New Car

hftw Audi 6 · 12-08-04, 09:32

Ok guyz i am coming up on the time in which i am getting rid of my A4. I have narrowed the field down to a couple of cars and i am wondering opinions on which one i should pick and y, anyone w/ and opinion or better yet owns one or has, leave a comment let me kno

Current Ride:
99' Audi A4

Considerations:
2002 Audi S4
2004 VW R32
2004 Subaru Sti

Let me kno...

Accumulator · 12-08-04, 09:43

Having owned a few (non-STi) Subies and a *lot* of VW/Porsche/Audi products, I don't think you'd be satisfied with the overall quality of the Subie. I know my wife and I weren't and I can appreciate bare-bones cars (I love my Chevy copcars and they're really crude). IMO, since you're used to an Audi, you'll be *far* happier with the R32 or the S4 even if it's not as quick as the Subaru.

I'd get the R32 unless you have a *very* good relationship with a very good VW/Audi shop. And I'd like its naturally-aspirated nature better in traffic. Fastest on paper isn't always most fun to drive in the real world.

On the Audis, check that the drive-by-wire on the one you're buying satisfies you. There's a lot of variation between examples and it can't be improved if it's a bad one. Audi's d-b-w can be just *awful*, I've had an A6 4.2 repurchased by the dealer over it.

Once you've owned Audis, Subarus just don't cut it (just my opinion, of course).

But yeah, the STi is a fun ride, had a few hot laps in one and it's quite a track car right out of the box. Serious turbo lag though, no fun in traffic if you're paying for clutches yourself.

LouisanaJeeper · 12-08-04, 10:42

2002 Audi S4 overall

the sti will be faster though

BookemDano · 12-08-04, 10:50

I have an '02 A4, 3.0 V6, 6-speed, sport pak. The body quality and interior quality are first rate. Seats are fantastic. But...

It has two issues. First, it tramlines somewhat on rutted highways. Irritating, but not critical. Second, it is very unreliable. The electrical system is abysmal.

I leased it in November, '01. When the lease was within two months of termination, I puchased an '05 Subaru Legacy GT with 5-speed auto.

The good news was the GT handled better than my Audi, rode almost as well and was faster (even with an automatic). BUT, the seats were horrible! I started having nerve problems in my hands. I could NOT position the seat that it was comfortable AND drivable. Then I found out that today's seats have some much electronic and air bag stuff in them that they can't really be modified.

So, after owning the owning the Subie for a few weeks, I traded it in for a Subaru Forester for my wife and puchased the Audi when the lease terminated. I lost a bundle, but it was the right decision. Now I don't have back and hand problems.

So the big reason I got rid of the Subie was the seat and seating ergonomics. That said, I was disappointed in several things with the Subie:

- Overall quality was about step below the Audi. The paint was pretty good, but fit and finish were only fair. Not even as good as Mazdas and Nissans.

- Interior quality was 2-3 steps below Audi. Some things were very cheap.

- Steering wheel and seat adjustment were very poor compared to Audi.

- Dealer service was completely unacceptable. When I picked up the car it wasn't detailed very well. And one of the accessories was not installed correctly. But the big issue was that they did not care about the customer...

24 hours after I picked it up, I noticed that the tire pressure was seven pounds low. When I tried to put air in the tires, something appeared to be wrong with the valve stems. When I called the dealer, they said, "Sorry you have to take it to a tire store." I said, "WHAT!!!! THE CAR IS 24 HOURS OLD!" I got the same story from the Service Manager. So when I calmed down, I called them back and said, "OK. Who does your tire warranty work?" And their response was, "You'll have to find a store in the phone book." At that point, I went serously ballistic.

Subaru (or at least my dealer - Chaplins Subaru in Bellevue, WA) has the WORST service I have ever encountered!

I didn't want to buy a Forester, but my wife wanted one and we got a very good deal.

In any case, I STRONGLY recommend that you do NOT buy a Subaru.

Regards,

Dan.

Corey Bit Spank · 12-08-04, 11:21

New Legacy 2.5GT?

