2003 Audi S4

[Hooligan]

Originally posted by M5Power
I'm an avid fan of the British road magasine 'Car' and they dislike the STi Impreza, or at least, they don't like it nearly as much as the M3.

I read both: Car said boo on the STi; EVO said it's a go. "Car" is formerly known as "Mini Car"; EVO is formerly known as just going around driving like hooligans in the fastest and most fun cars they can find. Which one has the "better" opinion?

Sure, sure, Audi doesn't want to be compared to Subaru, that's obvious. But I don't think the answer is to take a vehicle normally sold in 1.8 form and throw a V-8 in it. Perhaps rather than beating out Subaru, Audi wants to make up for the M3 GT-R we never got. Perhaps they should do both.

They didn't swap the 1.8T for a V8; they swapped the V6TT for a V8. Subtle difference. And, yes, (as I stated earlier) I agree about Audi creating the M3 GT-R we never got. Perhaps we're arguing the same side here?

Find me an Impreza for the price of a Corolla with the Corolla's spec list! Impossible!

Find me a Corolla as fun to drive as the WRX -- for any price.

WRX STi? Where is that in America?
[...]
SVT Cobra? Yeah right - WRX owners would never go for a Mustang. I wouldn't, god knows.
[...]
Maybe some used cars should be added to that list - say, a used S4?

The STi is supposed to be out early next year. If future owners of Imprezas can wait that long, it'd be more than worth it.

Ford's SVT division seems to be doing a good job. They made a near-silk purse out of the F-150 (SVT Lightning) and seem to have made a 90%-hot-hatch out of a econobox. Word has it, the new supercharged Mustang is more than just a drag strip queen. Meaning it can actually handle complex routes. Fit and finish is another issue, though.

And yes, an S4 is high on my own list of alternatives. Should this November turn out the same as last year, I am forgoing Subaru in exchange for a 2000 S4. With lots of MTM goodies. And in silver. (All my cars are silver. )

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by GilesGuthrie


That post says so much! Anyone who finds a RAV4 acceptable because it's inoffensive is likely to think that a piece of automotive beauty like the A6 Avant is horrible! I'm not much of a fan of the saloon, but the Avant is a lovely car. Just my opinion of course!

The RAV4 is acceptable because it's inoffensive - what's wrong with that? Every other Toyota product is absolutely horrible - Solara is overstyled, Sequoia is ugly, MR2 looks like a bug, Celica and Camry have got two of the world's worst headlight pairs, current RAV4 is a girls' car.

4-Runner! 4-Runner!

The A6 and A6 avant are both ugly. My opinion is right. Actually, I find the A6's styling a bit bland. The wheels are generic Audi, there's no interesting colour choice, and the rest of the car is getting old on the eye - just re-design it, already! Interestingly, I find the current Passat to be very attractive.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by Hooligan


I read both: Car said boo on the STi; EVO said it's a go. "Car" is formerly known as "Mini Car"; EVO is formerly known as just going around driving like hooligans in the fastest and most fun cars they can find. Which one has the "better" opinion?

Four years ago, I picked up 'Car's' September 1998 issue in Heathrow, and, barring several long and rather interesting stories, I still read it. Some of the analogys they make are worth the price alone. I never got into EVO, I don't think it's as well-written.

They didn't swap the 1.8T for a V8; they swapped the V6TT for a V8. Subtle difference. And, yes, (as I stated earlier) I agree about Audi creating the M3 GT-R we never got. Perhaps we're arguing the same side here?

No, I know they didn't swap the 1.8 for a V-8, but they're putting a V-8 in a car that is mostly sold as a 1.8. It's a bit extreme. The most extreme thing BMW does (in America, at least, since we don't have the 318 anymore) is use a 2.0-litre in the 320 and an I-6 in the M3. Maybe Audi's gone a bit far.

