New Car Reviews - Long-Term Update

'96Audi A4QuattroThe Audi A4 Quattro wundercar continues to impress us with its luxurious trappings and ultracompetitive as-tested price. Although the 2.8-liter/172-horse V-6 and five-speed automatic transmission combine to deliver a rather sedate 9.5-second 0-60-mph time, the composed Quattro driveline feels capable of doling out even more power to all four wheels. The anti-lock disc brakes provide brief, predictable stops, but coat the front 16-inch alloy wheels with lots of brake dust. Logbook entries rave about the richly textured dash, sport steering wheel, and genuine walnut trim; however, there seems to be a steep learning curve for mastering the stereo and climate controls. The leatherette-upholstered, mildly bolstered seats have met with favorable reviews, with the exception of one editor who would prefer more lumbar support. A few full-size passengers have also found the back seat confining. The ersatz "shaved rhesus monkey fur" armrests already are beginning to show signs of wear, leaving us questioning why they weren't covered in the more durable pseudo leather.

'96Chevrolet TahoeThe monster-size workhorse of our long-term fleet has been busy since the last Update, hauling people, furniture, and even a couple of trailers. Pulling a pair of personal watercraft through local mountains for a weekend getaway wasn't even a challenge to the might of the Tahoe's standard 5.7-liter/250-horse Vortec V-8 engine. With a combined weight approaching three tons, 60-0-mph braking distances stretched a bit from the unladen Tahoe's recently recorded 151 feet, but the Tahoe's straight-line performance was little affected by the small trailer. Logbook entries have noted long brake-pedal travel and an initial mushy feeling. In back, the seats fold flat, creating 123 cubic feet of cargo space-enough room to transport extra-large objects with the tailgate closed. As summer arrived, we discovered the air conditioner couldn't deliver the cool air needed to survive the blistering heat. Our Chevrolet dealer tracked the problem down to a leaking O-ring, which was repaired under warranty. However, with a warehouselike volume of air to cool, the system remains challenged on 100-degree days.

'96 Plymouth Neon SportWith a reasonable base price of $12,500, the Plymouth Neon Sport Coupe screams practical fun. Out of the box, the wide-eyed two-door boasts a 132-horse four-cylinder engine, performance-tuned independent suspension, power locks/mirrors, and a power-bulge hood. At only $150 extra, upgrading to the high-revving 2.0-liter/150-horse DOHC engine was an easy decision. For an additional $1250 investment, Customer Preferred Group 23K added air conditioning, a six-speaker AM/FM/cassette stereo, and floormats. The package was rounded out with power windows ($265), speed control ($225), Flash Decor interior ($120), and 14-inch aluminum wheels ($355). The total tallied $15,315 for our black sportster. The Neon's relatively low 21.1 average mpg is the result of a day of hot-laps at a local road course, but that number should soon climb toward the 28-mpg city EPA rating. The coupe races 0-60 mph in 8.2 seconds. The only major problem so far: The power-steering belt spun off during a high-rpm shift; it subsequently was replaced under warranty by the dealer.