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

[calvinlc at earthlink.net]

OK, brainstorm.....or brainfart - you decide :)  Everybody always talks
about converting the autobox A8/S8 to a stick.  How about converting a '95
S6 Avant to a later model auto for your wife?  I know this would be
blasphemy and I know it's not actually going to happen, I was just wondering
if everyone thought it was feasible?  Is the bolt patter for the tranny to
block mounting the same on the I-5 as it is on the 2.7?
--Calvin


-----Original Message-----
From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
[mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com]On Behalf Of Aaron Ryba
Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2007 10:55 PM
To: s-car-list
Subject: [s-cars] POLE: wonderful dilema, S4 or Ultrasport?


Thanks to everyone who has responded to this question. It looks like it is
on the minds of quite a few of us. Many of you have brought up a number of
alternatives. I did fall in love with a red 02 S6 Avant I saw on Carmax of
all places. The thought of having 340 hp on tap in a wagon with no turbo lag
in quite intoxicating,  but the comments on expensive repair rates and once
again the issue of poor mileage is a reality that would start wear at me
once the honeymoon was over.  Once the baby is here I most likely won't be
willing to spend much time on my back under the car anyway so repairs could
break the bank. I too have been looking at Saab Aero wagons, they definitely
seem like a cheaper alternative to an Audi S car but with the failing
cassettes and other issues makes me think twice about it. Something about
buying a late model GM product doesn't sit right with me also. I don't think
I could ever do a minivan although some close friends of mine
 recently sold out and got themselves a new Oddessy which they constantly
tell me how much they love it (all electronic gadgets what not).

Your comments on the small size of the A4 chassis have been well taken.
Alghouh they are different animals I do remember how small the back seat was
in my 4kcsq and it is the same basic B series car the A4 is today. Maybe the
A4 has gained a bit of room in the back over the years since 87 but its no
A6. Going from the 4kcsq to my S6 I was and still am a bit surprised I
choose to drive a larger C series car, being that I have always espoused the
idea of smaller and lighter is better, efficiency, etc.. The 95 S6 is
however the best bargain going on right now for a driver's Audi. I have
gotten used to the size increase in the S6 compared to both the 4kcsq and my
wife's Bug but it still feels large. That is most likely because the
suspension is shot and drives sloppy, once I redo it all in the spring I am
sure it will feel a few feet smaller in every direction. The other reason
being that it is usually only me in the car which will change in a few
months. I
 might just have to bring a child seat to a few test drives.

On the issue of the stick vs auto. I am definitely in the camp of the stick
4 life group. My mom always drove stick and still had an arm to beat me with
while in the back seat. No issues with multitasking there. In fact I think
it is safer to drive stick because you are actually forced to be aware of
what you are doing at all times on the road. With an auto it is too easy to
get into "couch potato" mode and just barrel around the streets disconnected
with your own speed, momentum and weight transfer when driving, all things
we have to pay attention to either consciously or subconsciously to keep
ourselves and our passengers safe on the road. I can attest to this as when
my wife switched to the Bug from an Explorer. Although they are both
autoboxes the simple change from a bouncy large tired SUV to a comparatively
well mannered responsive small car made my wife a considerably better driver
(self described) and I agree. Too bad she won't ever go with a
 manual. I taught her on the 4kcsq but oh what we do for love. I have
accepted the fact that her car will have to be an auto so that is that. When
it comes to my kids learning how to drive I'll do what ever it takes to keep
the from going to the dark side into auto mode.

I agree that Audi should have made a non-allroad 2.7tt A6 avant as that
would be just the perfect car right now. I have been reconsidering the
Allroad as I really like the 2.7tt over a V8 or a 3.0 V6 and it is quite
unique. The accountant in me says I should pick up a good condition low
mileage A6 3.0 Avant for cheap but it is too plain Jane/honda accord boring
compared to the other choices. The D2 S8 is also still tempting, alot of
bang for your buck but then again it is the same V8 issues and you don't
have the room of a wagon. There was some mention of purchasing extended
warranties. My carguy gut feeling tells me these things are just a waste of
money just like the whole "certified pre-owned" fleecing scam dealers have
been doing for years. Quite possibly I am wrong, especially with the
comprehensive b2b coverage. I just remember a friend getting one with his V8
Cherokee and when the time came for repairs ever time there was some issue
and the parts
 were not covered. I see this could come in handy though with the Allroad
air suspension issues brought up. I'd definitely like to us VAGCOM to lower
the Allraod. That is a pretty nice trick. Even though it would be nice to
have a real extended warranty (came in handy with the new bug more than
once) I'd rather pay more $$ for a real nice condition car than less so for
an average one with a warranty. The real issue is the unknown. I can turn a
wrench here and there but no-one but a certified tech is familiar with all
the models and even then not all faults can be predicted and avoided,
especially the electronic gremlins like the sunroof problems we had with the
bug (eventually fixed). Although a warranty may cover smoked turbos and
tired ignition systems it is the downtime that is really a PITA that I want
to avoid as well.

Thanks again for all the input. Now why does my wife think I am spending too
much time looking for new the new car? I haven't even taken any test drives
yet!

Aaron



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