BMW, Audi, or VW? (328is, A4, Corrado VR6)?

Quickstrike · 10-18-05, 06:08

I currently drive an '82 VW Scirocco and am looking for a newer, sportier car.

Came up w/ 3 cars that I really like. VW Corrado VR6, BMW 328is, and Audi A4.

The Corrado's are pretty rare, so the price is a little bit higher than a comparable year 328is, A4. I would be looking at getting a 96-99 year Audi A4, BMW 328is (e34) or a 1995 Corrado VR6 (last year made in North America).

I think the BMW would be the best performer, but have never driven RWD and wonder how well it would cope in -40 celcius winters here.

Any ideas which one I should go for? I want a nice sporty touring type car. All of them have nice interiors w/ leather seats. Just all power the wheels differently and have different name badges.

I have ~$15,000 CDN budget. All of these are in the same price bracket.

drewski59 · 10-18-05, 06:33

All are nice choices. My personal choice would be the Audi A4. I love those cars, as long as you're willing to maintain them(and judging by your Scirocco, you are

). And get one with Quattro for your Canadian winters!

Good luck!

Edison_Chen · 10-18-05, 06:48

I'd pick the A4 preferably 98 or 99 with the AWD

The Corrado is quite rare, dont see those everyday

animes2k · 10-18-05, 09:57

I see a Corrado VR6 every day. It's sitting in front of my house. Someone please come take it!

It's a nice car, but maintenance is going to be wicked expensive. This one needs some work (it's been the subject of my wetsanding experiments), both on the outside and definitely inside, mechanical, seals, electrical, etc. You'd be hard-pressed to find one in really good condition. I've seen "excellent" condition Corrado for US$15k-20k asking price.

http://www.noestudios.com/photo/details/corrado/

I think the A4 might be your best bet, but isn't it basically a VW Passat (i.e. less $$)? I may be mistaken, but they're very similar cars today.

mrzeee · 10-18-05, 09:57

corrado VR6....sweet

Quickstrike · 10-21-05, 05:14

Any other opinions on what car I should get? I know there are a lot of avid fans of each make of car. All advice given is greatly appreciated!

Accumulator · 10-22-05, 08:58

I'd go with the Audi, with Quattro. Better parts/service support and the most complete package of the bunch. You'll love the AWD and the rest of the car is just plain *nice*.

If you get the BMW you will *have* to run good snowtires in the winter and even then you might find it a bit of a handful. Scratch the "might", you'd better attend a driving school if you choose that one- I've driven RWD 3-series cars in the winter.

The Corrado would be sorta like a modernized version of your Scirocco. The two of them are among my favorite FWD cars, btw. But *so* many of them are beat/neglected/trouble. I'd be pretty pessimistic about finding one that wasn't just a money pit. Even "nice" ones are likely to be project cars for a while until you sort out the reasons why they were for sale (people keep the trouble-free ones

).

Unless it's rusting away, I myself would probably hold onto your Scirocco. I can see wanting another, newer car, but I wouldn't be in a hurry to unload that one.

LightngSVT · 10-22-05, 03:00

Why not keep the Scirocco to use as a daily driver, or to make it into a weekend today / track car? Personally I would vote for the 3 series, I LOVE my E46 M3 and all of the other 3 series cars Ive driven have been very nice. Although an A4 2.8 w/Quattro is a great choice as well. I personally have not driven a 3 series car in the snow but I have driven some Mustang Gt's in the winter and all of them have become "***** cats" in Michigan snow storms with a good set of snow tires.

EdLancer · 10-26-05, 10:53

Audi A4 hands down !

MorBid · 10-27-05, 12:09

Having brought a A4 last year (1.8T 6sp MT w/ultrasport/premium/winter packages) I'm partial to the Audi too.

The car turns heads, is highly tuneable and is a blast to drive in the winter (I have a set of 16" wheels w/winter tires to swap with my 18" stockers). Audi Quattro and winter tires = one of the best winter driving experiences you'll have.

My complaints about the car are similar to others who own em.

1) lack of power off the start (1.8 liter engines) but the new 05.5's have a 2.0 Liter engine which address that

2) rear leg room is a bit tight. New 05.5's have addressed that as well.

I wouldn't get an A4 older than 2003 though. Audi had mad quality issues with the B5's and it wasn't unitl the B6's that even consumer reports would reccommend them as a best buy.

check audizine.com or audiworld.com for more

M54 · 10-27-05, 02:31

I've driven Audi's and they are a tad boring but nice IMHO.A4's and Passats drive similar.
I've owned a 00 GTI VR6 which is comparible to the Corrado.It was a nice car,sweet motor but parts and maintenance can be real expensive(mine was not though).

I currently drive an 03 325i and used to own a 79 320i(donated).I find BMW's to be superior to the other cars mentioned in regards to driving enjoyment/dynamics,fit/finish and reliability.They are very solid cars that last when maintained properly.

BTW,a good set of snow tires on a RWD vehicle is better than a AWD with so so all season tires.I never got stuck with the 320i even with just using all season tires.

Accumulator · 10-27-05, 07:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by M54

BTW,a good set of snow tires on a RWD vehicle is better than a AWD with so so all season tires.I never got stuck with the 320i even with just using all season tires.

Yeah, our RWD Volvo wagon was great in the winter with Blizzaks once I got the limited slip differential. IMO *every* car oughta have a good set of snows for the winter, no way will I drive even our Quattros without them. "All season tires" are a joke in the snow, but at least their rubber compound is designed for cold weather use. When I see people with high performance summer tires driving in the winter I try to stay well away from them. Seems like people spend more money on their mufflers these days than they do on season-appropriate tires