$2900 Canadian is what they're asking for quattro in any MY2000 A4.
That's a lot... I'm thinking a good driver compensate for wet roads and the occasional snowfall.
If winter tires really provide the traction, is quattro really only necessary if you're in 2 feet of snow?
Am I way off base?
anne
09-29-1999, 01:50 PM
Greg
09-29-1999, 01:52 PM
RickM
09-29-1999, 01:59 PM
...it materially improves handling (even on dry pavement, but very noticeably with just a couple inches of snow -- you don't need a foot to see the benefits), and it adds to resale value too. The question isn't why buy it, but rather why not.
Rick
Keith
09-29-1999, 02:13 PM
Roy S.
09-29-1999, 02:38 PM
Quattro does more than just help in inclement weather. Quattro changes the overall handling chararistics of the car. All production cars are designed to understeer at its limits. What Quattro (or any good AWD system-I know there are no other real good one's) does is make the car more neutral-meaning that the front wheels will break loose at the same time as the rears. This gives a driver a lot of confidence at the limits of adhesion, and eliminates any "bad" habits the car may have -- a la Porsche 911 snap lift throttle oversteer. My current A4 is Frontrak only and does great, I have had Quattros in the past and can't say anything bad about them. I also love my 911!
pauls
09-29-1999, 03:27 PM
Ambrose
09-29-1999, 04:08 PM
With even just moderate snow on the ground last winter, *every* car that we've seen had troubles going up some hilly regions where I live. Our A4 was the only one could scale the slope.
You also feel the car accelerate more confidently when the roads are wet.
The Quattro was a major incentive for getting an Audi.
Fair price, very fair price. Don't buy it if you don't want it, but to think the price is unfair is kind of ridiculous. All wheel drive is no rip off for cars.
evangalista
09-29-1999, 08:08 PM
You're obviously are in favour of quattro, but
why is it so ridiculous to question the pricing of Quatrro? It's an option just like sports suspension or tiptronic transmission.
Sheesh.
Frank
09-29-1999, 08:32 PM
No, it's not ridculous to question is it worth the money.
Frank
09-29-1999, 09:37 PM
I know you can be safe in a FWD car period. Your two feet of snow comment was hyperbole I take it. Still, you shouldn't understimate 4WD for traction because there is nothing like it.
Sorry about feeling strongly and not expressing oneself dimplomatically, the chiropractor cracked my neck today again and I do need to "chill out." Sorry.
Roger
09-29-1999, 11:03 PM
Anthony
09-30-1999, 04:51 AM
I dunno about over priced, but I would say it's way over rated. Just reading the FAQ about FWD vs. Quattro, was enough to make me get a FWD A4. The best advantage is acceleration on wet surfaces. The way I figure it, I probably shouldn't be "punching it" in wet conditions anyway, because as the FAQ clearly states, the quattro won't help you stop any faster.... The only <b>practical</b> advantage I see is climbing slick gradients. Since I don't live in a particularly hilly region and I don't ski, I saved myself the cash. The FWD is a little bit lighter as well and does better on gas milage.<ul><li><a href="http://www.a4.org/faq/faqs/faq64.shtml">http://www.a4.org/faq/faqs/faq64.shtml</a</li></ul>
slack
09-30-1999, 06:24 AM
At $1750 US. I'd say it's a great value. But I didn't opt for it for these reasons.
1) not much snow in North Carolina (excepting the mountains of course.)
2) I don't race/track the car. (although since owning one I've changed my mind on that one)
3) getting a flatbed to tow the car, god forbid it should ever strand you, would be a hassle IMHO.
4) allignements are apparently more difficult on the quattro.
FWIW
slack 99.5 2.8M
BDW
09-30-1999, 08:20 AM
saved $6-7,000 and bought a Passat 1.8T manual. Don't get me wrong, the A4 FWD is a better car than the Passat, no doubt. I just don't know if it is 6-7K better. I still believe strongly that a Passat 1.8T manual with a few toys like sunroof, etc., is the best sedan value in the world right now at around $21K. You can still chip that wonderfully flexible powerplant. You get a usable back seat. You get very nice styling for a family sedan, good handling, great overall package for the money (though I would have had to upgrade the tires. They suck) . And everybody doesn't have one (like an Accord, Camry).
But Quattro was huge for me, mainly because my wife drives the car a lot and isn't the world's greatest bad-weather driver and I wanted her to have the safest car possible.