if the passat and a4 have the same engine, and you can get the passat with a quattro like system, and a passat has a bigger rear seat, and the passat is thousands less, then what is it about the a4 that makes it worth the money?<p>

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Some things to say: First, looking at similarly-optioned models, the difference is actually only about $5K. The base model of the A4 offers a bit more than the Passat as well, such as headlight washers and climate control. Next, the Passat is not available with any sport suspension at all. Finally, the 4-wheel drive "syncro" version of the Passat has yet to be offered in the US (it was cancelled for '99, and, even before this cancellation, it was to be available in automatic tranny only). In my opinion, the A4 is also a bit "sexier," inside and out, styling-wise. Oh, and Audi offers a longer bumper-to-bumper warrantee (though a shorter powertrain warrantee) plus free maintenance during the warrantee period.<br>

OK, first of all, I own a Passat 1.8t; last year while shopping for it, I looked into the Audi A4, option for option, stopping at AWD, the difference is only 10% or about $2,500. So if your asking why it's 10% more, I think the answer should be obvious once you drive in both SIMILARLY equipped vehicles. The A4 is smaller along it's length but on the up side, it handles better. And the car is admittedly, better looking than the Passat (and Honda was quick to jump on the rear-end styling, as did a lot of other mfg.) The A4 interior is better appointed. Face it, the Passat is nice and practical. For those demanding something different/better, the 10% isn't all that much. NOW, if you get the quatto, sports suspension, etc, then your spending more $$$ and these are things you CAN NOT get on a VW currently, or at least in my case, April of this year.<p>HermanH<br>98.5 Passat 1.8tM

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I personally don't view a VW 10 yr drivetrain warranty as that much. I am also a multi-time owner of VWs (1984 Rabbit GTI, 1985 Golf GTI, 1989 Jetta GLi 16V.) The things that went wrong with those cars were mostly fit and finish items and electrical items (air conditioner compressors, alternators, etc.).<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM<p>I also owned two bugs (1972 Super Beetle...and 1967 Bug)

My previous cars were 5 Nissans (3 Z's, 2 Maxima's) nothing ever failed, broke, etc. Aslo, 2 VW GTI's, yep nothing but a bad wheel bearing after hitting a pot hole!<p>I just don't understand why the Passat gets the 10/100K warranty and the A4 doesn't. The drivetrain is basically the same. I will probably keep the Audi a few more years longer than my other cars and hope this car doesn't nickle/dime me to death. I don't like the 2000 A4, front too stubby! The Audi SUV? will be my next vehicle if this A4 holds up. Plan on retiring early and need reliable transportation.<p>So you have your eye on a S4. This will fit you!<br>You better get the extended warranty with bi-turbos (G)

planation: Audi and VW are marketing to two different customers. Audi is marketing to the leasing person, predominantly, and VW is marketing to the long-term buyer.

(nt)

Actually, many watches use the same parts...tissot and omega, lorus and seiko, rolex and tudor. ETA makes most of the "swiss" movements out there, so the generic f1 watch you see for 299 in motor trend and the 3000 dollar rado quartz chrono have the same movement. Watches are a major maketing driven thing....<p>jeff (part time watch afficianado)

Looks to me that the Passat is built on an A6 platform...and an A6 - Passat comparison would be more appropriate than the usual A4 comparison. How do those numbers work out???

Also, I think it was said here that you couldn't get a manual tranny with the 2.8 in a Passat. <p>Finally, I bet that the Passat has really good cupholders, and this is only going to encourage passengers to bring drinks into your car, and inevitably, sooner or later, spill their drinks in your car! I'd pay thousands of dollars to keep this from happening... wait a second, I did. ;-)<p>The bottom line is that it's a very subjective buying decision. I think a lot of A4 buyers here could have bought a BMW 328i (again for $1000's more) but chose the A4, so price was less of a factor.<br>

<br>The Dealer makes a difference. Here in Boulder, we have a world class Audi dealer(Stammler) and a piss-poor VW dealer (Gebhart). The difference in attitude, service, knowledge, etc. is huge. I'd pay a premium to buy an identical car at a dealer that cared. Any comments from Gebhart fans/flamers??

Well, I'm at work so I can't get real anal about this, but based solely on invoice, starting with the base cars, the differnce turns out to be 8.9% variance between the two. One thing about the A4 though, it has so much more in options that I can see them easily making up more than the 8.9% difference. (for example, you cannot get the sports suspension and sport seats on a Passat.) So when you say "fully loaded", well, the Passat does not have nozzle washers; Edmunds DOES show a syncro option but the cost is the same for both cars - a non-issue. And looking at the numbers (again, rather quickly) these appear to be dealer markup pricese, not MSRP. In any event, the bottom line is, don't take the 7K difference as written in stone; BARGIN with those fools!<p>HermanH<br>98.5 Passat 1.8tm