Thanks El Bro for the comparison photos.
The 98s still look so darn impressive side by side with the qs 2013.
The webtec has so much detail. The vivid black lines. The REAL "webbing" . Up close, it's not so much a solid orange color like the recent ones seem to show. The glossiness on the webtec. Then you have the grey mudguard with a visible texture. And the color. Also, the upper ankle collar shouldn't have 100% perforated leather holes. Close but for me, a bit incomplete still.
I guess getting the leather right is their first step. But $120 is still $120. I am so far removed from any sort of desire to own these after years of miscues and waiting, that it's really quite easy to pass on them. My 09s haven't been worn since 2012. So maybe I get to wearing those, and buy these 2013s in 2014.
p.s. My 1999 pimento retros had the midsole crumble on me a few months back. Be careful whatever you do do with the 98 auburns