[Deschodt]

(not so) Quick & unsolicited review for people in my current position, or soon to be… That is: Porsche nuts whose kids have suddenly grown or multiplied, forcing you to downgrade to a sedan as daily driver or risking back surgery repeatedly belting a kid in the backseat of a 911 ;-) And find a Panamera rather ugly and expensive. And see way too many M3s on a daily basis (not to knock it, great car, great sound)

Anyway, the revelation to me was the B8 Audi S4. (2009-2012?) In dual clutch no less. I never could stand driving an automatic for more than a few days, and yet, on this car, I think I prefer it to a stick ! Here’s why this car is fantastic: Audi looks and superb interior finish, 325 lb-ft of torque on 4 wheels, extremely short first few gears for unmatched acceleration, 4 doors, and a very childish exhaust “brap” on the lightning quick gear changes when ignition is cut briefly (like a Rally car waste gate except it's not)… You'll think you are Walter Rohrl in WRC ;-)

Yes, yes, the automotive media will dissect all those cars and generally put the M3 on top, but that's IMO taking too much into account... Track and spirited canyon runs are fun, but more should be made of everyday enjoyment, and 95% of the time you are commuting..and if you are a track rat, you have a track car anyway. My contention is that 95% of the time, this car is more fun that most...

Honestly, I expected not to get used to the twin clutch box, and to grow to dislike the car, but it’s been a year and if I’m honest, I’d buy another one. Me, 911 guy... It does everything well, but the party trick is how the damn thing takes off from a standstill… I honestly think nothing short of an exotic can touch this car from 0-35 mph city speed limits. Yes that’s an arbitrary limit but one we face daily on our commutes… It takes off like a bat out of hell with its ass on fire, but the best part is that it does so without even trying or giving the impression you are trying like a hormonal adolescent in a boosted Civic… You see, Porsches or comparable Bimmer sedans are generally low on torque and give the game away when trying to take off, generally by being loud at high RPMs! The Audi uses its prodigious torque at ridiculously low RPMs and 4 wheel traction to snap your neck over and over (changing 1st to 2nd to 3rd before you hit city speed limits), all without the least bit of effort or high revs… Remember seeing audi quattro take off at race starts on speedTV? It’s really mind boggling, you just go normally, or at least it feels normal, look back, and it seems people at the light forgot to go and you are 200 yds away already. This is the only car my wife complains about, in terms of neck strain and stomach issues, and she's been on track with me !

Now this being an Audi, I should point out I got it used (mongo depreciation) and CPO (don’t ever own one without warranty). Already the tranny brain was replaced along with the rear camera at a virtual cost of $4000! Yeah CPO ! Again, I’m a manual shifter guy but I drove the same car with a stick and it’s not the same… The gears are taller, so it’s a bit slower, and it does not do the ignition cutoff “brappp” on gear changes, which is sad ;-) Why B8? because IMO they effed it up on the 2013 model with a numb electric steering. The previous iteration is hydraulic and quite nice… Anyway, that was just an FYI for those who might find themselves looking for a fun people carrier… Try one… 09-2012 S4. You’re welcome ;-)