ROK Financial Streamlines Equipment Financing from $10,000 to $5 Million for All Industries
New York, Aug. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
ROK Financial Streamlines Equipment Financing from $10,000 to $5 Million for All Industries
ROK Financial has announced expanded access to its nationwide equipment financing programs, delivering fast and flexible funding solutions for businesses in every sector. Designed for transactions ranging from $10,000 to $5 million, the company's streamlined process leverages advanced technology and a diverse lending network to match clients with competitive offers in record time. Whether a business is upgrading heavy machinery, investing in medical devices, or securing new technology infrastructure, ROK Financial provides options tailored to each client's goals and credit profile.
Businesses interested in exploring their options can through ROK Financial's simple online application, often in 15 seconds or less.
Market Context and Why Equipment Financing Matters Now
In today's competitive economy, the ability to acquire, upgrade, and deploy business-critical equipment quickly can mean the difference between leading the market and falling behind. Industries across the United States face rising costs for machinery, vehicles, and technology, while simultaneously navigating tighter margins and increased competition. For many companies, paying for these assets upfront can drain working capital, limit operational flexibility, and slow growth.
Equipment financing has become a strategic solution for overcoming these challenges. By spreading the cost of essential assets over time, businesses can preserve cash flow, invest in other growth initiatives, and avoid the financial strain of a large one-time purchase. From construction companies needing heavy equipment to medical practices investing in advanced diagnostic tools, the ability to secure financing at scale allows businesses to adapt faster, serve more clients, and compete more effectively.
ROK Financial's programs address these needs by offering flexible funding from $10,000 to $5 million, with terms that can be customized to the client's industry, revenue cycle, and future plans. This approach ensures that each financing arrangement is not just a transaction, but a growth tool designed to position the business for long-term success.
Companies ready to explore these benefits can .
How ROK Financial's Equipment Financing Process Works
ROK Financial has built its equipment financing process to be fast, transparent, and adaptable to businesses at every stage of growth. By combining a nationwide network of lenders with advanced technology, the company is able to guide applicants from initial inquiry to funded deal in a matter of days. This streamlined approach is designed to help companies act on opportunities quickly, without sacrificing due diligence or financial clarity.
The process begins with a short, user-friendly online application that can often be completed in 15 seconds. Applicants provide basic details such as business name, contact information, credit score range, time in business, and estimated equipment cost. This information is used to match the applicant with the most competitive financing options in real time, based on industry, location, and specific funding requirements.
Once the application is submitted, a dedicated ROK Financial loan advisor reviews the details and reaches out to discuss available programs. This one-on-one consultation allows business owners to ask questions, clarify repayment terms, and identify the structure that best aligns with their operational cash flow. For some clients, that may mean a short-term financing option to pay off equipment quickly. For others, it could involve a longer-term arrangement that minimizes monthly obligations while preserving working capital for other needs.
In many cases, applicants can receive a conditional approval within hours and proceed to underwriting the same day. Thanks to ROK Financial's fintech-enabled system, document verification and lender communication happen in parallel, reducing the traditional waiting period. Once final approval is granted, funds can be disbursed and equipment purchased within just a few business days.
This focus on speed and customization makes ROK Financial a strategic partner for businesses that need to move fast in competitive markets. Whether replacing outdated production equipment or scaling up operations with new technology, the ability to secure funding quickly can provide a significant competitive advantage.
Business owners can and explore their options today.
Who Can Qualify for ROK Financial's Equipment Financing Programs
One of the most significant advantages of ROK Financial's approach is its accessibility. While traditional lenders often require extensive operating history, high credit scores, and substantial collateral, ROK Financial offers solutions designed to meet the needs of a much broader range of business owners. This includes established corporations, rapidly growing companies, and even startups that may not yet have a lengthy financial track record.
Credit flexibility is a core part of the program's appeal. Many of ROK Financial's financing options are available to businesses with a minimum FICO score of just 580. This opens the door for entrepreneurs who have strong business plans and revenue potential but may have experienced past credit challenges. The company's lending network evaluates multiple factors beyond just credit score — including time in business, industry, annual revenue, and the specific type of equipment being financed — to create a comprehensive approval profile.
