Re: 97 A4Q- 2nd impressions: 1000 miles

[dan_masi@MENTORG.COM (Dan Masi)]

On Nov 27,  5:00pm, tlazay@ultranet.com wrote:
> Subject: 97 A4Q- 2nd impressions: 1000 miles
> Hello everybody,
>
> I've been driving my new A4Q for 1000 miles now. I posted my first
> impressions at approx. 300 miles. Here's what I think now:
>
> 1) What is the small plastic visor that folds down above the rear
> view mirror? A mini sun visor?

Yep.

> I find this thing very useless.

It is, until you're driving home into the sunset, and the
sun happens to be at just the right angle to blind you every
time you look at the rearview mirror.  Then, you'll find it
extremely useful!

> 3) Regarding GALA, I know it's turned on, but I can't hear any
> difference in volume at any speed change. Maybe some QList A4
> owners can figure this one out.

Some (including myself) have heard it.  Some say they can't.
I have mine adjusted as follows: both graphical adjustments
set full right, and GALA on/off switch (shares function with
either the bass or treble control, can't remember which)
is ON.  Works fine on my A4.

> The base on the non-Bose system sounds a bit hollow. Can you add a
> subwoofer to the non-Bose audio system?

You can add a subwoofer to any system!  But I find that the stock
rears have plenty of bass, even thought it's not incredibly
well damped.  Try fading your controls towards the rear more.

> By the way, to answer those of you who are wondering about
> the CD Changer. Definitely worth it. Mine hasn't skipped yet.

Mine either, not once in almost 6 months.

> Mount it in the front of the trunk facing the driver side
> rear seat. Then it would be out of the way and you could change
> discs or cartridges from inside by folding down the rear seat
> (granted this would be a bit awkward, but
> better than getting out during a rain storm). What do you think?

It'd work, but not for me.  The folding seats may come in handy
some day for carrying some large object.  Having the CD player
more towards the front of the car will seriously get in the
way of objects there, since the opening into the car is already
pretty small.  And, as you say, I think it'd be too awkward.
Just buy an extra magazine or two, that way you can make CD
changes real fast!

> 4) The armrest is quite curious. With the armrest down, using the
> parking brake is awkward, in fact when fully engaged, the parking
> brake handle moves the armrest upward.

Ask your dealer to adjust the parking brake.  Mine doesn't
hit the armrest, even if I pull it up *real* hard.

> It also get's in the way of shifting for city driving.

It's sometimes easy to not put the armrest all the way down.
But you're right, even when it's really all the way down, it's
a bit cumbersome for frequent/spirited shifts.

> What is the long ruler sized compartment that is underneath
> the armrest. It's about 8" long, .75" wide, and .25" deep. It
> has rubber in the bottom and looks like it is meant to hold
> something. Pen holder?

Dust collector.   :-(

> Is it possible to install a cigarette lighter below the armrest.
> Pictures show one there for the factory cell phone

Actually, that's not a cigarette lighter socket.  There's a phone
connector there.

> but I was thinking it would be great to power my Motorola
> portable since I didn't opt for the factory phone system.

Under the armrest, there's a rectangular well; towards the back
of that well, there's a squarish block, maybe 2.5"x2.5", that
has the RJ-11 phone connector in it.  I found that by removing
that block, I could fit my portable's handsfree kit in the
now-longer rectangular well.  It was a bit of a job, but, well,
that's what I did.  Ran power there from the fuse box.

> 5) Highway driving is great. Some owners have complained about the
> lack of on-center feel. I disagree. I find that it tracks perfectly
> straight and is easy to keep between the lines at 90+ mph.

I agree with the tracking/straight comments, but still think that
it offers very little in the way of on-center feel.  Very dull
feedback there.

> Ideally, I would like to see less body roll in the turns though.

Yep!
 Dan Masi
'96 A4Q