Help Me Decide: Nissan Maxima or Audi A4???

[MoobyTheGoldenCalf]

I'm looking for a new car. I think I've narrowed it down to either the Nissan Maxima SE or Audi 1.8T Quattro. Specs I'm looking at are:

Nissan
2004 Maxima SE 3.5
Automatic
Driver Preferred Package
Sunroof
VDC Package

Audi
2004 A4 1.8T Quattro
Automatic
Premium Package
Sport Package
Cold Weather Package
Lighting Package

Both cars are just about the same MSPR 32-33K, so cost isn't an issue.

Major Pro/Cons as I see them are: Audi has AWD (which will be very handy in Chicago winters), longer warranty, 4yrs scheduled maintenance, better styling. Nissan has more powerful engine (265hp vs. 170hp for the A4), better reliability, more cool gizmos (like a heated steering wheel ).

This is going to be a work/family car, so I'm not going to be out racing or anything. Anyone Maxima/A4 owners out there want to share what steered them to make their purchase? Anyone else compare these two cars when shopping? Why did you go the way you did?

Thanks for any input!

 

[iamwiz82]

if its a family car, the power comparision doesnt really matter. I'd say Audi.

 

[godspeedx]

I would say Audi just cause I like Audi a lot.

If you didn't get a thing out of this thread, Bump.

 

[beamme84]

I'd take the faster and roomier Maxima

 

[ElFenix]

2003 maxima > 2004 maxima > underpowered and unreliable A4

 

[sash1]

Originally posted by: MoobyTheGoldenCalf
I'm looking for a new car. I think I've narrowed it down to either the Nissan Maxima SE or Audi 1.8T Quattro. Specs I'm looking at are:

Nissan
2004 Maxima SE 3.5
Automatic
Driver Preferred Package
Sunroof
VDC Package

Audi
2004 A4 1.8T Quattro
Automatic
Premium Package
Sport Package
Cold Weather Package
Lighting Package

Both cars are just about the same MSPR 32-33K, so cost isn't an issue.

Major Pro/Cons as I see them are: Audi has AWD (which will be very handy in Chicago winters), longer warranty, 4yrs scheduled maintenance, better styling. Nissan has more powerful engine (265hp vs. 170hp for the A4), better reliability, more cool gizmos (like a heated steering wheel ).

This is going to be a work/family car, so I'm not going to be out racing or anything. Anyone Maxima/A4 owners out there want to share what steered them to make their purchase? Anyone else compare these two cars when shopping? Why did you go the way you did?

Thanks for any input!

It's automatic and has 4WD. The choice is clear. GO RALLY WITH THE AUDI !!!112

`K

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Well only advantage Maxima has over the A4 is increased space (A LOT OF INCREASED SPACE) and probably more refined ride (quieter and smoother). It also has more stuff standard at 33k, while you'd have to pay extra for those options on the A4.

Personally, I'd go for a G35x. Its AWD, its right between the A4 and Maxima in terms of interior space. It has the power of the Maxima, the AWD, its very quiet on the highway. Only thing it falls short in is interior materials compared to the A4.

Also look at the pricing for the G35x. I believe it should be cheaper than a A4 Quattro similariy equipped.

 

[SilentZero]

Audi for sure! The quality and luxury of the audi far outweighs the nissan.

 

[Konigin]

Duh, Maxima

 

[anxman69]

Audi for sure. I'm a proud owner of an A4 and used to own an S4. They are wonderful cars.

-Ankur

 

[m2kewl]

between the two, i'd go with the maxima.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: SilentZero
Audi for sure! The quality and luxury of the audi far outweighs the nissan.

in jd power's latest long term study audi was behind every american brand except jeep in terms of 3 year quality.

the A4 is a pretty large car for the 1.8T, and the quattro just makes it worse.

 

[MoobyTheGoldenCalf]

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
Well only advantage Maxima has over the A4 is increased space (A LOT OF INCREASED SPACE) and probably more refined ride (quieter and smoother). It also has more stuff standard at 33k, while you'd have to pay extra for those options on the A4.

Personally, I'd go for a G35x. Its AWD, its right between the A4 and Maxima in terms of interior space. It has the power of the Maxima, the AWD, its very quiet on the highway. Only thing it falls short in is interior materials compared to the A4.

Also look at the pricing for the G35x. I believe it should be cheaper than a A4 Quattro similariy equipped.