You could also wait and hope that they bring over the Legacy 3.0 6 speed.

Whoa, I didn't read the last post. I should hope Audi pays closer attention to detail than Suburu, they are usually 5,000 more than Subies.

You could also look into the TL 6 speed. Or wait to see how the Mazdaspeed 6 turns out.

Or the CTS. But then we're getting pricey. 3.6 + 6 speed in the CTS is getting up to 37k.

G35stilez · 12-08-04, 12:17

I'm not a big fan of Audi's. They look nice but I'm not impressed by how they drive/handle/accelerate. I drove in an A4 and it's very laggy and delayed...Maybe I'm saying this because I drive the next closest thing to a go-kart, but I do have to say my dad's Cobra Mustang is pretty up there compared to an A4. Yes yes, I know, different league, but an S4 is pretty much in the same league as an S4, minus the doors.

I think the R32 is an amazing machine. It's the cream of the crop of VW sports cars and I think they have put out a real winner.

Sti is nice but you have to think...Will I ever be happy with the damn thing? It's the way I feel about my car. The possibilities are endless, but your bank account isn't. You gotta think about modding before you buy because Sti's can rack up quick.

BTW: Where are you getting this money

?

gnahc79 · 12-08-04, 12:32

Can you give info on what you'll use the car for? Commuting? Track? If I had $30K+ I would get an Acura TL, but that's sort of 'old' for ya, huh.

btw, like GSRstilez asked....where are you getting the $$

?

G35stilez · 12-08-04, 12:36

Quote:

Originally posted by gnahc79
Can you give info on what you'll use the car for? Commuting? Track? If I had $30K+ I would get an Acura TL, but that's sort of 'old' for ya, huh.

btw, like GSRstilez asked....where are you getting the $$ ?

I'm 21, for 30k, the TL would be my first choice

hftw Audi 6 · 12-08-04, 01:01

Well Sean and gnahc79 I own and operate my own landscaping buisness, i started it wen i was 12 to make a few bucks and ended up getting very into it, buying professional machines, etc. Not to say it's easy for people to believe i even bought the car i have now myself, it i the nicest in the parking lot and almost everyone besides my close friends think my parents payed for it....I WISH! lol. It racks up nice and big wen u save a little plus i started working at best buy in setauket in the car audio video section not to long ago. Not to mention my details on the side from my regulars.

As far as the car thing gos I have to say i like the sti but i think it would be my last choice, no only for what i have heard but price. And ohhh yea i know the owner of Audi in Smithtown so i am a little spoiled like that, as far as the VW same thing, the person i kno there said he could hook me up! lol

I have to say right now i am leaning towards the R32 i love the look the speed and the overall car i mean u get wut you pay for i think. The S4 is nice as well! Considering my car now is an Audi i have a bit of a soft spot for them, the only thing holding me back from that is the fact that idk if i would want to hold onto it for to long because the new A4/S4 body style is already out...idk, but i am loving the R32 right now!

hftw Audi 6 · 12-08-04, 01:07

BTW: Sean i gotta come see the new sil;verado or just drive by....let me know wen your gonna be home i'll come check it out wen it's clean!

Corey Bit Spank · 12-08-04, 01:43

R32 is a pig.

Might as well get a 300C and have room for all the weight the R32 carries around.

I would try to go with something that holds its value well. Honda/Acura seems to be topping the charts in that regard.

Or you could check out an IS300 5 speed.

NavindraLR · 12-08-04, 04:10

im confused... u say u like the r32 for the speed, but compared to the other two cars im positive the sti is faster, and isnt the 02 s4 also? obviously you're not gonna have lag if u get a r32, but in MY opinion the r32 is really overpriced. first of all, i smoked two different r32s when they first came out, and my car is completely stock. 2nd when looking @ mods, the prices are gonna be almost double when buying mods for the vw. german aftermarket parts tend to cost more than stuff from japan. 3rd for the less than a r32 you could get a 1.8T GTI and hook it up, and it would be faster than the r32, plus u would have money left over (it wouldnt be awd though) u dont like the evo?