It's 10:30pm and I have a SMART QUESTION ...

[Taipan]

Smart as opposed to dumb. Well hope so [img]images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Imagine you had a +/- USD 50K budget and you lived in a country where RS4 aren't sold -and imports aren't allowed nor a reasonable option-. A bit like trying to buy a ghost red RS4 in France... [img]images/graemlins/062802beat_prv.gif[/img]

Then what would be your definite choice for an AWD sports car for that budget ?
(ie can't afford the RS6, Cayenne Turbo and Murcielago)
Either new or second-hand, stock or highly tuned if any.

Eric

[RSKicker]

50keys of what?

[Taipan]

Hum, seems the dollar sign didn't go through.
USD 50K.
Eric

[PhilT]

Are you saying that the RS4 wasn't sold in France?!?!?

My option would be to move to Germany [img]images/graemlins/nodder.gif[/img].

[Taipan]

Now that's a reasonable option. [img]images/graemlins/boots.gif[/img]
"Honey, pack your things, take the kids out of school, learn German. Thrust me, it's worth it and it's Old Europe anyway. Oh, and would you marry me ?"
[img]images/graemlins/rocketwhore.gif[/img]
Eric

[TimJMS]

Eric this post is SO hypothetical, that I would never really do this you understand, but your question intrigued me.... so after 5 minutes of head scratching it would have to be the Volvo S60R.

This could never actually happen though. It is simply my choice from a poor shortlist. [img]images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[sam3027]

The new V70R's are a bit tasty, same as the S60R just bigger, and an estate. Don't diss Volvo estates anymore me ol' matey, they're swift. 300 horses, and a fair bundle of torque too. And reliable. Otherwise, you're right, not too many other options. Subaru Impreza WRX? Or the Forrester of course. I think Mitsubishi do an AWD version of the Galant VR-4's, they're rapid too. Errrrm, I'm a bit stumped it has to be said. Perhaps a 3 litre Jaguar X-Type?

Tio

[jeffw]

Subaru Legacy B4RSK.....

or the New Legacy Blitzen
if you want a similair sized car or
Subaru Impreza STi8.....if you want a smaller car.

[Taipan]

Thanks! I must say I never thought of these to come-up, apart from the Impreza STI.

I expected the German usual suspects to come first : Porsche C4/C4S (993), followed by the S3/S4 and Golf R32, or maybe the incoming TT V6 with sequential gearbox.

Tim : I hear you, but this hypothetical question is somehow my own situation [img]images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]. I've been scouting all FR sites (Audi.fr, Centrale, Argus-Auto, Caradisiac, Ebay) and calling Audi agents on a regular basis for a second-hand red one for 4 months, with zero-nada success.
Except for one potential 450hp import through Mobile.de where I was asked to do a 20K USD deposit, pay a hefty 6K USD commission to the dealer over the DE advertised price (actual import/registration fees are about 800 USD), in a transaction where he'd only appear as a "escrow" party, not a professional car dealer (gives a lot of warranty and legal coverage for a FR private buyer, vs buying from a private owner). Didn't like the smell, so I backed out.

I've got the money ready, I want to buy one but I can't find...
Thus my candidly starting to look for other alternatives so hopefully when the track season re-opens in spring, I can join the party.

Eric
PS : the M Coupé is immobilized, can't drive it anymore.