Re: audi rallying

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

Bruce writes:
"No question audi is chasing bmw and m-b, as dave points out, but in many =
ways it seems like a dog chasing its own stubby tail.

Like beemers or not, bmw is bringing to the US cars that come out of the =
box dressed for fun [M's].  While the audi cars [A4] are quite nice, what =
exactly is audi's apparent disdain of hp and torque all about?  I hear =
rumors of a twin t S4, we will see. =20

Audi, bring me an A4 with 240 factory hp and I will buy today.  Continue =
to bring the little 1.8's and I will ride my bet on resale making the A4 =
one of the most attractive used cars for under $15k. "

Amen.  However, I wouldn't just limit this thought to the various M cars.  I
think up and down the line BMW pretty much has the better
handling/braking/faster car than Audi.  I used to confidantly make the 1.8
an exception in that clearly bests a 318.  I haven't driven a 323 and am not
sure of the price but it does narrrow Audi's advantage in this price point.
It seems that in the states Audi is stuck firmly between BMW and MB.  The
cars are less expensive but sort of soft like many MBs.  They generally
don't have the sporting nature of any of the BMWs they compete with.  I
think the end result is that many new Audis are sold to people who:
1)enjoy the styling,  2) want European sedan cachet, 3)  think awd is a
safety advantage, 4) and also want a discount over BMW and MB.  I see
nothing wrong with any of these reasons but I do not think many new Audis
are sold for pure motorsport enthusiasm.  Igor and a few others on the list
are obvious exceptions!

Just my .02
Matt Pfeffer