A4Q Gripes and likes

["Jonathan Linkov" <ValiumNJ@msn.com>]

I've had my A4Q since the last week in April.  A 120 mile per day round trip 
commute has left me with a well broken in 6000 mile car.  I have had a feww of 
the problems that you all mention, but really can't complain too much.  

I drove the car on my full commute out of the box, the day I picked it up.  i 
changed the oil at 3000, had the 1000 mile checkup, and have arranged for the 
7500 service already.  The radio is crap, with the GAL A being a scam, I 
believe.  It is too touchy, almost leading me to believe the knob being able 
to just spin and spin is causing the trouble.  Volume is too high always, or 
very soft.

I have noticed the rear doors are slightly cheesy, like to ones on the back of 
a Pathfinder or 4Runner.  But, while the close with a tinny sound, they are 
solid on the road.

The graying of the cloth - do you have leather?  That is a big problem with 
the ivory colored cloth of the leather cars.  My dealer, Essex Sports Cars in 
NJ, told me a customer paid $150 per door for all 4 to have the cloth replaced 
with leather arm rests.  that's why I have the cloth interior in gray.  BTW - 
at the NY auto show I heard from a rep that the '97s will have different 
armrest and center armrest colors, cause of this "graying" problem.

My only real gripe is a strange "ringing/beeping" that I hear faintly when I 
am at rest with my foot on the clutch and brake.  It is annoying.  Plus, my 
shocks now squeak over some bumps.  Can anyone ID this as a problem?

Aside from that, the car is wonderful.  Quick enough ( I have a '67 Vette if I 
need real speed), stable, handles great, especially in the recent NJ storms.  
80 mph on rt 78 in the rain....no M3 gonna stay with me and feel stable!  The 
AC has been great, gearbox terrific, trunk holds a ton.  The brake dust is 
annoying, but I may try metal masters next time....any comments on these from 
a listmember?  I'd appreciate a yes/no suggestion.

All in all, I am very happy with the car.  Does anyone know if you can buy the 
extended warranty at 6000 miles down the road?

Jonathan Linkov
Valiumnj@msn.com
Blue A4Q