My wife and I finally decided that the A4 will be our next car. With a baby on the way, we're probably going to opt for the 1.8T over the 2.8 to save a few $$'s. Am I going to be dissappointed going from my present Jetta GLX (VR6, leather, bose, sunroof) to the smaller engine 1.8T (with quattro, bose, sport package, heat, sunroof, seats, etc...)? <p>To be honest, I probably won't chip anytime soon so I'm trying to find out from people who might know where I'm coming from whether we should wait, save up, and get the 2.8...<p>Thanks in advance.

<br>Bottom line, the Jetta VR6 is about one second quicker 0-60 if you don't plan to chip your 1.8T. If that bothers you, you may end up disappointed. You didn't say manual or Tip ... I would say if you go with the manual 1.8T, you'd probably be happy. The Auto will be very pokey compared to what you are used to.<p>Here's what you get with the A4 vs. Jetta: Far better handling and confidence (Quattro), better looks (subjective), much more refinement, much nicer interior (materials and execution). I suggest you find the recent edition of Car & Driver that included both of these cars in a sports sedan comparo (can't remember what month, someone here will know). In case you don't know, a 1.8Tqms won the contest, with the new BMW 323i just a point behind. A new Jetta VR6 finished dead last in sixth place. It was the consensus of the C & D staff that the 1.8Tqms (IN MANUAL FORM) made up for it's lack of HP with refinement, handling, ride, looks, and fun to drive factor.<p>One note: If I wanted the Auto, I would have ponied up for the 2.8. But with the 5-speed, the 1.8T is quick and fun (and I plan to chip it anyway).<p>Good luck ...<p>BDW 1.8Tqms

consider an Avant, it's amazing how much room kid's stuff takes up. Avant works out, and looks, great. BTW, the 2.8tip works well for the Avant because (1) you might want a free hand for child issues, and (2) the four-banger with automatic and Avant extra weight might be a bit labored (no pun intended)!

Do you really need all the options? I think Bose in particular is unnecessary and you'd probably do better to get the concert system and upgrade it later with an amp and some good speakers like MB Quart.

The car I owned before my A4 was a '94 Jetta GLX VR6. It was definitely faster than my A4 is. I especially miss the power it had up top...at 90 it still had plenty of passing grunt left, as you know. Overall, the 1.8t is better in nearly every respect. With a baby on the way the added safety of the A4 is definitely the way to go. If you are going with an auto forget the 1.8t. The manual feels reasonably quick to me, I would not buy a 1.8t with tip.<p>I miss the power of the VR6 (great engine) and the leather seats (leatherette S*CKS). In every other aspect the A4 is FAR superior. Gone is the floaty feeling at highway speeds, the pronounced FWD induced understeer, the extreme body roll in corners (no more lifting that inside rear wheel in tight turns), and the torque steer.<p>Take a 1.8t for a long test drive (several hours if possible) and see if you miss the extra power (and if so how much).<p>Regards,<br>Rodney<p>'99 A4 1.8tqms

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Does the stock head unit have preamp outs or do you have to go with an amp that can take high level input? Is there an MB Quart kit designed for the A4 yet, or just go with comparably sized MB Quart speakers? About how much would that cost?<p>Regards,<br>Rodney<p>'99 A4 1.8tqms

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I used to have a Corrado VR6 and then bought an A4 1.8. Now I'm selling the Audi to buy a Jetta GLX. The VR6 engine is so much better than the 1.8. It has a much better feel and sound. The low end torque in the VR6 makes the 1.8 look silly.<p>George

Nt)

My current A4 is a 1.8 Turbo (of course) with a 1 bar Wett chip. I've put 57,000 miles on it and know what I'm talking about. Do you? He asked for honest feedback, not snotty remarks. <p>George

