Between the Old Timer B5 Owners who think the '02 is ugly...

The young turks who are trying to rationalize buying 01's...

Those buying used B5's because they are now more affordable...

The mod'ers who dont think the '02 is sporty enough (ricey enough?)...

Maybe some division is good...It will certainly reduce the background noise and allow us to concentrate on the car.


trifona
'99.5 1.8tqms
'02 A4....Where Are You?



PS - Rodney King was Arrested AGAIN last week.

forum full of intelligent car related topics. If people want to F around they can do it in OT forum.

Look I'm not trying to get anyone fired up at all. I'm just describing the array of responses/remarks that I've noticed on the B5 forum over the last 6 months or so.

People have a right to their opinions, I've never said otherwise. People can buy whatever car they choose for whatever reasons they choose, but when they get arrogant & pissy because the new model doesn't conform to THEIR needs they start to rant that Audi/VW let them down.

Maybe they should consider the fact that if the new car does NOT conform to any of their needs, that maybe the car wasn't built to satisfy them; that maybe in reality instead of them being Audi fans, they are more B5 fans.

After I got out of my last ride, I was looking forward to its redesign, I was disappointed with it because the manufacturer de-contented the car, and turned a sporty sedan into a vanilla family car. I accepted the fact that I was no longer the target mkt for them and moved on to greener pastures.

People got offended yesterday because I stated my opinion that some B5 owners have gone overboard & "riced" up their cars. Well if the shoe fits, those guys should start wearing it with pride. (It doesn't mean that anybody with a chip, wheels, etc, etc, are ricers.)

Otherwise, they should come to the realization that maybe Audi is trying to hit a certain demographic that the B5 wasn't satisfying. Although the B5 may have been a huge hit with other groups, Audi might have thought that that was a detriment to the brand image and/or its ultimate survival. Maybe Audi WANTED to inject a more mature theme into its cars.

Marketing 101


trifona
'99.5 1.8tqms

However, the people that you are annoyed with are a just looking for a reason/excuse to go off. Your post last night was proof of that. Saying things like "The young turks who are trying to rationalize buying 01's" is right up their alley.

It's time to move on.

Eric, the term 'young turks' is not by itself a deprecating comment. It was used BECAUSE of their responses last night and was targeted to them almost exclusively. If my memory serves me right one of the posters who had issue with my post last night said he was 18 and had just bought an '01.5 blah blah blah. If that is not a 'young turk' coming late to the party than I dont know what is. You and I know both know that AOA/Audi AG is aware of the fact that this sort of demographic has targeted the B5 A4 has its latest "hip" & disposable car. I say disposable because these same buyers whether new/used are not likely to be purchasing another Audi. The same comments have been attributed to many TT buyers, who could care less by the fact that they are buying an Audi than they are buying the latest "In" vehicle on the market, whether it be Audi, BMW, Lexus, etc.

I think that Audi/VW wanted to nip this in the bud with the 2002 by giving it a theme that it "thought" wouldn't appeal to this demographic as much while still giving its core target market what it wants & expects in a contemporary Sports Sedan.

The fact of the matter is that the '02 is a much improved car over the '96-'01 B5. We all know it, since most of us here have had or still have B5s (raises hand!).

The forum member base is an anomaly from the target group that Audi is marketing to, its filled with younger, wealthier (those who still have jobs!) people who are looking at cars outside the norm where were they in a more traditional income bracket would have been looking at other products.

All that being said, the bottom line is Audi/VW is not catering to those cross-shopping the new A4 with the RSX, WRX, etc. When their car buying priorities change, maybe.


trifona
'99.5 1.8tqms

It's not the term "young turks" that bothers me. Rather it's saying that they, or anyone else for that matter,is "rationalizing" their purchase. IMO saying things like that is no better than the things we are trying to get away from.

Just because your car is MIA does not mean that you have to take it out on us. ;-)

If it doesn't show up soon, I might be tempted to go 4 a turbo upgrade as my warranty expires!

Eric, I as well want to get away from the "attacks" and realize that I'm not helping putting the issue to rest by stirring the pot. That being said though, calling a spade a spade shouldnt bring down the wrath from the "mod" crowd. And no, we are not talking about selling cars or cars, wha I was talking about was the PEOPLE who buy cars...thus explaining their reactions.

As an olive branch, my B5 A4 will be available for modding @ Vision Audi in Reading, PA as soon as the local Krispy Kreme Patrol spots the car carrier with my Dolphin Gray Sedan on it.

Hopefully, it will go to a good owner who will see to it that a Stage 3 kit and Big Brake Kit gets installed....as well as a suspension upgrade....they're going to need it t keep up with the new fleet of 2nd Gen A4s!


trifona
'99.5 1.8tqms Brilliant Black

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