Suggest a good+ used car please

[thatsright]

This is what I currently have:

Audi A4 2.0 Quattro Premium Plus w/ Xenon lights, keyless entry, bang & olufsen sound, rear parking sensors/camera, leather, heated seats, etc.

I'm thinking about getting a nice used car and would like to find.
Need:
High reliability
Safe
250+ hp with either a V4 or V6.
All Wheel Drive
2014 or newer.
A good example for around/under $25k or so.
Backup parking sensors/camera
Sedan. No SUV/Truck.

Nice to have as well:
Fantastic sound system. (but I'd be open to spending a few $k to get an after market install)
Xenon lights
Front parking sensors (in addition to rear)
Remote start
Keyless entry
Tire pressure monitor
'Fun to drive' is a plus.
Good looks (which I know is very subjective).

From my experience and what I've seen of cars in the last few years, I don't want a Buick/Pointiac/Cadilac, I know that much. I might put 10k miles on my car each year. My last 2 cars were a SAAB and Audi, so I'm not necessarily worried about the higher costs of repairs. But if they have a history of reliability, then it shouldn't be a huge worry.

Got any candidates you can think of?

 

[repoman0]

What year is the A4? Sounds like it already meets your requirements?

 

[thatsright]

What year is the A4? Sounds like it already meets your requirements?

2013 and it just hit 40k miles. Yes it meetings almost all of my needs, but some areas it's deficient (weak engine, reliability isnt top notch). I'm thinking of trading it in or outright selling it.

 

[Riverhound777]

Maybe Volvo S60?

 

[repoman0]

2013 and it just hit 40k miles. Yes it meetings almost all of my needs, but some areas it's deficient (weak engine, reliability isnt top notch). I'm thinking of trading it in or outright selling it.

I've been hearing that Audi ~2012 and newer are quite reliable, even compared to Japanese manufacturers. What problems have you had?

I was looking at that era A4 as a daily for a while, so I'm biased -- maybe trade yours for a higher powered 3.0 A4, or the 222hp 2.0

 

[thatsright]

I've been hearing that Audi ~2012 and newer are quite reliable, even compared to Japanese manufacturers. What problems have you had?

I was looking at that era A4 as a daily for a while, so I'm biased -- maybe trade yours for a higher powered 3.0 A4, or the 222hp 2.0

Mine is the 222hp variant. It's pretty sluggish, even with 93 octane. At least it's not the 2009-2012 year as those engines were defective and consumed Oil at a rapid rate. Audi should of issued a recall, but it was cheaper to fix them on a case by case basis I'm guessing.

 

[repoman0]

Another car I was seriously looking at but crossed off due to no manual option were Lexus IS250/300/350 AWD. Not sure how much they go for but you can be assured of top of the heap reliability with any of those.

 

[JCH13]

Subaru WRX/STI
Ford Focus RS or Fusion
Acura TLX
Volvo S60 (R Design)
Audi A4/A5/A6
Honda Accord(?) or Crosstour
BMW 3(pick two digits)i Xdrive
Dodge Charger AWD
Lexus IS250/300/350 AWD or GS (as above)
Chrysler 300 AWD
Kia Stinger (maybe)
Mercedes Benz E-Class

There's a lot out there...

 

[XavierMace]

2014+ with a budget of $25k is pretty tight if you're looking to stick with a more premium brand like your Audi. IS350 is likely to be a bit over. 335ix/435ix is going to be over.

 

[PricklyPete]

I bought a 2014 BMW 335i xdrive a little over a year ago with a CPO warranty. Meets all of your requirements. Tons of power. Been reliable so far (previous owner leased/serviced at dealership I bought from, so I got full report on all work done on it). Just crested 50k...so too early to really know how reliable it will be. Love the car.

If you can spring for a 2017 340i xdrive, you will likely be even happier. The new engine (B58) is even more gratifying than my older engine (N55). Both are solid engines though. I added the M Performance pack which boosted output from 300hp to 335hp. It definitely hauls now and feels much quicker than my old E46 M3 ever did.

 

[XavierMace]

I bought a 2014 BMW 335i xdrive a little over a year ago with a CPO warranty. Meets all of your requirements.

Geographic region may be a factor. ix's aren't terribly common out here and the only ones I'm seeing are more like $30k.

 

[repoman0]

Subaru WRX/STI
Ford Focus RS or Fusion
Acura TLX
Volvo S60 (R Design)
Audi A4/A5/A6
Honda Accord(?) or Crosstour
BMW 3(pick two digits)i Xdrive
Dodge Charger AWD
Lexus IS250/300/350 AWD or GS (as above)
Chrysler 300 AWD
Kia Stinger (maybe)
Mercedes Benz E-Class

There's a lot out there...

All good suggestions, but keep in mind that you might not be happy going from a more premium brand like Audi to something like a WRX or STI. I sold a 2003 BMW 330i for a 2014 WRX hatchback -- cool car, but lacking in many ways I took for granted. There was a lot more road noise, sound system even with the premium option was terrible, and it did not handle larger bumps gracefully at all, crashy and clunky even with low miles on the car and suspension. It also got atrocious fuel economy and required 93 octane. Interior was worse despite 10+ years newer. In the end I decided that it was a side-grade rather an upgrade, and since it cost a lot more money than an old BMW I sold it after about four months. I ended up almost where I started, in a 2004 330xi with some nice upgrades over my 2003 -- 6 speed manual, heated seats, fold down rear seats, and AWD, for about a fifth of the price.

