I showed the Audi a4 to parents, who are paying 25% of vehicle, and they say the Acura has more for the money. They are identically priced, when both are FWD. Any reason why to choose Audi over the Acura? the Acura has real leather, better cup holders :), HID headlights, heated everything, larger vehicle, 75 more hp and 50+ more torque on its standard v6 engine. They're just pointing out all the extra bells and whistles for same price. and both are reliable and acura is 48m/50k but no free maintence which isn't that much of a diff. Both have traction control, etc..the acura has woodgrain interior, loaded luxury sedan, just trying to get any ideas why i would still want the audi over the acura...Thanks,<p>Andrew<br>awalther@scandrill.com

Have you driven both cars? I have two reasons for the Audi:1. driving 2. looks - not necessarily in that order.<p>My $.02 <p>Mondo<p>99 1.8tqms<p><br>

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They both have the automanual transmission and can shift gears when wanted..thats the enjoyment i saw in the audi..? but why would I want to pass up the HID lights, 75hp more, more torque, all the stuff i listed before up? when it could be had at same price with comparable vehicle. Im trying to convince myself so I can list the facts to parents who are contributing towards whatever I purchase. Acura's list of standards has much more in the vehicle than the Audi for same price. Both have sport suspension, more luxury "feel" inside of acura, while being sport, cuz of its 225hp 200+ torque engine, and 16" tires or whatever.

Take the cars out for a drive and you will see what I mean. Sometimes beauty is only skin deep. I am sure most of the guys here will agree.

Comparing the new Acura TL to the A4 1.8T is like comparing an apple to orange (except in price). TL is what Acura so called "sports sedan", but the A4 is the true German sports sedan, the same to the BMW 3-series. I think if you are in the same price range comparing sports sedans, the only Japanese that has the duration to competes with German is the Nissan Maxima. The TL simply is too SOFT consider its sports sedan nature. I am currently driving a 97 1.8TQM with Sports package, and my parents are shopping for a new car with the same list as yours (A4 vs 3.2TL. But after they drove my A4, they felt the A4 is truly a solid, fun-to-drive European sports sedan (they came from Saab 900). While the Acura is a blend Accord-based "sports sedan". Here in Canada, a new TL is even cheaper than a 1.8T FWD. But most of us here felt the Audi worths the extra pennies. If your parents really love Japanese, go for the Maxima. But I suggest you to persuade them to get you an A4 by take them to a test drive to prove it.<br>Tom<br>97 A4 1.8tQM

I used to drive a GSR so I know about Acura performance and reliabilty. I just picked up my 99 1.8TQSTip two weeks ago after many hours of driving and thought. It is my opinion that the 1.8 should not be compared with the TL. A better comparison is the 2.8 feature for feature. If that is the case then it is very difficult to justify the premium for the Audi based on numbers alone.<p>However, when one spends any appreciable time in both cars, it becomes abundantly clear which car offers the most 'driving' enjoyment-Audi. While the TL is a great car it lacks that certain 'feel' that gives one the desire to become a better driver. The TL has a very 'lux' ride while the Audi lets you feel whats going on. Especially with the Sport package. (get it!)<p>It was my decision the buy the car that made me want to drive it-all the time. The Acura did not inspire me so.<p>While the 1.8 may be under powered in stock form it still offers an awesome driving experiemce. With as little as $200 you can make the 1.8 a rocket that will run just as quick as a TL and feel like it belongs at 100mph. Again, that confidence thing.<p>In the end it will come down to what your motivations are. Do you want a quite luxo cruiser or a beautifully engineered German sports sedan?<p>ps Everybody makes a 200hp sedan these days. Honda, Chrysler, etc. The question is do you think those cars are designed to maximize that hp or did they just stuff a motor in the car.<p><br>Mike<br>1.8TQSTip

