zagat

Hi there,

I'm looking at the 2005 A4. I've driven the Quattro versions of the
3.2L sedan and the 3.0L cab. The cab's performance was, to say the
least, disappointing. Basically, no low-end torque. Punch the 3.2
sedan and it responds immediately while the 3.0 cab just whines.
Serious lack of acceleration. I know that there are a number of
differences between the 3.2 sedan and the 3.0 cab (that is, not just
the 30 hp difference) and the dealer tells me that one of the factors
affecting the cab's performance is the Quattro system. He has a FWD
version of the 3.0 cab and he is arranging for me to take a test drive
of that car.

So my questions:

Has anyone driven the new A4 cabs and do you notice the same lack of
acceleration?

Does anyone have any positive or negative experiences with the 3.0 A4
cabs (or the 3.2 sedans) they would like to share? If you have one,
would you recomment it?

I will be testing the FWD version of the cab this week and I'll see if
it performs better than the Quattro, but does anyone have an opinion
on FWD vs Quattro. Is the Quattro really all that much better than
FWD? I live in sunny southern California, so there is no ice or snow
to worry about.

Anyway, I'd appreciate any comments you guys/gals have on these A4's.

Thanks,
Zag

P.S. I'm not really interested in a turbo version.

Dano58

Well, I can make some comments on FWD vs quattro - where you live, it
may not be a big deal weather-wise - but quattro is intended to be a
performance enhancement was well as foul-weather assistance. The weight
difference is around 150 pounds, FWD being less, of course....
Remember, you're really comparing 2 different cars, the 2005.5 sedans
being fairly significantly redesigned versus the 2005 Cabriolet, which
is based on the 2002 - 2005 sedans...

Having recently returned from a few days in the LA area, I don't think
the performance advantages of quattro would make that much
difference.... Other than in the canyons around malibu, I can't think
of where you could go fast enough to use it!!

Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA

Dano58

Well, I can make some comments on FWD vs quattro - where you live, it
may not be a big deal weather-wise - but quattro is intended to be a
performance enhancement was well as foul-weather assistance. The weight
difference is around 150 pounds, FWD being less, of course....
Remember, you're really comparing 2 different cars, the 2005.5 sedans
being fairly significantly redesigned versus the 2005 Cabriolet, which
is based on the 2002 - 2005 sedans...

Having recently returned from a few days in the LA area, I don't think
the performance advantages of quattro would make that much
difference.... Other than in the canyons around malibu, I can't think
of where you could go fast enough to use it!!

Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA

Dano58

Well, I can make some comments on FWD vs quattro - where you live, it
may not be a big deal weather-wise - but quattro is intended to be a
performance enhancement was well as foul-weather assistance. The weight
difference is around 150 pounds, FWD being less, of course....
Remember, you're really comparing 2 different cars, the 2005.5 sedans
being fairly significantly redesigned versus the 2005 Cabriolet, which
is based on the 2002 - 2005 sedans...

Having recently returned from a few days in the LA area, I don't think
the performance advantages of quattro would make that much
difference.... Other than in the canyons around malibu, I can't think
of where you could go fast enough to use it!!

Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA

zagat

Hi Dan,

Thanks for your response. Please see below.

"Dano58" <dan.dibiase@gmail.com> wrote in message news:<1114608185.572400.126920@l41g2000cwc.googleg roups.com>...
> Well, I can make some comments on FWD vs quattro - where you live, it
> may not be a big deal weather-wise - but quattro is intended to be a
> performance enhancement was well as foul-weather assistance. The weight
> difference is around 150 pounds, FWD being less, of course....
> Remember, you're really comparing 2 different cars, the 2005.5 sedans
> being fairly significantly redesigned versus the 2005 Cabriolet, which
> is based on the 2002 - 2005 sedans...
>

Do you have any idea if there will be a 2005.5 version of the Quattro
cab anytime soon? My dealer says no but I would hate to miss out on a
3.2L Quattro cab by a month or two. I've checked the Audi website but
couldn't find anything.


> Having recently returned from a few days in the LA area, I don't think
> the performance advantages of quattro would make that much
> difference.... Other than in the canyons around malibu, I can't think
> of where you could go fast enough to use it!!
>

I agree with you.
The Quattro is not really necessary for the way I drive. I don't take
curves at 100+ and when it rains I actually leave extra room between
me and the car ahead!

I am concerned (a bit) about how the FWD cab handles (I've only driven
RWD cars in the past). I haven't gotten to take a test drive yet -
tomorrow is the scheduled day - but I'm hoping that the FWD is a bit
peppier than the Quattro. If not, I don't know what to do. I like
the cab but its performance compared to the 3.2L sedan is simply
anemic.


Anyway, thanks again for you comments. If you have anything to say
about anything I've written, above, please feel free to do so.

Also, anyone else who has any thoughts on the A4 sedan vs cab, feel
free to chime in. I appreciate any and all comments.

Zag

zagat

Hi Dan,

Thanks for your response. Please see below.