Time in business is another area where ROK Financial stands apart. While many traditional banks set a hard minimum of two years in operation, ROK Financial offers programs with no minimum time in business requirement. For newer companies, initial financing amounts may be capped at $50,000, but these arrangements provide a valuable starting point for building financing history and upgrading equipment over time.
ROK Financial also works across virtually every industry sector. From medical practices purchasing advanced diagnostic tools to construction firms upgrading heavy equipment, trucking companies expanding their fleets, restaurants installing commercial-grade kitchen appliances, and technology startups investing in critical infrastructure — the company's solutions are designed to meet a wide range of operational needs.
By focusing on flexibility, speed, and industry-specific customization, ROK Financial ensures that equipment financing can be an option for far more business owners than traditional lenders allow.
Businesses ready to find out if they qualify can begin the simple application process today and receive pre-approval in minutes.
Benefits of Choosing ROK Financial for Equipment Financing
Selecting the right financing partner is just as important as choosing the equipment itself. With ROK Financial, businesses gain access to a combination of speed, flexibility, and transparency that directly impacts growth potential. The company's model is built on removing traditional barriers and ensuring each client receives a solution tailored to their needs.
One of the most important benefits is speed to funding. In many industries, the ability to acquire new equipment quickly can make or break a project deadline or customer contract. ROK Financial's process, powered by AI-driven matching and a broad lender network, enables many clients to move from application to funding in just days. This rapid turnaround can be critical for businesses responding to seasonal demand, sudden market opportunities, or emergency equipment replacements.
Another key advantage is flexibility in loan structure. Because no two businesses are the same, ROK Financial works to align repayment terms with a client's revenue cycle. For example, a construction company with seasonal peaks may opt for structured payments that match high-revenue months, while a medical practice with steady patient flow might choose evenly distributed monthly payments over a longer term. Loan amounts can range from $10,000 to $5 million, with repayment terms from 12 months to 5 years, ensuring solutions for both smaller-scale purchases and large capital investments.
Transparency is also a defining factor. Through its offer calculator and advisor-led consultations, ROK Financial ensures clients understand exactly what to expect in terms of rates, fees, and repayment schedules. This eliminates uncertainty and builds trust from the very start of the relationship.
Lastly, ROK Financial's reputation in the industry carries weight. Backed by thousands of five-star reviews and a proven record of success across multiple sectors, the company has established itself as a reliable partner for both small businesses and large enterprises. This credibility reassures clients that they are working with a team capable of delivering results.
For companies ready to experience these advantages, exploring ROK Financial's equipment financing options is the first step toward securing the tools and machinery needed to drive growth. ROK Financial's role as a national funding partner has been recognized in prior coverage, including .
Industry-Specific Equipment Financing Solutions
ROK Financial understands that each industry has unique operational requirements, cash flow patterns, and equipment needs. That's why the company offers tailored financing solutions designed to fit the realities of specific sectors, rather than relying on one-size-fits-all lending models.
In construction, for example, access to heavy machinery such as excavators, bulldozers, and cranes can directly impact the ability to win contracts and complete projects on time. ROK Financial works with contractors to secure financing that aligns with project timelines, allowing for rapid acquisition and deployment of equipment without straining budgets.
Medical practices and healthcare facilities often face high upfront costs for essential equipment like MRI machines, surgical instruments, and diagnostic tools. With specialized financing programs, ROK Financial enables these businesses to obtain cutting-edge technology while preserving working capital for staffing, patient care, and facility improvements.
For transportation and logistics companies, keeping fleets updated is critical for meeting delivery deadlines and maintaining safety standards. Whether adding new semi-trucks or upgrading trailers, ROK Financial's programs offer repayment schedules designed to match seasonal fluctuations in demand, ensuring predictable cash flow management.
Restaurants and hospitality businesses benefit from financing options for commercial ovens, refrigeration units, point-of-sale systems, and more. These upgrades can improve efficiency, meet regulatory requirements, and enhance customer experience, all without requiring a large one-time expenditure.
Technology firms, manufacturing plants, and other high-growth industries also rely on ROK Financial for funding high-value assets such as servers, automation systems, and precision manufacturing equipment. By matching each financing package to the unique operational rhythms of the industry, ROK Financial helps ensure that equipment investments translate into measurable business growth.
Business owners in any sector can start their tailored financing journey by completing ROK Financial's quick and secure online application.
