SouthernBoy

After eleven years, I am going to be letting my 2004 TL 6MT go. I'm going to order a 2016 Audi S4, manual of course, this week and wait several months to receive it. Don't know whether I will trade my TL in or sell it outright. It is pristine, garage kept it's entire life (even under covered parking when I was working), has no door dings, dents, or anything else going on.

It's been, overall, the best car I've ever owned but just once more in my life, I want a balls to the wall machine. It came down to the new Mustang GT or the S4. Drove both of them last week and the Mustang had very little throttle response, which surprised the hell out of me. I was very disappointed in the Mustang and frankly was anxious to get it back to the dealership

The S4 had a lot of throttle response, not to mention the fact that it is a sedan AND a fine one at that. Lots of power. How's a 0-60 in 4.4 seconds sound with a 12.9 quarter mile? It will hang right with a Camaro SS (425HP, 426 lb/ft torque). It's a wolf in sheep's clothing and a real piece of work.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

farewell southernboy.
thanks for providing our forums with your knowledge!

post pics of the S4 when you get it!!

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

I was just thinking about you the other day when I was reading some of your usual informative posts in an older thread. You will be missed.

Good luck with the S4. It is a beast. Post pics when you get it and

sockr1

iTrader: (5)

I learned a lot from some of your posts when I became an owner in 2008, the s4 would be my choice as well.

Good luck and post pics of the new car when it comes!!

erdoc48

I just want to ask...how many miles on your 04? Will you be selling it here on Azine?

Good luck with the S4!

SouthernBoy

I may still visit here occasionally. Met lots of good people here.


Thanks for the kind words. I hope I was of help to others here. I know I learned a lot about my car and things in general.


Thank you. I'm pleased you picked up some useful information. The S4 has been in the picture for me for a year now, as has the new Mustang GT. The Mustang just didn't cut it whereas the S4 went beyond my expectations.

SouthernBoy

It's got just over 110,000 miles (less that 110,100). Original clutch, original rear brakes, Rotex Gold Kevlar pads up front to hold the dusting down. Everything works. I would be willing to entertain offers but right now my plan is to trade it in.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Take care buddy

6MTSSR

That's crazy,,,the mustang had no throttle response with over 400hp!!! the Audi and mustang have exactly the same hp/torque numbers and weigh about the same.The Camaro ss mustang gt and the s4 should run within a few tenths of eachother..weird.

wlbolton

SouthernBoy,

Do as I did. Keep the Acura TL and add the Audi. Nice having both.

wlbolton

SourhernBoy,

Although it's not the S4, I have the A5 which I loving.

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

I was wondering whether you still had your TL. You are certainly one of the few OG owners left here on AZ. You've provided a wealth of info through the years and it's certainly appreciated (now only if people would use the search function ).

Bummer to see you go, but the S4 is definitely a nice upgrade/pick up from the 3G TL.

Does the wife still have her AT 3GTL?

SouthernBoy

Thank you. I do plan on coming back from time to time.

SouthernBoy

The '15 Mustang Coyote engine comes in at 435 HP and 400 lb/ft of torque. The lack of immediate throttle response was very disheartening. There's no other way to describe it other than you had to add a fair amount of throttle to feel anything and when you did, it felt lazy. It had the standard read end, which is a 3.31 gear, but even that shouldn't have accounted for what I experienced.

I looked up a road test of the Camaro SS and the numbers were virtually identical to those of the Audi S4. And their weights are quite close. Now Audi is only claiming 333 HP and 325 lb/ft torque so they are indeed being very conservative in what they report. Dyno results show a different story for that engine... as do the times.

SouthernBoy

I considered that when I was leaning towards the Mustang GT. Have my toy and my sedan. But this won't happen with the S4.

SouthernBoy

I see your A5 is a coupe. I have a strong bias towards sedans. But yours is nice.

SouthernBoy

So nice to hear from you! I'm happy to see that you're still on board. I am looking forward to the S4 but I have to say that it took me over a year to actually make the move. I just didn't want to let go of my '04 TL. I was afraid I'd have buyer's remorse.

