WRX vs. 1.8TQ

[tristanpop at netscape.net]

To me the thing that is deceptive about the WRX (and the current Audi S4, for that matter) is the evenness of the power and the lack of 'spikes' in power.  I remember the drive home after I traded my '98 1.8T in on a '00 S4... uneventful at first, but slowly you learn where the power is and how to use it.   The same thing happened when the S4 was traded (read: totalled and replaced by) for the WRX.  However, the reality is that the WRX (in theory) has a slight accelleration advantage over the S4, and then in turn of course a significant one over even a chipped A4 1.8T.   If the discussion is over finish, style, versatility my choice is either Audi product.  If the discussion is over pure performance/accomplishment, the WRX wins.
..all IMO.
Tristan
'02 WRX
'02 TDI Beetle (on loan)
'86 5000S (handicapped)

Dan Sinclair <dsinclair at icare.snalf.com> wrote:

>Finally took a WRX for a test drive against my better judgment.  I was
>certain that after driving my heavy 165HP Coupe Quattro for a couple years,
>the WRX was going to feel like a rocket.  But much to my surprise, it really
>didn't...  The WRX felt very solid, rode great, and it certainly has solid
>acceleration, but it's not what I expected.  It's all very linear and
>deceptive.  You get up to speed quite quickly, but the boost is controlled
>and smooth, making the car feel powerful, but not exceptionally snappy.  I
>expected with a 70+ HP advantage over '97-'99 A4TQ, there would be a
>substantial seat-of-the-pants difference, and really, I didn't feel it.  I
>drove a stock '99 A4TQ just a few days ago, and it felt easily as quick as
>the WRX.  Months ago I drove a Garrett chipped '99.5 A4TQ, and from my
>recollection, I'd say it felt faster than the WRX.  Obviously the numbers
>will tell you that the engines are setup very differently - the A4 1.8T's
>peak torque delivery at less than 2000 RPM is going to create a different
>feel than the Subaru's 217lbs. maxing out at 4000 RPM - but of the two, I'd
>have to favor the Audi setup based on first impressions.
>
>All of this is subjective of course, but just some food for thought for
>those normally aspirated folk who, like myself, feel like everyone on the
>road seems to have a quicker ride...
>
>Dan Sinclair
>1990 CQ
>
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