Used S4 or new A4 or G35
08-12-2003, 10:32 AM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Used S4 or new A4 or G35
I'm having a hard time making up my mind. I love my '01 A4 1.8TQ very
much but my wife can't drive a manual transmission. Already tried
sending her to school and training her myself. I will have to go with
an automatic. Since I will be changing cars I am considering adding
some money and getting something else. After driving for the past
year in snow and rain with Quattro I know I want an AWD vehicle. The
A4's 1.8T engine has been fun, but I find myself wanting something
more powerful. I'm just not sure if it's a good idea to purchase an
'01 or '02 S4 when I can get an almost new '03 A4 with new body style
and warranty. I've wondered if a '03 A4 3.0 would provide the
increased power I am looking for. I asked this question in Audiworld
and some folks seemed to think that Quattro should not be the deciding
factor. Some suggested the Infinity G35 which does not have AWD. I
live in New York city and it snows enough for me to feel a need for
AWD. Maybe a good set of snow tires would be enough for a vehicle w/o
AWD, I don't know. Has anyone been in this situation? Any ideas?
much but my wife can't drive a manual transmission. Already tried
sending her to school and training her myself. I will have to go with
an automatic. Since I will be changing cars I am considering adding
some money and getting something else. After driving for the past
year in snow and rain with Quattro I know I want an AWD vehicle. The
A4's 1.8T engine has been fun, but I find myself wanting something
more powerful. I'm just not sure if it's a good idea to purchase an
'01 or '02 S4 when I can get an almost new '03 A4 with new body style
and warranty. I've wondered if a '03 A4 3.0 would provide the
increased power I am looking for. I asked this question in Audiworld
and some folks seemed to think that Quattro should not be the deciding
factor. Some suggested the Infinity G35 which does not have AWD. I
live in New York city and it snows enough for me to feel a need for
AWD. Maybe a good set of snow tires would be enough for a vehicle w/o
AWD, I don't know. Has anyone been in this situation? Any ideas?
08-12-2003, 03:54 PM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Used S4 or new A4 or G35
Ned Hart wrote:
---8<---cutting
> and some folks seemed to think that Quattro should not be the deciding
> factor. Some suggested the Infinity G35 which does not have AWD. I
> live in New York city and it snows enough for me to feel a need for
> AWD. Maybe a good set of snow tires would be enough for a vehicle w/o
> AWD, I don't know. Has anyone been in this situation? Any ideas?
I'll leave the discussion about engine type to others. Having the
1,8 TS (180hp) myself, there's not so much to say except that I
love that engine and it's almost enough for how I drive.
As far as fwd vs. quattro goes, I'll start trolling a bit by pointing out
that
in those regions known for lots of snow (e.g. Sweden, Norway, Finland)
there are *not* proportionately as many quattros as one might expect.
Cost is hardly a factor here either, since it's not so expensive to get
quattro.
Two reasons could be 1) the high price of fuel and the 5-10% increase in
fuel consumption with quattro compared with fwd; 2) Nordic people tend
to be so good at getting cars into motion in winter conditions - without
traction control - that they don't need quattro.
That said, once you've used quattro, it's easy to be hooked. But I'd dare
say
there are *relatively* few situations where its absence would be
regretted,
apart from its sheer entertainment value. But you know that already
IOW, if you can get a good deal on a fwd A4, don't pass it up just because
it
doesn't have quattro (just my 2 cents' worth).
<start soapbox mode>
As far as snow tyres go (and forget about all-seasons on a higher
performance
car, summer or winter - they're garbage), they're a good cheap sensible
insurance
and offer lots of fun winter driving. Studless or studded will do, on
their own
steel rims.
Driving in temperatures under about +3C / +38F causes summer tyres to lose
grip alarmingly, even if no snow. Using higher profile snows (e.g.
195/65-15)
gives enough sidewall flex so you don't break grip so often and allows the
tyre
to reach pavement in slushy weather.
<end soapbox_mode>
For a 2wd, get snows. For a quattro, get snows.
/Robert (01 A4 Av 1,8TS, no quattro, studless snows, in Sweden)
---8<---cutting
> and some folks seemed to think that Quattro should not be the deciding
> factor. Some suggested the Infinity G35 which does not have AWD. I
> live in New York city and it snows enough for me to feel a need for
> AWD. Maybe a good set of snow tires would be enough for a vehicle w/o
> AWD, I don't know. Has anyone been in this situation? Any ideas?
