Looking at new cars

["Randall C. Markarian" <asenna@accessus.net>]

Well, I have decided that it is time to get a new car.  Don't worry, 
the V8 Quattro will not be replaced, instead it will be my wife's 
Ac**a( I have always hated that car).  Any way, we went looking at 
cars this weekend an I thought that I would relay the experience.
  
	  First, I drove an A4Q, both manual and the 5 speed auto.  The 
auto is a dog! I cannot believe that Audi could let the auto trans 
go into an otherwise great car.  The manual trans car was really fun 
to drive.  Compared to my brother's 90Q with the V6, the A4Q seemed 
much quicker and a lot mø®e fun to drive.  Nice ride, but very 
composed road manners.  There are no problems that, say, another 50+ 
hp could not cure.  Overall, not bad.  I wanted to drive an S6 but 
they did not have one in stock.  Also, I tried to find out whether 
the dealer knows when the 1.8L turbo or 30Valve V6 will reach the US 
and they have no idea.  Of course if I were them I would not tell 
even if I knew, because someone like me might just wait to buy!

   Next, my wife and I drove the ovloV 850 turbo.  This car only 
comes in the auto trans.  Power was good and it rode similar the the 
A4Q, but slightly softer.  My wife liked it because of the safety 
features.  I think that the interior design is ugly!  The materials 
used did not have the same high quality look that I would expect on 
a car this expensive.  Not my first choice.

   Then, we drove the E320.  I know that there was a thread about 
how ugly these cars are(to some), however, this was one of the 
nicest cars that I have ever driven.  I was really impressed!  I 
think that appearance wise it is a love-it-or-hate-it look, but the 
mechanicals were flawless.  The Merc dealership also sells Audis and 
they have an S6 that I am going to drive tomorrow night, and I 
cannot wait!

Well for the money, the A4Q is an outstanding car, even compared to 
the more expensive cars we looked at, and with the right deal, I 
might buy it.  If nothing else, it was a fun weekend of testing 
cars.  I'll post after I drive the S6 as a comparo to these cars.

Randall C. Markarian

1990 V8 Quattro