Topic: CD Article: 2010 Audi S4

[Mitlov]

JohnGenX--True.

But how many car enthusiasts say that the S4 is irrelevant because it won't sell in large numbers, and a sports car is "silly nonsense really" because you could make a down payment on an investment property with the money.  Those are NOT enthusiast criticisms.

Anyway, the S4 is awesome, but would be even awesomer if it looked like the swoopy, more exotic S5 Sportback.

[johngenx]

I'd want an S4 Avant with no "S" badges...

 

[Mitlov]

I'd want an S4 Avant with no "S" badges...

 

Sleepers for the win!

[Shnak]

I couldn't care less about the exotic or high-performance cars... for 1) I don't fit in most of them and 2) even if I can ever afford them at some point in my life, I certainly don't see myself ever wasting that much money on a piece of metal.

Personally, I'm only interested in vehicles that I could REALISTICALLY envision myself owning at some point in my life. I just don't see the point in discussing the rest...

Does that make me any less of an enthusiasts then those that care deeply about supercars? I don't think so, but maybe it does, I don't know.

[toolatecrew]

I couldn't care less about the exotic or high-performance cars... for 1) I don't fit in most of them and 2) even if I can ever afford them at some point in my life, I certainly don't see myself ever wasting that much money on a piece of metal.

Personally, I'm only interested in vehicles that I could REALISTICALLY envision myself owning at some point in my life. I just don't see the point in discussing the rest...

Does that make me any less of an enthusiasts then those that care deeply about supercars? I don't think so, but maybe it does, I don't know.

Yet you took the time to read the article open a thread and post a comment about a car that you see no point in discussing? The price if  $70,000. and 52 K are mentioned before the 3rd paragrph. If you don't care why didn't you stop reading? Why post in the thread if you don't care?

HMMMMMMM

It like those people who say "I hate porn. I don't know why people watch that stuff. In that Nurses 7 movie in the 2nd hour in scene 5 where the Nurse says are you ready for your sponge  bath its so unrealistic. Its the exact same line as in Nurses 3 and 4. I I can't belive people watch that stuff only stupid people watch it"

[Shnak]

Well, I still read threads about cars I might interest me in the future... the S4 would be a possibility (unlikely, but who knows, maybe). I usually don't post in these threads because I'm not familiar enough with those types of vehicles...

Besides, the last 10-12 posts in this thread had nothing to do with the S4... it was about why people care about cars, and some people questionning why someone would come to this forum when they're not 'enthusiasts'... I gave my answer to that question.

[johngenx]

Audi finally caught on to the fact that there are a lot of high performance cars for $40-50K and their S4 wasn't really all that special in it's category.  Right now a C63 can be had for about $60K flat and even the big dog of the group, the M3, is priced more aggressively than before.  The S4 just didn't measure up in anything but price, even with the V8.

Now, the blown V6 is still making lots of power, but the S4 runs with a different crowd, and is competitive.  The only problem is almost everyone else is making AWD performance sedans now too.  It used to be that lots of folks picked the Audi over the BMW for the Quattro.

Oh, and I totally agree about the S5.  Better looking by far and a $50K S5 would be pretty awesome.

[quadzilla]

I couldn't care less about the exotic or high-performance cars... for 1) I don't fit in most of them and 2) even if I can ever afford them at some point in my life, I certainly don't see myself ever wasting that much money on a piece of metal.

Well, I still read threads about cars I might interest me in the future... the S4 would be a possibility (unlikely, but who knows, maybe).

 

Anybody else confused?

[Shnak]

I could possibly see myself in a CPO S4 at 30-$35k at some point.

Not that I consider the S4 to be an 'exotic' or 'high-performance' car... when I say those, I mean the high-end Porsches, Lambo's, Ferrari's, R8... see the difference?

[Mitlov]

Now, the blown V6 is still making lots of power, but the S4 runs with a different crowd, and is competitive.  The only problem is almost everyone else is making AWD performance sedans now too.  It used to be that lots of folks picked the Audi over the BMW for the Quattro.

The S4's AWD is better than most in the segment right now though.  Unlike most Quattro systems, the S4's is torque-vectoring.  The 335xi doesn't offer that.  I think the only ones that do are the TL SH-AWD and the 9-3 XWD, and both of those (unlike the S4) are primarily FWD until the torque-vectoring system kicks in.

[toolatecrew]

I could possibly see myself in a CPO S4 at 30-$35k at some point.

Not that I consider the S4 to be an 'exotic' or 'high-performance' car... when I say those, I mean the high-end Porsches, Lambo's, Ferrari's, R8... see the difference?

You could? I thought any car that can exceed 150 kph is deangerous to the public. I thought you've never ever even exceeded 140 kph. Why would you spend 35 K on a used small 4 door sedan with all that HP if it doesn't make you "safer"?

