Ok folks – I figure before I total it and kill myself, you might want to see some “before” pictures of my new car, which I just brought home last night. I’ve already put about 60 miles on it. These were “quick and dirties” I did this morning – don’t get your hopes up for any works of art .. just a lovely car .. look for “new blue beast” in the “car” section of the gallery:

[Edited to include the main gallery link]:
http://gallery.citrano.com

Enjoy – and for those of you who whined and complained tonight because there are no interior pix, give me a couple of days…

holy gear-chirping, batman. this thing kicks ass. photos to follow

This year’s Halloween costume.

Is it Halloween yet?

How ’bout now?

Today drove an Audi RS6 and a Volvo S60R. The RS6 is a totally amazing automobile (drawback that it’s an automatic but dear GOD trust me when I say it doesn’t matter, especially with the tiptronic paddles). This is a true supercar… and at $80k++ it ought to be.

The Volvo is very nice, but the S4 is superior in almost every way. There was a touch more headroom in the front of the Volvo, but the rear of each felt equally tight. Basically, with the front seat in my ideal driving position, there was precious little legroom in the back of either car. This is, for all intents and purposes, a very minor issue since no one is going to be back there 99.9% of the time, and I can move my seat forward and live with the pinch when there is. At least there are four doors. Read the rest of this entry »

Took an Audi S4 out for a nice long drive tonight. Wow. Like a little blue pill, except not so little. How long until I’m supposed to call the doctor? Four hours? Or six? More later.

Car hunt update.

The current short list:

• Audi S4
  
• Audi RS6 (if found within rea$on, but my recent research indicates that is unlikely)
  
• BMW 545i 6-speed (would prefer AWD, though – but am going to drive one anyway – a truly great sedan)
  
• BMW M5 (again, if found within rea$on, but I don’t like the electronics in the older ones [02-03] and the new ones are not out yet and way more than I want to spend)
  
• Volvo S60R (would love to test drive one if just one of the dealers I’ve contacted (Dalzell, 128 Volvo, and Boston Volvo) would respond to my multiple e-mails)
  
• Mercedes E500 – while a great, powerful sedan, it only comes in an auto and I fear it is too middle-agey in character. Although they look younger in person…
  

But I am definitely accelerating the hunt. I had set a target date of February or March but I don’t think I’m going to make it… my instinct says the moment is nearing. I can practically smell the seat leather (don’t tell the dealers this). Accordingly, I will be test driving a 2005 Audi S4 tomorrow. My main worry about the S4 is reliability – I remain a little concerned as to whether Audi have pulled themselves out of their late-90s quality funk. The last few years of reliability numbers indicate that they have done so, and well. The S4 is an aggressive racer and all-around rocket ship – yet has the maturity of a stable, 4-door sedan. I like its look, its power, its stance. Originally I thought they might be too small, but sat in one a few months ago and was very impressed – seemed every bit as roomy as my i30. So, the size issue is off the table. Now, to drive one. To really drive one. I pity the sales rep, should they choose to accompany me.

Advice welcome.