WRX test-drive vs. A4TQ

[John Cassidy/Sallyann Mulcahy]

<<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>>

I really am not trying to start a flame war, honestly, but I drove a
friend's 2002 Nissan Altima V6 yesterday.  Now I'm not saying you can treat
a Nissan and an Audi on the same terms, and personally I hope to never own a
fwd car after owning 6 quattros, but direct comparison of the specs,
especially performance, between the Altima and an '01 S4 is startling!

Sure, the front end is a blatant copy of a Passat, and the roofline and rear
end takes it's styling cues from the A6, which annoys the bejesus out of me.
Yes, the S4 makes it's peak 248 ft.lbs @ 1850 rpms, and the Nissan's 246
ft.lbs doesn't come until 4400 rpms, and you have to manage to keep it the
fat part of the curve with measely 5 spd, but hey, it's nearly 8oo lbs
lighter! I have to tell you...seat of the pants, it's a blast too drive.  It
does feel like a rocket, especially after driving my CQ.

As much as I hate rice burners and front wheel drive, comparing the two
looks like you have to pay $18,000 for German awd and a 6 speed!

Now delete this email and pretend you didn't read it.  Oh, and you didn't
hear it from me...

JC
'91 200q
'90 CQ
'87 5ktqa