Convertible Vehicles - Just got the WS6 Vert! Thoughts...

It is a Black 1998 WS6 A4 Convertible. There was only about 100 of this combo, and this particular one only has 38,600 miles :) Also has TR224 cam, 3500 stall and a few other tiny mods. Here's a pic and a write up ...

http://tannercreative.com/ws6vert/DCP_6111.jpg

My first thought when I looked at the car was WOW! Very very clean. For the first time in my life, I got a nice car where everything works, and nothing leaks or smokes! It is actually a joy now to drive around town. It did stall out a few times when I was putting it in reverse or going up my driveway to park, so I don't know what that was from but it starts right up each and every time with no driveability issues.

I love the fact that I can put down the top at a light. Try that with T-Tops! On second thought, I'm sure many have tried - and succeeded :)

The car does have some fairly good power - nothing mind blowing by any stretch of the imagination, but I would say it is mid-high 12s right now, so not as fast as I thought it would be. It doesn't have the ls6 intake or headers, so that surely should help.

The things that suck about it is the HUGE blindspots - I don't like changing lanes with the top up! How friggin horrible. Thats ok though. Another is how loud it is just sitting in traffic with the top down. On my way home from the dealership, a guy pulled up and started asking me questions about it. I said "It's too loud!" He said "Thats JUST how I like it!" :drive:

I think this will be a nice and fun little toy for hopefully years to come!

The things that suck about it is the HUGE blindspots - I don't like changing lanes with the top up! How friggin horrible.


That was the ONLY complaint I ever had with my vert as well, the blind spot is awfulllll :(

Beautiful car though, you scored a nice one it sounds like. Headers and intake would definately benefit that LS1 a ton :)

nice car

Looks amazing man!! Blind spots are horrible but after awhile you get used to em...try having 3% tint all around, makes merging onto an interstate a lil more of a challenge :jest:

Beautiful car man!!!! I love it. Looks showroom new. You'll get used to the blind spots. I use my rearview mirror a lot and know if anybody gets up and stays beside me.

Nice looking car!!! Keep her clean.

So wait, it has an aftermarkert cam, but stock exhaust manifolds?

yes - at least from what I can tell. I know the cam is aftermarket (TR224) and I looked down on the sides of the engine which looks like just the stock exhaust manifolds.

Congratulations! I see that dealership all the time on ebay. How were they to deal with?

very good - i gave them a refundable $200 deposit, came in, tested it, liked it and took about 10 minutes to fill out paperwork. Texas Direct Auto :)

CONGRATS! Looks like my twin. Does it have a cat-back (sounds like it might) or does it still have the SOTL (kinda rare to see these anymore)? The SOTL is louder than the '99+ factory WS6/SS exhausts. I see the front calipers are red and has embroydered (sp??) headrests (nice) and silvered-bird on the front plate cover. What sound system is in it?

As far as blind spots, ever try driving a cargo van? You learn really quick to live-and-die by the side mirrors. I used to drive one so it wasn't a big transition for me to drive my 'vert w/ the top up. But still, I strive to do the majority of my driving w/ the top down (never in rain or snow) so the blind spot issue is moot.

Congrats again and welcome to the club!

BTW, black may be the most "common" color for WS6s, but there's a good reason for that: Black is the BADDEST!! :jest:

Very nice car.

I have one intersection coming to work that is a Y merge and I have to stop just in the right spot to see safely in the mirror when the top is up. A real PITA.

That is a beautiful car!! The blindspot issue was the hardest thing for me as well. Coming out of an explorer I would catch myself looking at my blindspot but to only see a black top. Just have to check your mirrors more often and remember who's behind you. Great Find!

Looks great. I'm jealous that you still get to drive yours!!

Damn nice car man!! :thumb:
...black verts just look so damn cool IMO. ;)

Looks great man, enjoy! As for the blind spots, I have three pieces of advice for you.
a. buy little(about 1.5 inch diameter) stick on convex blind spot mirrors to stick on the outside corners of your mirrors. Lets you see if someone is in your blind spot with your side mirrors.
b. If you're pulling up to an intersection that is not perpendicular, turn your car so it's perpendicular to the street you are coming onto as you come to a stop. That way you can see both ways.
c. Don't worry about it, you won't be driving with the top up much. I've put over 30,000 miles on my car, almost all of which, the top was down. If you need to back up in a tight spot but it's too cold for top down, you can put the top down for a minute then right back up. Or even at a bad intersection? it's just a button.

Damn nice car man!! :thumb:
...black verts just look so damn cool IMO. ;)
:cheers: