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First Drive: 2009 Audi A4

I love it...just love it.

There are just too many damn good cars out these days. I can rattle off a number of cars that I'd love to own and this one would certainly be at the top.

I'm wanting to get my wife into something a bit bigger and safer...and this is an excellent option. This or a 335, or a G35 or a CTS or a new C-Class or a Pontiac G8 or countless other cars that are just awesome these days.
 
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Quality remains a key strength for the A4
Click to expand...
edmunds fails in the second paragraph
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I think you're taking that to mean "reliabilty" rather than what they mean by "build quality". You could argue that they should mean the same...but I think that pushing it. Build quality generally means the car was put together with tight tolerances and high quality materials. You can still have good "build quality", but put together a too complicated electrical system that is prone to problems.

Either way, the A4 is actually fairly reliable if taken on its own...well at least relative to the rest of the Audi/VW cars.

 
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I am worried about their commentary concerning "ride" quality.
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I must have some how skipped that paragraph (I'm reading this at work and get distracted a lot). I'm not too keen on that commentary either...I'll have to just see for myself.
 
Originally posted by: PricklyPete
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Quality remains a key strength for the A4
Click to expand...
edmunds fails in the second paragraph
Click to expand...

I think you're taking that to mean "reliabilty" rather than what they mean by "build quality". You could argue that they should mean the same...but I think that pushing it. Build quality generally means the car was put together with tight tolerances and high quality materials. You can still have good "build quality", but put together a too complicated electrical system that is prone to problems.

Either way, the A4 is actually fairly reliable if taken on its own...well at least relative to the rest of the Audi/VW cars.
Click to expand...

i don't think that tactile suppleness is an indicator of the material's quality, only it's luxuriousness (while a lot of people equate the two). quality is something that is going to be hassle-free to use for years. and in that regard audi is far behind much of its competition (though, as you say, the A4 is probably better than the rest of VAG).

it's like having a nice suit with a good pattern and a stylish trim. it may feel nice, it may look incredible, but if it falls apart after being cleaned once, it's not quality.

and how hard is it to put together a power window switch or a CD radio system these days? gf's car has both of those screwed up.
 
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: PricklyPete
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Quality remains a key strength for the A4
Click to expand...
edmunds fails in the second paragraph
Click to expand...

I think you're taking that to mean "reliabilty" rather than what they mean by "build quality". You could argue that they should mean the same...but I think that pushing it. Build quality generally means the car was put together with tight tolerances and high quality materials. You can still have good "build quality", but put together a too complicated electrical system that is prone to problems.

Either way, the A4 is actually fairly reliable if taken on its own...well at least relative to the rest of the Audi/VW cars.
Click to expand...

i don't think that tactile suppleness is an indicator of the material's quality, only it's luxuriousness (while a lot of people equate the two). quality is something that is going to be hassle-free to use for years. and in that regard audi is far behind much of its competition (though, as you say, the A4 is probably better than the rest of VAG).

it's like having a nice suit with a good pattern and a stylish trim. it may feel nice, it may look incredible, but if it falls apart after being cleaned once, it's not quality.

and how hard is it to put together a power window switch or a CD radio system these days? gf's car has both of those screwed up.
Click to expand...

Ze Germans, while wizards when it comes to mechanical stuff, seem to struggle with the electrical components. Always have. If they could only outsource all that to the Japanese, the reliability would be pretty high.

 
backend & taillights look too BMW3 to me (and that's no compliment)

sure a4 is always nice, i drove 00 a4 before.
sticking with cheaper cars nowadays LOL

more houses, then cars
 
The "predator look" headlight trend must be stopped. It's too commonplace and looks cheesy now let alone the near future. The more of-the-moment the more quickly dated.
 
Originally posted by: Auric
The "predator look" headlight trend must be stopped. It's too commonplace and looks cheesy now let alone the near future. The more of-the-moment the more quickly dated.
Click to expand...

I don't agree...but each to their own.
 
Originally posted by: PricklyPete
Originally posted by: Auric
The "predator look" headlight trend must be stopped. It's too commonplace and looks cheesy now let alone the near future. The more of-the-moment the more quickly dated.
Click to expand...

I don't agree...but each to their own.
Click to expand...

Personal preferences aside, seven out of seven front-end photos on that edmunds page sport said headlight look. I posit that we will look back on this and oversized novelty wheels to date old cars much like rocket fins and white walls. Alas, 'tis a matter of form over function.
 
It looks like it's got more leg room in the front and the back, which is a good thing!

I'm not sure if I like the sharper lines, though. It's like they let someone from BMW's design team update the bodywork, because it looks like Chris Bangle design 😕
 
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