Car enthusiasts, what to do, Audi, VW or BMW

[bozack]

Hello all car enthusiasts.....

I have been pondering the possibility of getting a newer car sometime should I find a better job than the one which I currently have and three brands have entered into the equation.

I am considering either an A4 3.0 Model Audi (love the look)

One of the sportier low end BMW's (Not sure which one, but something around 23K used, maybe more or less

Or some flavor VW....probabily the high end sport Jetta or the Golf

I am mainly wondering what road you would take, but also would you spend the extra for the Audi over the VW even though they seem so similar mechanically with the only difference being the Audi's larger engine displacement and the better service of Audi?

I am also looking into a low end Mercedes

And domestics I like are the low end Saleen mustang, Cobra, or if it is available the Mach 1, as well as the lincoln LS......

I am usually a domestic fan, but after driving in my GF's jetta I am considering broadening my horizons.

Any opinions are greatly apprecaited.

Please no Japanese suggestions though, short of the RX8 and other high end models, there really isn't much I would consider...and I am not partial to lexus as I find them ugly.
Thanks.

 

[aphex]

Nice choices... Have you also considered the passat 1.8t at all?

When i went car shopping it was between the A4 and the Passat... I chose the passat because not only was it roomier, but it was a little cheaper as well...

As for VW service, just ask around.. People can always point you to an awesome one.... As for me, i go to the new Coconut Creek, FL one... Not only did they do my oil change in 20 mins today, but they were VERY nice and very informative...

 

[TallBill]

used viper

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: bob970
used viper

For $23K?

Hahahahahaha...

Viper GTS

 

[geno]

BMW is out of both VW's and Audi's league I say get whatever BMW you can get for the cash However, if you go domestic, a Camaro SS fits the bill (if ya got the cash that is...), or a Z28 as well. A Mustang isn't bad either. For around that price you could find a very lightly used IS300 (but I'd rather grab a BMW IMO)

 

[bozack]

Hey thanks for the suggestions...

I was considering a used viper (obviously not for 23k) but I am more than willing to spend more should the quality of the car be worth the expense...the only thing with the Viper is that 1. I am not rich which means that living in Mass and having the crapptastic winters we do, I would have to drive an old Taxi Cab in the winter as it would be all that I can afford which would suck...at least with the Mustang I might be able to get by, and if I did need to go shopping I had a trunk and an extra two seats so I can pick up all my height impaired friends (Even on the new stangs the rear seats suck).

I have considered the 1.8T passat but I don't like the length of the car, just too big for me.

I currently have a Contour SVT and would like something about the same length if not a little shorter.

Also the Camaro is out, as I am anti GM....sure they might be ok now, but I have been turned away from them for life from all of the negative experiences I have had in the past with their vehicles. And I know many who have had Camaro SS models and the interior still sucks.

The only GMs I would consider are either a Ram Air Trans Am but even that is a stretch as I know I would only own it untill the warranty is up and then dump it as after 60K those things are usually like the Money pit, no matter how much preventative mantinence you do. Or a new corvette as those are sweet, but with that I am in the same boat as the Viper, and honstly I would rather have a viper or a Saleen than a Vette.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: bozack
Hey thanks for the suggestions...

I was considering a used viper (obviously not for 23k) but I am more than willing to spend more should the quality of the car be worth the expense...the only thing with the Viper is that 1. I am not rich which means that living in Mass and having the crapptastic winters we do, I would have to drive an old Taxi Cab in the winter as it would be all that I can afford which would suck...at least with the Mustang I might be able to get by, and if I did need to go shopping I had a trunk and an extra two seats so I can pick up all my height impaired friends (Even on the new stangs the rear seats suck).

I have considered the 1.8T passat but I don't like the length of the car, just too big for me.

I currently have a Contour SVT and would like something about the same length if not a little shorter.

Also the Camaro is out, as I am anti GM....sure they might be ok now, but I have been turned away from them for life from all of the negative experiences I have had in the past with their vehicles. And I know many who have had Camaro SS models and the interior still sucks.

The only GM I would consider is a Ram Air Trans Am but even that is a stretch as I know I would only own it untill the warranty is up and then dump it as after 60K those things are usually like the Money pit, no matter how much preventative mantinence you do.