[Shnak]

That really is bordering on trolling, or at the very least, trying to provoke me for no reason at all.

Besides, I'm not the one dumb enough to make a direct link appreciation of a vehicle with speed.

[Flinter]

Anyway, the S4 is awesome, but would be even awesomer if it looked like the swoopy, more exotic S5 Sportback.

Agreed, the S4 does look like an awesome car but the S5 Sportback does have more attractive styling. It it unfortunate neither the S5 Sportback or the S4 Avant will not be available here in NA. That said, I think the new A4/S4 are certainly not bad from a styling perspective. There is a 09 A4 3.2 that I see in my work parking lot every day and it is quite striking. I like it just as much as the BMW 3 series.

Now, the blown V6 is still making lots of power, but the S4 runs with a different crowd, and is competitive.  The only problem is almost everyone else is making AWD performance sedans now too.  It used to be that lots of folks picked the Audi over the BMW for the Quattro.

The S4's AWD is better than most in the segment right now though.  Unlike most Quattro systems, the S4's is torque-vectoring.  The 335xi doesn't offer that.  I think the only ones that do are the TL SH-AWD and the 9-3 XWD, and both of those (unlike the S4) are primarily FWD until the torque-vectoring system kicks in.

With the torque-vectoring Quattro system and a price starting at $52.5K, I think this new S4 is a very interesting vehicle. I'm sure that Audi has the 335i, 335xl in the cross hairs and I think it should be a very competitive offering.

[johngenx]

99% of the current segment buyers don't know squat about AWD, other than if they want it, it should be available.  Infiniti, Acura, Lexus, BMW, Audi and Mercedes all offer it, and other than a few AWD geeks (of which I am one, hence my Subaru ownership) no one cares how it works.

[Shnak]

99% of the current segment buyers don't know squat about AWD, other than if they want it, it should be available.  Infiniti, Acura, Lexus, BMW, Audi and Mercedes all offer it, and other than a few AWD geeks (of which I am one, hence my Subaru ownership) no one cares how it works.

...which only proves that most buyers in this segment care about image more than actual performance...

[Flinter]

99% of the current segment buyers don't know squat about AWD, other than if they want it, it should be available.  Infiniti, Acura, Lexus, BMW, Audi and Mercedes all offer it, and other than a few AWD geeks (of which I am one, hence my Subaru ownership) no one cares how it works.

...which only proves that most buyers in this segment care about image more than actual performance...

I understand your point that many of buyers in this price segment are often image buyers and don't really understand the capabilities of their car. I admitt that the arrogance and condesending attitudes associated with the owners/sales/marketing of some of these brands also bothers me too. 

However, that shouldn't take away from what appears to be a very well executed car. Somewhere there is a team of designers and engineers who put alot of blood sweat and tears into creating a very capable sports car. I'm sure that somewhere there is an auto enthusiast out there who has saved for years to afford to buy a car like this and poured over every piece of data available on this car.

I think if we all start dissing people who buy sports cars like the S4 because of our stereotypes and impressions of them, there will quickly come a time when these cars cease to be made and we all loose out in the end.

Just my opinion... not trying to be an a-hole...

[initial_D]

I don't think the type of AWD system in vehicle costing over $50,000 matters, they will never see any road surface that can chip the paint job.

[Flinter]

Another review and lots of pics of the new S4 at Autoblog.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/28/review-2010-audi-s4-brings-back-the-boost-gives-s-a-reason-f/

In the past, if you wanted a forced induction, all-wheel drive monster with telepathic abilities that can make even the most hamfisted feel like driving deities, you were left with a singular option: the Mitsubishi Evolution. However, some of us actually want to enjoy our time inside and stay on the DL while doing it. Cheap plastics, wonky switchgear and a comically oversized (if functional) rear wing are fine when you're 25, but not when you're looking for an entertaining way to end your day while toiling away in Middleagedom. So what Audi's created is an Evo for the discerning, low-key enthusiast. A sports sedan you actually want to drive, but aren't forced to. And on that measure, they've succeeded – brilliantly.

[rrocket]

But the V8 sounded oh-so-good.....I think the S4 lost a bit of it's character when the V8 went away...

[HeliDriver]

Maybe I'm just being nostalgic, but I think the S4 lost its character when the turbo 5-cylinder went away. 

Again, it's probably just nostalgia, but that early car really seemed special. Sure, the later models kept getting better and faster, but that first S4 was something rare. The same thing happened with the M3 after the E30 version, IMHO.

I saw a new A4 in traffic today and thought it was gorgeous. With its forward weight bias, though, it's never going to come close to being a proper "sports car", even in S4 (or even RS4) guise. I could almost see myself owning an A4 as a stylish cruiser, but I don't think I'd be tempted to step up to the "S".