Why I drive an Audi...

[Pantelis Giamarellos]

People Hi,

Since everyone is posting his story I guess I should too.

not an extremely long one timewise though.

After getting married the two door, open top FIAT Barchetta (not available
in the States. 1.800cc, twin cam, variable timing, 16valve, 130 bhp, front
wheel drive but tail happy when cornering and lifting throttle slightly) was
not enough for the projected family (wishing the have a baby as fast as
possible AFTER getting married)

The 1993 evented Camel Trophy Discovery I had thn was ok for carrying the
additional stuff but not fast enough (diesel powered Discovery and fast is
the example for contradiction in terms. Same applies for aerodynamics)

Anyway I also wanted to upgrade powerwise so was shopping for a Maserati
Ghibli.
I found one but the same shop also had an RS2.

After driving the RS2 on a rainy day and trying to do so with the Maserati
there was absolutely no doubt on which I would have.

The RS2 has lots more room, was easier to drive and more importantly safer.
In addition the upgraded drilled brakes were looking like a million dollars.

So this car came to the family stable.

Three and a half years later now I would not have changed it for anything
else.
As a matter of fact I do not believe anything exactly the same exist
nowdays.
The RS4 may be a fine car of similar concept but lacks the individuality and
interior space of the RS2. And the sexy brakes.
May be easier to drive with less turbo lag but on the other hand the slap in
your back feeling of the RS2 spooling up is one of the things I love about
it.

Lets wait for the RS6 then.

But then again this will cost a pile of money and is totally out of the
Greek reality due to its high engine displacement.

So it appears that the RS2 will stay in the family for some more years
despite planning to sell it at the beginning of the year.

And despite staying in a country where rain is not an everyday thing and
snow is as rare as three days of sunshine in the UK the quattro system makes
all the difference is feeling safe and secure when the road is twisty.

build quality is an additional reason I like the AUDI too.

And maybe the most important reason is this list. A treasure full of good
friends and comrades (not to be mistaken with the ex USSR term please)

As much as AUDI is to be credited for building a reliable and fun to own
car, so much credit has also to go to Dan, everybody who assists him and to
the members of this list for making the experience of owning an AUDI one of
feeling being a part of a family of people who suffer from the same disease.

In Land Rover lingo (my other love are Landies) we call it Land Roveritis.

So cheers to AUDItis

Take care
Pantelis

P.S. As for looking at the rallye monster AUDIs living in Greece means that
the Acropolis rallye was also a part of my childhood. Still remember the
Mercedes SL500 "floating" around the tight gravel and stones covered turns.
And then another picture comes to mind.
Michelle and Walther doing their magic in the quattros. Long wheel base
first and then the amazing Sport. Those were the years .............