First of all, I would like to thank all of you who actually drove/bought the S4 and posted your reviews. They helped me make sound decision on my purchase.
I have never considered an Audi until the latest A4 styling caught my eyes. Yet with pricing on the same level as BMW 3 and MB C class, I thought Audi was overpriced. After all Audi brand and styling are not as “visible” as the other two.
I prefer sports cars that are comfortable to drive everyday. Some of my most recent cars include a 200 Vette Convertible, 2002 SubaruWRX, and 2003 Nissan 350Z. Fast but marginally comfortable. I was most disappointed with the WRX fit & finish, but I guess you get what you pay for.
I needed a Corvette with 4 real comfortable seats. BMW M3 too rough, only two doors, noisy V6. Benz C32 seems to be the perfect choice for me. Then I heard that the C55 was coming soon with a more powerful V8; it sounded even more perfect. While waiting for the C55, I came across your reviews and decided to see the S4 it for myself.
I was unimpressed with the S4 exterior: huge satellite antenna, silver side mirrors, and looks just like a regular A4. The interior blew me away: it’s way more luxurious that any vehicles in this class; lots of unexpected features. The fit and finish are exceptional. Recaro seats are very good-looking (Recaro back seats? Hmm...)
The test drive was incredible: I chose one that has all options except enhanced seats and Nav – don’t buy Nav: it’s just text displayed on a tiny screen. The S4 drives like a luxury car with a sports package: smooth with decent feedback from the low profile tires, more comfortable than a BMW 330 sports and C230 sports – the owners of these vehicles, my friends, agreed. Things are a bit rougher in the backseats, but you would never find me there anyway.
It’s when I went into the C-curve freeway onramp at 45MPH and punch it coming out that the asphalt-grabbing speed demon came alive. I have done this with the Vette and the Z before, but never with this much confidence. I like everything about this car, except the styling: I wish Audi had copied BMW and put more muscles on the S4 body to make it stand out from rest of the A4s. On the other hand, my wife loves the fact that it does look like a "normal" car, as she can take it to the market without attracting any unwanted attention. She doesn’t care for the V8: it still guzzles gas even with Tiptronic. The S4 is the first car I brought home that she likes, even though she did ask initially, “What’s an Audi?”
As for people who might complain about S4 pricing, under 52K fully loaded is VERY reasonable for a vehicle of this caliber. The M3s SGM with similar options are over 54K, C32s over 55K and the first batch C55s will hover around 60K with dealers' markups.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 51500
Condition: New Model Year: 2004 Model and Options: S4 Tiptronic
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