 

[JCH13]

All good suggestions, but keep in mind that you might not be happy going from a more premium brand like Audi to something like a WRX or STI. I sold a 2003 BMW 330i for a 2014 WRX hatchback -- cool car, but lacking in many ways I took for granted. There was a lot more road noise, sound system even with the premium option was terrible, and it did not handle larger bumps gracefully at all, crashy and clunky even with low miles on the car and suspension. It also got atrocious fuel economy and required 93 octane. Interior was worse despite 10+ years newer. In the end I decided that it was a side-grade rather an upgrade, and since it cost a lot more money than an old BMW I sold it after about four months. I ended up almost where I started, in a 2004 330xi with some nice upgrades over my 2003 -- 6 speed manual, heated seats, fold down rear seats, and AWD, for about a fifth of the price.

OP outlined their requirements clearly, none of which included ride comfort or noise. Perhaps they deserve to be on the list!

You don't have to talk me into it though, my most recent purchase was a 2006 Lexus GX470 with 180k miles on it from a rust-free state. Has all the options OP wants (although it's an SUV, not a sedan, despite driving like sedan because of KDSS) and was only $10k. The luxury build and ride quality are just awesome. I think that a Lexus sedan would be the way to go if AWD is a requirement.

If AWD is not a requirement (just get some good winter wheels and tires, you'll be fine) then there are cars like the V6 Camry, V6 or Ecoboost Mustang, and others that will fit the bill wonderfully, cost less, be easier to maintain, and get better fuel economy than AWD alternatives.

 

[dasherHampton]

If you're willing to look 2013 A7s are starting to fall in to that price range.

Audi really nailed it with that car.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Why don't you just put a APR Tune in your current car?

Resolves your power issue, as that seems to be your only complaint.

 

[Yuriman]

How about the new Civic Type R? 300+ HP, fun to drive, reliable, subjective looks, sedan. Parking camera and TPMS is mandatory on all new cars (to my knowledge). Might or might not need an aftermarket sound system.

It isn't a "V4" but those are very rare motors indeed. The only manufacturer I can think off the top of my head that has used V4s is Saab.

 

[thatsright]

Why don't you just put a APR Tune in your current car?

Resolves your power issue, as that seems to be your only complaint.

Maybe. Good thought. Though I wouldn't want to have to buy any new exhaust components, body 'stuff,' downpiping, etc. I like to keep my cars stock. With that said, how much do you think it would cost? Would the engine 'wear out' because of this? I'd be worried that if I had to take it to the dealer for any reason for work and they found out, the would tell me to pound sand and never come back.

 

[Midwayman]

A MB c300 should fit all of that. 2014 was the end of the w204 body style so all the bugs had been worked out and the model was known as pretty reliable. When I researched it awhile back it was posting numbers similar to honda's averages. (That's w204 c300 in particular, not MB as a whole.)

(FWIW since backup cam was on the list- its a pretty rare option, but as long as you have the Nav, its super easy to add. Any composite cam works, just need to change a setting in the nav. I did it with my c350.)

 

[repoman0]

I'd be worried that if I had to take it to the dealer for any reason for work and they found out, the would tell me to pound sand and never come back.

Are you still under warranty?

Out of warranty the dealer will always be glad to take your money, mods or not, and probably charge you way too much for any work that needs to be done on top of it. Find a good Euro independent shop to slash the maintenance portion of cost of ownership by like 50%.

 

[JCH13]

Maybe. Good thought. Though I wouldn't want to have to buy any new exhaust components, body 'stuff,' downpiping, etc. I like to keep my cars stock. With that said, how much do you think it would cost? Would the engine 'wear out' because of this? I'd be worried that if I had to take it to the dealer for any reason for work and they found out, the would tell me to pound sand and never come back.

Link.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Lincoln Mkz? It ticks all your feature options, but it's a Lincoln.

 

[Fenixgoon]

if you like the A4, just get a used S4 of the same year. they can be had relatively cheap. throw an APR tune with a pulley swap on and you're at like 400+ AWHP
https://www.goapr.com/products/ecu_upgrade_30tfsi_b8s4.html

 

[dmoney1980]

2015 Genesis sedan. I have one and love it! AWD, 310 HP, does NOT require premium fuel, stock lexicon sound sounds great, great combination of sport with luxury (smooth and quiet), a ton of tech features. A nice comparison would be a BMW 5 series, without the German price premium. Test drive one and see for yourself. It checks off all the items on your list and includes a big bonus I didn't think I would love so much: apple and android integration. It's awesome to read and send text messages via voice. Same with using the phone navi or listening to podcasts through the system.

 

[JCH13]

Ford Taurus SHO

 

[bradly1101]

When I hear 'reliable,' only one brand comes to mind (in my long, hard driving 56 years I've only needed 4 cars - Toyotas. It's a helluva way to save money).

Lexus is of course the same with reliability and is more in keeping with your style I think, but Consumer Reports really badly dinged the IS's for their punishing ride, lackluster braking, handling, and poor customer satisfaction. They love the GS though, as do owners.

They really like pretty much all the less exciting Toyotas, and in your position I'd probably get a Camry SE (and/or hybrid) or an ES (Lexus Camry).