Luxury Hot Rod!! Updated

I just test drove the new S4 (6speed) sunday and I still get tingly thinking about it. I also test drove the 05 allroad with a 2.7 twin turbo and the 05' a4 1.8t (which is nothing). Pls keep in mind this review is concise and to the point because I know I hate reading long articles.

I chose to write about the new audi s4 instead of the other audis because I am for one an audi enthusiast, and this car caters to a different audience. I'll try my best to be as honest as possible w/o being biased.

Performance
I'm young so I love to move fast and be in fast cars. This s4 is the first s4 to have a 4.2 V8 making about 344bhp. A big bump over the previous 2.7 twin turbo 250bhp, and it shows. The salesman told me it has a 0-60 in the high 4s. This v8 is slightly tuned from the audi a6 4.2 v8. The car had 97miles on it and I drove that sucker hard. The V8 has a nice whine to it when reved, and take off the ESP and you can do a 4wheel launch which hurls you back in your seat if your not already glued to it. 60 went by like nothing. I took it out to a straightaway which was pretty empty. From 0-110 I saw the numbers on my odometer just fly. I was reading off 40, 60, 80, and the brakes are equally good, and very responsive (all around Brembo big brakes). In the corners this car sticks like glue thanks to the quattro all wheel drive. I wished the pavement was wet so I could have some real fun, but oh well. This car is so fast its hard not to blow by anything on the road, and believe me, there were a few muscle cars that I was tempted to just show up. I've never driven anything like it. Definitely an experience.

Handling:
this is an all wheel drive car, and its on all the time. So of course when it rains or snows you have the confidence of knowing you can carve through pretty much anything with ease.

Ride: Of course its a little more firm and harsh than a normal a4. It sits a little lower and the suspension is setup for a more tossing along the tracks route. It's not as bad as the M3 though and rides nicer than one. It makes grocery shopping and going to work a pleasure on the weekdays and racing along the track exciting on the weekends.

Styling
For some reason, people I know (19-20) are all buying Audis. I own a 98 a6, 1 friend owns an 04 a4, another a 01' s4, another a 00' a4. All were bought within the last year or so. They love the way it looks and the attention it gets. This car then, commands a lot of attention. It's sleek yet modern curves look sophisticated yet the s4 badges set it off as something not to be taken lightly. A few words to describe it, classy, intelligent, beautiful, graceful, smooth like fine wine. Does it look better than an M3? I'd like to think this car is more elgant and handsome in styling overall, while the M3 is brutish, muscular and lets its presense known, the s4 is subtle and unassuming. This is how the line of audis looks to me, the 02-04 Audi a4 is kinda girly. Im not knocking the styling, but a lot of girls drive it, but I still love it, and if you have an a4 girls definitely take to it better than guys. BMWs are dime a dozen, having an Audi says to people, "Never Follow" as the audi ads put it. The 98-04 a6, larger, more sophisticated, classy and unassuming is definitely for execs. The a8, is rare and if you see someone driving it they usually have a lot of money. The s4 is pure passion. People buy it over the M3 mostly b/c they are either loyal to the company, an enthusiast like me, or just have a lot of money to spend, or a combination of those 3.

Features
This car comes fully loaded with lowered springs and 18" avus rims which lift it up slightly. Auto folding mirrors. Heated seats, Power everything, Bose 6disk in dash speakers, Xenons and anything else that's optional. No navi though :( There is so much attention to little things you wont even notice it such as closing the window on your hand. The car senses it and rolls the windows back down. Auto dimming mirrors with a compass built into the rearview mirror is another feature, again standard. Again- where's the navi or backup sensor?? O well, those can be easily dismissed. Besides, it makes finding places more fun.

S4 Exclusive
You can get a matching stripe color for the leather. Front and rear Recarro Seats. Color Info screen in gauge cluster, (very nice!! compared to just red l.e.d.s) the new 05'A6 also has this but no other audi. Grill mesh is also different and lighter in color. Front and rear bumper is more sporty, and you get a rear lip spoiler. The 04' a4 has this labeled as an "Ultra Sport Package." You might see some on the road but you'll know if its just a 1.8t 178hp a4.

Pricing
msrp was 55,000, and warranty is 4 yr/100,000mi whichever comes first.
Summary:
You buy this car for the elegance, and craftsmanship. This is a rollercoaster waiting to take you on the ride of your life. If you want luxury, it surrounds you. If you want performance this car will deliver. Careful though, you might get addicted :) All in all I drive an Audi, I know people who have them, and this car, in my opinion is the epitome of what an audi should be. Am I beggining to sound like a sales rep for audi? Well I'm hoping to be working there very shortly part time in sales...so I hope so. But all in all, I just wanted to enlighten you as the consumer as why I am so passionate about these cars.

Update: If you buy this car get it in blue, it can be spotted a mile away and its so beautiful, and just so you know, the salesman was young and he pushed me to push the car to its limits. I don't usually do those things....then again, very few cars make me want to. Buy this car for its power and quality, and buy it because it gives you a smile on your face. If you want a car just for its luxury and quietness get a Merc, for value get an acura RL, for all performance a bmw M3. The key difference to the M3 and the S4 is that the S4 has quattro all wheel drive and they've been doin it for 30 years. The S4 has a first class interior with much more quality than the m3.

Update 4/26/05
The newly styled 05 and a half A4 is making its way and so the S4 is taking on looks based on that. New quad exhaust and a bigger mouthed bumper set it apart but what's unchanged is the V8 engine, which isn't bad. This is good news for people who want all that performance b/c now you can get a descent price for the 04' S4's! Personally I don't like the new styling but it'll grow on me and hey it's Audi, they set the benchmark in styling.