a4q test drive. Pricing, anyone?

[jeffw@smoe.org (Jeff Wasilko)]

The A4 1.8T has caught my eye, and I finally had a chance to take
one for a test drive today.

I was (more-or-less) an proud Audi owner in the past...I had an
'84 VW Quantum, which at the time was the spittin' image of the
4000.

Since I'm after a manual transmission, I had to settle for a test
run in a auto. This was to be my first time in a quattro, and
today wasn't a bad day in Boston to introduce me to quattro. It
had rained all night, and then left a low, thick fog with us all
day. 

Seeing as I'm preaching to the choir, I'll just say that I was
very, very impressed with the grip as I attacked the entrance
ramps and rotaries. 

The only negatives I could come up with was the tiny right-side
mirror and the overly complex climate controls. I loved the
seating position (something my current car gets wrong) and most
of the controls (I forgot how much I missed the little details).
The pre-select feature of the sunroof is way cool!

In any event, I need to go back for a daylight test drive.

Has anyone pre-ordered a 5-speed manual? What kind of price were
you able to agree on? My preliminary talk with the salesperson
(Pass & Weiss) ferreted out that they would be looking for 2k
over invoice for the base car, and then dealer cost for all
options. On a loaded car (all packages) it translates to $1180
off list (or a 4% discount). Has anyone done better?

I realize that the 1.8T is shaping up to be very much in demand,
but I'll be ordering for late March/early April delivery.

Thanks,

-Jeff