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Help Me Decide: Nissan Maxima or Audi A4???
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I have 2 babies and a 3 series along with an SUV. We used to have a GS300 but even that was too small for a child seat in the back. I wouldn't recommend an A4 if you are going to have a child seat back there. It will be too cramped. Plus having to carry around a big stroller in the trunk would be tough in an A4. I'd recommend the Maxima. It is huge. Even bigger than my old GS300.
A4 here, thats just me though.
Turkish
Lifer
Summary...
Audi - if you want the luxury
Nissan - if you want the performance
However Maxima will depreciate like a bitch, so don't cry when the car's worth half of what you paid in a few years.
Whichever car you choose, get the extended warranty, please. Extended warranties are a life saver. believe me.
Audi - if you want the luxury
Nissan - if you want the performance
However Maxima will depreciate like a bitch, so don't cry when the car's worth half of what you paid in a few years.
Whichever car you choose, get the extended warranty, please. Extended warranties are a life saver. believe me.
Depreciation isn't that bad, i paid $26k for my 2k2 Maxima bought in August of 2001 and it's still worth $18k (KBB) as of this morning and that's with me putting about 18k miles/year.
Also, checking on Edmunds for the 2k2 model values. The depreciation estimates are as follows:
2002 Audi A4, Sedan, FWD, 3.0l = 5yr Depreciation = $12,517
2002 Maxima, Sedan, FWD, 3.5l = 5yr Depreciation = $8,587
The Audi is more expensive, depreciates more and just isn't as reliable. Granted, it does look nice. But i'd rather enjoy the Maxima and save that extra +/- $4,000.
The Audi's are notoriously unreliable, and chew up tires like crazy (AWD).
The Nissan's are more reliable, but the 2004's have horrible (and I mean horrible) torque steer. One Autoweek columnist was scared to drive the thing after awhile. And the styling, well I guess you love it or hate it.
The Nissan's are more reliable, but the 2004's have horrible (and I mean horrible) torque steer. One Autoweek columnist was scared to drive the thing after awhile. And the styling, well I guess you love it or hate it.
ajskydiver
Golden Member
Call your insurance company (or shop around) and get an insurance quote for each type of car you're considering BEFORE you buy either...the difference may be enough to sway your decision.
You'd be amazed how many people fail to do this...and get shocked later.
Ex:
I was thinking about buying a 2001 (in 2001) Nissan Sentra as a budget car or a 2001 Toyota Tacoma...huge price difference BUT the insurance for the Tacoma was about $10 more per YEAR than the Sentra - so I bought the Tacoma.
~AJ
You'd be amazed how many people fail to do this...and get shocked later.
Ex:
I was thinking about buying a 2001 (in 2001) Nissan Sentra as a budget car or a 2001 Toyota Tacoma...huge price difference BUT the insurance for the Tacoma was about $10 more per YEAR than the Sentra - so I bought the Tacoma.
~AJ
thomsbrain
Lifer
more reliable, too.
maxima!
TheToOTaLL
Platinum Member
Where's the darned poll?? :|
opticalmace
Golden Member
the audi is a good car but FOR GOD'S SAKE, watch out for reliability
for that alone i would go with the maxima
the extra power and space seal the deal
note: i don't particularly like the new maxima, but in this situation it is clearly the victor (IMHO)
for that alone i would go with the maxima
the extra power and space seal the deal
note: i don't particularly like the new maxima, but in this situation it is clearly the victor (IMHO)
ultimatebob
Lifer
Nah, 170 hp isn't quite enough for an A4. That's why I got the 3.0 in mine 🙂
jimmygates
Platinum Member
I currently own a 2002 Audi A4 3.0Q. The car is just a blast to drive. I've logged 24k miles in a little over a year. Thus far no reliability issues. I use to own a 1996 Infiniti I30. Eventhough it was an Infiniti, it was practically a Nissan. Here is my take...
