21 Nov 2003 | pb said...

Anyone have an Audi allroad? I just picked up an '01 second hand and am a bit disappointed in the acceleration (not turbo) lag. Is this pretty much what you get? I've heard the transmission is "adaptive" whatever that means. Nice car otherwise. A bit heavy.

21 Nov 2003 | jupiter said...

My sister has got one, but it's a turbodiesel and has a really high torque - so acceleration is not an issue. What's your engine, pb?

21 Nov 2003 | Michael Spina said...

transmission is "adaptive"

Sounds like the SVT. I've actually heard good things about them, but I still prefer a manual. I have an A4 Avant, by the way.

I read an interesting article in an Audi magazine about getting ready for those big shows. Not about the cars, but about the "booth" design and construction. The process basically starts for the next year as soon as the show is over, and they only have a matter of days to get everything trucked inside the convention center and constructed.

21 Nov 2003 | Michael Spina said...

Correction: CVT Transmission, not SVT. It's basically like an automatic that's more responsive and uses a complex chain-based system to change the gear ratios on the fly.

21 Nov 2003 | JF said...

have an A4 Avant, by the way.

Did you consider the Sedan too, or did you always want the Avant? I currently have a 2001 S4 Sedan and am considering the new 2004 S4, but I'm starting to think that the Avant might be the way to go this time. You happy with the Avant? Do you use the extra space? Any second thoughts about going with the Avant?

21 Nov 2003 | dayvin said...

JF, you want the Avant. I have a 2000 A4 1.8T Avant 1.8T and couldn't be happier. More cargo-toting ability than a lot of SUVs we've carried two full-size washers, two full-size dryers, and a 34" widescreen TV in it (thought not all at the same time). You wouldn't even come close to fitting the TV in the sedan, nevermind the big stuff.

My only reservation about the current Avant is that the body style is not nearly as cool as the previous generation.

21 Nov 2003 | pb said...

I've got the '01 allroad 2.7t. The new Avants look pretty nice to me. Any word on an updated allroad?

21 Nov 2003 | Don Schenck said...

*sigh* YAUA -- Yet Another Ugly Audi.

21 Nov 2003 | JF said...

Any word on an updated allroad?

Allroad 4.2 is either out now or coming out soon. 4.2L V-8 instead of the 2.7 L V-6 dual turbo. More HP, more reliable.

Also... Next year Audi will be releasing the Pikes Peak.

21 Nov 2003 | pb said...

Don, are you referring to my allroad, the Le Mans or the Pikes Peak?

I'm surprised VW didn't roll the Toureg out first as an Audi. With the Toureg and Phaeton, VW is getting out of its league, IMO. The Volvo XC90 seems to be trouncing the Toureg here in the Bay Area. At the similar price, a more upscale (if dowdy) image and with better styling, it makes sense. VW should stick to the more modest categories that the Golf, Jetta and Passat play in.

21 Nov 2003 | One of several Steves said...

Bleh, on the Pikes Peak. I really don't like where Audi are going with their grille design. The current aesthetic with the A4 and A6 is very nice. The direction to a more "distinctive" look is translating into a very unappealing one. The Pontiac Aztek is "distinctive" too. I don't know why so many car designers are thinking that being bold rather than appealing is so important these days.

22 Nov 2003 | miles said...

How can a car that looks so beautiful from the back be so ugly at the front!

24 Nov 2003 | Michael Spina said...

You happy with the Avant?

Yes. That was actually a requirement from the beginning, because this is a family car. I wanted a 4WD (we live in PA) manual-shift (I like driving) station wagon (we have two kids). I considred VW's and Subarus, but fell in love with the A4. We've taken the car on family trips with enough luggage to give a sedan a hard time, and I can fit lumbar and odd-sized boxes no problem.

I'd love the S4 Avant, but since my wife drives this car most, I don't think she'd appreciate it as much.

24 Nov 2003 | Don Schenck said...

pb - yes.

:)

25 Nov 2003 | Yenko said...

Check out Chevy of the year, Troy Trepanier's Chicayne.
"You've got a car that's making about 1,200 hp, gets 17 mpg, goes down the highway doing 70 mph at 1,700 rpm, and is dead quiet inside. But when you put it to the max, it sounds like a jet."

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