[Author Prev][Author Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Author Index][Thread Index]
Fwd: In defense of my decision
Here's a message from a friend of mine. I helped him pick up his
passat, and although I have never driven an A4 or a Passat, I was along
for many test drives, and discussed the differences between the two cars
with him repeatedly and at length. I think he made the right decision.
Just think of the mods one can do with the $6000 difference in price. I
for one think that the Passat has all the build quality and refinement
of PRE A4, new A6 nad A8 Audis. It isn't as luxurious as some, but
cretainly can hold its own against the 5k series as far as build
quality, and is far nicer than the 4k series. Lets look past the badge
and look at the TRUE heritage and engineering of this car before we
dismiss is, shall we? Otherwise are we really any better than the
yuppies in A6's that don't show us the brotherhood that we like to think
we share?
Just my $0.04
>From: "Io Skellington" <io_europa@hotmail.com>
>To: four.rings@mcione.com
>Cc: kendriq@hotmail.com
>Subject: In defense of my decision
>Date: Fri, 17 Jul 1998 01:47:17 PDT
>
>I think I am replying to the correct person...
>
>
>
>
>>>>1. It's definitely NOT an Audi. (Lotsa comments like "no $hit
>>Sherlock"
>>>are duly
>>>>anticipated :-)
>
>...I didn't notice anything more special about the Audi...
>
>>>>2. The rear suspension is not the same as Audi's, the Passat has
>>>torsion beams
>>>>in the back. All in all this car does not have the flat and stable
>>ride
>>>and
>>>>cornering of an iron-on-the-board like my A4 does.
>
>
>No, but the Passat rides more comfortably. I felt like I was being
>jostled around in the stock (non-sport susp.) A4 I drove, and I drove
>each many many times before I made my decision. While the suspension
>felt stiffer in the A4, the chassis felt weaker!, Let me say I went
>into this biasd against the VW from everyone like you, but after
>numerous test drives on our bumpy-ass potholed rodes here in MN, I felt
>the chassis was stiffer coupled to a more compliant suspension than the
>A4. Also, even though the Passat is heavier, the weight distribution
is
>much more even, (60/40 for my 1.8T, it is 63/37 for you A4's with the
>V6) even compared to 1.8T A4's (62/38).
>
>That said, my second car is a sports car to begin with, why would I
want
>to sacrifice ride quality for handling in both of my vehicles, I need a
>break sometime!! and She cost alot less than the 6k difference, and
>will run rings around any stock A4, or non-turbo 944 (current count is
>2/0 :) )
>
>>>>3. The Passat is _noticeably_ harsher on uneven pavement. Which is
>>>quite
>>>>surprising given it's stock ride height and suspension setting, and
>>the
>>>>195/65/15 all-season rubber with tall sidewalls on 6x15" wheels.
>>>>My A4 is _a_lot_ more sivilised; mind you that's with the optional
>>>Sport package
>>>>(shorter and stiffer springs, stiffer gas shocks, bigger stabiliser
>>>bars) and on
>>>>the Z-rated rubber with stiff sidewalls in 225/50/16 size on 7.5x16"
>>>wheels.
>
>
>
>Now I don't know where you got this from? I was trying to convince
>myself to spend the extra 6k, but the ride was so much worse and the
>wind noise so much higher.....
>
>
>>>>4. The interior does not ooze class and refinement like that of Audi
>>>does. The
>>>>instrument cluster has only two gauges (the temp and the gas). The
>>>other two are
>>>>gone (the oil temp and the volt).
>
>
>yes I miss the extra gauges, but I would also like a boost gauge
>and.....on another note, the all red color of the A4 causes everything
>to blend together, whereas the Blue/red on my Passat provides wonderful
>contrast to keep track of those all important needles, besides what the
>numbers say is unimportant, it is where the needle is point and how
fast
>it is swinging that matters...
>
>
>
>>>>5. Power locks are electrical hence they operate with a loud "Wham!"
>>>rather than
>>>>with the signature Audi's vacuum soft and smooth sucking sound.
>
>
>um, I didn't notice the A4's locks, but yes, my locks are a loud "wham"
>and I do find that annoying...
>
>
>>>>6. Quattro comes only with a V6 on the Passat for much more money.
So
>>>in the
>>>>Passat, unlike in the Audi you can either have performance or
>traction
>>>but not
>>>>both.
>
>
>Only V6 automatic to be exact, and yes I dismayed about that too....but
>you have to find priorities somewhere...
>I was not about to spend more money just to get AWD in a car that
>overall I liked less, especially since the FWD has traction control and
>I live in the City...better setup than most 4WD truck out there...The
>1.8T A4 Quattro also felt slower (seat of the pants) I am assuming due
>to the extra reciprocating mass of the quattro. It could be the Demo
>was beat on too much and was a slower Audi example....or something, but
>it just didn't feel right to me..
>
>
>>>>7. The Passat does not have the automatic climate control of the A4.
>
>
>would be nice, if I could've figured out how to use it on my test drive
>;)
>
>
>>>>Don't get me wrong, it is a _terrific_ car! For a $20k car that is.
>>>>One has to be nuts to chose a Camry or an Accord over a Passat.
>>>>But if one is looking for more class and refinement, and has about
>$6k
>>>more to
>>>>spend - the A4 is a sure answer.
>
>
>I never saw more class in the A4, the seats even fit funny, the side
>bolsters were moved so far to the side that I felt like I was sliding
>all over the place on the inside, like they were made for fat people,
>whereas on my passat they are as close to right as my thin frame is
>going to find short of a complete custom job.
>
>I do wish the Passat had the 1.8T stretched to 2.3 liters and five
>cylinders, with six gears and quattro and the beautiful silver color
>that the Audis get...and of course all the aforementioned gauges,
>otherwise I am perfectly happy with my Passat/RX-7 combo
>
>
>>>>Like the well known saying goes: if she has to ask, she probably
>>should
>>>buy the
>>>>Passat.
>
>
>Don't go assuming genders, if it weren't for this blunder I wouldn't
>have written. There are so many defensive A4 owners out there, but the
>fact is the Passat has more in common with the A6 than the A4, so
>comparing them does neither car justice, what car is right for one
>person is not right for the next. And for the record, I do not have a
>family or haul large amounts of stuff, just myself and my fiancee and
>NEVER any kids.....the Passat felt more luxurious to drive, and more
>fitting to my tastes, so I chose her....and please feel free to post
>this on the q-list....
>
> - Io
>
>
>
>
>>>>Igor Kessel
>>>>'89 200TQ -- 18psi (TAP)
>>>>'98 A4TQ -- mostly stock
>>>>Philadelphia, PA
>>>>USA
>>>>http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Garage/8949/homepage.html
>>>>************************************************************
>
>
>______________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
----Mark Busse
75 100LS {R.I.P.}
85 5kS {R.I.P.}
80 baas 99GLI {for sale}
87.5 "Special Build"CGT -ANSA
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com