2001 Audi allroad

It was a Rodgers & Hammerstein month for our One-Year allroad, as shooter David Newhardt traveled to the great state of Oklahoma with the Newhardt boys. Before setting them off on their 2500-miles-in-three-days journey, we had the 10K service performed (including an oil and filter change, plus a tire rotation), and the rear brake rotors were turned to fix a recurring brake pedal pulsation problem. Since scheduled maintenance is included under the allroad's warranty, we left the dealer without paying a dime, and the three amigos were ready for the open highway. Cracking off 1100 miles a day, you find a vehicle's strengths and weaknesses quickly: "The polished shift gate requires careful arm placement to knock down afternoon glare, but the small sun visor above the rearview mirror comes in handy when crossing a desert," Newhardt noted. The three guys and gear fit easily in the Audi, and the rich interior was welcome, especially after sleeping in rustic accommodations. The allroad turned heads at each fuel stop--even grizzled old attendants in Roswell, New Mexico, drew near to check it out. Fuel economy for the trip averaged 21 mpg, and only a quart of oil ($2.39) was consumed.