TheWanderer

If I could afford to buy one, I wouldn't be at all concerned about that either :-)

Cal2000A6

I test drove the S4 and the A6 back to back. There is not much that separates the two in terms of comfort/luxury content (Canadian S4 with premium + navigation vs. A6 Special Edition). I like the A6 (owned one prior to S4). 3 things made me decide against going with the A6 again. 1. no MT, 2. too big (models are getting bigger with every generation and the B8 S4 is almost a mid size car and just right for me), 3. A6 due for replacement in 2011.

Muray

I looked into E class too since I drive a C class right now. E classes are a dime a dozen. If I am paying 50K+ for a car, I want it to be fairly rare. S4's are rare species. E class is good fit for 40's and 50's year olds who value comfort, luxury, and prestige, S4 is definitely the enthusiast's who values performance over comfort and luxury, not that the S4 is lacking. I find that S4 to be the best overall package of performance, practicality, all weather capability, luxury, and pretige. E class, my friends told me, why do you want to drive an old man's car. When I told I ordered an S4, the unanimous reply was, "COOL!" and thumbs-up, followed by request for rides from girls, preferably in front of their ex-boyfriends.

TheWanderer

Hah! Well, I'm not in need any of that kind of validation, nor an ideological debate over what is cool and what isn't. I'm mostly interested in buying a car I'll be happy with. Having owned a wide range of cars and trucks, and at the tender young age of 43, I'm sure I can find something that will fill the bill :-)