"Dano58" <dan.dibiase@gmail.com> wrote in message news:<1114608185.572400.126920@l41g2000cwc.googleg roups.com>...
> Well, I can make some comments on FWD vs quattro - where you live, it
> may not be a big deal weather-wise - but quattro is intended to be a
> performance enhancement was well as foul-weather assistance. The weight
> difference is around 150 pounds, FWD being less, of course....
> Remember, you're really comparing 2 different cars, the 2005.5 sedans
> being fairly significantly redesigned versus the 2005 Cabriolet, which
> is based on the 2002 - 2005 sedans...
>

Do you have any idea if there will be a 2005.5 version of the Quattro
cab anytime soon? My dealer says no but I would hate to miss out on a
3.2L Quattro cab by a month or two. I've checked the Audi website but
couldn't find anything.


> Having recently returned from a few days in the LA area, I don't think
> the performance advantages of quattro would make that much
> difference.... Other than in the canyons around malibu, I can't think
> of where you could go fast enough to use it!!
>

I agree with you.
The Quattro is not really necessary for the way I drive. I don't take
curves at 100+ and when it rains I actually leave extra room between
me and the car ahead!

I am concerned (a bit) about how the FWD cab handles (I've only driven
RWD cars in the past). I haven't gotten to take a test drive yet -
tomorrow is the scheduled day - but I'm hoping that the FWD is a bit
peppier than the Quattro. If not, I don't know what to do. I like
the cab but its performance compared to the 3.2L sedan is simply
anemic.


Anyway, thanks again for you comments. If you have anything to say
about anything I've written, above, please feel free to do so.

Also, anyone else who has any thoughts on the A4 sedan vs cab, feel
free to chime in. I appreciate any and all comments.

Zag

zagat

Hi Dan,

Thanks for your response. Please see below.

"Dano58" <dan.dibiase@gmail.com> wrote in message news:<1114608185.572400.126920@l41g2000cwc.googleg roups.com>...
> Well, I can make some comments on FWD vs quattro - where you live, it
> may not be a big deal weather-wise - but quattro is intended to be a
> performance enhancement was well as foul-weather assistance. The weight
> difference is around 150 pounds, FWD being less, of course....
> Remember, you're really comparing 2 different cars, the 2005.5 sedans
> being fairly significantly redesigned versus the 2005 Cabriolet, which
> is based on the 2002 - 2005 sedans...
>

Do you have any idea if there will be a 2005.5 version of the Quattro
cab anytime soon? My dealer says no but I would hate to miss out on a
3.2L Quattro cab by a month or two. I've checked the Audi website but
couldn't find anything.


> Having recently returned from a few days in the LA area, I don't think
> the performance advantages of quattro would make that much
> difference.... Other than in the canyons around malibu, I can't think
> of where you could go fast enough to use it!!
>

I agree with you.
The Quattro is not really necessary for the way I drive. I don't take
curves at 100+ and when it rains I actually leave extra room between
me and the car ahead!

I am concerned (a bit) about how the FWD cab handles (I've only driven
RWD cars in the past). I haven't gotten to take a test drive yet -
tomorrow is the scheduled day - but I'm hoping that the FWD is a bit
peppier than the Quattro. If not, I don't know what to do. I like
the cab but its performance compared to the 3.2L sedan is simply
anemic.


Anyway, thanks again for you comments. If you have anything to say
about anything I've written, above, please feel free to do so.

Also, anyone else who has any thoughts on the A4 sedan vs cab, feel
free to chime in. I appreciate any and all comments.

Zag

Peter Bell

In message <9425f27d.0504281950.7a1c415a@posting.google.com >
ya139999@yahoo.com (zagat) wrote:

> Do you have any idea if there will be a 2005.5 version of the Quattro
> cab anytime soon? My dealer says no but I would hate to miss out on a
> 3.2L Quattro cab by a month or two.

There's no sign of a 3.2 cab in the UK yet, so I would guess not.

--
Peter Bell (Note Spamtrap - To reply, replace 'invalid' with 'bellfamily')

Peter Bell

In message <9425f27d.0504281950.7a1c415a@posting.google.com >
ya139999@yahoo.com (zagat) wrote:

> Do you have any idea if there will be a 2005.5 version of the Quattro
> cab anytime soon? My dealer says no but I would hate to miss out on a
> 3.2L Quattro cab by a month or two.

There's no sign of a 3.2 cab in the UK yet, so I would guess not.

--
Peter Bell (Note Spamtrap - To reply, replace 'invalid' with 'bellfamily')

Peter Bell

In message <9425f27d.0504281950.7a1c415a@posting.google.com >
ya139999@yahoo.com (zagat) wrote:

> Do you have any idea if there will be a 2005.5 version of the Quattro
> cab anytime soon? My dealer says no but I would hate to miss out on a
> 3.2L Quattro cab by a month or two.

There's no sign of a 3.2 cab in the UK yet, so I would guess not.

--
Peter Bell (Note Spamtrap - To reply, replace 'invalid' with 'bellfamily')