Oh, yes its Audi night, and the feelin's right

[Sean_Ford@idx.com]

To:   quattro
Hey, dudes, <- blatant Californiaism

This Boston Audifan got his first ride in a V8 5-spd last night and it was
a blast. I met up with Steve Buchholz and his 2 year old daughter, Natalie,
last night for a trip to the San Jose car show. So here's my daily report
(like you all care):

Oakland to San Jose on I880 in a Dodge Stratus. Its a good thing that I
don't care about this car, the traffic was total warfare. Hmmm, maybe I
don't want to move to CA afterall.

Tied House Microbrewery. Ironwood Dark Ale, Fish & Chips, in walks Steve
with an adorable arm decoration... Natalie. Seeing Steve's daughter makes
me miss my son, Seamus, even more. Cue violins.

Hop in the V8 for a downtown troll looking for a parking space near the
convention center. First things first... that engine note is addictive.
There's just something about the mechanical muscle sound of a V8. Mmmm,
mmmm, good.

Check out the car show. My favorite take (showing my middle class roots
here) of the show is the Mk IV Golf and Jetta (Bora for you euro types).
I'm very impressed with the materials used throughout. I would seriously
consider a VW again; I swore them off back in '90 after 4 years of owning a
PA made '86 Golf. VW IS going to take over the world with cars like the
Passat, New Beetle, Golf, and Jetta.

Also went through the Audis, of course. Most amazing thing about the Audis?
The way that Audi has turned plastic into an artform. Has anyone else
figured out what material is being used on the inside of the doorpull in
the new A6's? It was the creamiest, smoothest feeling plastic that I've
ever laid a finger on.

Out of the show and back into the V8. Steve wanted to be sure that I got a
good feel for what the V8 could do. Holy acceleration, Batman!! We hit a
freeway onramp at speed and Steve just opened it up. Yaaaaaaaahoooooooooo!
Natalie seemed to enjoy the goings on from the center back seat as well.
I've never been in such a large automobile that had that kind of
combination of get-up-and-go along with the obvious handling. Thank you,
Steve, it was much appreciated.

San Jose back to Oakland. Drone, drone, drone. Driving along a CA freeway
is an experience, I gotta tell you. Imagine cars by the thousands lining up
on a football field and racing across it over and over. Now throw in
carpool lanes, construction, and sidewalls that give a driving-in-a-canal
feel. Bring your armor.

That's it. Sorry for the personal diatribe, I had to get it off my chest.
For those of you have never been in a 5-spd V8, well, you ARE missing
something. A downshift at speed is a glorious sounding event. I wish I had
had a tape recorder.

Sean Ford
'92 Audi 100CS 5-spd 42k mi and an anemic sounding V6
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/5528