Re: ad-blitzes, or is that Flag waving

[QSHIPQ@aol.com]

In a message dated 98-10-20 17:54:30 EDT, you write:

<< This was not a scientific test by any means but all I know is that, before
 I bought my A4, I test drove an M3 near the Audi dealership in Scottsdale.
 I took both the M3 (I have done this with a couple of M3s) and the A4q on
 the same winding road by Camelback mountain and the A4 was just as fast as
 the M3 and felt a lot more stable and inspired more driver confidence. I
 also got my friend to do the same thing so that he could tell me what he
 thought, he agreed. Off the line, sure the M3 wins but most of life's roads
 are not straight nor are they nicely paved. >>

Hmmm.  Problem is a watch.  I can take an A4q for a fast ride too, but to say
it's "as fast" as the M3 makes me think that it might be the driver, not the
car.  Any road course that I've set my watch on doesn't lie.  Does this mean
that the M3 will ALWAYS be faster?  No, you could very well have found a road
that made a A4 "as fast" as an M3.  The part of your post that makes me think,
is the EXACT reason quattro sells, "it feels more stable and inspires more
driver confidence."  However, making the conclusion that that transposes to
"as fast" I just have a problem with.  Easier to drive fast, I might agree
with, easily.  But that is a philosophy of performance vs a sports tourer.
The difference say, between a Ducati and a Kawasaki.  The KZ sure does ride
well, but the watch gives the time to the Ducati.  I think if you had the
opportunity to get acquainted with both cars more, you would understand my
exact point.  Some folks drive at a level where quattro may or may not be as
confidence inspiring as you make it out to be (see my plethora of t*rsen
experiences).  And those brakes....

My conclusion on your post is different than yours:  I don't think you are an
M3 buyer.  

Scott Justusson