I'll leave the discussion about engine type to others. Having the
1,8 TS (180hp) myself, there's not so much to say except that I
love that engine and it's almost enough for how I drive.
As far as fwd vs. quattro goes, I'll start trolling a bit by pointing out
that
in those regions known for lots of snow (e.g. Sweden, Norway, Finland)
there are *not* proportionately as many quattros as one might expect.
Cost is hardly a factor here either, since it's not so expensive to get
quattro.
Two reasons could be 1) the high price of fuel and the 5-10% increase in
fuel consumption with quattro compared with fwd; 2) Nordic people tend
to be so good at getting cars into motion in winter conditions - without
traction control - that they don't need quattro.
That said, once you've used quattro, it's easy to be hooked. But I'd dare
say
there are *relatively* few situations where its absence would be
regretted,
apart from its sheer entertainment value. But you know that already
IOW, if you can get a good deal on a fwd A4, don't pass it up just because
it
doesn't have quattro (just my 2 cents' worth).
<start soapbox mode>
As far as snow tyres go (and forget about all-seasons on a higher
performance
car, summer or winter - they're garbage), they're a good cheap sensible
insurance
and offer lots of fun winter driving. Studless or studded will do, on
their own
steel rims.
Driving in temperatures under about +3C / +38F causes summer tyres to lose
grip alarmingly, even if no snow. Using higher profile snows (e.g.
195/65-15)
gives enough sidewall flex so you don't break grip so often and allows the
tyre
to reach pavement in slushy weather.
<end soapbox_mode>
For a 2wd, get snows. For a quattro, get snows.
/Robert (01 A4 Av 1,8TS, no quattro, studless snows, in Sweden)
08-12-2003, 06:29 PM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Used S4 or new A4 or G35
"Ned Hart" <nedhart@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:4a251bdf.0308120732.3cb1e1dc@posting.google.c om...
> I'm having a hard time making up my mind. I love my '01 A4 1.8TQ very
> much but my wife can't drive a manual transmission. Already tried
> sending her to school and training her myself. I will have to go with
> an automatic. Since I will be changing cars I am considering adding
> some money and getting something else. After driving for the past
> year in snow and rain with Quattro I know I want an AWD vehicle. The
> A4's 1.8T engine has been fun, but I find myself wanting something
> more powerful. I'm just not sure if it's a good idea to purchase an
> '01 or '02 S4 when I can get an almost new '03 A4 with new body style
> and warranty. I've wondered if a '03 A4 3.0 would provide the
> increased power I am looking for. I asked this question in Audiworld
> and some folks seemed to think that Quattro should not be the deciding
> factor. Some suggested the Infinity G35 which does not have AWD. I
> live in New York city and it snows enough for me to feel a need for
> AWD. Maybe a good set of snow tires would be enough for a vehicle w/o
> AWD, I don't know. Has anyone been in this situation? Any ideas?
I am in the same situation, I have a 1997 A4 Quattro the 2.6 12v and am
thinking of changing, as I have a new Higher paid job. I am looking at
either an Audi S4 2001, seen a load for around £14k thats about $18k, or a
new A4, I have seen some amazing looking ones with full kit etc, but I think
the S4 will win the day, as the new A4's are a bit too rounded and dont
stand out unless you kit them up and put some big wheels on.
The only car IMO that comes close to the the older B5 S4 is the new S6, If I
could afford the payments on it then I would have one.
I wouldnt touch another car unless it was quattro, it's not for the snow as
it never frigging snows here in england, but for the rain, we get tons of
rain, and the roads get so slippery, this is where perm 4wd is at its best i
mo.
Go for the S4 its Damn fast, it looks the part and it has all the toys, I
will post pics when I get mine hopefully in a couple of months
I am after a Nogaro Blue one btw..
Ronny
08-12-2003, 06:36 PM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Used S4 or new A4 or G35
"Ron" <ron@ron10.com> wrote in message
news:VLe_a.4842$9C4.38175928@news-text.cableinet.net...
>
> "Ned Hart" <nedhart@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:4a251bdf.0308120732.3cb1e1dc@posting.google.c om...
