I am looking to purchase an A4 1.8T quattro within the next week and have a few questions that I hope someone on this forum could help with :<p>1) are there differences between the us version and canadian version ? what is included as standard equipment in the brochure and on this web site is a little different.<p>2) Folding ignition key keyless remote is this standard equipment on the canadian model ?<p>3) I am debating over the tiptronic or standard stick shift. My only concern is that with a 1.8 litre engine there is very little zip on the automatic transmission . <p>4) I am also debating about the sport package. Is this a no brainer of decision ? is the tigher suspension noticeable<p>5) Difference in dealer invoice and MRSP in the US is about $2800. Does this apply in canada ? and is $1500 above dealer invoice for a purchase price right ?<p>6) I test drove a 1.8T quattro with tiptronic as we were driving the down the highway the whole car rattled. The sales guy told me it was the combination of the tires and road (road had some snow on it) that caused that Is that possible ? I drove down the same highway from the dealership with my 97 prelude and it was smooth as silk.<p><br>7) Other than what is listed on the official audi website is there any further information on the 99.5 ? Should I wait to purchase the 99.5?<p>Thanks in advance. Sorry for the length of this post.<br>

I would be skeptical about buying the A4 that rattled. At least try out another one to see if it does the same thing. As far as the sport package.... definitely get it. On the highway, it is not harsh or hardly even noticeable that there is any difference between it and the non-sport. Take it into a curve a high speeds and you'll notice a huge performance difference. Also there is less floatiness to the sport suspension on the highway and it will have better emergency maneuvering.

Regards to (4): from what folks have told, me the Sport suspension is noticeably firmer. My Avant with Sport package is a blast on a twisty country road - and I also have a 993 in the garage.<p>Now, seems you are from Canada, so I guess you are also worried about snow. One thing I've noticed with Sport suspension is possible lack of ground clearance for driving in heavy snow. Car is scraping far more often - feels like it would get hung up easier in heavy snow - than my old Audi Coupe Quattro (which I was able to drive well in 12+" of virgin snow in hilly Western PA). I still don't regret my decision, however.<p>Regards to 6: If this is a "demo" car, could have just been flogged to death. My Avant is very quiet; no rattles even in potholed Pittsburgh roads.

Don't know about the Canadian version, but I'll weigh in with my opinions for the rest:<p>3) If you want quattro, get the stick. The 1.8 is not quite up to the task of pulling the quattro through a slushbox.<p>4) I drove both sport and non-sport cars, and I found there to be a significant difference. I'd say go for the sport, it's definitely worth it at $700.<p>5) Don't know about Canada, but $1500 over is about right in the U.S. You could maybe do a little better, not a lot. I did $1380 and I'm satisfied.<p>6) The rattling car probably was beat up. I'm sure a new A4 wouldn't rattle like that.<p>7) The best information I've seen on the 99.5s is on this site. It's personal choice whether to wait or not -- there aren't any major improvements. Personally I liked the minor improvements enough to wait, but believe me the 99 is no dog. You'd likely love either.<p>Good luck!<p><br>-vik<br>1.8tqms not yet born