was the s4 tiptronic or a manual?...sounds like it was an automatic. jackg 90seville 95k

 

Thought this was a forum where opinions were welcome.

So you bash more expensive cars simply because they're more expensive? Or you somehow chalk it up to the owners of these cars just being more "conceded" ? Interesting. Has it occurred to you that maybe, just maybe, you sometimes get more when you spend more? Or that people buy more expensive cars because that's what they want, not because they're insecure status seekers? You really think everyone (really, everyone) driving an M3 or S4 does it because they're "conceded" ? (I'm quoting here, becuase you obviously haven't figured out the difference between "conceded" and "conceited").

Nowhere in my post did I say anything negative about the Mustang. It's a $25,000 car that performs better than some more expensive cars, but there are other areas where it gives you just what you'd expect for $25,000 - interior, suspension, feature content, etc. I don't hold any of that against the Mustang - I think it's a good deal.

If street racing is your thing, great, but I'll call it like I see it, and continue to take every kill story with a grain of salt. You don't like it? Deal. Or better yet, come up with a rational argument and convince me instead of this petty, all-caps yelling kid stuff. [/b][/quote]
i only said that because most of those cars do NOT justify the price and are primarily bought to make the neighbors go wow

 

Actually, S4= V8-powered Passat. The Passat and the A4 share the same platform. The Jetta shares its platform with the Golf/GTI.

And the Euros have this annoying tendency of ignoring low-end torque. How else can a Ford GT hang with two cars with much lower power/weight ratios (Ferrari Enzo, Porsche Carerra GT)? The GT possessed actual, tangible low-end torque.

 

Agree. I like the Mustang in large part because it's what those cars aren't: expensive, complicated, somewhat overengineered. Plus any modifications I'd like aren't going to cost an arm and a leg - your supercharger example is perfect. The other reason - never have owned a V-8, and after driving the GT, I was sold. [/b][/quote]
True enough.

But remember, too, that this new Stang is technologically far more advanced than any Mustang before. Not as much so as its expensive competitors from Germany, but here's the crucial difference: It's pretty amazing what Ford can offer performance and styling and quality-wise for $25K. I doubt ANY German maker could build a car with the Mustang's performance or technology for the SAME amount of money: they just couldn't do it.

And wait til the Cobra arrives...and Shelby's new Mustang!

It's nice to see that the REAL Mustang is finally back after a 30 year absence.

 

Wow, Robert. Besides your avatar, you said something half-way intelligent counter to al;l your previous posts of how cheap the mustang is.

Congrats.

 

Actually, S4= V8-powered Passat. The Passat and the A4 share the same platform. The Jetta shares its platform with the Golf/GTI.

And the Euros have this annoying tendency of ignoring low-end torque. How else can a Ford GT hang with two cars with much lower power/weight ratios (Ferrari Enzo, Porsche Carerra GT)? The GT possessed actual, tangible low-end torque. [/b][/quote]
Wouldn't be sure about A4 and Passat sharing platforms... The Jetta is the Bora in Europe which is a mix of Passat and Golf... but I think that A4<->Passat thing might not be true... not sure though

 

smoke them yuppies in their audis!!

 

Yes, there are status-seeking, penny-loafer-wearing, zima-drinking posers out there driving BMWs, Audis, M-Bs, etc. That's a generalization, though - lots of guys in M3s (and A4 1.8Ts and 323is and even 318tis) are autocrossing those cars or using them in club racing events. It's a safe bet they're being bought because someone wants a 333HP car that does 0-60 in 4.5 (or whatever), and not because they're status-mobiles.

I guess that's the point - lumping the drivers of these cars together and branding them posers is like looking at all the V-6 convertible Mustangs out there and saying something stupid like "the Mustang is a secretaries' rental wimp-mobile". Bad stereotype, you agree?

 

The Passat shares its platform with the A6, the Jetta with the A4, and the Phaeton with the A8.

I thought we were getting rid of political avatars...

 

I have 282 posts. You should read more than just the last dozen or so.

My only gripe is that for an extra $2 - $3K, we could have gotten an interior that was 100% the way there...instead of cutting costs and settling for just 80% the way there. Even for just a little more, the Stang would still be far more competitive, and then the Euros and Japanese would REALLY have something to be nervous about.

 

According to the Audi brochure I have it's
Curb Weight:
Manual=3936
Automatic=4036 :shock:

 

I've never driven a German car, so I can't speak from experience. We do, however, own a 96 Jaguar XJ6. I can say this: European cars have a different feel to them. Our Jaguar feels more substantial than anything I've ever driven. However, I'm used to driving Mercury Sables so I can't really speak too much. I've driven a V6 Mustang before, which the Jaguar is obviously leagues ahead of, but I mean I'm guessing an S4 or M3 would be pretty fun to drive. Still, a Mustang is a Mustang. A Mustang has character. It's not a guised up Volkswagen. It's a Mustang. A lot of people like them. Some people don't. If it's not for you, it's not for you. If it is, keep visiting this messageboard. If it isn't, I'm not sure why you're here. Jealous, I guess. Maybe you're an F-Body fan in grievance ..