The Role of Technology in ROK Financial's Financing Process
Technology is at the core of ROK Financial's ability to deliver fast, competitive, and flexible equipment financing. By integrating advanced AI-driven matching systems with a diverse national lender network, the company can rapidly align applicants with the most suitable funding offers available. This approach eliminates the delays and inefficiencies often seen in traditional financing models.
When a business submits an application, ROK Financial's platform instantly analyzes factors such as industry, equipment type, credit profile, and geographic location. Using this data, it generates a shortlist of lending partners whose programs are the best match for that specific borrower. This precision matching not only accelerates the approval process but also increases the likelihood of securing favorable terms.
ROK Intelligence, the company's proprietary technology, plays an important role in maintaining transparency. Applicants can use the offer calculator to see detailed breakdowns of terms, rates, and repayment schedules before committing. This allows business owners to make fully informed decisions without the uncertainty that comes with hidden fees or unclear timelines.
The technology also streamlines underwriting by enabling secure, real-time document uploads and verifications. This reduces the back-and-forth communication and redundant requests that slow down funding in traditional channels. As a result, many clients can move from initial application to equipment purchase in a fraction of the time it would take with a standard lender.
By combining speed, accuracy, and transparency, ROK Financial's technology-driven approach turns equipment financing into a strategic advantage for clients. Businesses can and start their application with confidence, knowing they'll be matched with competitive options tailored to their goals.
Customer Success Stories and Testimonials
ROK Financial's impact is best understood through the experiences of the businesses it has helped. Across industries, clients consistently point to the company's speed, transparency, and personal approach as key reasons they choose to return for future financing needs.
One small manufacturing company in the Midwest secured $750,000 in funding to replace aging production equipment. Facing increasing orders and tight deadlines, the business needed to upgrade machinery without interrupting operations. ROK Financial's team structured a repayment plan that matched the company's seasonal revenue patterns, allowing for smooth cash flow while boosting output capacity by 40% within the first year.
A medical practice in the Southeast needed an advanced diagnostic imaging system to expand its range of patient services. With a purchase price exceeding $1 million, the equipment represented a major investment. ROK Financial's advisors secured financing with competitive terms, enabling the practice to introduce new treatments, attract additional patients, and improve overall care without taking on unnecessary financial strain.
Even new businesses have seen measurable results. A startup logistics company with less than a year in operation obtained $50,000 to purchase its first delivery vehicle fleet. This initial investment allowed the company to expand its service area, meet demand more efficiently, and build a track record for future funding opportunities.
Clients also praise the level of support provided throughout the process. One business owner described their experience by saying, 'ROK Financial was with me every step of the way and answered every question I had. They made the process simple and stress-free, and I'll be coming back for my next round of funding.'
These stories highlight how ROK Financial's personalized approach helps businesses not just secure equipment but achieve long-term growth. Companies ready to take the next step can with a quick and secure pre-approval process.
How to Get Started with ROK Financial
Beginning the equipment financing process with ROK Financial is designed to be straightforward, fast, and free of unnecessary complexity. The company's streamlined application process allows business owners to move from initial inquiry to funding without delays, giving them the ability to act on opportunities as they arise.
The first step is to complete ROK Financial's simple online application, which can often be done in as little as 15 seconds. Applicants will provide essential details such as their name, business information, credit score range, and the type of equipment they wish to finance. This initial submission is secure and does not impact the applicant's credit score.
Once the application is submitted, ROK Financial's advanced matching system immediately connects the applicant with programs from its extensive lender network. A dedicated loan advisor then reaches out to discuss the options in detail, explain repayment terms, and answer any questions. This consultation ensures that each client understands the terms and chooses a financing arrangement that best fits their cash flow and growth plans.
From there, the underwriting process begins. Applicants can upload necessary documents securely through ROK Financial's platform, allowing the lender to verify information without time-consuming back-and-forth requests. This step is often completed quickly, enabling many clients to receive funding in just a few business days.
The final step is the purchase of the equipment, which can take place immediately once funds are disbursed. Whether acquiring a single piece of critical machinery or outfitting an entire operation with new assets, ROK Financial ensures that the process is smooth and predictable from start to finish.
Business owners who are ready to take the first step can start their application today and see how quickly they can secure the equipment needed to strengthen and grow their operations.
