1.8tq v 2.8q v 2.7ttq (ramblin)

[Derek Daily]

Nahhh, that's really not entirely correct.  But you
can't go wrong with any one of these things.  Although
if your timeline is flexible and you are definitely
buying a sedan "off the lot" I would suggest waiting
for the new A4 anyway.

Bit more "IMHO"

Friend: 98 A4tq stick
Wife: 98.5 A42.8q auto
Mich: 01 S4 stick wagon

DRIVE-
1.8tq is a nifty little go-getter.  Very peppy, fun to
drive around town.  Bit too raspy on the hwy for
extended times, but makes up for it with gas mileage. 
Interior is cool.  I'd choose the cloth sport seats
for sure. If one were coming from a standard SUV (ala
Passport, Cherokee, Pathfinder) this car would really
strike a chord.  It would be quieter and more
practical.  "Fun" is the word I think of when driving.

2.8q is quite a bit more sporting than I would have
thought.  The tip is fun to play around with for
'downshifting' into turns, etc.  But, is NOT a manual
replacement.  The 2.8 is extremely smooth, I would
prefer it for the hwy.  And the 190hp can help out
with passing.  Interior of the 2.8 is also very nice. 
I really like the wood inlays, etc.  Very high
quality.  "Nice" is the word I think of when
driving...

2.7ttq is interesting.  I like to consider myself a
smooth driver, so I'm not laying into it (yet).  But
the motor 'acts' like the 2.8 (or less) unless you
really get on it.  It's also less refined than the
2.8.  At 3800rpm or so the engine sort of burbles,
you'll start to feel some pull after that and then the
next thing you know you could be at 6k+ rpm.  It
spools quickly in the upper band, but is less mooth
than the NA 2.8.  I have the sport interior which has
Al rather than wood.  I think the wood is a better buy
and is nicer quality than the Al.  But I wanted to
have the Al mirrors, trim and ultrasuede seats to
break up the monotony of black.  (CARKLR's 2.8 is all
black leather).  IF you plan to buy new, the S is a
viable alternative to the loaded 2.8.  Take some
options off the S and the price can be rather close.
"Performance...Hmmm?" is what I'm currently
thinking...

NEW A4 v CURRENT

Biggest difference will be styling (obviously) fo for
practicality, the extra 2"+_ of rear leg room will
REALLY help.  It's my biggest complaint about the
current A/S4.

Also, the new V6 should be a hair sportier.  Think
it's an all-Al motor(?) and 220hp will give it some
pop.  Perhaps it will begin to be closer in omph to
the maxima, which would be a good thing.

Unfortunately, the styling also seems to be
gravitating towards the maixima...

Off...



=====
Derek Daily
dtdaily at yahoo.com



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