Speaking of A8s / why I drive Audi

[Horace K. Sawyer]

Speaking of them, it is a great car, and one of the best Audi has ever 
built.  Its the flagship!  The owner's manual says, "Congratulations, you 
have just purchased what Car Magazine says is THE BEST CAR IN THE 
WORLD."  Now if that won't get you pumped up, or bring a smile to your face . .

I have a 98 A8Q with 50K miles.  No problems.  The tiptronic is a good 
transmission and seems well suited for the car.  Although people keep 
referring to the A8 as a large car, I don't think of it that way.  It just 
doesn't *drive* like a large car, i.e., boat.  It drives like an Audi 
should drive.  I particularly like the handling with the 17" wheels of the 
98 model.  And it feels light.  It feels safe too.  But the reason I bought 
one is not because I was an Audi fanatic.  I wasn't.  (I was a BMW 
neuroid).  But one day when I went to check some 5 series Bimmers, I drove 
a 1997 A8.  I was shocked.  I liked everything about the car.  BMW all at 
once became dull, boring.  They're all the same.  And so the search was on 
for an A8.

What really appealed to me about Audi is something I haven't been able to 
figure out.  The interior is awesome, its quattro, excellent power, and the 
A8 has more amenities than the QEII.  Plenty of room for passengers as well 
as pilot.  (Those of us with families have to take this into consideration, 
so that ruled out the S4).  And what I also find appealing about the A8 
(and maybe Audi in general) is that no one seems to know what it is.  : 
)  They have no idea its a 70K car new.  Of course, mine had depreciated to 
half that when I bought it.  That is the way of all expensive cars.  You 
get more of a 'bargain' because they drop a whole lot faster than the 
bottom end machines.  Most Audis tend to depreciate quite a bit.  But 
that's just part of ownership.  You come out much better if you don't feed 
at the top, to analogize another lister's comments.

So, bottom line, the four rings of Auto Union is where its at for me 
now.  I'm as fanatical as any of you, and happy to be among friends.  If 
anyone ever needs any help, we're 3 minutes off I-75 in Ringgold, Georgia.

I will be happy to rent out my BMW.  : )

HK Sawyer