There has been much debate over Acura vs. A4 1.8T... one car has this blah, blah, blah, the other has this blah, blah, blah. <br>Well, Andrew.. you've come to the A4 site that's built for A4 enthusiasts, by an A4 enthusiast. Most of us on this board view the Audi (as with most European cars) as a driver's car. Most of us here don't care too much for the fancy buttons as to how the car drives. Most of us here look forward to the teutonic(sp?) feel of a fine German automobile everytime we take our cars out. As stated by many others, ... "you just can't find that in a Japanese car."<p>You mentioned the woodgrain/leather/HID...etc. You know,.. those things are nice and many of us would like to have them in our A4s,...but I am willing to bet that no more than a handful of us (if any) will be willing to trade our A4s for an Acura TL.<br>I hope you see where I am going with this.<br>Both are great cars, but both are very different cars under the skin.<br>It is your choice. <br>Good luck.<p>Cris

I personally think some luxury equipments are unnecessary in a real sports sedan, but does the Acura offers side airbags as standard equipment? NO!!! HID lights? You can wait until the S4 arrives and put their Xenon light assmbly into your A4. 75 horsepower advantage over 1.8T? Most of us here are going for aftermarket modifications with throttle body and "chipped" the 1.8T. If you are worrying about Audi's resale value, I don't believe Acura has any better resale value these years since all the CL, TL, RL are sold poorly in the market. Finally, I think the TL's Sportshift almost hunts between 4th and O/D is the biggest problem with their manumatic.<br>Tom<br>97 A4 1.8TQM

A lot of "older people" value quietness, a cushy ride, and lack of road feel above other features in a car. Things like Cadillacs, Lexus LS400, etc. are ideal for them. (Not that there's anything wrong with that). Therefore, taking parents on an A4 test drive, to convice them it is better than a TL, might be futile.<p>Disclaimer: This note is not intended to flame older people, parents, etc. Lots of younger people want the same thing in a car, and like older people don't comprehend why we would buy A4s when Buicks are available for less money.

Maybe my parents are different than yours. They love cars that involving to drive and enjoy, that's why they brought 2 Saabs before. When I took them to test drove an A4 two years ago, they love Audi's involving Germanic overall feel. On the other hand, when we rented a Mercury Grand Marquis in the East coast early last year, they absolutely hate the isolate feel of full-size American cars, so do I!! But one thing for sure, you should persuade your parents that active safety (handling, power for highway merges) is more important than how many airbags that car has. Since they love "driver's car", we are probably going for another 1.8TAS FWD later on. By the way, does anyone knows dealer is now receiving orders for 99 or revised 99.5 version? And if the waiting period is shorter than before? I have to wait 4 months to get my 97.<br>Tom<br>97 A4 1.8TQM

Yes, driving is believing. Make sure you drive both cars on the same day and on the same roads. I drove both several times and the A4 just feels so right. I bought the A4, paid more for it than the Acura would have cost me, and have fewer features than the Acura. Do I regret it? Not for one second! <p>Dave S. <br>2.8qts Silver

According to yesterday's NY Times Automobile section and Car and Driver September issue, 99 Acura TL is built at Honda factory in Ohio. <br>That's why the TL SEEMS to has more for the money compred to German imports.<br>However, if you are a person who likes responsive, nimble and fun to drive cars,<br>A4 offers much more for the money.<br>TL is never sporty in my opinion...<br>Nozomi 2.8QM<br>

nt

75 hp more Doesn't equate to better performance. Check the numbers. The interior of the TL doesn't look like the quality of the materials are up to Audi standards. I used to think that Acura Legends, lexus ES300s were just as good as their german counterparts. Until I experienced a quality German car. And besides the Acura doesn't have any character or soul. It's just another Generic looking japanese sedan. I think if the differences between the 2 cars have to be pointed out to you, You have a long way to go as far as car knowledge is concerned. Sorry to be so rude.

Drive both cars, and I don't mean take 'em for a spin around the block. Put them through their paces. Run them on back roads, in traffic, and on the highway. Then try some emergency maneuvers and stops in a parking lot or other open area. That should answer the question of why to buy the Audi even though the Acura has more goodies. If it does not...then maybe the Acura is a better choice for you. The Acura is a damn fine automobile and if YOU like it better than the Audi then that's the car YOU should get, regardless what ony of us think. Good luck.<p>Regards,<br>Rodney<br>99 A41.8tQMS (arriving next week<g>)