While looking into a more fuel efficient vehicle to replace the pig (my Sierra, haha) while still having AWD for the winter time, I have come to really like what I see in the Audi A4 Quattro.
Since there will be none in the small towns near me, I will have to go the city drive one. But, before I go, I noticed there are two engines, a 1.8t, and 3.0 v6. Which should I be leaning towards? I assume the 1.8t will need premium gas, and 3.0 can take regular, but will the cost of premium bring the total fuel cost above the v6?
Also, which would be better in the long run, in terms of reliability, and running cost?
Still, if you think there is another car I should be looking into, please let me know that too.
Thanks.
**there is only one true love in my life... and my girlfriend has learned to live with it**
Ive seen alot of a4s modded and honestly, they're ok...IMO nothing to special. The turbos are easily blown, and the engines take premium gas either way. I say turbo 4 cylinder because of gas mileage and who doesnt love a turbo?
After looking pretty seriously at them, I'd go with a WRX instead. The A4's are either slugs (when you're talking about the V6) or are peppy, but expensive to maintain (replace the timing belt on a 1.8t and then tell me what you thing aboot German engineering).
I'd go WRX or Legacy if you need AWD to be pretty honest.
filling up a v6 with premium isnt that expensive. the lex takes about 55 bucks to fill and thats usually when im down to 1/4-1/8 of a tank
ive known people who have had a4's and s4's and they have had quite a few problems, and all of them were pretty damn expensive
i like em, they are nice, but a lot of stuff breaks and its not nickel and dime stuff when something does break
any older a4 (pre 2k) usually has sludging problems.
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GAM (The Kilted One) wrote:After looking pretty seriously at them, I'd go with a WRX instead. The A4's are either slugs (when you're talking about the V6) or are peppy, but expensive to maintain (replace the timing belt on a 1.8t and then tell me what you thing aboot German engineering).
I'd go WRX or Legacy if you need AWD to be pretty honest.
Maybe, MAYBE I would consider a Legacy, but never an Impreza. They are just too ugly to me. The Legacy is not much better, but it is acceptable.
I am trying to talk the GF into letting get one of the new CTS with AWD, but since we just bought a second house, she won't let me spend any large amount of money. Bah, women!
**there is only one true love in my life... and my girlfriend has learned to live with it**
Not bad of cars, but as everyone says, expensive to upkeep. Ask Darkstars, he is a VW tech, he would probably have some good answers.
BTW: THe V6 in there is a 2.8l, not 3.0 IIRC
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I think it went to 3.0l in 2003.
**there is only one true love in my life... and my girlfriend has learned to live with it**
Ive got an a4 avant 1.8t quattro and it's amazing in the snow. They can be quick with a bigger turbo. Even a chip will add around 40hp 50tq. I'd give it a thumbs up.
My ex g/f has an A4 (non quattro) with the 1.8t option, its not too bad. She had the timing belt done not too long ago, and they have to take apart half the front end to get to the damn thing... i mean, bumper, headlights, radiator, passenger fender...so on. I am sure that if the took it to a mechanic that wasnt her friend, she woulda got raped with the bill...lol
I have no interest in modding, cars are just transportation to me now.
I don't really like the sounds of what everyone is saying about the 1.8t, as far as repairs go, but would I Subaru really be any cheaper to maintain?
**there is only one true love in my life... and my girlfriend has learned to live with it**
was that a serious question?
a subaru is far more reliable and far cheaper to maintain than any german car (VW, Audi, BMW, et al)
themarin8r wrote:was that a serious question?
a subaru is far more reliable and far cheaper to maintain than any german car (VW, Audi, BMW, et al)
Ya, it was. I am not a mechanic, I don't really know a whole heck of a lot about vehicles, that's why I am asking this now, rather then finding out the hard way later.
**there is only one true love in my life... and my girlfriend has learned to live with it**
hmm ok i had thought that it was pretty much common knowledge that german cars are more expensive than pretty much every japanese (or any other) manufacturer, so forgive me if i came off as an ass
the 1.8T is great motor when its in the beetle/gti/jetta/TT etc..