Audi in my opinion has a better warranty compared to Nissan. Audi has a 4 year/50,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty which basically covers everything from oil changes to brake pads. Nissan has a 3 year/36,000 bumper to bumper warranty.
Having test driven the new Maxima I feel the A4's build quality is far superior. I'm not comparing the reliability of the two, instead focusing on the general overall feel of the A4. The A4 just feels more solid and well constructed.
As I stated in my first sentence, I have not experienced any reliability issues. However, if you check Audi forums you will find many posts regarding ignition coils and electrical quirks. IMHO, German cars are known to be plagued by electrical gremlins so I wasn't surprised to see all the posts. Compared to Nissan you don't see as many problems on the Nissan forum, mainly complaints relating to interior build quality.
The powerplant for the Nissan Maxima is one of the smoothest engines around. Their engines are like workhorses. I put 150k miles on the VQ engine in my Infiniti and it just came back asking for more. The 1.8T from Audi is nice but I feel its a bit underpowered. The most popular route is to chip the ECU or opt for the 3.0 V6 opinion.
In my book the real deal breaker how the service department will treat you. When I took my I30 for service at Infiniti or Nissan the service consultants and managers were always friendly and courteous. When I take my Audi for service I always feel I'm causing the service consultants/managers a great inconvience for bring my car in for service. In general (besides Mercedes) most of the service personnel from German auto dealerships are down right arrogant. I used to dread bringing my car to my local Audi dealership. After a few calls to corporate, things have shaped up a bit. If you browse the Audi forums you will find I'm not the only one getting subpar treatment.
Anyways, enough of my mindless rambling. If you don't mind driving a car with a great engine but have interior trim deteriorate after a couple of years, get the Maxima. If you don't mind driving a great car overall and having to blow a gasket everytime you bring the car in for service, get the A4.
I love my A4 and I feel Audi has built a great car. However until Audi revamps their service (attitude toward customers, quality of service) I'm hesitant to recommend any Audi.
-Jimbo
Audi in my opinion has a better warranty compared to Nissan. Audi has a 4 year/50,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty which basically covers everything from oil changes to brake pads. Nissan has a 3 year/36,000 bumper to bumper warranty.
Having test driven the new Maxima I feel the A4's build quality is far superior. I'm not comparing the reliability of the two, instead focusing on the general overall feel of the A4. The A4 just feels more solid and well constructed.
As I stated in my first sentence, I have not experienced any reliability issues. However, if you check Audi forums you will find many posts regarding ignition coils and electrical quirks. IMHO, German cars are known to be plagued by electrical gremlins so I wasn't surprised to see all the posts. Compared to Nissan you don't see as many problems on the Nissan forum, mainly complaints relating to interior build quality.
The powerplant for the Nissan Maxima is one of the smoothest engines around. Their engines are like workhorses. I put 150k miles on the VQ engine in my Infiniti and it just came back asking for more. The 1.8T from Audi is nice but I feel its a bit underpowered. The most popular route is to chip the ECU or opt for the 3.0 V6 opinion.
In my book the real deal breaker how the service department will treat you. When I took my I30 for service at Infiniti or Nissan the service consultants and managers were always friendly and courteous. When I take my Audi for service I always feel I'm causing the service consultants/managers a great inconvience for bring my car in for service. In general (besides Mercedes) most of the service personnel from German auto dealerships are down right arrogant. I used to dread bringing my car to my local Audi dealership. After a few calls to corporate, things have shaped up a bit. If you browse the Audi forums you will find I'm not the only one getting subpar treatment.
Anyways, enough of my mindless rambling. If you don't mind driving a car with a great engine but have interior trim deteriorate after a couple of years, get the Maxima. If you don't mind driving a great car overall and having to blow a gasket everytime you bring the car in for service, get the A4.
I love my A4 and I feel Audi has built a great car. However until Audi revamps their service (attitude toward customers, quality of service) I'm hesitant to recommend any Audi.
-Jimbo
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