I will be purchasing a new vehicle this year and recently discovered this site. It can be a terrific resource as I work through the process.

Two factors to consider: First, I live in a small town and the usual suspects of the import dealers (Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Infiniti, Acura, Lexus) are 80+ miles away. Second, I am 6'6" tall and headroom can be a problem, especially with moonroofs that once were options but now show up as standard equipment more often than not.

On the other hand, I have a Cadillac dealer a half-mile from my house. I have driven the new CTS and I really wanted to like it but the console crowded my right knee and I never could find a comfortable position. Nice car, but apparently not for me.

I also drove the new C-Class Mercedes. It was solid across the board but I could not get excited about it. They cheapened it down too much IMO with the standard vinyl seats and flimsy plastic parts throughout the interior. I am a fit/finish guy and the car did not connect with my image of Mercedes automobiles.

The BMW 3-Series just seems too small to me. I am also not crazy about the dealer.

That brings us to Audi. I started off thinking the A5 would be a great choice for me but on the test drive, access to the rear seat was just not family friendly enough for us. The more I read about the new A4 sedan, the better it sounds. I like the idea of the turbo 2.0 engine; my wife has the Acura RDX with the same type of power and the Acura is a blast to drive. On the other hand, I have no interest in a paddle-shifter automatic transmission although I would probably enjoy a conventional manual gearbox. Most of my driving is on the open road.

It appears that some of you are actually ordering cars for delivery in the fall. My dealer says no orders until the summer for delivery in October. What is the truth on that issue?

Thanks for the opportunity to participate with you on this fine board.

. . .a requirement to allow me to keep my 2005 A6 beyond lease end.

The order is real unless this whole process is a ruse.

My dealer said, I was the first, but not the ONLY person to order.

The A4, and all of Audi, tops this catagory. I have driven and studied just about everything out there and nothing comes close to how Audi finishes it's interiors. They use better moldings, better plastics, better metals, nicer woods, and everything feels more solid and sturdy. The same can be said for exterior materials too. You just can't go wrong. The new A4 is going to be another well-kept secret that only those smart enough to dive into will know about. Glad you found us here.