The Economic Impact of Fast, Flexible Equipment Financing
For many businesses, access to fast and flexible equipment financing is more than just a convenient funding option—it is a critical driver of economic growth. When companies can quickly secure the tools and machinery they need, they are able to take on larger projects, serve more customers, and generate more revenue. This not only strengthens the business itself but also has a ripple effect throughout the local and national economy.
In manufacturing, for example, updated equipment can increase production efficiency, reduce waste, and improve product quality. These gains lead to higher output, which can support larger contracts, new client acquisitions, and more competitive pricing in the market. The resulting growth often translates into new jobs, both directly within the company and indirectly through suppliers and service providers.
In the construction industry, the ability to acquire heavy machinery without delay can determine whether a contractor wins or loses a bid. Having the right equipment in place allows projects to be completed faster, with fewer delays and lower operational costs. This efficiency benefits not only the contractor but also the broader community by accelerating infrastructure development.
Small businesses also see measurable impact. From restaurants upgrading kitchen equipment to healthcare providers installing advanced diagnostic tools, these investments improve service quality, attract new customers, and strengthen long-term stability. In many cases, the increased revenue generated by these improvements far outweighs the cost of financing.
By offering terms that can be aligned with each business's cash flow cycle, ROK Financial makes it possible for companies to invest in growth without overextending themselves. This balance between opportunity and financial stability is key to sustained economic progress.
Business owners who want to experience these benefits firsthand can learn more about ROK Financial's programs and begin the process of securing funding today.
Final Thoughts and Call to Action
In an economy where timing, efficiency, and adaptability can determine long-term success, equipment financing has become a vital tool for businesses of every size and industry. The ability to secure funding quickly, without sacrificing transparency or flexibility, allows companies to act decisively when opportunities arise.
ROK Financial has positioned itself as a trusted partner for businesses seeking these advantages. By combining a nationwide network of lenders, advanced AI-driven matching, and a commitment to personalized service, the company delivers solutions that meet the unique needs of its clients. From startup ventures to established enterprises, ROK Financial's approach ensures that equipment financing is not just a means to acquire assets, but a strategic pathway to growth.
The results speak for themselves: faster funding timelines, tailored repayment structures, and access to a broad range of financing amounts—from $10,000 to $5 million. This flexibility enables business owners to upgrade, expand, and compete more effectively, without jeopardizing their operational stability.
For decision-makers ready to invest in the future of their business, there's no reason to delay. The application process is fast, secure, and designed to deliver results in days, not weeks.
Business owners can and take the first step toward securing the equipment they need to succeed in 2025 and beyond.
Contact Information
ROK Financial
Phone: (833) 3-ROKBIZ
Email: info@rok.biz
Website: https://rok.biz
Office Hours: Monday – Saturday, 8:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. (EST)
Disclaimer: The information in this release is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Financing terms, conditions, and availability may vary based on factors such as creditworthiness, equipment type, and lender requirements. Prospective borrowers should consult directly with ROK Financial or their financial advisor to understand the specific terms and obligations associated with any financing arrangement.
CONTACT: Phone: (833) 3-ROKBIZ Email: info@rok.bizSign in to access your portfolio
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Mega $33M office-shipping center near N.J. Turnpike to open next year
The Joyce Kilmer Logistics Center, a new $33 million industrial project in Middlesex County, is expected to be completed in 2026. Faropoint and Deugen Development closed on the construction loan for the 195,421-square-foot complex this summer, according to a news statement issued by Cushman & Wakefield, which arranged the loan. The center, located at 701 Joyce Kilmer Ave. in New Brunswick, will feature 36-foot clear ceiling heights, 32 loading docks and electric vehicle parking spaces, and modern office space, according to the statement. It is designed to accommodate mid-sized users, with the flexibility to divide into smaller units ranging from 40,000 to 50,000 square feet. The project is strategically positioned near major transportation routes including the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) and Route 1, providing easy access to key consumer markets in New York City and Philadelphia. 'The Exit 9 industrial corridor has become a gateway for commerce in the northeast and has benefitted from a rapid surge in demand for modern industrial facilities, driven by e-commerce growth and supply chain optimization,' said Brad Domenico of Cushman & Wakefield. The development also addresses a specific market need, according to Orry Michael, vice president of Northeast Acquisitions at Faropoint, who said there is a 'limited supply of new Class A product with suites under 100,000 square feet in this Exit 9 micro-location.' Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff.
