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MERCEDES 450SL 380SL 560SL AUXILIARY PUMP& MONO VALVE |
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MERCEDES 300SDL 300D 350SDL DIESEL INJECTION PUMP |
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Quick test drive: 2008 Audi RS4 Cabriolet
Quick test drive: 2008 Audi RS4 Cabriolet Friday March 7, 2008 The other day my wife Robin and I were discussing what kind of cars we'd buy for the Gold family garage if money were no object. "I figure you'd want an Audi S4 wagon," I said. "340 horsepower, sixspeed stick, room for your massage table, and seat heaters, plus it's an Audi," I said. "Am I right?" "Close," Robin said. "Actually, I want the convertible Audi we had last week." "The RS4 Cabriolet?" I said. (I had planned on the RS4 Cabrio being my ride, a fact which I kept to myself.) "But what about your massage table?" "Honey, if we could afford that car, I wouldn't need my massage table because I wouldn't need to work." As always, Robin had a valid point, because the RS4 Cabriolet costs around $85,000. You can buy some pretty darn impressive cars for $85,000, including convertible versions of the Porsche 911 and BMW 650i. Would I really blow that kind of cash on what is essentially a gussiedup Audi A4? You'd better believe I would. To find out why, check out my 2008 Audi RS4 Cabriolet quick test drive. Naturally, I'm curious about your opinion: If you were going to drop $85 large on a droptop car, would you go for Audi skill over Porsche or Bimmer cachet? Click the "comments" link below and share your thoughts. Aaron Gold Comments (9)See All Posts PrevNext zSB(3,3) Leave a Comment Comments March 8, 2008 at 9:10 am(1) Mike in Minn says: Heck yeah…I mean heck no…..I mean…I mean…I sure wish I had the money or time to answer that question. I think I would usually go for skill over cachet but at $85000. I couldn’t answer without driving all three. That’s why I read this column. No dealer who’s mentally OK would let a guy drive a car worth his entire annual income. So I’ll leave the opinionating up to you, and I’ll just keep enjoying the vicarious thrills. March 8, 2008 at 12:47 pm(2) iameriica from dallas says: I would so go for the Porsche 911 convertible. At 16 I learned how to drive a stick on the 911. It was a dream car then and is still my dream. My bug convertible will have to do for now! March 9, 2008 at 12:56 am(3) Hawaiian Don says: Gee Aaron, that’s a tough one. Audi vs. Porshe. A great performing car with a very reputable brand versus a brand that has defined performance for decades. On one hand, with the Audi, you can try to explain to everyone why you spent so much money on such a mundane looking car, while on the other hand you’ll just get those approving nods and porschophile grins, as you pull up to the curb. And then there’s “I really got a car that finally fulfills all those things I need in a car” versus “I finally got my Porsche… the ultimate, truly purist driver’s car in the world”…though choice? NOT! This guy will take his Porsche and every automotive dream he ever had and steer directly for Mulholland Dr!!! March 9, 2008 at 11:04 am(4) H Cheese says: Humm, neither..maybe some thing with the initials “MB”? Like a SLK55P30AMG. Less money, fast etc. Just to be different… March 9, 2008 at 12:17 pm(5) Mike in AR says: Interesting challenge. A few options for $85K or less performance orinted convertibles: Audi RS4 or S4 BMW M3(soon to be available) or 335 Vette MB CLK550 MB SLK AMG Porsche Boxster S or RS60 Porsche Carrera (S is much over $85K) Viper As much as I like the RS4, I can see it dropping in value quickly just like other Audis (look at 2yr old S4’s for sale online). Maybe wait a couple of years and get one with low miles for $60K. The M3 is likely to be a great car as well. Hold value much better than Audi’s. However, I’m not crazy about the look of this version of the M3 series (at least not yet). Porsche’s options for $85K are not many. The venerable Boxster S or RS60 would be terrific convertibles for much less than $85K with good performance and driving dynamics. The only 911 convertible in this price range is the Carrera (Not the S) nice but not terribly exciting. The MB options, to me, do not compare with either the M3 or the RS even with all of the HP in those packages do not have the driving dynamics of the BMW or Audi or Porsche. Interesting options would be a Viper and/or the Vette. I prefer the europeans but these two would have to be considered in this $85K or less top less group. My 2 cents and something to think about. Mike (not in Min) but in AR March 10, 2008 at 1:26 pm(6) Michael Edwards says: Ah but if it’s an Audi you crave, what about the Audi A8? Yes it’s not on a par for sporty performance but for luxury most say the interior is only bettered by the RR Phantom. You can get a diesel too, so better fuel economy and less hatred from everyone worrying about being ‘green’. In the UK you can get lease deals of £579 per month, (eg broombroom.com) so suddenly that out of reach budget becomes more attainable. March 10, 2008 at 5:09 pm(7) J Kyle says: If money is no object, why get just one car? Cars are like tools the best job is done by one designed for a specific job, with few or any compromises. A Lotus Elise will make for an unbeatable sports car (forget those overweight, oversized German coupes),a Mercedes AMG for a “family” car (pick which model depending on the size of the family), grab a small Jeep if you like offroading, and if you will be traveling on snowy or dirt roads, you’ll be hardpressed to beat an STI at any price. Throw on snow tires, lock the center diff, and you’ll be able to drive through anything! Besides, you want to STAY rich, don’t you? The Audi will make you poor as soon as the warranty runs out, between the outrageous cost of parts and the questionable reliability! March 19, 2008 at 5:34 pm(8) Hermanthegerman says: Absolutely! Go with the RS4 over its other similarlypriced, convertible german brethren. These cars are the biggest bang for the buck and statforstat beat out many cars at much higher price points (Aston Martins, Bentleys, etc cost much more and are less fun to drive). I’ve been fortunate to drive and ride in an RS4 Cab and it gets plenty of the right kind of attention from people who respect it for the wolfinsheepsclothing that it is. A true sleeper… March 23, 2008 at 11:12 am(9) Scott says: Would I? You bet and I did as soon as saw a dealer near me got one. I live North of Boston and usual have a fun car and then something for the Winter. Got tired of needing two cars and the RS4 Cab is a perfect for me. Threw on some snows and car did better than any SUV I have had. Most of my fun cars were Roadsters, Honda S2000, Boxster S and last car was a Maserati GT Spyder. So could never take wife and daughter. Now I have a car thats great for hauling all of us and then have my true sports car when I want to play. Added a Tubi Exhaust and now feel I have a race car Leave a Comment Leave a Comment Name Email (never displayed) URL Your Comment Line and paragraph breaks are automatic. Some HTML allowed: <a href="" title="">, <b>, <i>, <strike> Say It! gEI("commentform").style.display="none"; var l=getElementsByClassName("leavecomment",gEI("comments")); for(i=0;i