The 1.8T is a @!#$ nightmare in the big cars. For example.... common sense would tell you its not a real good idea to take a big ass (almost 4000 lb) Passat/A4 and power it with a tiny 1.8 liter with a dinky turbo. That motor is so over worked in that situaion that is basically destroys itself. The oil gets so hot it sludges up, clogs the oil pump pickup, starves the motor for oil... and this isn't a "I know a guy it happened to" type situation, VW/Audi has been warrantying a @!#$ load of motors trying to avoid a class action law suit. DO NOT get a 1.8T A4
Good to know. Thanks.
**there is only one true love in my life... and my girlfriend has learned to live with it**
Well, If the Impreza/Legacy isn't your style (I think it looks a lot less quirky than they did even a little while ago) You could always pop for the Forrester or Outback.
They're good cars.
Darkstars wrote:the 1.8T is great motor when its in the beetle/gti/jetta/TT etc..
The 1.8T is a @!#$ nightmare in the big cars. For example.... common sense would tell you its not a real good idea to take a big ass (almost 4000 lb) Passat/A4 and power it with a tiny 1.8 liter with a dinky turbo. That motor is so over worked in that situaion that is basically destroys itself. The oil gets so hot it sludges up, clogs the oil pump pickup, starves the motor for oil... and this isn't a "I know a guy it happened to" type situation, VW/Audi has been warrantying a @!#$ load of motors trying to avoid a class action law suit. DO NOT get a 1.8T A4
There is a reason they put the oil change stickers on your windshield. My brother has had his a4 for almost 7 years now. Still gets ~28 mpg highway with 350awhp.
Reliable cars if you perform regular maintenance.
-zook- wrote:Darkstars wrote:the 1.8T is great motor when its in the beetle/gti/jetta/TT etc..
The 1.8T is a @!#$ nightmare in the big cars. For example.... common sense would tell you its not a real good idea to take a big ass (almost 4000 lb) Passat/A4 and power it with a tiny 1.8 liter with a dinky turbo. That motor is so over worked in that situaion that is basically destroys itself. The oil gets so hot it sludges up, clogs the oil pump pickup, starves the motor for oil... and this isn't a "I know a guy it happened to" type situation, VW/Audi has been warrantying a @!#$ load of motors trying to avoid a class action law suit. DO NOT get a 1.8T A4
There is a reason they put the oil change stickers on your windshield. My brother has had his a4 for almost 7 years now. Still gets ~28 mpg highway with 350awhp.
Reliable cars if you perform regular maintenance.
Just like DSMs, right?
Fact is, the occurance rate of these problems are too high for comfort.
That, and the vehicle will most likely be used ... Yeah, thats a winning combo right there.
JinxedZ THE LOVED ONE wrote:-zook- wrote:Darkstars wrote:the 1.8T is great motor when its in the beetle/gti/jetta/TT etc..
The 1.8T is a @!#$ nightmare in the big cars. For example.... common sense would tell you its not a real good idea to take a big ass (almost 4000 lb) Passat/A4 and power it with a tiny 1.8 liter with a dinky turbo. That motor is so over worked in that situaion that is basically destroys itself. The oil gets so hot it sludges up, clogs the oil pump pickup, starves the motor for oil... and this isn't a "I know a guy it happened to" type situation, VW/Audi has been warrantying a @!#$ load of motors trying to avoid a class action law suit. DO NOT get a 1.8T A4
There is a reason they put the oil change stickers on your windshield. My brother has had his a4 for almost 7 years now. Still gets ~28 mpg highway with 350awhp.
Reliable cars if you perform regular maintenance.
Just like DSMs, right?
Fact is, the occurance rate of these problems are too high for comfort.
That, and the vehicle will most likely be used ... Yeah, thats a winning combo right there.
I understand that the comeback rate is a lot higher than any non-German car company, but again you are getting what you pay for. A b5 a4 sedan ran for ~28k NEW in 99. They expect you to be able to cover maintenance costs as well.
I own 2 Audi's right now a 2002 A4 quattro and a 2005 A4 cabriolet. If you buy a used Audi used make sure you get it with certified pre-owned warranty, you can even get the service plan which cost me roughly $600 and that covers all the maintanence that you need to get done which saves a lot of money - the 60,000mile service is around $2200 alone so that makes for a big savings. Overall, the quattro has not been needed much as I live in florida, but it was great when I drove back home to Canada to visit my parents in January. Gas mileage is great but it sucks that you need to put premium in the car.
