Audi V8 Quattro

[CALL_911]

That's part of your plan? I like to avoid taxes and depreciation myself, but it's your money

No, basically, I wouldn't buy even a 5er. I would forget all about it and just buy a smaller BMW.

[CALL_911]

It's because your parents have a brand new Bimmer and Audi, and you have a 15-year-old Subie. Once you get to start driving newer cars, you'll see that they're not really *that* special

Meh, I drove my parents' old TL on occasion. Except for straight-line acceleration and some features, the Audi has it beat, IMO.

[Vinsanity]

Meh, I drove my parents' old TL on occasion. Except for straight-line acceleration and some features, the Audi has it beat, IMO.

What generation TL was it? Mine wasn't the rattletrap yours was for some reason

[Raza]

I believe it was the current TL (before the TL and Type S designations).

[CALL_911]

What generation TL was it? Mine wasn't the rattletrap yours was for some reason

Same one as yours, a 2004.

[Vinsanity]

that's what I thought; I was still more impressed by it than the W203's and E46's I've looked at

[CALL_911]

that's what I thought; I was still more impressed by it than the W203's and E46's I've looked at

The interior of the E46 is very functional, and fits like a glove. Not pleasing to the eye, but very functional. The TL's is very pleasing to the eye. It looks awesome. But in terms of quality, it's pretty average.

[Raza]

that's what I thought; I was still more impressed by it than the W203's and E46's I've looked at

The TL's a pudding.  It drives bigger than it is, it reacts to your inputs about five seconds after you put in, it torque steers like a pig, and the shifter is entirely unimpressive. 

[CALL_911]

The TL's a pudding.  It drives bigger than it is, it reacts to your inputs about five seconds after you put in, it torque steers like a pig, and the shifter is entirely unimpressive. 

Fo sheezy. Except I don't know anything about the shifter, as we had an automatic. My dad said the same things about it.

[93JC]

The interior of the E46 ... fits like a glove.

If by that you mean cramped, I agree.

[Vinsanity]

The interior of the E46 is very functional, and fits like a glove. Not pleasing to the eye, but very functional. The TL's is very pleasing to the eye. It looks awesome. But in terms of quality, it's pretty average.

The E46 also had average interior quality (not any better than the TL, imo)

[Vinsanity]

The TL's a pudding.  It drives bigger than it is, it reacts to your inputs about five seconds after you put in,

I have no idea what you're talking about

it torque steers like a pig,

that's why I now have RWD

and the shifter is entirely unimpressive.

and you wanted me to get a 6-speed?

[the Teuton]

I still have an odd craving for a BMW 2002.  If everything works out, I will have one that runs in less than 3 years.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I still have an odd craving for a BMW 2002.  If everything works out, I will have one that runs in less than 3 years.

3-years! Too much waiting.

[the Teuton]

3-years! Too much waiting.

Yeah, but unfortunately I have to be realistic, and I will have a 2.5 liter Impreza in the next year, so it's not going to be like I'm running around in a Camry or something in the meantime.

[TheIntrepid]

The TL's a pudding.  It drives bigger than it is, it reacts to your inputs about five seconds after you put in, it torque steers like a pig, and the shifter is entirely unimpressive. 

It's still lovely to look at.

[TheIntrepid]

it's not going to be like I'm running around in a Camry or something in the meantime.

The fuck is wrong with that?

[Eye of the Tiger]

The fuck is wrong with that?

It's not an Audi V8 

[the Teuton]

It's not an Audi V8 

Which in turn is not an Impreza...

If you get something with AWD, we might have to go mudding at the GTG.

[TheIntrepid]

Which in turn is not an Impreza...

Which is not a Trep.

[Raza]

If by that you mean cramped, I agree.

Well, it was a small car.  Not all cars need to be the size of a Cherokee. 

[CALL_911]

Which is not a Trep.

Thank god it's not a Trep. Phew.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Which in turn is not an Impreza...

If you get something with AWD, we might have to go mudding at the GTG.

I couldn't bear to get such a pristine V8 all muddy!

[Raza]

I have no idea what you're talking about
that's why I now have RWD
and you wanted me to get a 6-speed?

The TL couldn't come anywhere to match the dynamics and immediacy of the TSX.  Despite having big power and being faster, you're much further removed from the actual driving, and the TL felt like my friend's Regal compared to the TSX. 

It's a car that's too big and too powerful to be a proper sport sedan.  With an automatic, I'm sure it's a capable cruiser, but when you drive a car like that with 18" wheels and sticky rubber and a stickshift, your expectations are different.

And yes, I want you to get a manual. 

[CALL_911]

The TL couldn't come anywhere to match the dynamics and immediacy of the TSX.  Despite having big power and being faster, you're much further removed from the actual driving, and the TL felt like my friend's Regal compared to the TSX. 

It's a car that's too big and too powerful to be a proper sport sedan.  With an automatic, I'm sure it's a capable cruiser, but when you drive a car like that with 18" wheels and sticky rubber and a stickshift, your expectations are different.

And yes, I want you to get a manual. 

Too powerful? For an FWD sports sedan, absolutely. For an RWD one? I think power is a good thing. I can safely say I much prefer the 335i over the 328i.

[the Teuton]

I couldn't bear to get such a pristine V8 all muddy!

Rally technology?  Three diffs?  Use them!

I have two open diffs and while I'd love to get an old WRX rear end, I'd still happily take my car to get a little dirty.  You're buying a porcelain plate when you should probably be buying something a bit more durable.

[Vinsanity]

The TL couldn't come anywhere to match the dynamics and immediacy of the TSX.  Despite having big power and being faster, you're much further removed from the actual driving, and the TL felt like my friend's Regal compared to the TSX. 

It's a car that's too big and too powerful to be a proper sport sedan.  With an automatic, I'm sure it's a capable cruiser, but when you drive a car like that with 18" wheels and sticky rubber and a stickshift, your expectations are different.

And yes, I want you to get a manual. 

Well I guess the big power is more important to me than having razor sharp handling (probably wouldn't have let go of the s2k otherwise), because that was not my impression of the TSX vs. TL. Yes, the TSX was noticeably more nimble, but if anything, it had more body roll, and the underwhelming engine felt like it discouraged spirited driving.

Too big and too powerful? LOL. Maybe you should drive the TL after driving a Charger R/T like I did

[Raza]

It's still lovely to look at.

Eh, it's okay.  Although, you can tell the Japanese still seem to have trouble styling cars to look like they belong in today's landscaping.  The funky slash across the side, the big "ACURA" stamp on the front bumper, and the Type S looks like a fat guy in Batman costume.  Sort of menacing, but also inappropriate. 

[Raza]

Well I guess the big power is more important to me than having razor sharp handling (probably wouldn't have let go of the s2k otherwise), because that was not my impression of the TSX vs. TL. Yes, the TSX was noticeably more nimble, but if anything, it had more body roll, and the underwhelming engine felt like it discouraged spirited driving.

Too big and too powerful? LOL. Maybe you should drive the TL after driving a Charger R/T like I did

Well, like I've said many times, most cars are too powerful nowadays.  But, with large FWD cars, it becomes far more noticeable because the front wheels just can't handle it. 

[Vinsanity]

Eh, it's okay.  Although, you can tell the Japanese still seem to have trouble styling cars to look like they belong in today's landscaping.  The funky slash across the side, the big "ACURA" stamp on the front bumper, and the Type S looks like a fat guy in Batman costume.  Sort of menacing, but also inappropriate. 

I never bothered to remove the front license plate, but I liked the deeply molded character line along the side!

I don't have an image of a fat guy in a Batman costume burned in my head or anything, but a better example of "menacing but inappropriate" would be the Cobalt SS