Overall awesome car that most eurocar buffs underestimate. Tons of power and torque, and quattro impresses me more than rear-wheel competitors. Interior is luxury mixed with sporty touches. All around good package for the price.

Suspension is not as aggressive as the new 328, but is more forgiving and predictable. Car is heavier than competitors of same class. Rear passenger leg room is a bit tight, but nothing to complain about. Could be better with better/wider tires. Dealerships won't budge on price.

45 OTD, but well worth the price. You can get a BMW and "look like" you got your money's worth, or you can get the S4 and smile "knowing" you got your money's worth. The only problem is...can you get your hands on one? Audi is ending their production of the limited S4 line in September 2000. I definitely recommend it if you're tired of the jaded BMW craze.

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328/323i--they don't come with as many standard and essential options as S4
The 2001 S4 will come with traction control (same as BMW's DSC) and european spec chrome-finished side-view mirrors, as well as a longer warranty of 4 yrs/50,000 full coverage.

Stand-up and salute V6 Biturbo with awesome power
Sticks to the road like a spider to a wall thanks to magic of Quattro
Beautiful build quality with Audi precision fit and finish
Stealth = I can actually drive faster than "faster" cars that get ticketed!

Everyone wants to race you...not necessarily a problem
Should come with Installed Radar Detector (buy a Valentine 1!!)
Lower, Wider tires (Stock rims work - easily up to 235, possibly 245)
Maybe stiffer suspension (I find it perfect A-Z Driving)

I seriously can't say enough about this car. I enjoy every minute behind the wheel and find myself looking for those precious minutes every chance I get. There are many cars on the road today that may be better in one area or another. BUT...taken as a whole...I believe this car and price with the singular exception of its S Brethren in the Audi line have no equal. It has gobs of speed and power, the awe-inspiring Quattro technology, four doors to more easily pack in those friends for a "quick" ride, and a beautiful ellegance all its own. Best purchase I ever made!

P.S. $500 for a Chip and the ground will shake with fear. An S4 unfettered by artificial restraints is a force to be reckoned with (Over 300hp and over 350lbs of torque! Read more at www.audiworld.com

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Corvette: The S is much more refined and easier to drive fast and perfect!
Jaguar XK8: Faster and more exclusive (lots of XK8s on the road here)

Just about everything, but it's absolute best strengths are effortless power at any speed in any gear, and quattro awd. The seats are comfortable. The interior (esp. the gray birdseye maple wood interior) is a visual delight. The seats are comfortable and supportive. The nogaro blue color turns heads and attracts attention everywhere it goes. These cars would still sell like hotcakes for $5,000 more than their current prices.

The suspension, while very compliant, is a little soft for this car's mission. The body roll and stoop/dive is too apparent with braking or acceleration, and at night time, the sharp cut-off of the xenon lights amplifies this situation. However, the suspension never gets unsettled, even at the track. The brakes, while more than up to the task of daily driving (tap them and they grab), simply will not cut it at the track when asked to perform repeatedly -- better ventilation and resistance to heat would have been great; after all the S4 weighs nearly 3600 lbs. The cupholders are close to useless (not that you should have beverages in your car) -- one is above the climate control unit and radio (just waiting for a spill to ruin those components) and is too shallow to effectively hold larger drinks or beverages over half full, and the others are below the armrest where their use is severely compromised and are also likewise too shallow to effectively hold a beverage. My only other gripe is that the power seats, while very comfortable, have robbed too much headroom from the car; manual seats or a better designed seat undercarriage would have been nice.

I would absolutely recommend this car to anyone, even at MSRP.

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None

Strength of the motor, brakes, cockpit design and functionality, undestated looks. This car absolutely kicks butt. I don't think there is another car that is currently available that matches the S4, not until the new M3 comes out anyway. I also CANNOT STRESS THE GREATNESS OF QUATTRO!!!

Steering is a bit vague at centre but gives adequate feedback elsewhere. Stock suspension a little too cushy, easily fixable through a miriad of aftermarket products available. Shifter sloppy, again fixable with a short-throw kit otherwise, you get used to it after a little while. Lack of rear legroom (if you care).

