Cars Worth Noting: 2003 Audi A4 Cabriolet

Who wouldn’t like to drive a convertible for a week?

But let me put a couple of conditions on the question. Who wouldn’t like to drive a convertible for a week during early March in Michigan?

I’d bet a lot less people would raise their hands.

But that’s the thing. With the Audi A4 Cabriolet you barely notice that it’s a convertible thanks to very low wind noise. After driving convertibles for four weeks straight this was undoubtedly the quietest soft top. While I didn’t get much use with the top down for fear of freezing in the snow, I can say Audi has given the underside of the top much attention as it gives its beautiful interiors. (And this interior was true Audi. It was both tasteful and elegant.)

Under the hood of the amulet-red-witha- black-roof convertible was a smooth 220 hp. V-6 3.0L engine mated to Audi’s multitronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). It was one of the first CVTs on a mid-sized car and is completely relevant for automatic loving Americans. But I have to say — and I’m sure many would agree — that this vehicle would be much more fun and spirited with a manual transmission.

A 1.8L turbo also is available and by next year Quattro will be added to the 3.0L along with a 5-speed automatic.

The price tag on the vehicle is fairly steep considering some of the other convertibles on the market. The 1.8L starts at $35,000 with the 3.0L I drove stickering at $46,735.