The question is, what is Audi aiming for? Are they aiming to distance themselves from the WRX? Are they aiming to take on the M3? Or are they aiming to fill the hole left by the nonexistent M3-GTR?

Find me a Corolla as fun to drive as the WRX -- for any price.

Don't put the Corolla up against the Rex - I'm comparing the Corolla to an Impreza sedan!

The STi is supposed to be out early next year. If future owners of Imprezas can wait that long, it'd be more than worth it.

Ford's SVT division seems to be doing a good job. They made a near-silk purse out of the F-150 (SVT Lightning) and seem to have made a 90%-hot-hatch out of a econobox. Word has it, the new supercharged Mustang is more than just a drag strip queen. Meaning it can actually handle complex routes. Fit and finish is another issue, though.

I still haven't driven either the Lightning or the Focus RS, and I haven't driven a current-style Mustang equipped with a V-8. I'd better head to the Ford dealer.

I must agree, though - from the automotive press's reaction to the Focus RS, it's a hit. Britain's wanted it for years, America would love it. Even so, I'd rather have a WRX, and I don't think I'm in the minority.

And yes, an S4 is high on my own list of alternatives. Should this November turn out the same as last year, I am forgoing Subaru in exchange for a 2000 S4. With lots of MTM goodies. And in silver. (All my cars are silver. )

You've got a silver WRX? You're crazy! My selection would, of course, be World Rally Blue. And on the S4, I'd choose the brightest yellow there is. I don't want to be subtle!

 

[1X83Z]

Here's the badge thing - the top one is the one we get (the fake one) and the bottom one is the one I want.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Unfortunately, the top one is the current style. That's the worldwide one. The lower one is, as you say, much cooler.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Originally posted by Hooligan


I read both: Car said boo on the STi; EVO said it's a go. "Car" is formerly known as "Mini Car"; EVO is formerly known as just going around driving like hooligans in the fastest and most fun cars they can find. Which one has the "better" opinion?

evo (to give it its proper capitalisation) was formed from all the writers of the recently-defunct Performance Car, but with new financial backing.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by GilesGuthrie
Unfortunately, the top one is the current style. That's the worldwide one. The lower one is, as you say, much cooler.

Hmmm - so America isn't just getting gyped? Cool!

Hey by the way - I did a little fishing and came up with some more pictures. Check 'em out...

 

[Hooligan]

Originally posted by M5Power
I never got into EVO, I don't think it's as well-written.

It's probably not, but then again, it's hard to beat ffrench-Constant's paragraph long metaphors. I think they understand the performance aspect of automobiles, though. And I also get tired of reading about the BMW 330d.

No, I know they didn't swap the 1.8 for a V-8, but they're putting a V-8 in a car that is mostly sold as a 1.8. It's a bit extreme. The most extreme thing BMW does (in America, at least, since we don't have the 318 anymore) is use a 2.0-litre in the 320 and an I-6 in the M3. Maybe Audi's gone a bit far.

I don't know either. It just seems to me that Audi's simply moving forward...in whatever way they think "forward" is. I do know that the engine options in Europe are far more numerous than in the US. For example, you can buy a new 7-series with the 2.8L 5-cylinder engine. Not exactly moving quickly with that, are they? More for the image status, then.

Don't put the Corolla up against the Rex - I'm comparing the Corolla to an Impreza sedan!

I wasn't.

I must agree, though - from the automotive press's reaction to the Focus RS, it's a hit. Britain's wanted it for years, America would love it

America would, considering it seems to be more fit for the smoother US roads (just got this month's CAR). And I know this was talked about before, but having read the test drive, what were the supposed problems Ford was having? Someone in GTF said there were crash or engine problems.... I'm still waiting for the Cosworth edition...not that the RS is any slouch.

You've got a silver WRX? You're crazy! My selection would, of course, be World Rally Blue. And on the S4, I'd choose the brightest yellow there is. I don't want to be subtle!

