Re: Audi 5KCSTQ vs. Jeep GC

[Larry Mittell <lmittel@ibm.net>]

I own and regularly drive one each of the vehicles you compared. While the
Jeep ain't no Quattro, in it's defense, it can do things the TQ can't. For
one, it can get to and from my mountain cabin in deep snow that would
high-center and hopelessly strand the Audi. For another, I regularly have a
passenger, three large dogs, and a ton of gear in the Jeep. I wouldn't
dream of trying that with the Audi.

Also, the Jeep doesn't really handle all *that* badly, though it heels over
markedly when driven with elan through the twisty bits. I'm reasonably sure
the one you drove was shod with the crummy original equipment tires that
Jeep, to their discredit, equip the vehicle with. First-rate rubber
completely transforms the vehicle, although, even properly-shod, there's no
way it could ever keep up with a Quattro.

Now, having said all that, if my mission of the moment allows the use of
either vehicle, I almost always choose the Audi. Its handling, comfort and
sophistication make it a delight to drive, whereas the Jeep is a chore to
drive spiritedly. The bottom line is that each vehicle suits its particular
role admirably. I don't doubt you found the Jeep wanting, but take it from
someone who owns one-- it can do things no Audi can. 

If you don't happen to need your vehicle to do these things, then it's a
no-brainer: the Audi wins hands-down.

At 11:36 PM 12/8/97 EST, you wrote:
>
>	I drove my Black ‘87 to work this morning, then had the opprotunity to drive
>the
>company Jeep for the rest of the day.  Ran mental comparisons the whole
time I
>was
>driving, so I thought I’d share them with the q-listers.
>
>Comparison of Audi 5000 CS TQ and Jeep Grand Cherokee 
>
>                                                          Audi
>Jeep
>
>AWD?                                                 Yes
>Yes
>Cornering, interstate                              Like it’s on rails
>Wallows like a pig.
>Cornering, 2 lane twisties                      Like it’s on rails
>Wallows like a pig
>Reaction to rain water on the road         Maintains stability        Skates
>like a pig on ice
>Straight line driving with side wind         What side wind?          Wallows
>like a pig
>Tractability over bumpy road                 Maintains stability        Bucks
>like a wild horse 
>
   
>and wallows like a pig
>Outward visibility                                  Good
>Good
>   “”  “”in rain                                        Good
>Forget rearward view with
>
   
>center or sideview mirrors.
>Adjusting mirrors                                  Easy, just move hand
Lean
>WAY forward
>                                                            to armrest
>to reach buttons (which
>
   
>puts you out of position to 
>
   
>see what you’ve adjusted.)
>Radio controls                                      Lean slightly forward
>Reach WAY forward to
>
   
>high center of dash 
>Seat adjustment                                    Electric 10 way
>Electric 8 way with manual
>
   
>back rest tilt
>Jack rabbit starts                                 Are you kidding?
>Not bad.
>                                                           This car is stock
>with
>                                                            240K miles on it.
>Steering feedback                                Precise and readable.
Huh?
>Steering what?
>
>	There you have it, a totally unbiased review of two AWD vehicles.  Thought
>I’d save you the effort, just in case you believed some
>of the commercials about how good the SUVs are.  I didn’t read the recent SUV
>thread
>(no interest, actually), so if I replicated someone else’s work, I apologize.
>At least this will
>put it in two places in the archives.
>
>