Dork<br>

Hey Kent,<p>I sold my 96 Jetta GLX to get the A4. There are some things you give up when you do this, like:<br>- brakes IMO were a little better in the Jetta<br>- the power, sound and delivery of the VR6 engine (so much better)<br>- that's it!<p>You gain:<br>- materials and execution 2 classes above<br>- handling 5 classes above. In both dry and wet, the A4 is so much better it will give you goosebumps. Take a long long test drive alone and push it about twice as hard as you used to do it in the Jetta and it will knock your socks off.<br>- better safety.<br>- much more comfortable, with either seating or suspension option. It's true, I took long trips in both and the A4 is a much better long-distance cruiser.<br>- no torque steer in either the FWD or Quattro.<br>- FWD for a measly sum.<br>- much better warranty. Remember it's usually not the powertrain that gives up, but the small things (at least in the VW).<p>The new Jetta may be better built, but it looks they didn't fix the handling at all. I personally think the VR6 is way too much engine for the Golf/Jetta chasis.<p>And remember, you can always chip the A4 to make it faster than the Jetta. But even if you don't, it's still fast enough to get your license suspended in a day.<p>Enjoy your car, whatever you choose.<br>Andrei D<br>Red 1.8T QMS

There's more passing power EVERYWHERE with the VR6. That's a great engine, and VW improved it this year too. Also, the interior is pretty good (clearly outclassed by the A4) AND you can get leather (one of my pet peeves about the 1.8t). And the back seat is bigger (well it was before '99 not sure now). Considering the expenses implied by a baby on the way, the less expensive VW is a good car to consider. It's a whole lot less than the A4. Clearly the A4 is superior in most ways to the Jetta VR6, but for the price premium it should be. Someone asked for opinions from those familiar with both cars, and while mine differs from George R's, that is no reason to attack him. Every car has it's tradeoffs. For ME, the A4 was the best balance in the categories important to me for the money. That's why I bought it, I'm happy with it and recomend it to just about anyone in the market in the price range.<p>Regards,<br>Rodney<p>'99 A4 1.8tqms

The VR6 is a nice motor but it only has about 176hp. That isn't what I would call serious Horsepower. <p>P.S Did you read CAR & Drivers' Comparison test? The Jetta looked "silly" by coming in last place. Jetta's are okay but they don't look like anything special on the road. Just My opinion. <p>

It's not quattro and apparently costs are a consideration which was my dilemma a year ago. I got the Passat in the end more because of the costs but I did inherit certain features found on the A4. (identical engine and front suspension plus a lot of Audi shared parts all over the place.) The big plus was the rear leg room.<p>BTW: If this is your first child, consider leather with a grain of salt since baby's tend to throw up while in the car (yes, they can have motion sickness early in life.) Don't know what the effects of vomit is on leather; if you get a good protectant, perhaps it's ok.<p>Chipping will definitly get back what you lost in the HP department. One factor in favor of the A4 in my opinion is the color choices and availability of the sport suspension (and of course, the Q). If those are factors for you, then go the A4 route and enjoy the forum.<p>HermanH<br>98.5 Passat 1.8t Windsor Blue<br>+Neuspeed Front Antiroll Bar<br>+VDO Vac./Boost Gauge<br>+Clear Corner Signals.

I went from a Passat GLX VR6 to the A41.8T and I am extremely happy. Just chip it and you are on your way.

I used to own an 95 Jetta GLX VR6 and now a 99 Passat 1.8T with Garrett Stage 1 chip. Personally, I feel the VR6 engine is more linear, or I should say more sensitive the the action of the "gas pedal". If I give a little more gas, I can feel the car pulls a little harder. The more I give, the harder it pulls. With the chipped 1.8t, if I want power, I have to give a lot of gas. I would say at least 3/4. If you floor it, with the full boost, the car pulls really hard. In 5th gear going 70mph and floor it, in no time, it will reach 100mph. <p>Just my 2 cents.

I handed the keys to my GTI to the salesman hopped into my A4 and never looked back. I don't miss it one teeny tiny bit... the A4 is so much more refined and well behaved there is simply no comparison.