Looks, Exterior & Interior Design, Excellent Fit and Finish, Performance,
Quattro inspired confidence.

Middling reliability, Underpowered, Pricey, Poor gas mileage, Where did
the back seat go?

First the ugly:
The backseat is minimal. Don't put anyone over 5'9" back there unless
they are riding to the chiropractor. Purely for short people and kids.
Forget about putting three passengers across. It simply does not fit.

The bad:
For an expensive car with sporting intentions, it feels underpowered.
My A4 is equipped with Quattro and Tiptronic transmission and comes to
the scale at 3800+ lbs. Very heavy for a compact sedan. The fuel
economy also suffers, getting about 19mpg around town on premium. I
want better than the low 9 second 0-60 acceleration time with that kind
of price premium and gas mileage. By comparison, my SVT gets 7 second
flat in 0-60 and 24 mpg.

Also for such a pricey vehicle, CD player is not a standard feature. The
stereo design does not lend itself to any kind of upgrade. So I had to
pay an extra $1200 for a mediocre Bose system to get a trunk mounted CD
changer. To which I say no thanks!

My A4 also suffered a mysterious stalling problem. It took 3 separate trips to Rusnak Audi before they could properly diagnose the problem and fix it. There also a number of recalls that shouldn't have occurred on
a luxury car. On par with my SVT in the reliability aspect.

The good:
This vehicle is smooth and confidence inspiring in everything it does. It
rides very well and very quietly. I am sure the sumo wrestler heft helps
to this end. The steering is as accurate and communicative as anything
I've driven, on par with Bimmer 323i I've test driven. The brakes are
powerful and modulate very easily. They stop RIGHT NOW. The driving
position is excellent, with the most comfortable seat behind the wheel
that I've ever sat in. The rest of the inteior design is also excellent,
all contributing to an wonderful driving experience. Not only that, the
car is also very quiet. All this conspires to a great highway cruiser for two. I can easily gobble down 8~900 miles a day behind the wheel.

Along the same line, the Quattro system is confidence inspiring. I've
often found myself perplexed at why other cars were milling about so slowly
and then realized that the road condition is less than ideal. The handling
capability is also very high in the dry (sport suspension).

The fit and finish is also above reproach. The only other brand that I
found to pay as much attention to detail is Lexus. The red instrument
back light is strange at first. But they are less fatiguing on the eyes
for extended night time driving. By comparison, the Bimmer 323i looks
crudely assembled and the SVT built by a bunch of middle school
apprentices.

Not only that, the exterior has that handsome, purposeful look that's not
overtly in your face like a boy racer with wings, scoops and ground
effects. Sadly, the next generation A4, due model year 02, will look like
a miniature A6 and not nearly as good. I hate to see the current design
go. I'd rather see A6 redesigned to look like a larger version of A4
than the other way around.

Out of all my nitpicking, Audi has either addressed the problem in later
model years or with their newer offerings such as the S4's or A6 2.7Ts.
For my next luxury vehicle purchase, I'd go with the 2.7t. It's not
because A4 is not an exemplary car. It's just that A6 2.7T is much better
value and fits my current needs better.

Similar Products Used:

my current fleet:
'98 Isuzu Trooper, got 4wd and not much else comparable
'98 Ford Contour SVT, got better performance but not in the same league
test drove:
'99 BMW 323i

Smooth drive. Takes corners well even though its not a Quattro. Very quiet inside when the windows are up. Feels very safe. Beautiful car inside and out.

Seatbelt problem the first day. Audi tries to put you in Geo Metros when your car (under warrantly) is in the shop. If you are < 5'5" you have to sit up close to reach the clutch.

Overall its waayyy better than my 2000 Toyota Camry in regards to performance although the Toyota would have probably been less problematic in the long run. But who wants to drive a Camry? If you plan on purchasing get an extended warranty.

Similar Products Used:

BMW 325I and Toyota Camry

-Torque from the turbocharged engine must be felt to be believed (albeit my car did come with a APR chip)
-Quattro provides excellent balance and fairly neutral handling.
-Build quality is amazing.
-Excellent value if you can get one from the dealer on a certified pre-owned program.
-Everything included in the car is useful - nothing really superfulous or extravagant (in other words a 'well engineered car').

