[s-cars] POLE: wonderful dilema, S4 or Ultrasport?

[Theodore Chen]

what about an '02-'03 S6 avant?

the V70R also has haldex, which isn't everybody's favorite choice for an AWD system.

----- Original Message ----
From: Taka Mizutani <t44tqtro at gmail.com>
To: Erik Addy <erikaddy at yahoo.com>
Cc: s-car-list at audifans.com
Sent: Wednesday, November 7, 2007 3:46:05 PM
Subject: Re: [s-cars] POLE: wonderful dilema, S4 or Ultrasport?


Erik-
My thoughts:

On Nov 7, 2007 6:16 PM, Erik Addy <erikaddy at yahoo.com> wrote:

> I too recently had my first child and am trying to decide on a new
 (used)
> wagon for my wife.  I would like AWD (2WD might be OK, prefer ltd
 slip diff,
> RWD ).  I want it to have stability control and be 2002 or newer.
  Prefer
> manual tranny.
>
> The way I look at it, there aren't a lot of good choices for cars
 outside
> of warranty.
>
> Volvo V70R- almost perfect, but I don't like the idea of paying for
 that
> electronic suspension outside of warranty.  Plus, the AWD seems to
 have some
> components prone to expensive failure.  Perhaps the regular T5 (fwd)
 model,
> but then stability control was a bit of a rare option, and so was a
 manual
> tranny.
>

What do you hear about AWD component failure? I'm not familiar with
 this
one. Our car has been trouble free in that regard, but it is low
 mileage-
2004, 29k miles. I don't know how the suspension will fare, that is
 true.


> VW Passat W8:  Also almost perfect, with the somewhat rare manual.
  But I
> hear that engine is a major pain to work on and somewhat prone to
 failure.
>  Something about narrow crank journals?  Big $$$ repair.  2.8L V6
 strikes
> me as a really boring, mediocre mill.  1.8T with manual was available
> 2004/5.  Not a huge fan of that engine, but would be OK with a new
 turbo-
> this might be my best option.
>

Ultra-rare to find a Passat W8 wagon 6-speed. Very very expensive to
 repair
that engine if something goes wrong. I'd go with your  idea-  if you
 get
one, find a 2004.5 1.8T 4Motion manual.

A4: Too small
>
> A6 3.0:  Well, still not a fan of the engine, but it's OK.  Autobox
 only.
>  This may be another good choice.
>
> Allroad:  Manual avail.  If there was an A6 Avant 2.7T manual, I'd
 buy it
> (or the 3.0 TDI!).  I don't really care for the look, and the
> height-adjustable suspension does nothing for me. I've heard you can
 dump it
> and convert to coilovers though...wonder how much $$$ for that?
>

Coilover conversion still leaves an error message because the car
 thinks the
suspension has failed.

Dodge Magnum: Roof line leads me to believe storage in the back may
 have
> some restrictions, plasticy interior.  Auto only.
>

Magnums aren't that roomy, the cargo area is tiny and the AWD cars have
 a
huge hump in the passenger floor that makes it rather uncomfortable to
 sit
in the front passenger seat for long periods of time. They're really
 cheap
feeling inside.

Lexus IS300 Sport Cross: Don't know much about this one...pretty rare
 around
> here.
>

If an A4 is too small, then cross this one off your list.

Merc E-class: Spendy, no manual
>

This is the ideal replacement wagon for me, except for the lack of a
 manual
transmission. Lots of fun if you can find an E500 wagon. Dynamically
 the
best out of all the choices you listed.


> Saab 9-5 Aero: Possibly another good choice.  FWD but manual tranny
 avail.
>  Don't know much about what the problem areas were for these cars.
>

DI cassettes go w/o warning on these cars, that is a major fault- you
 need
to carry a spare with you at all times. Otherwise, you're up a creek
 w/o a
paddle with a dead engine.

Taka
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