Yes, WRC blue is the right color for the car, but it's just not right for me. It looks okay in silver, probably second best next to the blue. With the way I drive, the less notice I get, the better. I've heard state troopers talk about being able to see the Imola S4 from 2 miles away (on i95, at least).

 

[Hooligan]

Originally posted by M5Power
Here's the badge thing - the top one is the one we get (the fake one) and the bottom one is the one I want.

The top one is just the older one. I think it's cooler-looking, too. Audi wanted to be more obvious with their sport intentions, and that meant a more obvious spec-tag. It's easier to differentiate the S6 from the S8, etc. Not that you couldn't tell from the rest of the car....

 

[Hooligan]

Originally posted by GilesGuthrie
evo (to give it its proper capitalisation) was formed from all the writers of the recently-defunct Performance Car, but with new financial backing.

Well, I knew that. But that doesn't mean they aren't hooligans with free rides on fast cars. Or that they know any less about them.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Originally posted by Hooligan


The top one is just the older one. I think it's cooler-looking, too. Audi wanted to be more obvious with their sport intentions, and that meant a more obvious spec-tag. It's easier to differentiate the S6 from the S8, etc. Not that you couldn't tell from the rest of the car....

No, you got that the wrong way round. The top one is the NEWER one...

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by Hooligan


It's probably not, but then again, it's hard to beat ffrench-Constant's paragraph long metaphors. I think they understand the performance aspect of automobiles, though. And I also get tired of reading about the BMW 330d.

!!!!

I tell you - their rave reviews of the 330D really make me want to go out and buy one for myself. That car moved them like 'Born to Run' moved me ten years ago.

I don't know either. It just seems to me that Audi's simply moving forward...in whatever way they think "forward" is. I do know that the engine options in Europe are far more numerous than in the US. For example, you can buy a new 7-series with the 2.8L 5-cylinder engine. Not exactly moving quickly with that, are they? More for the image status, then.

That's 'cos Europeans (or as I call them, 'Euro dollars') are gas-conscious and they've now got to put up with CO2 emission statistics which sinks the 7-series as an executive company car unless they put a 2.8-litre in it. Still weird, though.

America would, considering it seems to be more fit for the smoother US roads (just got this month's CAR). And I know this was talked about before, but having read the test drive, what were the supposed problems Ford was having? Someone in GTF said there were crash or engine problems.... I'm still waiting for the Cosworth edition...not that the RS is any slouch.

I believe it was a brake failure from the plant in Mexico. Ford found it during a standard quality audit. They had only sold about 100, and they issued a stop-sale order on the rest. Corrected now.

Why haven't I seen one yet, then??

Yes, WRC blue is the right color for the car, but it's just not right for me. It looks okay in silver, probably second best next to the blue. With the way I drive, the less notice I get, the better. I've heard state troopers talk about being able to see the Imola S4 from 2 miles away (on i95, at least).

In college, I had a teacher who had previously owned a 1978 Corvette (in yellow), and lived in Pennsylvania. His family lived in Iowa, and when he was driving back to see them, he would admit to going over the speed limit, but he also said that he would usually travel around other cars doing nearly the same speed.

He said that every time a cop saw him in his yellow 'Vette traveling with the pack of cars going above the limit, the cop singled him out and pulled him over. It ticked him off so much he ended up selling the 'Vette for a motorcycle, which has an altogether more odd story attached.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by Hooligan


The top one is just the older one. I think it's cooler-looking, too. Audi wanted to be more obvious with their sport intentions, and that meant a more obvious spec-tag. It's easier to differentiate the S6 from the S8, etc. Not that you couldn't tell from the rest of the car....

Yeah, that's what I figured from Giles's post. They used the cooler badge on all older S models and on some newer S4's - I've got a friend with a last-generation S6 in red. One hell of a car.

 

[Hooligan]

Originally posted by GilesGuthrie
No, you got that the wrong way round. The top one is the NEWER one...