I paid over $40k (MSRP on page wrong, actual MSRP is 37900) for an almost loaded Imola Yellow S4. My car is equiped with the 6-speed transmission (40% reduced throw UUC short shifter fitted), convenience package (sunroof, homelink garage door opener, auto-dim mirrors), BOSE premium sound, and 6-disc changer. I did not get the navigation system (felt that it was over-priced considering you do not get the Euro-spec TV screen with it), cold-weather package (I live in Phoenix), phone (already have one), and tiptronic automatic transmission (I prefer standard). The car comes loaded at base when compared to just about any other car out there. You cannot go wrong with this car if you love to drive. Chipping it (approx. $550) boost horsepower to 308 and torque to 370, enough said.

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I have looked at M3s but outdated cockpit and lack of low-end torque put me off. The C43 and CLK430 Mercedes are overpriced and very low-tech in comparison. Saab 9-3 Viggen suffers from horrible torque-steer. The BMW M-coupe and roadsterr are too ugly, uncomfortable, and impractical as daily drivers. No real competitors to this car that I could find besides the M5 which starts at twice the price.

Strong 250hp V6, superb brakes, linear handling, subtle styling.

Headroom? seat doesn't adjust low enough(I am 6'4")

40K, this is the fastest easiest car I have ever driven. In any gear it can pull away from traffic in a blink of an eye. Awesome. Period. The streets of Chicago are probably the worst in the country and this car just eats them up without upsetting the car in anyway. Dive into a corner nail the throttle and the quatrro handles it with an easy power slide giving the driver an immense amount of confidence. Sometimes I think, too much. Nothing compares except the Vette and you get a back seat at no extra charge. Buy it, I love mine.

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Kawasaki ZX7

Sneaky fast, quiet, tight and go cart handling. Great 6 speed tranny. Beautiful detailing and quality for the price

Really a 2+occasional 2, but great with the back seats down for travelling and carrying golf clubs. Bose sound is mediocre, Navigation system is clunky

42K

An incredible value in a well made, fun and fast package. It begs to be flogged and tossed around mountain roads. WHEE!!:)

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M3, MB C43

All-around great sport sedan. Luxurious, compliant, and engine is a knock-out. A sheer blast to drive. Quattro can't be beat. Addictive because it is pure sports car but with nice blend of practicality and luxury. 0-60 in 5.5 seconds comparable to BMW M-series and non-turbo'd Porsches. Zoom!

Leg room in the back quite tight. Engine a bit on the quiet side. BMW's tend to be more raw and the M's raunchier to drive.

$42K

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Audi TT, BMW 328i, Saab 9-3

Quattro AWD
250 hp bi-turbo=lightning quick
6 speed
unique

rear passenger leg room
no memory driver seat

42K

Overall an excellent car that begs to be driven. AWD is a godsend in the rain. If you drive it - you will want it.

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BMW 328i (still own), Saab 900 SE Turbo, Audi A4 Avant 2.8

Quick
Great handling
Very luxurious
Very discreet/low-key super-car

Not much rear leg room
Looks a lot like a Honda Accord sedan

Very fast very capable stealth-sedan.

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BMW M3 - has a harsher ride, no Quattro AWD, not as luxurious
BMW 535 - Same comparisons as M3. The 535 has a lot more interior room though.

V6 Bi-turbo power. Stealth. General build quality. Eats up highway mileage and unsuspecting stoplight pretenders. 6-speed wonderment. Bose stereo could be a lot worse. Full sie spare. Beat the M3 in a recent Car and Driver article (always fun to own the flavor of the month!).

Suspension does not keep up with the moves that the engine delivers. Styling needs freshening. Interior tight. Interior tilts tword luxury, not sportiness. No place to legally have the fun this car is capable of.

Overall a more fulfilling car than my previous (a TT). Much more enjoyable than the 328i my wife owns, but can't keep up in the turns. Engine is spectacular but begs to be chipped for some reason (when is enough power enough?). A re-styled version of this car with a TT-ish interior and a bit firmer suspension (in a coupe) would be ultimate. Not too much firmer though. I am concerned about resale, but I have an easy out in 3 years if I want. This car has the kind of power all "sports cars" should have.

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BMW '99 328i. Audi A4 1.8T. Audi TT. Nissan Maxima SE.