tmendham
11-04-2004, 05:29 PM
Hi there, new to Audiworld, but old hat to car forums. I am really, really hoping to convince my significant other that we should lease the new 3.2 - and I wanted to share my joyous experience with other Audi lovers.
I've been watching this car in the press, and am thrilled to get to drive this car. For reference, we have a Jeep Wrangler, Saab 9-3 and a '67 Mustang in the house, and I've driven Benz's, BMW's, Jags, Hondas, trucks etc. etc., so I hope to give some perspective.
MAN is this a nice car. The 3.2 accelerates with serious vigor. The car the wife wants is the 9-5 Aero, and this car is just as fast, and WAY more stable. If you are familiar with turbo engines and torque steer, you know what I'm talking about. You can hear the engine when pushing it, but it's not intrusive. The brakes are phenomenal with virtually no dive and one of the smoothest ABS systems - the salesman was nice enough to show me this ;-).
Some of the criticism of the car is choppy handling... What choppy handling? This thing is smooth. You will want the 17" wheels, but not the sport package. The car I drove had the premium, convenience, and cold weather packages, NAV, park distance and the funky active key thing (can't remember the right name tonight.)
It tracks extremely smooth and straight, and one of my few criticisms is that the steering is a little light, but it has just a nice little bit of understeer in the corners.
MMI is a piece of cake!!! I hate the Benz COMAND system, and with MMI I was able to tune the radio, set the lighting and play with the NAV feature WITHOUT using a manual. I had really dreaded this feature, and after playing with it, I can live with it. IMHO - it's easier than an iPod.
The trunk is huge, but the opening is a little tight. The back seat is extremely comfortable. I'm 5'10" and built like a linebacker, and there was plenty of room in the back behind the front seat - with the driver's seat still in position for me.
Lastly, it looks WAY better in person than in pictures. The rocker panel line is all you notice in pictures, but you don't notice it in person - you only really see the crease along the top of the body line.
I'm now waiting to hear about lease and balloon payment terms before I pull the trigger. If anyone wants any more info, lemme know. I'm new here, but I think I'll be back!
I've been watching this car in the press, and am thrilled to get to drive this car. For reference, we have a Jeep Wrangler, Saab 9-3 and a '67 Mustang in the house, and I've driven Benz's, BMW's, Jags, Hondas, trucks etc. etc., so I hope to give some perspective.
MAN is this a nice car. The 3.2 accelerates with serious vigor. The car the wife wants is the 9-5 Aero, and this car is just as fast, and WAY more stable. If you are familiar with turbo engines and torque steer, you know what I'm talking about. You can hear the engine when pushing it, but it's not intrusive. The brakes are phenomenal with virtually no dive and one of the smoothest ABS systems - the salesman was nice enough to show me this ;-).
Some of the criticism of the car is choppy handling... What choppy handling? This thing is smooth. You will want the 17" wheels, but not the sport package. The car I drove had the premium, convenience, and cold weather packages, NAV, park distance and the funky active key thing (can't remember the right name tonight.)
It tracks extremely smooth and straight, and one of my few criticisms is that the steering is a little light, but it has just a nice little bit of understeer in the corners.
MMI is a piece of cake!!! I hate the Benz COMAND system, and with MMI I was able to tune the radio, set the lighting and play with the NAV feature WITHOUT using a manual. I had really dreaded this feature, and after playing with it, I can live with it. IMHO - it's easier than an iPod.
The trunk is huge, but the opening is a little tight. The back seat is extremely comfortable. I'm 5'10" and built like a linebacker, and there was plenty of room in the back behind the front seat - with the driver's seat still in position for me.
Lastly, it looks WAY better in person than in pictures. The rocker panel line is all you notice in pictures, but you don't notice it in person - you only really see the crease along the top of the body line.
I'm now waiting to hear about lease and balloon payment terms before I pull the trigger. If anyone wants any more info, lemme know. I'm new here, but I think I'll be back!