I'll probably be flamed for posting this, but here goes. I picked up my Pontiac Grand Prix GT last night! It's awsome. I'm in love. I suppose I should explain. <br>I've been reading this forum for a couple of months while I've been looking at cars. I love the A4 and living in Minneapolis, having quatro sounded very good to me. Two weeks ago I went to the Audi dealer by my place in Minneapolis. The first thing that struck me were the sales people (they didn't actualy hit me :) ). They were either over 50, tall, executive looking Men, or under 30, blond, attractive women. I found this a little funny, not that I complained. I took a drive with one of the young women. The car was great and she was very nice. I would have love to have gotten an A4. <br>Two things stopped me. First was price, The '97 Grand Prix I found was about $5,000 cheaper then any of the '97 A4 1.8T's Quattro's I saw for sale, and it had less miles(11,600). I might have been able to pull off the big payments, but it would have been a strugle. Secound was style. (I know I'm going to get flamed for this one!) Don't get me wrong, I love the look of the A4. I'm sure most of you think the Grand Prix is way over done. For me, at 24 years old, I wasn't ready for a car quite as sophisticated as the Audi, and I love the sports coup look of the Grand Prix. <br>I've found this forum to be the most interesting and informative car forum on the net. I hope to join your ranks in about four or five years when I'm a bit more mature. <p>Until then, Have fun in your great cars!<p>House.

I appreciate your maturity in explaining your situation. I'm sure everyone here can understand your decision and hopefully in a few years you do come to the dark side of the force and get an A4 =) <p>Best of luck to you and your car<br>Jason<br>98.5 1.8T (only 22 but thinks he's mature enough to pimp around in his A4 =)

Oh well, hope to see you in a few years maybe. Enjoy your new car.<p>Happy Driving<p>98.5 A4QMS2.8 Avant

(nt)

Smart choice. It seems that the Audi was just a little bit out of your reach. The Grand Prix is cheaper because of several reasons and is in a different league than the A4. At least you considered the A4. Me personally the only American cars that I like are the Camaro and Vette. Get over the Sport Coupe look phase. The Grand Prix is an ugly vehicle (IMO). They should have retained the look of the Grand Prix Prototype (show car) which looked awesome. However, you made a sensible choice and I see nicer cars in your future. American cars unfortunately, are lagging behind the European and Japanese cars. I doubt I'll ever own an American car unless it's used for secondary transportation (clunker). American cars get stale fast. After about 2 years, that Grand Prix will be about as appealing as a Chevy Cavalier.<p>I can't knock your choice. To each his own.<p><br>Tony 98.? 1.8 QTM

To each his own, enjoy your choice. When I was looking at cars last year, I considered the A4 and eventually went with an Integra GS-R. The A4 was out of reach for me but man did I miss it. When my Integra was stolen this thing started all over again. And I wouldn't settle for anything until I've driven the A4!<p>Wong from North<br>(finally) 98 A4 1.8TqMS Tropic Green<br>

When I started my car search last year I had already pretty much decided on the A4 but I always look at a few others for comparison. I also like to include some American makes in my comparison because even though I haven't owned a US car for 18 years, I still like to think that one day they'll make a product that I want to buy.<p>The 2 choices I decided to include were the Olds Intrigue and the Gran Prix sedan. Well my research on those was done when I found out that they didn't offer manual transmissions.<p>I congratulate you on making a smart choice for yourself based on your needs and criteria. If I could offer you some advice I would say to strongly consider a manual transmission for your next purchase. If think that if you really like to drive, a manual really adds to your enjoyment of it.<p>Of course this recommendation is for selfish reasons, the more people demanding manual transmissions will hopfully increase the offerings on more models.

<br>nt

I'm also a big manual fan, but the 20-30 minutes a day that I spend in stop and go trafic have made me appreciate an automatic. The A4 is one of the few manual cars that I fit into at the moment since I'm 6'7".

I hope no one thinks I'm saying the A4 is overpriced, because I think it's a bargin. It's just not a bargin I can afford right now. I was planning on driving my '88 Honda with 186,000 miles on it until I could afford one, but I've had it in the shop 3 times in the last two months and the repairs where getting to expensive.

Like you, I had come to this site and so far, I have found no other site quite like this one. Jason should be very proud of this site. (hey Jason, did you go with UUNET for the collocation?) And yes, I had the same struggles (money...A4 styling...money...A4 German engineering....money...less than an M3,...money...money....dang!) Money is money and sometimes, you have to make compromises in life. I actually ended up with the A4 cousin, the Passat, due to family concerns (a little less expensive and more room in the back.); I got the 4 doors, and the German engineering, just not Audi's. And after 6 months, I'm still combing this site just because I feel it's the best site around (well actually, a close 2nd is the Cobra project website, but that's another story!)<p>HermanH<br>98.5 Passat 1.8tm

I am not taking a shot at the Grand Prix or anything...<p>I was just wondering what you think of the seats? I had one as a rental last year and I could not drive for more than 20 minutes without shifting around in the seat for the remainder of the trip. The seats seemed VERY uncomfortable IMHO.<p>TGB 1999 1.8T qMS (In Port)

I have the leather seats, which might make a difference. I do feel like the seats are a bit short on leg support. They could be a bit wider also. I tend to have problems with most car seats since I am 6'7" and about 255. I'll find out how they are when I drive nine hours to Michigan for Christmas.

This is not intended to flame anyone or step on anyone's toes, I'm just making an observation.<p>I'm having a difficult time understanding how all these 22-year-olds (and younger -- all the way down to high school age!) people can own Audis, BMWs, Acuras, etc. When I was 22 (I'm 31 now), I would have been happy just to have an Escort or something like that to drive around! That was as unattainable for me then as a Mercedes would have been!<p>Then again, I come from a poor, rural southwestern Virginia town. I guess I've come a long way.<p>timbuck 98.5 1.8Tm-Neuspeed

You are right. I had the cloth seats and I could see the leather being more comfortable.<p>Anyway, congratulations on your new car! Have fun!<p>TGB 1999 1.8T qMS