By the way, before anybody jumps on me or my family for being (a) ******, let me make a few things clear ..

1) Jaguar was purchased used
2) Parents paid cash for it
3) My mom is a teacher, my dad is a product designer .. we're not rich (we don't fit into Kerry's $200,000 tax bracket .. although $100000 says we'd still have our taxes raised if he were to get elected), we just spend money wisely

We didn't buy the Jaguar as a status symbol. We just liked the looks and handling of it. Since it was in our price bracket, well, let me ask you this: wouldn't you like to own a Jaguar? Unfortunately, it seems that many people seem to look at it as some status symbol for my family. My mom drives it to work and lots of people speculated that she is working an overload (over 100%) because she bought the car. They were surprised when she retorted that the car was paid for. That raised a few eyebrows and left a few scratching their heads. Buying a car on payments isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's just not how my parents like buying cars, and I think it's a smart idea. Cars are not investments in the slightest, unless you're buying a rare car that appreciates. As much as I like the 2005 Mustang, if you buy one new - you're going to lose a lot of money it eventually. Don't let my financial advice stop you from buying a car though. I'm just a 17 year old kid without a lot of money and parents who are caring enough to save their money for my college education.

 

I have 282 posts. You should read more than just the last dozen or so.

My only gripe is that for an extra $2 - $3K, we could have gotten an interior that was 100% the way there...instead of cutting costs and settling for just 80% the way there. Even for just a little more, the Stang would still be far more competitive, and then the Euros and Japanese would REALLY have something to be nervous about. [/b][/quote]
The problem is if it was any higher you alienate the people who the Mustang is trying to attract. I want a Mustang GT for 26-27 not 30. And you know what I got it. If I want heated seats I'll get a Lexus.


And I know people keep saying that it would be good if Ford just offered these as options and not cut costs just so it would be an option. But this just doesn't happen, because when you have more options or addition of packages, you would have to change the plant around, get different suppliers/vendors, and so on. It just becomes expensive, and sooner or later, the money that goes into making extra features optional filters down into the car even if you don't get that option.


PS-Thanks for taking my previous post so lightly, that won't happen to that extent again.

 

The problem is if it was any higher you alienate the people who the Mustang is trying to attract. I want a Mustang GT for 26-27 not 30. And you know what I got it. If I want heated seats I'll get a Lexus.


And I know people keep saying that it would be good if Ford just offered these as options and not cut costs just so it would be an option. But this just doesn't happen, because when you have more options or addition of packages, you would have to change the plant around, get different suppliers/vendors, and so on. It just becomes expensive, and sooner or later, the money that goes into making extra features optional filters down into the car even if you don't get that option.


PS-Thanks for taking my previous post so lightly, that won't happen to that extent again. [/b][/quote]
I don't agree with the first statement about alienating the customer base. I think the customer base has a greater chance of being expanded with this new model...and will ultimately need to be catered to.

I can see where your second point could be a problem...as far as retooling manufacturing is concerned, however. Not sure what to say about that. Perhaps SE models or the Cobra may also address not only performance increases, but feature increases too. Dunno.

No worries, man...people are gonna disagree, it's inevitable. It's all good.

 

I'm suprised no one has mentioned the fact that the person in the S4 probably couldn't drive worth a darn. For a 340hp AWD car to get blown off from a stop the person had to be sleeping or not giving it enough revs at launch. Thats really pathetic. I'm not doubting that the Mustang is quick but jeeze...

 

I believe if they were both good drivers, the Mustang would have the S4 out of 1st but thats about it.

 

Based on stats I've seen, I thought that the 05 and S4 would be neck and neck at 60mph, with the stang just barely edging the S4 out in the 1/4.

 

Actually, S4= V8-powered Passat. The Passat and the A4 share the same platform. The Jetta shares its platform with the Golf/GTI.

And the Euros have this annoying tendency of ignoring low-end torque. [/b][/quote]
As said before....

A4/S4/TT=Jetta/Bora/Golf (I can go on about the SEAT and Skoda versions...)

A6/S6=Passat

A8L=Phaeton (We don't get the short wheelbase version here)

As for torque, odd how my Jetta really pulls at mid-range RPM...



Now, if it was a VW R32 or TT 3.2 v. the Mustang...that would be a very tight call...

 

The S4 is a tiptronic and he used it.

He might not be a "proffessional" driver, but he does know how to drive his car.

The closest race we had was from a stopped position at a light. The Stang whipped his butt going from 60-110 -- the Stang's have great high RPM HP!!

I know some of you don't believe me, but take your Stang's out there and you'll see....it really is a pretty quick car.

 

Nope, the passat shares it's plattform with the A4 and the A6. Basta!