> > I'm having a hard time making up my mind. I love my '01 A4 1.8TQ very
> > much but my wife can't drive a manual transmission. Already tried
> > sending her to school and training her myself. I will have to go with
> > an automatic. Since I will be changing cars I am considering adding
> > some money and getting something else. After driving for the past
> > year in snow and rain with Quattro I know I want an AWD vehicle. The
> > A4's 1.8T engine has been fun, but I find myself wanting something
> > more powerful. I'm just not sure if it's a good idea to purchase an
> > '01 or '02 S4 when I can get an almost new '03 A4 with new body style
> > and warranty. I've wondered if a '03 A4 3.0 would provide the
> > increased power I am looking for. I asked this question in Audiworld
> > and some folks seemed to think that Quattro should not be the deciding
> > factor. Some suggested the Infinity G35 which does not have AWD. I
> > live in New York city and it snows enough for me to feel a need for
> > AWD. Maybe a good set of snow tires would be enough for a vehicle w/o
> > AWD, I don't know. Has anyone been in this situation? Any ideas?
>
> I am in the same situation, I have a 1997 A4 Quattro the 2.6 12v and am
> thinking of changing, as I have a new Higher paid job. I am looking at
> either an Audi S4 2001, seen a load for around £14k thats about $18k, or a
> new A4, I have seen some amazing looking ones with full kit etc, but I
think
> the S4 will win the day, as the new A4's are a bit too rounded and dont
> stand out unless you kit them up and put some big wheels on.
>
> The only car IMO that comes close to the the older B5 S4 is the new S6, If
I
> could afford the payments on it then I would have one.
>
> I wouldnt touch another car unless it was quattro, it's not for the snow
as
> it never frigging snows here in england, but for the rain, we get tons of
> rain, and the roads get so slippery, this is where perm 4wd is at its best
i
> mo.
>
> Go for the S4 its Damn fast, it looks the part and it has all the toys, I
> will post pics when I get mine hopefully in a couple of months
>
> I am after a Nogaro Blue one btw..
>
> Ronny
>
btw we dotn get the infiniti G35 over here, but looking at that Coupé I
would be straight down the nissan dealer, its like OMG
http://www.freshalloy.com/site/cars/...photos_003.jpg
What a great looking car, $31k is like £24k over here, that would get you
just a top spec 1.8T, Would like to see the Nissan IRL.
Ron
08-12-2003, 07:21 PM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Used S4 or new A4 or G35
On Tue, 12 Aug 2003 23:36:58 GMT, "Ron" <ron@ron10.com> wrote:
>btw we dotn get the infiniti G35 over here, but looking at that Coupé I
>would be straight down the nissan dealer, its like OMG
>
>http://www.freshalloy.com/site/cars/...photos_003.jpg
>
>What a great looking car, $31k is like £24k over here, that would get you
>just a top spec 1.8T, Would like to see the Nissan IRL.
That angle is about the only complementary one...
>btw we dotn get the infiniti G35 over here, but looking at that Coupé I
>would be straight down the nissan dealer, its like OMG
>
>http://www.freshalloy.com/site/cars/...photos_003.jpg
>
>What a great looking car, $31k is like £24k over here, that would get you
>just a top spec 1.8T, Would like to see the Nissan IRL.
That angle is about the only complementary one...
08-12-2003, 07:41 PM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Used S4 or new A4 or G35
Inger Skramstad Jørstad wrote:
> "Ned Hart" <nedhart@hotmail.com> skrev i melding
> news:4a251bdf.0308120732.3cb1e1dc@posting.google.c om...
>
>>I'm having a hard time making up my mind. I love my '01 A4 1.8TQ very
>>much but my wife can't drive a manual transmission. Already tried
>>sending her to school and training her myself. I will have to go with
>>an automatic.
>
>
> Yes, once again, the wives............... The helpless little
> things.................. such a shame that they really cannot drive. There
> must be something seriously wrong with the (driving) genes of US women (The
> laws of natural selection).
Very intelligent reply to the original poster. ASSUME he's from the
U.S. Then derive that all women living in the U.S. cannot drive a
manual trans car. Most women I know prefer manual gearboxes when not
driving in traffic. I LEARNED how to drive a manual trans from a woman.
Three of my six vehicles are manual trans.
> a Scandinavian woman in my mid-thirties, and no women I know here have any
> problem whatsoever operating a manual shift. On the contrary, we prefer it.
> Automatic is generally for beerbellied middleaged and old men with hats or
> combovers in their oversized limos, and taxi drivers. If you are a decent
> driver, go manual. But if you got your license through mailorder, go
> auto.....
>
Is there ANYTHING you DON'T do better than everyone else? Or is that
just a very large chip on your shoulder?