I was thinking about a G35 too, but the nearest infinity dealer to me is about 45 miles away. The Audi/Nissan dealers are both practically down the street.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: MoobyTheGoldenCalf

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
Well only advantage Maxima has over the A4 is increased space (A LOT OF INCREASED SPACE) and probably more refined ride (quieter and smoother). It also has more stuff standard at 33k, while you'd have to pay extra for those options on the A4.

Personally, I'd go for a G35x. Its AWD, its right between the A4 and Maxima in terms of interior space. It has the power of the Maxima, the AWD, its very quiet on the highway. Only thing it falls short in is interior materials compared to the A4.

Also look at the pricing for the G35x. I believe it should be cheaper than a A4 Quattro similariy equipped.

I was thinking about a G35 too, but the nearest infinity dealer to me is about 45 miles away. The Audi/Nissan dealers are both practically down the street.

Can't you take a Infiniti to a Nissan dealer for servicing? Over here, the Nissan and Infiniti dealers are the same, both cars in same showrooms. Its just the Infiniti part of the floor is with granite and has nice lighting. Same goes for Toyo/Lexus dealers and Honda/Acura.

Its atleast worth a test drive.

 

[FuZoR]

sit in a audi then sit in the nissan... ;-)

both nice cars but i'd go for the AUDI!!!!!

oh QUATTRO!! woooo heh

 

[Sust]

I probably sound like a broken record, but what really matters more is whether or not the service dept of the dealership is going to be cooperative/helpful, or accusatory/asshats when things go wrong.

I have been lucky enough to have an a6 before and a maxima now.
I definitely like my 2k2 max more just because it's faster. Although the A6 was really nice at high speeds and the twisties plus the REALLY nice interiors. I guess they each have their own positive points and it comes down to what youre willing to let your kids destroy.

Oh, and I cant remember where I read it, but some car magazine made a traction comparison of AWD vs snow tires. The summary of it was that the snow tires were actually more effective in maintaining decent traction in slippery conditions(snow) compared to AWD. The only good part about AWD was in trying to accelerate from a stop in snow. FWIW....

BTW, my vote is for the audi. Nissan was good before, but their bang/buck ratio has decreased as of late with the newest maxima. Plus, I still like the way the A4 looks whereas the maxima has taken a turn for the worse IMO.

Read up about gripes and raves:

maxima.org forums

audiworld forums

 

[fyleow]

Passat W8

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Have you looked at the Lexus ES330? We recently got one and as long as you don't need more than its standard V6 2x0 horsepower amount, its an awesome car. (Where X is greater than 0, but less than 5, I don't remember exact HP)

Its very quiet, reliable (Made a top list of reliable cars), and its a nice car overall. I highly reccomend it. This is all, if its going to be used as a family car and performance is not really a concern.

 

[Ameesh]

the g35 coupe is not a family car it can barley fit 2 people let alone more

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: Ameesh
the g35 coupe is not a family car it can barley fit 2 people let alone more

i meant Sedan...coupe is not available in AWD...yet

 

[Turkish]

Winners:

Looks - Exterior: Audi A4
Looks - Interior: Audi A4
Interior Quality: Audi A4
Interior Size: Nissan Maxima
Performance: Nissan Maxima
Handling: Audi A4
Reliability: Nissan Maxima

Seriously, as an A4 owner here, get the A4 but do us a favor and get the damn EXTENDED WARRANTY. If you can't afford the extended warranty, then get the Maxima. Audis usually don't have problems until the end of the warranty and they begin to be a PITAS after that.

 

[vi edit]

Passat GLX 4Motion.

More room than the Audi. More power than the Audi. Better looks and interior than the Maxima. Better resale than the Max. Cheaper than either of them.

 

[Xenon14]

Audi

 

[SuperTool]

If you intend to keep this car for a while, get the Maxima. It's a simple choice really until VW AG gets a grip on quality. I've seen too many broken down new VWs and Audis, not to mention the countless that have light malfunctions. Just the other day I was behind a new Audi on the freeway, and he was going 85 with his reverse lights on. Get the Maxima SE though, because it has the 5 speed auto.

 

[fyleow]

Originally posted by: SuperTool
If you intend to keep this car for a while, get the Maxima. It's a simple choice really until VW AG gets a grip on quality. I've seen too many broken down new VWs and Audis, not to mention the countless that have light malfunctions. Just the other day I was behind a new Audi on the freeway, and he was going 85 with his reverse lights on. Get the Maxima SE though, because it has the 5 speed auto.

Are you sure those were reverse lights? There are mods that allow the Passat to enable the rear fog lights and I assume it's possible on the A4 as well.