Re: Driving Impressions: Passat 1.8T vs. A4

["Shaun D. Mullen" <smullen@philly.infi.net>]

Great review, Doug, and very nicely written.  I especially appreciated
the subjective stuff: What you thought you'd find and what you actually
found.  So much of car buying -- what cars we like and what cars we
don't like -- is subjective.  I second your view that the Passat, in any
guise, should not be viewed as a threat to the A4.  In fact, the Passat
and the entire reinvigorated, soon-to-be-way-expanded VW line is one of
the best things that could happen to Audi.  Going head-on with BMW and
Mercedes has helped push Audi to greater heights, and a healthy dose of
competition from VW as it moves upmarket should make things even more
interesting.

Some year-end thoughts: When I bought my first new quattro in 1992, it
was a gamble.  I was stone sold on the  quattro system, but very uneasy
about Audi's ability to recover from its (largely) self-inflicted wounds
and survive in the U.S.  Five years later, the A4 graces the cover of
the Consumer Reports annual auto-buying guide (which is a sort of poetic
justice given the knocks that mag takes from some q-listers).

No matter what one thinks of the butt end of the A6, outrageous
replacement part prices, that jerk salesperson at your local dealer or
the laggardly attitude at the home office about new stateside S-series
offerings, 1997 has been an extraordinary year for Audi.

Best New Year's wishes to all.

Shaun Mullen
West Grove, PA