--
Vic
2000 Mustang GT
suspension upgrades
1997 A4 2.8q
http://home.earthlink.net/~jthet
08-12-2003, 08:57 PM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Used S4 or new A4 or G35
Since 1978 my wife and I have driven various Audis (5000S, 4000CS, 90S) and VWs (Scirocco, Rabbit,
Passat) that were all FWD, 5-speeds, except for the Passat. However, with my wife's RSI problems we
decided that her next car would be an auto. We test drove a '02 A4 3.0 CVT and it was great.
Problem: the stock was limited and the dealer wouldn't deal. We settled on a '02 325I with auto.
The wife loves it and is very happy. Later, I purchased a 2003.5 G35 with sport suspension and gave
the Passat to my son. The G35 is a tremendous car. There is no play in the steering, suspension,
or brakes. Lots of power, and on a winding road the handling is almost telepathic. You seemingly
turn your head toward the corner and the car follows. Great recover in the wet (heh, heh).
Yeah, it will be a tough choice for you. Especially if you wait for the 2004 or 2005 models. I
understand that the S4 will have a lighter version of the 4.2V8 and the G35 may be upgraded to 330HP.
FWD vs. AWD? I guess its is personal taste. Wev'e driven our cars to visit friends in the Sierras
in the winter and have had no problems with the stock Michelin M+S tires. Usually when we have had
to stop to put on chains, the CHP wanted everyone to have chains.
Good luck with your decision. Just think of the fun you will have testing all of these cars.
Ned Hart wrote:
> I'm having a hard time making up my mind. I love my '01 A4 1.8TQ very
> much but my wife can't drive a manual transmission.
> snip
Passat) that were all FWD, 5-speeds, except for the Passat. However, with my wife's RSI problems we
decided that her next car would be an auto. We test drove a '02 A4 3.0 CVT and it was great.
Problem: the stock was limited and the dealer wouldn't deal. We settled on a '02 325I with auto.
The wife loves it and is very happy. Later, I purchased a 2003.5 G35 with sport suspension and gave
the Passat to my son. The G35 is a tremendous car. There is no play in the steering, suspension,
or brakes. Lots of power, and on a winding road the handling is almost telepathic. You seemingly
turn your head toward the corner and the car follows. Great recover in the wet (heh, heh).
Yeah, it will be a tough choice for you. Especially if you wait for the 2004 or 2005 models. I
understand that the S4 will have a lighter version of the 4.2V8 and the G35 may be upgraded to 330HP.
FWD vs. AWD? I guess its is personal taste. Wev'e driven our cars to visit friends in the Sierras
in the winter and have had no problems with the stock Michelin M+S tires. Usually when we have had
to stop to put on chains, the CHP wanted everyone to have chains.
Good luck with your decision. Just think of the fun you will have testing all of these cars.
Ned Hart wrote:
> I'm having a hard time making up my mind. I love my '01 A4 1.8TQ very
> much but my wife can't drive a manual transmission.
> snip
08-13-2003, 07:17 AM
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Used S4 or new A4 or G35
In message <VIp_a.20317$Hb.334535@news4.e.nsc.no>
"Inger Skramstad Jørstad" <ingjoers@online.no> wrote:
> I am a perfect girl, in an imperfect world..................
Haha - I like it. Well said Inger.
--
Peter Bell - peter@bellfamily.org.uk
"Inger Skramstad Jørstad" <ingjoers@online.no> wrote:
> I am a perfect girl, in an imperfect world..................
Haha - I like it. Well said Inger.
--
Peter Bell - peter@bellfamily.org.uk
08-13-2003, 08:01 AM
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Used S4 or new A4 or G35
On 12 Aug 2003 08:32:27 -0700, nedhart@hotmail.com (Ned Hart) wrote:
>I'm having a hard time making up my mind. I love my '01 A4 1.8TQ very
>much but my wife can't drive a manual transmission. Already tried
>sending her to school and training her myself. I will have to go with
>an automatic. Since I will be changing cars I am considering adding
>some money and getting something else. After driving for the past
>year in snow and rain with Quattro I know I want an AWD vehicle. The
>A4's 1.8T engine has been fun, but I find myself wanting something
>more powerful. I'm just not sure if it's a good idea to purchase an
>'01 or '02 S4 when I can get an almost new '03 A4 with new body style
>and warranty. I've wondered if a '03 A4 3.0 would provide the
>increased power I am looking for. I asked this question in Audiworld
>and some folks seemed to think that Quattro should not be the deciding
>factor. Some suggested the Infinity G35 which does not have AWD. I
>live in New York city and it snows enough for me to feel a need for
>AWD. Maybe a good set of snow tires would be enough for a vehicle w/o
>AWD, I don't know. Has anyone been in this situation? Any ideas?
