Re: Audi Kool-Aid, Pt. II (long)

["Matt & Jenai" <matjen@xsite.net>]

On 1/25/98 Avi writes:

>Matt you are a brave man!!!!!!!!!!!!>

Avi, before you enshrine me in the bravery hall of fame, I should disclose
that I use Mobil1 synthetic ;-).

>Now comes my point:
>in the hands of an average +- every day driver, a Q will perform BETTER
than
>a car not equipped with AWD.....(most of us fit in this category)....
>in a racing condition (none stock, high power) the article agrees that the
>AWD is superior due it its ability to deliver power via 4 wheels.....
>
>Your thoughts.....>

    Avi, I think it all comes down to how you define "perform."  (Unlike the
phrase "improper sexual relationship,"  I believe there are at least a few
reasonable meanings to the term perform.  That's my Clinton dig for the
evening!).  My point in the Audi Kool-Aid thread and Tribune Review thread
(late December) was that the quattro system does not mean your Audi will
handle/perform better (be faster) than a good rwd car in the twisties in
decent weather.  Now it seems to me that some listers are confusing that
with how comfortable the car makes them feel behind the wheel when they
drive aggressively - this is also a reasonable view of the term "perform."
    IMHO, a quattro will feel more secure to an average driver (I include
myself here) up to 8/10s.  This does not mean the car handles better.
Frankly, I'm afraid of my car when it gets past that point.  QSHIPQ talks
about the torsen hunting, etc. (I have an 89 200qw) I'm too freaked out to
analyze what's going on when I push too hard - the car gets goofy.  In rwd
cars I am able to keep pushing and the car communicates to me as the rear
end starts to lose it.  I just don't get that communication from a q (type
44).  I'm sure guys like Eric (don't slam me too hard for being a bad
driver) and Scott or Jeff can handle it - but I know Scott is a MUCH, MUCH,
MUCH better driver than I.  And even with all their disagreements, he admits
that Eric can drive a q.
    I absolutely agree that with high hp, awd is the fastest way to fly.  I
just think the list tends to exaggerate the benefits of awd when it comes to
the realm of handling in comparison to competing cars (BMW).  Because a
person feels more comfortable at speed in a q does not mean it performs
better or that the other car is less stable.  It is a subjective feeling.
Someone used to a rwd car may feel that the q is unstable b/c he is used to
the signals being sent by a rwd vehicle.

Just my worthless .02
Matt Pfeffer 89 200qw - stage II

P.S.  If it makes anyone feel any better, I think Gordon Haines suffers from
an incredible lack of objectivity in his 325ix page where he states the awd
bimmer will leave ANY car  in the snow - even the quattro (of course he
chooses a 10 valve 90q with a torsen for the comparo.  130 hp and 3000lbs).
What a joke!