Draco-REX

Yup. 3.0S.. I mean T. They dropped the V8 for the 2013 model year when they did the facelift.

They're steadily increasing the number of gears in manual gearboxes until they get to the point where people will opt for autos out of frustration. It's a conspiracy.

The Rohrlla

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2805/10186942636_35ac22c780_b.jpg (crappy cell pics until I can take some better ones) Just picked up a 2014 Audi S5 in Phantom Black Effect. Prestige package, Sport diff, S tronic DSG, and Black Optic trim. Named for Walter Rohrl, and for the fact that it's a Rock N Rolla. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8413/10186876965_4e7e55a78e_b.jpg I decided to go against my predjudices and get the DSG for a couple reasons. The S5 manual leaves a lot to be desired, it was on the lot (instant gratification woo!), and all the supercars are coming with automated manuals in one form or another so I thought I'd give it a go. It's comfortable even in dynamic mode, and has more things to play with than I know what to do with. It should be a blast for a day-in day-out driver. And I know it'll be great for my long trips to the coast. Plans are really simple. Winters for these wheels and new wheels for the summer tires that are on it. I don't think I need to upsize a 255/35-19. Wheels will probably be Enkei Raijin 19x9.5+35 in black or maybe silver. No plans for power mods (I want the full warranty available) but I might jump on a catback if I can find a non-droning one for a good price, the car's a little quiet for my taste. But I do want to find some good paddle shifter extensions. The only set I've found that I like are out of stock so far however. Clear Bra and Tint are in the plans. I might, just might, get a duckbill spoiler for the trunk... We'll see.

Update forthcoming.

Ordering is out. From what I've seen on the forums, I wouldn't see it until next year. Getting one transferred in is an option, but the transport fees could be an issue..

Drove the DSG. It's a slick piece of kit, but after further reflection I'm not sure I'm going to go for it. When it comes to S5 prospects it comes down to No Diff, No Stick, or No Warranty.

Rounabouts (or rotaries as us north-easterners call them) are fantastic. Their only real flaw is the dumbasses that can't figure how a circle works.

I was disappointed in how the S5 shifted.. You can tell Audi tried as hard as possible to disconnect the driver from the machinery. The shifter felt more like an exaggerated switch for selecting gears rather than a part of the transmission. Guess I'll see tomorrow.

I would be a huge risk for me... The guy I was working with isn't expecting me back until Wednesday, but I might swing by tomorrow and try the DSG then. 63 though...

Cool. I haven't put all the faces to names yet. So the more I look into it, the more I'm sure I'd be unhappy without the sport diff.

So it does not have the diff.. Gonna have to think about this now..

I think I remember it on the sticker. I've got the sales guy checking it out to verify.

What benefit does it give? I don't plan to AutoX or track this car.

Also, do not handle the rice with metal. Use wood or bamboo spatulas.

Hmm.. The Audi "New Car Smell" sticks in your nose for a long time. Probably by design, now that I think about it.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5457/10141438326_7d251780c0_b.jpg Just made an offer on it. New, 4 year warranty, and I'm trying to get them to throw in the maintennance plan too. It's a sweet ride. Responsive, comfortable, and corners like crazy. The shifter sucks, and the brake pedal is way over-boosted, and I'll have to spend some time getting the driving position the way I like it. But the brake pedal thing is to be expected these days, and the shifter is no real suprise either. So we'll see what they say about my offer.

Factory Five makes a really good kit.

Here's a silly question: Can I do my own oil changes on one of these? Or is that a no-no these days?

There doesn't appear to be a whole lot of depreciation either...

"CR-slow" isn't an issue for me. If a car is enjoyable to drive, I don't need it to have 500hp.

I'm really divided on this. It's a lot of money, but about the same as I had in the STI. Half of me is saying "It'll be a car I keep. I'll drive it year round. I won't get bored with it." The other half of me is saying "Yeah right, I've heard that before." :fuuuu: Good to know. The thing is, from the Audi reviews I've seen lately, their A series seems to be made more for comfort. I tried the nice, comfortable daily driver thing, and it just annoyed me. I don't like driving soft cars and I don't want another car I won't like driving. I really need to go for a test drive in one of these..

I'm seeing used ones everywhere. Do they suck? Why are people unloading them? If I were to pick one up, what should I look for? What are common issues? I picked up a winter daily that looked like it would be a reliable ride. Instead I'm steadily rebuilding the entire thing as it falls apart around me every time I drive it. Maybe it's time to get something nice...

From what I've heard: Crazy woman rams gates at White House with car. She's chased off by those resposible for chasing off crazies. Shots fired. She ditches car. Gets caught. Kid found in car. (possibly got some of the order wrong) Frankly, it's hardly news-worthy, IMO. *shrug*

That's awesome. It must feel so good. I'm down about about 35lbs and I can feel a difference in my weight when I move around. I can only imagine what another 100 on top of that would feel like. Probably feels like you could jump to the moon. Grats.