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Aecom (ACM) Is A Top Stock For US Manufacturing Reshoring, Says Jim Cramer
We recently published . AECOM (NYSE:ACM) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer recently discussed. AECOM (NYSE:ACM) is an American infrastructure consulting firm based in Texas. Its shares have gained 12% year-to-date and jumped by 6.3% in August after the firm's fiscal third quarter earnings. The results saw the firm's $1.34 in EPS and $4.178 billion in revenue beat analyst estimates of $1.26 for the EPS and miss the estimates of $4.30 billion. After the results, analysts from Keybanc and UBS raised Aecom (NYSE:ACM)'s share price targets to further stimulate the stock. Cramer also believes that the firm is a key play to benefit from data center construction and US manufacturing re-shoring: '. . .people are looking for ways to be able to play the reshoring. The best ways are Aecom . . .But Aecom and Jacobs go. . .' During its earnings call, AECOM (NYSE:ACM)'s management commented on its business tailwinds: 'Infrastructure enjoys strong bipartisan support across all of our markets and is an essential element of thriving economies. Fourth, we are investing to accelerate organic growth and expand our competitive advantage. This includes ongoing additions to our advisory and program management teams to meet growing demand as our clients navigate greater regulatory uncertainty and larger investments. This is consistent with our long-term objective of delivering 50% of revenue from advisory and program management over time.' While we acknowledge the potential of ACM as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the . READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data


Car and Driver
19 minutes ago
- Car and Driver
Unfair Fight? 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX vs. Audi S4 Quattro and BMW 330xi
From the October 2001 issue of Car and Driver. The Law of Diminishing Returns: A yield rate that, after a certain point, fails to increase proportionately to additional outlays of capital or investments of time and labor.* *American Heritage Dictionary, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1992. Relax, we're not about to launch into a sleep-inducing lecture on money supply, interest rates, and the effects of Alan Greenspan's bedtime rituals on the Gross Domestic Product. The definition is for those of you who are wondering how we could even think of comparing a car costing $25,000 with two that each cost 60 percent more. The question here is: If you spend that extra 60 percent—40 thousand bucks in all—do you get a car that is 60 percent better? In the 40-grand corner we have the Audi S4 Quattro and the BMW 330xi. In the other corner—actually, down in the bargain basement—lurks our underdog, the $24,520 samurai challenger, the Subaru Impreza WRX. Unfair comparison, you say? Duuuh! But wait—check the spec sheets. All three cars have full-time four-wheel drive, four doors, manual transmissions, engines with 225 or more horsepower, and interior and exterior dimensions that come within inches of one another. View Photos JEFFREY G. RUSSELL | Car and Driver Our glowing reviews of the WRX suggest it's a worthy opponent to two of our favorite sporting sedans. The snorty little Subaru sedan has rocked the sporting establishment by producing a remarkable combination of performance and character for the price. We only decided to send it to the wolves after we looked at other similarly priced sedans and realized that matching them against the WRX wouldn't be a comparo, it'd be a slaughter. So we called in the German sharks. Both the Audi and the Bimmer have been frequent honorees on our 10Best list (10 straight years for the 3-series and three years for the S4's less-powerful sibling, the A4). Audi's S4 is a pumped-up, twin-turbocharged version of the A4 and has the added distinction of being the first and only car to outperform the previous-generation M3 in a comparison test. While the M3 has moved up in price—to $46,000—and in performance, BMW has also upped the performance of the entire 3-series line. The model representing a step down from the new M3 is the 330i, offered in both two- and four-door bodies and available with a $1750 four-wheel-drive system that changes the model designation to 330xi. Ask any one of us to pick our favorite cars, and these three would be high on our list. View Photos JEFFREY G. RUSSELL | Car and Driver If you're thinking we've put ourselves in the unenviable position of having to choose a favorite child in this test, you would be right. We put the three through our usual battery of performance tests, lapped DaimlerChrysler's 1.7-mile road course, and tore up the curvy