-Well my car is black so in Arizona it means lots of dust - but I can't really hold that against my Audi!
-Quattro doesn't allow for the same kind of fun as a rear driver but I guess this car will make me more sensible.
-Some body roll and slightly rubbery shifter and strange clutch action (but only when compared to the likes of BMW).

Well I was set to pick up a 2001 VW Jetta VR6, but on the way home after my test drive and initial negotiations with the VW salesman, the local Audi dealership had my car prominantly displayed outside. The next thing I knew I had test driven the car and forgotten all about the VW. I realized I could have a much cooler car for about three thousand dollars less than the Jetta VR6, and with the Audi assured warranty on their pre-owned cars (5 years/75000 miles from initial purchase) I was covered the same as I would be for the VW. Also included within my warranty was the APR chip which reportedly gives 200 bhp and 240 ft/lbs of torque - something that the 1.8t or VR6 VW's could not do without voiding the warranty. Anyone looking for a car in the 20k range should check CPO A4's out.

Similar Products Used:

VW's - the build quality is excellent on these cars as well and all are geared towards the driver... something told me I could not purchase another fwd car though. I did not really consider any other cars based upon my price range and desire for a well-built car (btw I came off of a 97 Civic prior to this car but did not even think of looking at Hondas again).

Nice style, good price, nice features. Good combination of sport and comfort.

Vehicles in inventory, especially the 1.8T, are low on options included. Difficult if not impossible to find a loaded car.

I had to order my car and now I wait. It will be fully loaded, minus sport seats and CD changer, but I have everything else! Yes, I did not go Quattro. I test drove every variation, inclusing the 2.8 (which was out of my price range), and only the FWD gave me the thrill of acceleration I was looking for. With the sport package, it rode smooth and handled very well. Mine will have ESP as well, none that I test drove had it. With the quattro system, the extra 300lbs seemed to bog down the 1.8T. Not intending to drive it in snow or bad weather, I went for the acceleration thrill of the FWD over the Q.

As a long time Honda owner, I can only hope that the reliablity is the same, as I plan to keep the car for many years.

Similar Products Used:

N/A

Handling, acceleration, manuverability, comfortable interior, sporty look

Nothing much about the car...but read on for the sales and after service !!!!

Both Audi pre and after sales really really suck!!!!! If it were any other car that these guys were trying to sell, they would go bankrupt in a week!!! Extremely disappointed with the customer service.

Similar Products Used:

BMW 323, IS300, LS300, 3.2TL, C240 Benz

Great lines. Handling is superb. Ride is soft but controlled. Engine is fun to "tune". Features are perfect balance of price/needs. Great value. Ignores bad weather.

Rear leg room. Audi dealerships in general.

I've owned this car for almost a year, and I'm not looking to get rid of it. For anybody who knows me, that says it all.
With a .8 chip upgrade this car is more than you can ask for for the price. It corners without effort. It tracks like a laser-guided level. The engine's torque curve is a non stop delight whenever I drive it (with the chip). Highway passing power is more than adequate. Build quality rivals or surpasses bland ol' Lexus. The quattro system and the turbo make it a perfect match for Colorado, where the turbo says "What lack of air pressure?". To top it all off the car is just beautiful in every angle, and the interior is a delight. This car is just near perfect.

Similar Products Used:

IS300, BMW 325, Acura TL/CL, Volvo C60. The A4 is hands down the best mix of price, performance, looks, and style.

Fun to drive; build quality; galvanized body and 12-year rust warranty; side and side curtain air bags; limber, responsive turbomotor, suspension soaks up little bumps but limits body roll; auto-dimming o/s mirrors; smooth manual w/short throws; quick steering; good mileage; quietude

"Leatherette" (vinyl) seats too firm for the spouse; 4 seat types avail., all different: sport (narrow, hard), cloth, vinyl, leather (comfy): try before you buy. Electric seats, o/w nice, have a plastic bar at the rear floor that removes all toe room from pax. Fog lights pretty but probably useless.

