I'm browsing through some cars for my sister and bro-in-law and was wondering what you guys think/know about these two cars. Go ahead and throw in your opinions of the 2003 A4's also, thx. Non-euro car owners are always talking about high maintenance costs and euro car owners are always dispelling such comments. How reliable/unreliable are these cars, in your experience?

I'm really favoring the '01 S4 (100k miles, new turbos, new control arms all around, "top end of motor resealed" whatever that means, cliche 3500 mile oil changes).

The 2003 A6's are ~55k miles and $9500.

It'd be great if they can get this 63k mile $19500 '04 A8L, but I couldn't convince them

'06 A3 (basically an A4 wagon I think) 60k miles and $16000. Looks hot, but I don't think bro-in-law would go for an avant

-----------------------------------
Basically they've got $15000 max to work with, and I'm just giving them ideas beyond the Acura TLs, maxima/altima SEs, G35, GS300/430s, and other japanese cars of that type. Performance is not a big factor in the decision, mostly just reliability, quality and comfort.

[Edited on October 30, 2009 at 9:17 PM. Reason : ]

10/30/2009 9:16:28 PM

fuck audi's

[Edited on October 30, 2009 at 9:38 PM. Reason : over priced garbage]

10/30/2009 9:38:26 PM

Quote :

"well if i recall any basic maint on our cars *audi S4* you need to take off the entire front core support i.e. bumper, headlights, Core support, radiator, etc. but that is mostly tedious and time consuming but not hard to do just gotta take your time and be careful"

WTFGAY is this true?

10/30/2009 9:59:46 PM

wouldn't surprise me

10/30/2009 10:07:33 PM

While it's true that all that has to come off to do thigs like a timing belt, but removal is neither hard, nor time consuming, since it's designed to be taken apart. It's much easier than certain cars for sure. Every car is quirky at some level. An A/C compressor replacement involves removing either the water pump or the exhaust manifold on a C5 Corvette. Doing a timing belt involves removing a motor mount on some Mitsubishis and so on.

I'd avoid an S4 bi-turbo, and I don't think you would find anybody recommend one to somebody who's concerned with reliability first. I'm personally a big fan of the A3, regular A4s and the like are good cars also, provided you get a new enough one. $15k is enough to get an A3 with some sort of dealer extended warranty I think (a friend just bought from a dealer). Performance and driving dynamics are fantastic also, and the DSG box is a marvel.

10/30/2009 11:28:11 PM

a3's are fucking hot

10/30/2009 11:34:33 PM

plz to add opinions about Saab, also. I do like how they look and they are a bit more affordable than the audis

10/31/2009 8:33:58 AM

considering saabs and audis huh? what are you driving currently?

10/31/2009 11:25:43 AM

the situation:

"My sister and bro-in-law are in the market for a car. They previously had an '04 TL for about 2 months before it got flooded and deemed a total loss. Obviously, they're back on the market but instead of merely keeping to the entry-luxury japanese cars (as asians tend to do), I've been showing them all sorts of deals on 2000-2006 A4s, A6s, and Saab 9-3 2.0Ts (I don't like the 9-5 ). The Saabs are a little cheaper, so a newer, lower mileage one can be had for a lot less than an A4."

10/31/2009 12:18:08 PM

I would stick with an entry level asian luxury if you care about reliability and resale.

10/31/2009 12:53:17 PM

03+ A4's are more reliable and nicer than earlier ones. The 1.8T with the 5 speed is torquey and pretty fun to drive, although not the fastest thing around. You can chip them too.

11/1/2009 4:48:54 PM

Volvos are more reliable than Saabs. And I think they look better as well.

Quote :

"reliability, quality and comfort."

Stick with Lexus... definitely at the top of the heap for the first 2 criteria, and near the top for the 3rd one.

11/1/2009 4:52:50 PM

agreed

11/1/2009 6:12:39 PM

I think lexus is more comfortable actually

11/1/2009 8:13:32 PM

stay away, far away

11/2/2009 1:47:54 PM

i wouldnt suggest the 2.7t at all. it can make good power but it is such a pain to work on that just about anything will kill you in labor. the turbos go out between 60k-100k religiously, and pulling the engine is the right way to do that job. lots of labor involved.

i have a '98 with a 1.8t. the older ones had some issues. the newer ones are better. the 2.0t is a mixed bag. i would not buy one from the early years, but the later ones (pretty much anything a year or two old) are ok.

dont buy an audi that doesnt have quattro. it just ain't right.

the a3 is not an a4 wagon. it is smaller and built on the same chassis as the 5th generation vw golf/rabbit/jetta. it is technically smaller than an a4 avant, but it is hard to tell by sitting on the inside.

you need to use synthetic on these things. if it is a 1.8t i would suggest using the big oil filter, which they introduced due to sludge issues on the early version of this engine (late 90s). it is 068-115-561B.

it is not uncommon for the vacuum check valves to break, causing all sorts of weird issues.

the 4.2 has pretty bad fuel efficiency, but that should be expected from a v8, i guess.

that's about all that comes to mind right now. if you find something, and you are in the raleigh area, i would be glad to take a look at it before you buy, if you'd like.

11/2/2009 2:41:37 PM

be prepared to spend a shitload and you better get a AAA membership with unlimited towing

11/3/2009 4:40:02 PM

get a BMW instead

11/4/2009 10:17:12 AM

^

and

Quote :

"stay away, far away"

11/4/2009 12:34:23 PM

i saw a Red 135i coupe yesterday!! i think its pretty hawt looking car

11/4/2009 12:47:31 PM

Quote :

"stay away, far away"

11/5/2009 7:36:04 AM

I wouldnt buy an Audi withouth a bumper to bumper warranty.

Infiniti, Lexus, and Acura are very reliable.

Check for I35, G35, ES330, and TL.

My G35 has 100k miles.......i payed $1200 for extended warranty.......only thing that broke was a light bulb in the shifter. Rock solid engine and transmission.

11/5/2009 7:43:50 AM

overpriced. get a real luxury car

11/5/2009 9:49:01 AM

i'd stay away from a lexus overpriced toyota too

11/9/2009 8:54:29 AM