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Fun to drive = handling..... Posted by Mike Lynch [Email]  (#81) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Mike Lynch) on Thu, 30 Mar 2006 16:26:03
In Reply to: 9-3 aero sc, audi 3.2 a3, or volvo v50 t5?, davidwb, Thu, 30 Mar 2006 07:35:58 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Audi does a very good job of disguising the extreme nose heavy bias of the in line, entirely ahead of the front wheels, engine configuration. That's why Quattro helps balance the car, but even with Quattro and it's tenacious confidence inspiring grip, the Audi doesn't "handle" all that well, reverting to a serious plowing posture when trying to find the handling. Once you mount snows the advantage of AWD is negated in almost all circumstnaces and you're left with the extra expense, heft and maintenance of the AWD. Also the A4 is somewhat smaller than a 9-3 inside. Inside that smaller interior of the Audi is much nicer interior craftsmanship.
The 9-3 has much better weight distribution with it's transverse engine set back in the chassis and aluminum hood, and the 9-3 has ReAxe rear wheel steering, the loaded outside rear wheel in a corner toes out slightly to kill the inherent understeer, which IMHO makes it a much better "handling" or feeling car. Torque steer in the 9-3 is virtually non existent.
The V50 T5 is more comparable to the 2.0T engine wise than the V6 Aero, but is significantly smaller than a 9-3. I don't fit in the back of an S40, the sedan version of the V50. Also, again IMHO, I don't find the inline fives to be sweet motors. An inline five isn't rough, it just isn't sweet, it has a rasp to it. The handling of of the Volvos isn't as sharp or as balanced as the 9-3 either and that seems to be true in general about any Volvo vs the equivalent Saab.
Do the Audis still have 4/50 full maintenance vs the Saab 3/36 scheduled maintenance? Advantage Audi. I believe the Volvo doesn't include any maintenance at all.
No losers here, three fine automobiles with distinctly different character.
, Thu, 30 Mar 2006 16:26:03 <-- Viewing This Message
, Thu, 30 Mar 2006 12:59:54, Thu, 30 Mar 2006 13:01:13
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