Which A4 is right for me?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4
Which A4 is right for me?
Hey guys, brand new member, lurker for a few weeks (since I decided I want an Audi) and I have a few questions for you guys, especially anyone from Los Angeles. I need help finding which A4 is right for me witha budget of $25k out the door.
Some background info:I just sold my '98 ford mustang gt which was a royal PITA... full of problems since the day I bought it. I have been riding motorcycles for 9 years and have a bike right now that is far more capable than any car I could afford in the next 50 years, so I'm not necessarily looking for the fastest car I can find on my budget since my bike could smoke it. What I need is a practical car for driving through LA that I can also take out and rail around the twisties in the canyons down in orange county or near malibu. I do not plan on racing or straight-line battles, however, so I'm wondering if a manual transmission is really necessary. It's very hard to find a 6spd A4 2.0T Quattro in LA area, so I'm thinking of making a few compromises.
1. I would either choose between a b6 or b7 Audi. I can find a b6 that has AWD and M/T but has the old body style and 1.8T engine. Is it worth the compromise to get the older car for the AWD and M/T?
2. The only engine mod I would do is chip the car. Can the auto w/ tiptronic be chipped? I've also heard of a chip or mod that makes tiptronic shifts much quicker, is there really such a thing?
3. Is AWD necessary in LA? I would prefer it since I do not like FWDbut would it make much of a difference for my use?
It is much easier to find a manual transmission with FWD or an auto w/ tiptronic and AWD than an A4 with a manual transmission and AWD together. I hope all this info isn't too confusing. Thanks guys for all your help!
Some background info:I just sold my '98 ford mustang gt which was a royal PITA... full of problems since the day I bought it. I have been riding motorcycles for 9 years and have a bike right now that is far more capable than any car I could afford in the next 50 years, so I'm not necessarily looking for the fastest car I can find on my budget since my bike could smoke it. What I need is a practical car for driving through LA that I can also take out and rail around the twisties in the canyons down in orange county or near malibu. I do not plan on racing or straight-line battles, however, so I'm wondering if a manual transmission is really necessary. It's very hard to find a 6spd A4 2.0T Quattro in LA area, so I'm thinking of making a few compromises.
1. I would either choose between a b6 or b7 Audi. I can find a b6 that has AWD and M/T but has the old body style and 1.8T engine. Is it worth the compromise to get the older car for the AWD and M/T?
2. The only engine mod I would do is chip the car. Can the auto w/ tiptronic be chipped? I've also heard of a chip or mod that makes tiptronic shifts much quicker, is there really such a thing?
3. Is AWD necessary in LA? I would prefer it since I do not like FWDbut would it make much of a difference for my use?
It is much easier to find a manual transmission with FWD or an auto w/ tiptronic and AWD than an A4 with a manual transmission and AWD together. I hope all this info isn't too confusing. Thanks guys for all your help!
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,393
From: Columbus Ohio
RE: Which A4 is right for me?
It may not be easy to find, but its worth it in the twisties.
Hold out, travel if you have to, but get a manual, quattro, turbo, whatever the year / body may be. Or just forget it and buy a different car.
Hold out, travel if you have to, but get a manual, quattro, turbo, whatever the year / body may be. Or just forget it and buy a different car.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4
RE: Which A4 is right for me?
I know I can find a B6 manual '04 or '05 quattro but its tough to find a B7 quattro manual becausee of my budget. Would you take a B6 manual quattro over a B7 quattro tiptronic? Remember, I drive straight through LA at least once a week. Thanks for the quick response by the way
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,393
From: Columbus Ohio
RE: Which A4 is right for me?
Man, its hard for me to relate.
LA traffic is nothing like Columbus Im sure.
But me, yes, I would take the b6 TQM (or even better a nice B5), I could never own a tiptronic, whatever year. So I guess if I lived in LA I'd have to chalk it up as a workout, really I dont think its that bad in my b5, the times I am in traffic for a while. I can cruise along in 1st most of the time comfortably.
But I could see your point for going tip.
LA traffic is nothing like Columbus Im sure.
But me, yes, I would take the b6 TQM (or even better a nice B5), I could never own a tiptronic, whatever year. So I guess if I lived in LA I'd have to chalk it up as a workout, really I dont think its that bad in my b5, the times I am in traffic for a while. I can cruise along in 1st most of the time comfortably.
But I could see your point for going tip.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4
RE: Which A4 is right for me?
I'll try to test drive the tip tomorrow... I'll just give you an idea of LA traffic: it has taken me 3 1/2 hours to drive 60 miles before in LA. Stop and go, never really get a chance to cruise along at low speeds. Once I'm out of LA I would love a manual, but for driving in LA it may be a massive PITA. I'll check the tip out tomorrow but any more opinions would be appreciated. Thanks again!