The dealership is great: good people, low turnover, straight up on sales/service. Headlights are very adequate up to 80 mph; sharp European cutoff makes the uphill road disappear at night. The radio sensitivity is fine, controls sensible. Trip cptr is complex but logical. Gear ratios seem very well chosen. Turbo response starts below 2000 rpm, and engine gets up on cam about 3800, so is perky and flexible. Can use 87 octane, but then engine cptr retards ignition to prevent ping/damage, causing a flat spot in the power curve. Interesting, manageable. I like the firm seats; the wife does not. Sigh. She loves driving it. Happy sigh.

Similar Products Used:

Mazda 626, Toyota Camry, Nissan Maxima/Altima, Honda Accord: This car is slightly smaller (rear seat) and more fun; better equipped, much better warranty; much better rust prevention (I live in the rust belt).

quattro handling
look and feel of the interior

no power seats
back seats are a bit small, especially if your friends are fat and like to complain a lot.

I haven't seen any really bad reviews of this car so I didn't even want to bother posting another rave review of it, but lately people have been stopping me in parking lots and asking me how I like the car ... so here it is. It's a really, really smooth ride. When you're driving on a windy road with the music up and the sunroof open, you really feel like you're in an audi commercial. it's kinda scary to comfortable you get with the quattro because you have to keep in mind not all cars will handle this way. if you happen to be driving someone else's car for some reason, remind yourself, "this is not my audi ... i can't make this turn" when you've had the car long enough, you'll know what i mean.

anyway - ra ra audi - great car A+, big fan.
... nothin' new, nothin' new ... I ain't sayin' nothin' new.

Similar Products Used:

I was also looking at subaru forresters - yeah! what was I thinking, huh? no comparison

Build Quality, exhilarating acceleration and mindblowing cornering, huge trunk, BOSE stereo and wicked good looks......

The sunroof should also open with the windows in the one-touch key/remote operation and the rear legrroom is limited - although I do not ever sit back there! It is very hard to find true faults with a car as fine as this!

This is one fine car which is well-suited for couples with no children or singles looking for a good-lookin,, executive 'thriller' ride - it will not disappoint! Not for families since the rear legroom is poor.

The car was an obsession of mine for a long time but the reality is about 3 times better than the fantasy - how many times does that happen in real life, eh?!

I got a series of options unavailable in the USA - Santorin Blue metallic paint, Ecru Leather/Royal Blue and Vavona woodgrain interior, AUDI Symphony/BOSE 10-speaker Premium stereo, 16' wheels, Sunroof and foglights......altogether a beautiful car.....My next car is the A6.

Similar Products Used:

I test-drove the MB E-class - too 'old man' for me, maybe ina bout 10 years or so! - and the BMW 3-series which has excellent driver's legroom and position - I am 6 ft 2 ins - but is too expensive at about 30% more than the A4 for a comparable set of features - but there was no Quattro option of course!

The car definitely has the looks and handling ability of a finely crafted German sports sedan.

No surprise here....acceleration, or lack there of.

I truly enjoy driving this car whenever I have the opportunity. However, it really is a dog, especially with the Tiptronic shifter. I test drove the Acura and the Lexus and made a last minute decision to go with the Audi, mostly due to the Quattro system.

Lexus IS 300: The price and the rear wheel drive is what kept me away from the IS. I went to the Lexus dealer in January and asked to drive the IS300. They told me to come back in a few weeks when the roads were dry. I was informed that due to the rear wheel drive I would not have been able to get the car out of the parking lot (had a little snow/ice and a slight slope). The interior was very impressive (other than the leather/cloth seats) and the acceleration was excellent...very smooth which is typical for a Lexus. One final draw back was the rear tail lights...one magazine perfectly summarized the tail lights as "boy racer." I wasn't about to spend over 30K for a car that looked like a tricked out Civic.

Acura lured me in with the claim that the CL Type S had 260 horses. I decided against the Acura because of the plain exterior (it's basically a glorified Accord) and because I could never find those other 60 horses.

I figure that I will exceed the 50,000 mile warranty in 3 years and then "chip" it. A friend suggested that if I was worried about the warranty I could buy a second ECU and have that chipped. This way, I could pop the original ECU into the car when I take in for service or maintance. I had a better idea...tell Audi to stop messing around and chip it in the factory.

Similar Products Used:

Acura CL Type S, Lexus IS300.