roads of northwestern Pennsylvania—a fitting locale since the discovery and eventual refinement of oil in these hills made fortunes for many and changed the country's path nearly 150 years ago. And, of course, without oil we wouldn't be writing this. Many of us have been quick to point out that there's no need to spend more than $25,000 on a car. Do the German cars deliver the goods to justify their major-league prices? Let's find out. 3rd Place: BMW 330xi View Photos JEFFREY G. RUSSELL | Car and Driver Let this comparo remind all the whiners out there that we don't automatically place the trophy in the trunk of the car bearing the whirling propeller badge before the test. In this one, the Bimmer finished last. What gives? Clearly, this BMW wasn't loaded to compete with the two others. Its 225-hp six-cylinder engine is the least powerful of the group, and it's pushing around the second-heaviest weight. At the drag strip, it lost the sprint to 60 and through the quarter-mile. Still, we love its engine. Neither of the other cars can match the throttle response of the Bimmer's six, which doesn't bear the burden of spooling up turbos. Comments such as "power oozes out in silky-smooth pulses" and "very smooth and strong and makes the best noise" filled the BMW's logbook. HIGHS: Supple ride, slick transmission, graceful moves, silky engine. LOWS: Flat seats, few features for a $40,000 car, underwhelming grip, revs too high on the highway. VERDICT: We expect more from a BMW, especially a $40,000 one. View Photos JEFFREY G. RUSSELL | Car and Driver View Photos JEFFREY G. RUSSELL | Car and Driver We also thought the five-speed was the best-shifting box of the bunch, with low effort and Teflon-coated detents. The transmission routes power to a planetary center differential that under no-slip conditions supplies the rear axle with 62 percent of the torque. Should one wheel slip, the electronic traction control of the Bimmer's Dynamic Stability Control system routes the power to the wheels with grip. The rearward torque bias preserves the rear-drive handling we've come to appreciate in BMWs, but sadly, BMW doesn't offer on four-wheel-drivers the optional stiffer suspension and larger wheels and tires of the 3-series Sport package. The setup of the base model is softly tuned and has weak tires. "Definitely the Cadillac of the group," complained one tester. The Cadillac of the group? A BMW? It was also the quietest. We're not above appreciating a good-riding car, but unfortunately for the BMW, neither of the other cars was unduly harsh, so the BMW came across as somewhat floppy. View Photos JEFFREY G. RUSSELL | Car and Driver And then there are the tires, which squeal at even modest cornering speeds. The tires and the soft suspension conspire to hurt the BMW in every test of grip. The Bimmer finished the poorest on the skidpad and in the lane-change maneuver. On the road course, the 330xi rolled in the turns and the tires howled in protest, limiting cornering speeds and putting it 3.4 seconds behind the Audi and 1.8 seconds back of the Subaru. BMW has heard complaints that the base 3-series is too soft and in response has made the Sport suspension—but not the tires—standard on all 3-series produced after last March. That change was too late for this roundup, and any egg that appeared on the BMW's grille from its performance on the road course quickly flew off when we hit the back roads. The soft suspension displayed a fluidity we hadn't anticipated after those disappointing track laps. We still don't endorse the trend to light steering, but the brakes had the best feel of the bunch, with a firm pedal and perfect linear action. If you're still incredulous over the BMW's third-place finish, consider the features content of the Bavarian car, which at nearly 40 large as tested came with lousy, nearly flat seats that are covered in "leatherette." Sounds like a covering better suited to a $25,000 car, doesn't it? 2nd Place: Subaru WRX View Photos JEFFREY G. RUSSELL | Car and Driver We're still arguing the Subaru's second-place finish. Two of the three voters put the Subaru in first place, with the Audi second. But one—and he'll remain nameless—put the Audi first and the Subaru last, so when we averaged the scores, the Subaru missed the top spot by just one point. So what's missing in the $25,000 car? Actually, it's not what's missing, it's what's there, and in the case of the Subaru, there's a lot of extra noise. The Subaru's sound levels were the loudest during all our decibel tests. The WRX does not qualify as a loud car compared with others in its price class, but it becomes one when the competition gets very expensive. Poke around the Subie's exterior and interior panels, and you see how