I got my 2000 S4 in February, and I love it. In the US, we get that
nice Audi Assured warranty. Although it isn't as extensive as the new
car warranty, it should cover any fears about large repair bills (i.e.
if a turbo goes south on a non-chipped engine). Reasons to get the
S4:
1. A used S4 is about $27-30k USD, while a new A4 3.0 is easily over
$35k. I got mine loaded for $27.5k. Depending on what you put down
on the A4 and what other options it had, your payments may stay about
the same.
2. If you keep it stock, the S4 has more "go" than the A4 3.0. For
about $600, you can chip the S4 and slap the happy pants off of the A4
3.0.
I sold my A4 1.8T when I got the S4. What an upgrade...=)
Elroy
2000 S4 - Wheeeeeeeeeeeee
>I'm having a hard time making up my mind. I love my '01 A4 1.8TQ very
>much but my wife can't drive a manual transmission. Already tried
>sending her to school and training her myself. I will have to go with
>an automatic. Since I will be changing cars I am considering adding
>some money and getting something else. After driving for the past
>year in snow and rain with Quattro I know I want an AWD vehicle. The
>A4's 1.8T engine has been fun, but I find myself wanting something
>more powerful. I'm just not sure if it's a good idea to purchase an
>'01 or '02 S4 when I can get an almost new '03 A4 with new body style
>and warranty. I've wondered if a '03 A4 3.0 would provide the
>increased power I am looking for. I asked this question in Audiworld
>and some folks seemed to think that Quattro should not be the deciding
>factor. Some suggested the Infinity G35 which does not have AWD. I
>live in New York city and it snows enough for me to feel a need for
>AWD. Maybe a good set of snow tires would be enough for a vehicle w/o
>AWD, I don't know. Has anyone been in this situation? Any ideas?
I got my 2000 S4 in February, and I love it. In the US, we get that
nice Audi Assured warranty. Although it isn't as extensive as the new
car warranty, it should cover any fears about large repair bills (i.e.
if a turbo goes south on a non-chipped engine). Reasons to get the
S4:
1. A used S4 is about $27-30k USD, while a new A4 3.0 is easily over
$35k. I got mine loaded for $27.5k. Depending on what you put down
on the A4 and what other options it had, your payments may stay about
the same.
2. If you keep it stock, the S4 has more "go" than the A4 3.0. For
about $600, you can chip the S4 and slap the happy pants off of the A4
3.0.
I sold my A4 1.8T when I got the S4. What an upgrade...=)
Elroy
2000 S4 - Wheeeeeeeeeeeee
08-16-2003, 02:59 PM
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Used S4 or new A4 or G35
One thing to bear in mind is the area that you are going to have the most
interaction with day in and day out. The Interior. Running an auto-
body repair shop, I am in and out of all makes of cars on a daily basis.
Nissan interiors are among the worst made. The materials are cheap and
shoddy. I see 2 year old nissans coming in and the interiors look worn and
old. Audi is often acclaimed as having the best interiors arond.
As to the issue of tires, YES, tires make a huge difference. I drive an '01
S4, and with the 100+ inches of snow we got in upstate NY this past winter,
I can safely testify that the stock tires (in my cast bridgestone re040's)
are terrible in the snow. My wife's front drive volvo wagon was better in
the snow with her all season continentals than my quattro was. I just put
michelin pilot sport a/s's on my car and hope that it will be better in the
snow.
Mitch Ware
Albany NY
2001 Audi S4
2001 Volvo V4
1974 Jensen Healey
interaction with day in and day out. The Interior. Running an auto-
body repair shop, I am in and out of all makes of cars on a daily basis.
Nissan interiors are among the worst made. The materials are cheap and
shoddy. I see 2 year old nissans coming in and the interiors look worn and
old. Audi is often acclaimed as having the best interiors arond.
As to the issue of tires, YES, tires make a huge difference. I drive an '01
S4, and with the 100+ inches of snow we got in upstate NY this past winter,
I can safely testify that the stock tires (in my cast bridgestone re040's)
are terrible in the snow. My wife's front drive volvo wagon was better in
the snow with her all season continentals than my quattro was. I just put
michelin pilot sport a/s's on my car and hope that it will be better in the
snow.
Mitch Ware
Albany NY
2001 Audi S4
2001 Volvo V4
1974 Jensen Healey