You've got a great memory. Yes my wife still has her '05 TL automatic. She intends to keep it for some more years.

anx1300c

iTrader: (2)

Good choice! I'd take the S4 over a Mustang as well (of course it's more $), but without a reflash, I can't see it hanging with the 5.0 at anything over 40-50 mph. The 5.0 is a 111-113 mph trapping car vs 105-106 mph for the S4. GIAC has a great reflash available though that will put down over 400 AWHP.


I've driven both myself, a 2011 5.0 6MT with the 3.73's and I was surprised at the lack of low end torque. It was similar to the TL in that regard (just faster). I think peak torque comes in around 4k rpm? Even a bone stock 335i automatic feels stronger right off idle, but in reality, the 5.0 is just heaps faster once things start happening. It's deceiving the way it seamlessly builds power. I did get the chance to flog that Mustang on the highway and it got well into triple digit speeds quicker than the S4 I drove. The S4 just has way more low end grunt, similar to the 335i.


Overall, the S4 is much nicer, better interior, smoother, more curb appeal etc, but a new one is out of my price range.

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

I've been accused of that whole good memory thing before.

Your TL is a rare bird... clean, lowish miles for its age, with a MT. Mine is still a baby and babied while the MDX gets daily driven for the most part. as long as you are happy with making the move to the S4 then that's all that matters. I'm the same way with big purchases. Research, mull, research, mull....

I won't be in the market for a new ride for a while. Nothing really resonates with me.

MR1

It's been a pleasure reading most of your post over the years. Best wishes with the new ride.

SouthernBoy

The new Mustang GT and the S4 run pretty close ET's in the quarter mile. If driven right, the Mustang should be quicker by a few tenths. Gears are going to make a difference as well, though the S4 comes with a 3.68 which is so close to a 3.73.

The Mustang GT I drove last week lacked that sense of urgency. No real throttle response and flooring it didn't result in a serious push into the seatback. This should not be the case with that car. And even though the Coyote 302 V8 is a small displacement engine, managed the right way, it should be a balls to the wall power plant.

I do know of a few after market performance sources for mods for the S4 but I am not of a mind to be modding that car... at least not any time soon.

SouthernBoy

I also tend to have a good memory... except for people's names.

Yes it is rather rare as TL's go. A neighbor has expressed an interest for her soon to be 16 year old son's first car. He's a good kid but I'm not so sure about that one.

My problem with getting a new car is that my candidate list is so short. I cannot even consider any car that is not offered with a manual transmission so that really narrows my list of choices and tends to put them in a rather pricey niche. Like the new Cadillac ATS-V. Lots of power and can be had with a manual but there are some drawbacks.

SouthernBoy

Most of them? Not all of them? Where did I go wrong?

So how are you? All is well on your side I trust.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

I love the S4! Congratulations

Don't forget to share pictures when you take delivery!

ngg19

yes you have provided many thoughtful and useful insights regarding the 3G. I still use your shifting method and am happy to report that my manual transmission still works great. But my interior is starting to go: crack dash, cup holder cover, fogged rear view mirror--oh well, it does have 124,000 miles

I too will be selling towards end of the year; already deposited money on a 2016 Chevy ss with manual transmission ; that car is off the charts though gas mileage is poor. have fun with the Audi

SouthernBoy

I had to replace my "fogged" up rear view mirror a few years ago. Did the wife's at the same time since I suspected that one would also go out before long. My interior still looks good which I imagine is due mostly to not being in the sun very much (garage kept and parked under cover at work - when I was working).

Congrats on the Chevy SS. I've seen it on MotorWeek and advertised in MotorTrend. Good for you for going with the manual.

Will Y.

Drop by in Car Talk when you get the chance.

My wife said I can get a manual car next time, but manual trans sedans other than the 335i and Q50 are becoming rarer, and often are special-order items rather than in dealership stock.

SouthernBoy

Yes, the choices are getting more limited.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

Wait, the Q50 can come in manual??? I thought Infiniti didn't offer it??

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Congrats-post pics of your new ride when you get it.

Will Y.

Holy mackerel-- it doesn't! I was thinking of the predecessor G37.

See what I mean about getting stick shifts getting rarer?