I hope to purchase an A4 1.8 at the end of the month with an automatic transmission. Please advise on the pros/cons of an auto trans with the Quatro feature. I live in the Washington, DC area where we get lots of rain and occassional snow.<br>Thanks ! ! !

I think it is the best safety feature in the winter. I lived in Bethesda for a while, so I know what it's like in those wet and icy months in DC. It's worth the few thousand dollars extra. Don't believe me, test drive one yourself in the rain. Better still, test drive both the Quattro and non Quattro version back to back in the rain.

Here are my opinions...<p>If you plan on selling it in less than 5 years, get the quattro - resale will pay for it.<p>If you don't go skiing a lot and will keep the car for a long time - I'd suggest a strong look at non-quattro. Mainly because the automatic in combination with the quattro slows the acceleration down significantly.<p>If you were goind with the manual transmission, I'd recommend quattro in every case.<p>Tom<br>1.8TQMS Silver/Ecru

I have a 98.5 A4 1.8TQT. Get the quattro, here's why:<br>When I bought my A4, I originally asked the salesperson for one without Q, so, they gave me a better deal on one with Q because they did not have any w/o Q, and I accepted. I do not regret it at all!<br>I am from Charlottesville, VA but recently moved to Winston-Salem, NC. Places like here and DC have very slick roads when it first begins to rain because of grease and oil build-up. Every other car I have owned was susceptible to spinning under those conditions -- not my A4. It's as solid as a rock. Now that I have Q, I will never get another car without it. Email me and I will give you even more reasons to go with quattro.

Definitely get the Quattro. It makes a huge difference even on dry pavement. I live where it snows and you can probably count on one hand all the Audis sold up here with front drive only. Besides you'll get killed on resale with a front drive (unless your leasing). 98 2.8QM

I have a 98.5 2.8QSTip and I love it. Sure you lose some performance with the Automatic but it is sure nice when there is heavy stop and go traffic. The Quattro system I would recommmend. Most of the times you will not need it but it is nice to have it if you do need it. Just remember that while the Quattro will make it easier to get going, your brakes and steering don't work on slick surfaces as compared to dry roads. . The Quattro does hurt in acceleration times on dry roads, but if the road is not dry, you can't beat it. The Automatic is slower also but is one of the best Automatics I have ever driven. <br>Dave