If thats the case, i would go for the A4 then... Awesome car

 

[StattlichPassat]

Originally posted by: genocide
BMW is out of both VW's and Audi's league I say get whatever BMW you can get for the cash However, if you go domestic, a Camaro SS fits the bill (if ya got the cash that is...), or a Z28 as well. A Mustang isn't bad either. For around that price you could find a very lightly used IS300 (but I'd rather grab a BMW IMO)

Ugh, a big 'whatever' on all counts. BTW- Audi and VW are just as nice as BMW.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: NightFlyerGTI

Originally posted by: genocide
BMW is out of both VW's and Audi's league I say get whatever BMW you can get for the cash However, if you go domestic, a Camaro SS fits the bill (if ya got the cash that is...), or a Z28 as well. A Mustang isn't bad either. For around that price you could find a very lightly used IS300 (but I'd rather grab a BMW IMO)

Ugh, a big 'whatever' on all counts. BTW- Audi and VW are just as nice as BMW.

Audi sure as hell is in BMW's league. VW isn't though. VW is the poor man's Audi.

 

[StattlichPassat]

First off, nice choices! You have excellent taste, my friend. If you want to buy new, get the A4. If you want to buy pre-owned, get the 3-Series or maybe a 2001 S4. If you want to go new and still save a tad of money while not taking any quality point losses, go for a nice Jetta or a GTI. ANY of these choices would make for an outstanding automobile that I'm sure you would enjoy. I agree with aphexII as well- check out the 1.8T Passat too!

It's a tossup- all of these are my favorite cars.

 

[bozack]

NFS that is how I see it as well.

I would easily rank the newer Audi's up with BMW...but not VW, and especially not VW service, as it just does not seem as high end as Audi's. Not saying VW service is bad, but they just don't give you the same luxury treatment that Audi or any other higher end brand does.

Also does the Lincoln Ls even compare with the Audi A4 3.0 or a BMW 3 series? or is it not even worth the time? I like the look, and the fact it is domestic...also I would prefer to get the car about two years old (unless talking about the A4 3.0 as I only like the new one) if possible, as I bought one new car and took a bath on it, and really don't see the point in buying new vs. a few years old other than the waarranty, but I can always get an aftermarket warranty anyway.

Thanks.

 

[StattlichPassat]

Audi sure as hell is in BMW's league. VW isn't though. VW is the poor man's Audi.

C'mon man, Phaeton? W8 Passat? Tourareg? Even the current offerings are very high 'up there'. I wouldn't go so far as to call VW a "poor man's Audi." Volkswagen IS in the same class, but maybe a point or two behind Audi and BMW.

 

[StattlichPassat]

Also does the Lincoln Ls even compare with the Audi A4 3.0 or a BMW 3 series? or is it not even worth the time?

It's merely a wannabe in this crowd- take a look at the sport sedan ratings in the latest issue of Road&Track Magazine; the LS ranked last or next to last out of 7 or 8 cars.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: bob970
used viper

For $23K?

Hahahahahaha...

Viper GTS

lol didnt see that price.. well. half of one

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: NightFlyerGTI

Audi sure as hell is in BMW's league. VW isn't though. VW is the poor man's Audi.

C'mon man, Phaeton? W8 Passat? Tourareg? Even the current offerings are very high 'up there'. I wouldn't go so far as to call VW a "poor man's Audi." Volkswagen IS in the same class, but maybe a point or two behind Audi and BMW.

Speaking of the W8, i got to sit in one at the showroom this morning while waiting for my oil change....

WOW, i freakin love the thing.. Some nice upgrades in that baby, and the dash now has the AUDI screen, the larger style... Gonna go back tomm hopefully and drive it with my dad...

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: NightFlyerGTI

Audi sure as hell is in BMW's league. VW isn't though. VW is the poor man's Audi.

C'mon man, Phaeton? W8 Passat? Tourareg? Even the current offerings are very high 'up there'. I wouldn't go so far as to call VW a "poor man's Audi." Volkswagen IS in the same class, but maybe a point or two behind Audi and BMW.

Phaeton - over a year away
Tourareg - a year away
W8 Passat -- as I said before. If you can double the price of a car with options (Passat starts at $21,000), you are digging too deep into the barrel. Even then, the W8 Passat doesn't come with things you expect in that class. From Edmunds.com:

As of yet, there are no plans to install a navigation system but some European versions already house this feature, so we wouldn't be surprised if it becomes an option in the not-too-distant future.

Of course, in this class such little omissions as rear windows that aren't one-touch up-and-down and an outmoded six-disc CD changer that's not only optional but also trunk-mounted are all the more glaring. (If VW wants to play with the big boys, we're going to hold it under the same scrutiny.) Volkswagen states that the Passat is the only family sedan with an eight-cylinder engine. However, we consider $30,000 to be the dividing line between a regular family sedan and an entry-level luxury vehicle. At $37,900 for the sedan and $38,700 for the wagon, the Passat treads on the toes of some pretty spectacular cars.

