[s-cars] Am I crazy ? Aero to S4

[Taka Mizutani]

Yes and no on ditching the '01 Saab 9-5 Aero and getting a '93 S4.

Yes, you should ditch the Saab.

No, you shouldn't get a '93 S4- you've mentioned a critical piece of info-
you say you don't have much time, even though you're capable of doing a lot
of the service of the car. You will spend quite a bit on labor if you have
to ask
someone else to do the work for you- my mechanic is $75/hr., dealership
is around $100/hr.

I would personally look for something newer if it is going to be your only
car
and you don't have time to maintain it, fix all the little stuff and keep up
with
the maintenance.

My suggestion- '00-03 A6 2.7T 6-speed with sport package. Beautiful interior
(my favorite combos are Vanilla/Navy or Vanilla/Onyx two-tone, black being
the second choice), very good power, potential for a lot more (RS4 bits will
yield 380-420hp, depending on how far you want to go). I say '00-03 because
the '04 only came as a slushbox in S-line form.

No, the engine is not as bulletproof as the I-5, but a much more modern car
and more sensible unless you're a fanatic. :-)

With RS4 turbos, intercoolers, airbox, injectors and software, you have a
ready 380+
hp. With H&R or equivalent coilovers, you have an excellent suspension
setup.
With BIRA system 6 or ECS stage III, you have an excellent front brake
setup. RS4
or similar clutch to handle the additional torque. 17x8 wheels to fit
245/255s and
that's quite a package. Euro-spec bixenon projectors would be the icing on
the cake.

Taka