 Traded a 2002 S4 with Triptonic; didn't relish giving up the visceral whine of the twin turbos, but the burble of the V8's exhaust is music to my ears. The 2005.5 cost $14,000 more than the 2002; however, it has a lot more content, e.g. Recaro seats to die for, puddle lights, automatic headlights, rain sensing windshield wipers, etc. that makes the price easier to swallow. It is a mature driver's sports sedan, not a frantic M3, or boy racer STI. It is easy to drive fast responsibly. The paddle shifters can be activated while in "D" or "S" which gives you best of both worlds i.e. fully automatic or Tip. Audi Driver (UK) suggests the tip is faster after launch than the stick version...