Ugh, DAMMIT! Dyslexia skcus.

 

[Hooligan]

Originally posted by M5Power
I tell you - their rave reviews of the 330D really make me want to go out and buy one for myself. That car moved them like 'Born to Run' moved me ten years ago.[/B]

Eh? Was than some article? It wasn't a TV show (http://us.imdb.com/Title?0106467) was it? And I guess you don't mean the Springsteen song, either....

That's 'cos Europeans (or as I call them, 'Euro dollars') are gas-conscious and they've now got to put up with CO2 emission statistics which sinks the 7-series as an executive company car unless they put a 2.8-litre in it. Still weird, though.

I know, but it's still odd to see such a big car so under-powered. Then again, there is the base-model Mustang....

Why haven't I seen one yet, then??

You mean the RS in the US? I thought it just wasn't out yet. As for the SVT, it should be out, I think. I haven't been inside the local Ford dealer, but I did notice there's a bright blue Focus 3-door in there now. Been meaning to check out the F-150 SVT anyway.

 

[Hooligan]

Originally posted by M5Power
Here's the badge thing - the top one is the one we get (the fake one) and the bottom one is the one I want.

You know, I'm pretty sure you can just order these. I remember seeing different colors (Imola, Nogaro, etc.) of the badges for sale, for direct replacement. I'm sure you could pick up comparative S6 & S8 badges, too. A link should be somewhere in
http://www.s-cars.org/

Many times I've browsed through that site, hoping that the cash would come in....

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by Hooligan


Eh? Was than some article? It wasn't a TV show (http://us.imdb.com/Title?0106467) was it? And I guess you don't mean the Springsteen song, either....

Of course I mean the song (actually the whole album)!

You mean the RS in the US? I thought it just wasn't out yet. As for the SVT, it should be out, I think. I haven't been inside the local Ford dealer, but I did notice there's a bright blue Focus 3-door in there now. Been meaning to check out the F-150 SVT anyway.

I sometimes get the RS and SVT mixed up (only with the Focus, though). Don't mind me.

Speaking of that, today I took a trip by the BMW dealer (incidentally, to pick up 'Car,' which wasn't at two seperate stores) and, sitting in the showroom, was a brand new white Z8. Only the second one I'd seen! I enjoyed it.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by Hooligan


You know, I'm pretty sure you can just order these. I remember seeing different colors (Imola, Nogaro, etc.) of the badges for sale, for direct replacement. I'm sure you could pick up comparative S6 & S8 badges, too. A link should be somewhere in
http://www.s-cars.org/

Many times I've browsed through that site, hoping that the cash would come in....

Oh, yeah, sure - you can order them. If I deemed it necessary, I could order a GT-R badge for my ill-fated ML430. Of course, it'd be cheaper to go pry the logo off an early S4 or old S6...

 

[Hooligan]

Originally posted by M5Power
Oh, yeah, sure - you can order them. If I deemed it necessary, I could order a GT-R badge for my ill-fated ML430. Of course, it'd be cheaper to go pry the logo off an early S4 or old S6...

Oh, no; I didn't mean the whole "tribute" BS thing. I meant that if you wanted the old badge but had a 2002 S4, you could just get a replacement. Even the first US version of the S8 has the 2003 badge. I would never get a badge that didn't belong on my car. Tacky, I am not.

Wow. I think I even mentioned "deja vu" last time we had this discussion.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by Hooligan

I would never get a badge that didn't belong on my car. Tacky, I am not.

Heh - I've seen nearly every Nissan dressed up with a GT-R logo. I even saw an Altima with huge, Skyline-like wheels, black with black tinted windows, and matching GT-R badges each fender. It had a presence...

 

[f1king]

Dont know about you guys I test drove the 2003 A4 its awsome.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by f1king
Dont know about you guys I test drove the 2003 A4 its awsome.

I agree.

 

[Option2]

bump