First let me say my buying experience was wonderful. I have owned many cars, and have never had such an informative and easy buying experience. Princeton Audi scores high marks on that front.

1. Car is gorgeous. I have to admit that getting into the black interior in the daylight was a little "dark", as I am used to light interiors, but at night it is great, as the whole cabin is dark, and all there are are the lights on the dash. It really keeps you concentrating on driving and not looking at the wood or the details of the car.

2. Car drives even better than I remembered. I don't really see the need for more HP, but then again I'm no speed racer.

3. The details on the car, like everyone here has said are something that you start to notice over time. They are wonderful.

4. The only thing (and I guess I have to read the manual), was that I needed to use the rear defroster this morning, and it took quite a while to clear off just dew. I don't know if I need to do something else other than pressing the rear defroster button, but on other cars I have owned, it cleared the rear immediately.

5. I don't know if they changed the leather seat material on the black interior for the Y2K model, but they seemed slightly harder than the other Atmospheres I had test driven. The good thing is that it is Buffalino leather which is slightly napped, so it is not the slidey kind of leather. Your body is glued to the seat. Hopefully it will soften somewhat in time.

6. I couldn't get out of the car last night. I found every reason to keep getting in and driving. I haven't felt this way since I owned my Prelude. If this car proves to be somewhat reliable, I can see my next car will be an Audi.

7. Took my car to my conservative parents, and they thought it was the most beautiful car they ever saw. They couldn't get over the interior and exterior. I almost couldn't get them out of the car. They've like other cars I've bought, but I never saw a reaction like this.

8. Now I had to find a really special parking spot at work that hopefully will promise to be ding free. I know, I know, no matter how hard you try to keep things in the ding free column, some idiot who doesn't care, smashes open their car door, and/or let's the shopping cart come racing down the parking lot, etc. I guess there's no guarantee in life that no matter how careful you are that someone else will feel the same way.

All in all, getting into the drivers seat is fantastic. BTW, the xenons are great. I feel like I have my brights on the whole time. You can see everything on the road. I looked at them when they were on when I got home, and strangely enough, they didn't look blinding for other drivers. I don't want my husband to come home from his business trip, as I am sure being a passenger is depressing!

Bonnie-Silver/Onyx 2.8QTX (been waiting a long time to write that!)

There's a lot about this in the Archives but the A4 seems prone to getting a lot of condensation on it. My car is always 'wet' in the morning while everyone elses seems fine.

The rear defroster does work pretty well but its definitely not like a Hondas (Ive owned two).
Once it kicks in its great but it takes a couple minutes to get it going. I think if you use the recirc it also works better.

You are also the first person to say their dealer experience was real good.

Once you get used to that you've got nothing to worry about.

Congrats!

Granted i am still waiting on my car so the WHOLE experience isnt over i had a wonderful experience with Pat Landrum at Rod East Audi in San Antonio, i was trying to get into a 99.5 and 2 days before i was supposed to pick up i changed my mind and ordered a `00, he was nothing but a champion over it. Told me i couldnt get the same deal on it but he would give me 5% over invoice was that fair with me... no haggling no fighting, 5% for my car with my options was fine. I am just waiting for it now, so we will see about PDI and other items... but thats another positive dealer story and i know JR from houston had the same salesman at Rod East and he was very happy too...


Darren
`00 A4 in production STILL?

There have also been plenty of bad ones, and naturally people tend to make more noise about those. My experience was outstanding and I heartily recomend Rietzl Audi to anyone who asks about good dealers in the Boston area. The good guys are out there and giving them our business instead of those who don't care about the customer is the best way to encourage dealerships to improve their sales force.

Regards,
Rodney

'99 A4 1.8tqms

Hi Bonnie,

Glad you had a great experience. Is it your Silver A4 parked in the very first spot
on the far end of the parking lot? (closest to the rear entrance of ther building?)
That is one gorgeous car! I have the Santorin Blue color but it was a tough call
between that and the Silver.

Enjoy the drive, I know I do!
-Alex

Yes, that's me. Thanks for the compliment. Which building do you work in. It was a tough call for us too, as we were seriously thinking of the Santorin. I was ogling yours in the parking lot as well. Maybe we can get together and talk "shop". What a coincidence!

I'd be glad to talk shop. I've been driving my Jetta in lately though. I go in for my
5k service this Friday. I remember asking you months ago about Princeton Audi's
service. I guess I'll find out for myself this week (you said there were no problems).

I work in the building opposite the Sovereign Bank. Did you used to have the
white Pathfinder with a Cartman sticker in the back??

-Alex

My Dad has been a pickup truck driver his entire adult life. When he was a teenagaer he had a 58 Chevy and then he and my mother split duty in a 66 Mustang, but he has been a dedicated air-hauler ever since. He reacted similarly to my car as your parents did. After driving it for less than 5 minutes he said "I could see myself driving this car every day" and he had a dreamy far-away look in his face that we all have experienced.

parkerpt
99.5 1.8T qms

Bonnie,

Congratulations on your new A4! As I'm sure you have no doubt by now, you will love it!
I am having a little flashback reading your posts about Princeton and Alexander road, as I used to live between Princeton and Flemington.
In fact, though I live in NC, I came up to Flemington to buy my A4 almost 2 years ago!
The smile still hasn't come off my face...
I hope you have a wonderful time with yours over the years!

MikeS 98.5 1.8T qms neu