RE: test driving urS4 tomorrow..

[Kneale Brownson <knotnook@traverse.com>]

At 10:17 AM 11/20/99 -0500, TM wrote:
>Fred,
>I agree w/ your impressions on the S4, just wanted to add a couple
>comments:
>About the engine and power- the car is supremely competent (I've driven
>a '95 S6, not the S4, but same car essentially), but it begs for more
>power. 227 hp is just not enough to make this car really fast, although
>at highway speeds, the mph just creeps up on you if you're not careful.
>
>Suspension- the car has too much body roll, probably a fault of the later,
>softer cars only. I'd put better shocks and possibly tinker with spring
>rates to fix this, but I like really firm riding (not bone shatteringly
>stiff) cars.
>
>Space- is it just me or does the S4/S6 feel smaller inside than the 5k/2c?
>
>Regards,
>Taka Mizutani
>
Having not seen, let alone ridden in/driven an S-car, I can't say anything
about the handling or performance, but regarding space:  My "new" '91
200tq20v  definitely "cuddles" me much more than the 5kcstq.  The '91 feels
very similar in interior closeness to my 4kq's, making the 5k seem like a
living room in comparison.  I haven't taken time to make measurements,  so
it could be something as simple as the fold-down armrest between the front
seats, along with the woodgrain looking different from the black
leatherette on the door and dash trim.  But my wife, who's always preferred
driving one of the 4k cars to the 5k, says she could learn to like the '91.

Kneale Brownson