The handsome, driveable and even affordable A4 1.8 T Avant (e.g, station wagon) was a road-test car that I really wanted to keep. It's the kind of station wagon that makes me dig station wagons. Audi calls it a sport wagon, which might seem like an oxymoron until you get behind the wheel.
The little Avant drives and handles. Equipped with a five-speed stick shift and a surprisingly strong 1.8-liter turbocharged four, it scoots like a sports car. Sounds like one, too. Audi says it will go zero to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds, with the manual gearbox, which is pretty quick for a station wagon. This four is also smooth and quiet, with only a bit of four-cylinder boominess evident under hard acceleration. It does get a bit weak in the knees at low rpm, but not as bad as some other turbos. Shifting is smooth and precise.
The A4 Avant also is available with a 2.8-liter V-6, at a slightly higher price. A five-speed also is available with the six, a rarity in this market, especially in a station wagon. Handling and cornering have the kind of Germanic poise and precision that driving enthusiasts crave. Steering response is quick, the ride is firm and athletic, and the body feels stiff and tight. A twisting back road becomes a romp.
1999 Audi A4 Owners Manual