the noise trickles through to the inside of the car. There's only a paper-thin mat on the trunk bottom and no covering for the underside of the trunklid or hood—items both the BMW and Audi have. HIGHS: Killer value, seats, handling, and turbo 00mph. LOWS: Freeway hum. VERDICT: If you can find a better $24,520 car, buy it. View Photos JEFFREY G. RUSSELL | Car and Driver So the Subaru has less sound-deadening material. The major parts of the interior—the sharp-looking metallic-ringed gauges, the Momo steering wheel, the center console— are all impressive, but the WRX's remaining plastic trim is much flimsier than that in the pricey cars, particularly the handsome Audi. The plus side to the frugal use of sound-deadening material is the WRX's light weight. The Subaru weighs 433 pounds less than the BMW and is 560 pounds lighter than the porky Audi. That said, two of the test drivers weren't annoyed at all by the noise levels. All of us loved the wonderfully designed and supportive cloth seats, the favorite chairs of the group. We also liked the Subaru's in-dash CD changer and cassette player, a combination unique in this zooty group. The Subaru also has no power seats, no stability control, no automatic climate control, and no sunroof. That nose-dived its features rating, but to us, many of those goodies fall under the "nice to have but you don't need them" category. View Photos JEFFREY G. RUSSELL | Car and Driver The rest of the car is pure joy. There's a touch more turbo lag than in the Audi, but we could get a better launch in the Subaru, which gave it a slight edge in the low-speed-acceleration tests. The trick is to do the unthinkable in a four-wheel-drive car: Hold the revs at five grand, and drop the clutch. The WRX's full-time four-wheel-drive system uses a viscous limited-slip center differential that routes power equally to the front and rear axles. The clutch drop breaks the tires loose for only an instant, and then the WRX leaps off the line, scooting to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and through the quarter in 14.1 seconds at 96 mph—both the best of the bunch. Turbo lag, however, rears its head in the top-gear tests where the Subaru trails from 30 to 50 mph. Keep the engine rpm north of 3000, however, and you won't notice the lag. We also found the Subaru to be the most neutral-handling of the group. Midcorner throttle lifts cause the rear end to slide just enough to tighten your line without provoking fears of a major spin. "Subaru got the big stuff right—the motor, transmission, seats, and handling," wrote one tester in the logbook. That sums up how we feel about this car. One can only marvel at what Subaru could do with another 15 grand. 1st Place: Audi S4 Quattro View Photos JEFFREY G. RUSSELL | Car and Driver So, you say there's no mystery to the Audi's win. Why wouldn't the most expensive car in the test win? Its as-tested price is $1659 above the BMW's and a universe beyond the Subaru's sticker—exactly $16,262 more. Likewise, you get a ton of stuff—power, torque, valves, features, gears, grip, and pounds in this contest. But you don't get the quickest sprinter to 60 mph. Owing to its greater girth and tires that refuse to break loose at the moment of launch despite our best efforts, the Audi trailed the Subaru to 60 mph by a smidge, 0.1 second. By 100 mph, however, the Audi had picked up enough steam to be a half-second ahead of the two other cars, and it continued to widen the gap to its governed 142-mph top speed. But the Audi is the king of every other performance contest, posting significantly better numbers on the skidpad (Audi, 0.86 g; Subaru, 0.82 g; BMW, 0.78 g), through the lane change (67.8 mph versus 66.5 for the Subaru and 63.1 for the BMW), and around the road course, where it was nearly two seconds a lap quicker than the second-place finisher, the Subaru. HIGHS: First-class cabin appointments, potent turbo mill, tenacious chassis. LOWS: Touchy brakes, rubbery shifter. VERDICT: Feels like a $40,000 car. View Photos JEFFREY G. RUSSELL | Car and Driver The Audi is the amusement ride of this group—sit down, buckle up, and hit the button. It's the easiest to drive of the trio, with benign handling and nearly telepathic steering. "The most enjoyable and secure car to drive fast. The rubber really bites in the corners, and the engine pumps power like a fire hose," said one test driver. Which brings us to the wonderful twin-turbocharged 30-valve V-6 engine. There's noticeably less turbo lag in the Audi than in the Subaru. The S4's engine enjoys a considerable displacement edge over the Subaru, so it feels more powerful off-boost. Plus, it runs less boost pressure (10.2 versus 14.2) and employs two blowers, which spool up faster