I am thinking of buying a 1999 A4 2.8 but am concerned with long term reliability and resale value. I have been driving Hondas and Acuras for many years and never have any problems. Any comments? Thanks!

nt<br>

Also, I'm not afraid to post my e-mail address like some cowards around here.<br>

Hans, you're like a bothersome little gnat in need of a lungfull of pesticide. Get lost.

If ever there was a post with the sole purpose of stirring up the crowd...this is it.<p>How about some valuable information, such as the reasons you got the TL over the A4, what you like better about each car, why you got rid of the A4, etc.<p>The post you put up is pointless.<p>Mike

Compared to the Hondas and Acuras, Audis are in a different league. I used to like Honda and Acura but lately their cars have been really boring/lame. They don't have any character/soul. There isn't any kind of flair that sets these cars apart. Test-drive the Audi. German cars have a feel and an attention to detail that Acura/Honda can't match. Once you experience a Quality European car you will never look at Honda/Acura in the same way again. I'm Going to get flamed for this but the people who buy Hondas and Acuras usually don't know anything about cars if they did they would have bought a European car. People buy Hondas because they are reliable, not because of performance, not because of style, they have neither. One more thing I noticed about Honda, they have really cheap looking interiors that are made up of cheap looking plastics. The Quality of the Accord's interior is about the same as the Civics'. If you use your car for just transportation get the Acura. If you enjoy driving get a German car. <p><br>Tony 98.? 1.8QTM 15,600 miles no problems.<br>

I have addressed these issues, in detail, in the past. Please check the archives.

First, when I last set out to buy a new car, I was convinced that Honda/Acura was the way to go in the $20K - $30K price range. As it turned out, I was so disappointed with these cars I had to test drive them several times in order to convince myself that, for the money, they actually do suck. The Civic is an exceptional commuter car (my wife owns a '97), but after driving one for a year, the Accord and the Acuras felt exactly the same only bigger. Yeah, they are peppy. Our Civic can probably beat my A4 in a drag. So friggin what! What these Japanese cars (TAKE NOTE HERE HANS) make up for in reliability and peppiness, they totally lack in character, and true driving experience.<p>How many times did I test drive an A4, after driving the others, before deciding to buy one? ONCE!!!<p>Second, on the reliability issue. I think it remains to be seen just how reliable the A4s are. From all indications so far, it looks to be very reliable.<p>Favorite slogan: "Audi: From 0 to your heart in 8 seconds." Acura TL: "From 0 to your wallet in only 6."

I checked the archives, I couldn't find it. So could you please post again your reasons on why that appliance that you call a car is better than my A4. Thanks.

N/A

He has made his position quit obvious.<p>Although, his declaration that he formerly owned an A4 does seems to be inconsistent with his original posts??? Was he not originally inquiring as to whether he should purchase an A4 or a TL and not whether he should trade his A4 for a TL?<p>Regardless, why encourage a protracted response that will likely be cynical at best?

You're correct. The Integra (VTEC) and Preludes are performance cars. But as far as four doors are concerned they don't have any four-door performance cars. I wouldn't even consider my Stock A4 1.8t a performance four door. But that's just in acceleration (nothing a chip couldn't fix), Other than that the car is fun to drive handles beautifully and inspires confidence. Hondas are okay, but that's all that they are, okay.

And why can't he grasp the concept of "<b>nt</b>" or "<b>eom</b>" on his headers? I think it's because he knows this will annoy people, which I believe is his intent to begin with.<p>I have no problem with his attempts at <i>entertainment</i>, if they are in good spirit. Unfortunately I believe his to be for the purpose of antagonizing and instigating A4 owners. Hardly entertaining. Barely mature. I question whether he owns or ever owned either car.<p>

If reliability and resale value are at the top of your criterion, I would consider the Acura 3.2TL. Audi's are improving, but the Japanese still make the world's most reliable cars. And the Acura is a hell of a buy. By the time you order all the options you'd have to on the Audi to get what comes standard on the Acura, you've spent several thousands more. Having said that, most people find the Acura's styling rather bland, and it doesn't have AWD, which may or may not be important to you.<p>Bear in mind that the information you'll get on this forum regarding Audi's reliability is useful, but anecdotal.

I know that you are expecting flames, and i'm not so sure about your soul/character comment, although i will agree about styling and interior appointments. To me any 4 bangger that loves to rev to 7, 8, or 9 thousand rpms, inherently has some soul and character. Interesting though, I bought a european car mag (not sure of the title although I think is was CAR) that had an article on the euro accord. The article pretty complimentory, but i was amazed how much honda had blantanly copied the a4's style. It seems that the asian auto makers have shame in stealing styling cues.<br>

I've been going through the same process, to buy or not to buy. I just decided not to buy. It drives great but...

unfortunately, i'm not an engine guy and i understand what you are saying, but how do you explain 0-60 performance of between 5-6 sec for the s2000 w/ only 159 ft/lbs of torque.<br>

Normally I'm just a lurker here since the Audi that really piques my interest is the S4 (when will it get here?!?), but I can offer some commentary.<p>While the shape of the curve is always important in determining flexibility, peak power and torque are only useful if assessed within the context of gearing and weight.<p>Not only do you need to calculate power/weight and torque/weight, but you need to look at the effect of gearing. An engine with 125 ft-lbs of torque and a useful 8000 rpm rev range will outperform an engine (in the same car) with 150 ft-lbs, but only a 6000 rpm rev range since it can be geared 33% tighter, effectively yielding a unitized 166 lb-ft at the wheels compared to the 150 lb-ft the torquier engine will deliver. Crunching the numbers gives you an idea why the low-torque, but very flat curved Integra GS-R will outaccelerate a higher torque 1.8T in 5th gear from 50-70 in roll-ons (CD, 4dr test).<p>Generally, this board appears quite open minded (as many responses in this thread have shown), but I am surprised by the few that accuse an entire lineup of being characterless or soulless. Soul, as defined by certain individuals, often encompasses the sum of idiosyncracies and unique characteristics presented by a particular car (on a 911, bottom hinged pedals or the characteristic flat-6 sound). While Honda interiors may generally be bland (the new TL isn't bad) and exteriors aren't far behind, the powertrains ring with character (exception being the original Accord V6) and they normally exhibit crisp handling and feel traits, especially the sportier models. <p> I love the A4 for it's appearance, inside and out. I think it's the best looking sedan I've seen in years and it's quite rich in texture for the price. However, I was personally disappointed with the 1.8T and 12 valve powertrains and the relative numbness of the FWD model. That doesn't mean it doesn't have character, it's just different.<p>I personally focus on the more visceral aspects of cars (engine, handling, etc.) and have found Honda's sport oriented models excellent in those areas while retaining traditional economy and reliability of the marque. And hey, the last 1.8 VTEC engine my novice hands built makes 217 hp/150 ft-lbs normally-aspirated, on pump gas, with a catalytic converter and passes IM240 emissions tests - believe me, in a 2600 lbs car, that's a lot of character. In a 2000 lbs CRX, it's almost unbearable :-)<p>Rgds,<br> Shawn

You hate 'em, you want to spill some beer on 'em, but they kind of crack you up nonetheless.

Heh, funny, old late-80s Accords copy my 5000cstq's style..<p>Thinking of changing my lease on my '98 A4<br>Avant 2.8 Quattro to a financing.. And getting<br>a supercharger upgrade, mmm..<p>-Justin

<br>nt