Re: Edmund's Review of A6

[Fringe Ryder <fringe@ai.net>]

At 04:43 PM 12/22/97  -0500, MSV96 wrote:
>In a message dated 12/20/97 Fringe Ryder <fringe@ai.net> writes:
><<It makes sense for Audi to listen to me - I bought a new one,
>and will again when the S4 makes it out.>>
>
><<What I'd like all you searching for the bargain 4000 or 100 to do is spring
>for a new car, but only get the sportiest A4Q stickshift with a sports
>suspension (sadly not announced when I got my car).  Vote with your
wallets.>>
>
>Biting my tongue, er fingers, and trying not to get really bent, allow me to
>state that I BTDT times two (with AOA that is...I have bought other cars new
>also). As I have previously posted, I will never again be a new car customer
>of Audi or any other car company, mostly for reasons of really crappy after
>sale service here in the US for all brands of cars. I felt the tone of this
>post to be very elitist. Some of us have other priorities in life besides
>mega-hundred dollar car payments, like homes, children, and other interests
>(like photographing car races and sailing my boat in my case).

Mike, get as bent as you want.  Used cars aimed at the masses probably sell
better than those not.  Surely you've learned that a car with an automatic
and A/C has much higher resale value than a car missing either, and yet the
ultimate performance machines have neither.  You are not representative of
the used market and don't impact the new one.

I am part of the new-car market.  I've had trouble with sales support -
which is why I don't buy American anymore.  What I do affects their bottom
line.  You whine about your priorities, but what it boils down to, elitist
or not, is that you don't (affect AoA).  You may think I have misplaced
priorities, but their profit is in the initial sale.

BTW, in response to your question about why they have Audi-Assured, it's
primarily for disposing of lease cars and to deal with their reputation, of
course, but don't forget that Mercedes, long reknown for resale values,
pioneered the whole concept.

IOW, you set your priorities, you accept the trade-offs.  If you REALLY
want to change how AoA thinks, show them a bottom-line associated.  Buy a
new car.  

Regards