The Passat starts at $21,000, and that includes such premium features as tilting-and-telescoping steering wheel, side-curtain airbags, height-adjustable headrests for all three rear positions and rear seat vents. It makes perfect sense at this price, but perceived value suffers when the same car lists at almost twice the price. When you pit the Passat against its luxury-laden competition, its luster becomes somewhat dulled. Not many of them have eight-cylinder engines, but many of them don't need one. The Passat's interior also seems rather ordinary when compared to cars such as the Lexus ES 300 or Audi A6.

That pretty much somes it up

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

No offense but the array of cars you mention is so diverse that it sound like you have not really thought about what best suits your needs. I would start out by looking at what kind of car you want (i.e., sedan or coupe, small or midsize) before whittling it down to specific models. For my part I find the A4 a very tempting choice, and the 1.8T is probably the better value than the 3.0 (it can offer better performance than the 3.0 by adding an inexpensive chip upgrade).

 

[N8Magic]

I would easily rank the newer Audi's up with BMW...but not VW, and especially not VW service, as it just does not seem as high end as Audi's.

LOL

The Audi service departments around here are just as laughably bad as those of the VW stealerships (even when they're not in the same building). As much as I love VAG (Volkswagen Auto Group) cars and will buy another one in a second, the service department on all levels needs a MAJOR, MAJOR overhaul. I've only had minor issues with the service department (namely, $98.00 fawking dollars for a oil change!!!) but i've seen and heard a few "interesting" stories.

That being said, you can't go wrong with either of the VAG cars. Personally, I would go with the VW GTI 337 as it fits right in your price range ($22,225 MSRP) and you would have a fast, solid handling car that has room for 4 (5 in a pinch) with the utility of a hatchback. Not to mention that you would be getting a vehicle with all of the manufacturers warranty still intact. (good for piece of mind.)

Good luck with your purchase.

 

[kuk]

What about the Jaguar X-Type?
Seems well within reach ...

Kuk

 

[KokomoGST]

A4 3.0... don't do it!! You've fallen for Audi's "oooo... V6!" marketing crap!
A chipped 1.8T is not only just as fast/faster & better gas mileage... as long you you keep off that lead foot!!

Don't be a wuss like other people and go "ohhh, it'll void my warranty!"... if you're really a warranty freak, just get a second freaking ECU and chip that! But yeah, I like that 2000/2001 S4 idea. Oh, and seems like you'll never really need extra performance out of the car for autocrossing or strip...

I personally wouldn't buy a Bimmer short of the M3 (if used) or 330i(new), but that's me and my addiction for fast cars. The LS is HUGE compared to all the other cars you have here... and finally the Jag X-Type = Ford Mondeo platform.

Low-end Benz = low-end car = you get what you pay for... cheap @$$ car with stupid badge.

 

[LittleWolf]

Originally posted by: kuk
What about the Jaguar X-Type?
Seems well within reach ...

Kuk

Jag X-type is pure crap. Don't even bother buying it. Unless the name tag is all you value.

The base BMWs are not really that great, unless you step up to the 330i

I would suggest fol:
1. Audi S4 (beats the pants of any BMW bar the new M3. But the new S4 due early 2003 should beat the M3)
2. New Audi A4 with the 3.0 V6
3. If you don't mind the VW, get a VW W8 Passat. Upgrade to better wheels and tires and it's a rocket Q-ship.


Downside with the Passat W8, is lack of Navigation system. But within 2-3 months 2003 models will roll out, most probably with On-Star.
Also they will be offering a 17inch wheel , 6 Speed stick and sport suspensions. That should get you 0-60 around 5 to 5.2 secs. Really rocks


-j

 

[Chipster]

Quote
Originally posted by: bob970
used viper

For $23K?

Hahahahahaha...

Viper GTS

Under 23k but hurting a little...hehe

 

[imported_vr6]

I have a Jetta Vr6, and what can i say, i love this car to death.

The ride is comfortable. The "feel" of it is nothing but solid and sturdy. THe engine is the smoothest engine i hav even driven. For me i would definitly get a Jetta. After you get your Jetta, you can come hang out at the vortex

 

[CocaCola5]

Depends on what you're looking for in a car but these are the three I would consider buying from each of them,
Golf TDI/1.8T, S4(previous gen), 530i(bmw).

(I don't care much for the M3/M5 because I would rather get a Porsche if I wanted that kind of car)

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: Chipster

Quote
Originally posted by: bob970
used viper

For $23K?

Hahahahahaha...

Viper GTS

Under 23k but hurting a little...hehe

I believe the hood for a Viper costs several thousand dollars, hence its theft in this case.