these cars are closer to midsize.   Just a thought. Here's the link: http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=3280&page_number- - =1   Just to tell you, the red rocket in the main photo is the A4! It's an S-Line version, and looks incredibly good in one of the photos. The A4 line has been my favorite Audi since I first saw this article. Replies to this message: themugster (Apr 23, 2006 3:00 pm)

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