I live in Southern California and have a rather long commute<br>to work, about 30K miles a year. I have never owned an Audi<br>or a turbo charged car before. I will be shopping soon for <br>a new/used A4 and I need some advice on the best car to buy <br>for the long term: 1.8T or 2.8 30V? Tiptronic or manual? <br>FWD or Quattro? Will a turbo engine last as long as a gas one?<br>I would like to get the best combination that will give me<br>low maintenance cost for the next 7 years yet is fun to drive.<br>Any input is appreciated.<br>Ba

You'd be amazed at the amount of helpful information contained in there.

First of al, both the 1.8T turbo engine and 2.8 V6 are gasoline powered engines. I am not a current or former Audi owner, but have had two turbochrged cars before. I have not had any trouble related to the turbocharger in either car. There are some precautions you need to follow when driving a turbo car. You need to warm up the car before doing all-out acceleration runs and ease up or let the car idle after performance driving before you shut off the engine. <p>With regards to the question of tiptronic versus manual, you have to decide for yourself based on your driving style and commute route. You won't really need quattro in So Cal unless you plan to drive to the mountains for skiing on a regular basis. I also live in the same area, and would probably opt for a FWD model because of its lower initial cost, slightly better performance (230 lbs lighter), and better fuel economy (1-2 mpg). Many people will agree that if you go with the 1.8T and quattro combination, the manual transmission is a better choice for performance reasons. The 1.8T quattro tiptronic is just saddled with too much weight for the little engine (unless you chip the car). <p>Personally, I have driven both 1.8T and 2.8 models in stick shift, and prefer the 2.8 for its smoother engine and more luxurious interior. However, you have to decide for yourself if the extra you get on the 2.8 are worth the roughly $4000 price differential. Good luck!<br>

I live in So Cal as well and I got the 1.8T FWD with Manual, Sport Package, convenience package, and trip computer. Main reason I got what I got was because I didn't want to wait 3-4 months for my A4. someone ordered it, but that person was not ready to buy so I took it.<p>What I really wanted was Black (got the silver...no complaints at all!!!) FWD with Manual, Sport Package, and Convenience Package. I really didn't want the trip computer but at only $250 more, I did not complain. Infact I can't imagine my baby (A4) without one now...<p>1.8T has sufficient power but I went for the Neuspeed Chip. I now have about 185-190HP. With few more mods, I expect to get up to about 200-220HP.<p>Quattro is nice if you could afford it and go up to the mountains often but with my limited budget and no real need for 4 wheel drive, I'm very happy with my FWD. Don't forget, maintenance for the Quattro is pretty pricey as well. For example, I think the price to replace the clutch is 2X more for the Quattro.<p>Good Luck

The 1.8T is the perfect rush hour engine. Small and economical when idling or crawling along in traffic, but lots of power when you need it.<p>Quattro is a deal for the price, and even if the worst driving conditions you get are rain it's worth it for the safety. It also adds to the resale value.<p>Turbo reliability is something everyone is concerned with, but the technology has advanced a lot in the past few years especially for low pressure turbos like this one. I have yet to hear about any long term reliability issues or statistics.<p>As for the transmission, that's personal preference. I would never buy an automatic, but that's just me. You have to drive both and decide yourself.<p>Good luck.<p>98 1.8TQMS<br>

I loved the feel of the clutch and shifter but my wife wanted an auto. I discovered I loved the Tip on the steering wheel as well, so I'm happy either way. Just try them all out and go with what feels right. We went with the 1.8T because it was plenty powerful and fun and seemed the better value. I loved the 2.8 too, though.<p>Quattro costs $1650 but after X years it depriciates $3000 less than FWD (or so I've heard), so financially it's worth it. It's also a lot more fun and a lot safer. We have two AWD cars (Quattro and Subaru) and will probably never buy a 2WD car again- unless we become filthy rich and get a summer play car. (when's that IPO scheduled?)<p>I TSD rally the Subaru (2.5RS) on New England's back roads and it's so fun AWD powersliding in the gravel. It also allows us to keep very steady speeds on these dirt roads and do pretty well. We might try out the Audi at the Snow and Ice Rally in New Hampshire in February.