than the Subie's single unit. Unfortunately, the six-speed's action is best described as rubbery. The gearbox routes power to a four-wheel-drive system that uses a Torsen limited-slip center differential to send power to the axle with the most grip, so the traction control only has to limit slip from side to side. Like all the systems here, it's transparent under normal driving conditions. View Photos JEFFREY G. RUSSELL | Car and Driver In addition to the shifter, the powerful brakes drew disparaging comments as well, despite their ability to stop the car from 70 mph in only 164 feet. "There's lots of pedal to push through before the brakes retard, and then the binders are way too touchy," mused one tester. Yet those two niggles did not alter our appreciation of this car's great versatility. Not only is it swift, it's also plush and very serene on the highway. It's easy to drive fast, yet as comfy as a La-Z-Boy. And no one can dispute the attractiveness and quality of the Audi's interior—its subdued hues and materials would fit nicely in a car costing twice as much. And as much as we liked the S4 model, it still came achingly close to being beaten by a car that is hugely less expensive. Perhaps it's not right to say that the S4 is 60 percent better than the WRX. Maybe the best way to put it is that in this test, our collective minds simply liked the S4 60 percent more. Car and Driver Specifications Specifications 2001 Audi S4 Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan PRICE Base/As Tested: $40,782/$39,534 ENGINE twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 30-valve V-6, iron block and aluminum heads, port fuel injection Displacement: 163 in3, 2671 cm3 Power: 250 hp @ 5800 rpm Torque: 258 lb-ft @ 1850 rpm TRANSMISSION 6-speed manual CHASSIS Suspension, F/R: multilink/multilimk Brakes, F/R: vented disc/vented disc Tires: Pirelli P6000 225/45YR-17 DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 102.6 in Length: 176.7 in Width: 72.7 in Height: 54.9 in Curb Weight: 3652 lb C/D TEST RESULTS 60 mph: 5.5 sec 1/4-Mile: 14.2 sec @ 97 mph 100 mph: 15.0 sec 120 mph: 23.1 sec Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.6 sec Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 8.7 sec Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 7.4 sec Top Speed (gov ltd): 142 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 164 ft Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.86 g C/D FUEL ECONOMY 950-Mile Trip: 21 mpg EPA FUEL ECONOMY City/Highway: 17/24 mpg -- 2001 BMW 330xi Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan PRICE Base/As Tested: $36,385/$39,123 ENGINE DOHC 24-valve inline-6, aluminum block and head, port fuel injection Displacement: 182 in3, 2979 cm3 Power: 225 hp @ 5900 rpm Torque: 214 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm TRANSMISSION 5-speed manual CHASSIS Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink Brakes, F/R: vented disc/vented disc Tires: Continental ContiTouring Contact DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 107.3 in Length: 176.0 in Width: 68.5 in Height: 56.5 in Curb Weight: 3525 lb C/D TEST RESULTS 60 mph: 5.7 sec 1/4-Mile: 14.4 sec @ 96 mph 100 mph: 15.5 sec 120 mph: 25.2 sec Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.6 sec Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 8.3 sec Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 8.2 sec Top Speed (gov ltd): 129 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 175 ft Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.78 g C/D FUEL ECONOMY 950-Mile Trip: 24 mpg EPA FUEL ECONOMY City/Highway: 20/27 mpg -- 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan PRICE Base/As Tested: $24,520/$24,520 ENGINE turbocharged and intercooled flat-4, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection Displacement: 122 in3, 1994 cm3 Power: 227 hp @ 6000 rpm Torque: 217 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm TRANSMISSION 5-speed manual CHASSIS Suspension, F/R: struts/struts Brakes, F/R: vented disc/disc Tires: Bridgestone Potenza RE92 205/55VR-16 DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 99.4 in Length: 173.4 in Width: 68.1 in Height: 56.7 in Curb Weight: 3092 lb C/D TEST RESULTS 60 mph: 5.4 sec 1/4-Mile: 14.1 sec @ 96 mph 100 mph: 15.5 sec 120 mph: 25.2 sec Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.6 sec Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 14.2 sec Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 10.0 sec Top Speed: 142 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 181 ft Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.82 g C/D FUEL ECONOMY 950-Mile Trip: 23 mpg EPA FUEL ECONOMY City/Highway: 20/27 mpg C/D TESTING EXPLAINED