Whats the point in buying an Audi?

[Gunnar]

Well, actually this question should be expanded to include all the luxury wannabes. I went to look at the entry level cars from all the luxury manufacturers, and after sitting in a couple of them, you have to wonder, whats the point in buying them, especially when they are practically their mainstream counterpart in new plastic.

I mean, seriously, the dash and everything is exactly the same between the Audis and Volkswagens (much to my dismay,... I was turned off). Infiniti's I35 is actually a Maxima, Lexus' ES is only a camry. Im beginning to think that several of Acura's models probably share a good deal of componentry with the Civic and Accord. In all likelihood, many of the second tier luxury brands are probably made in the same factory as the low cost models.

Yes, I can acknowledge that the dashes and components of the models are good, but if Im going to drop a load of money on these cars, I'd expect them to be more than a Accord, Camry or Passat in nicer clothes. Whats to say the luxury models are being manufactured any better than the production cars?

I guess with this in mind, I'm seriously compelled to either go all the way and get a BMW, or do nothing at all and be satisfied with an Accord.

I guess another question would be are BMWs/Mercedes manufactured more carefully than your Civic?

 

[JYDog]

You get more sheet metal.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: Gunnar
I mean, seriously, the dash and everything is exactly the same between the Audis and Volkswagens (much to my dismay,... I was turned off). Infiniti's I35 is actually a Maxima, Lexus' ES is only a camry. Im beginning to think that several of Acura's models probably share a good deal of componentry with the Civic and Accord. In all likelihood, many of the second tier luxury brands are probably made in the same factory as the low cost models.

Automakers have to be able to make a profit on their vehicles. It is much easier to recycle an existing, proven platform (use better interior materials, more powerful engines, extra options, higher quality standards, etc.) than to re-design something new.

And yes, Acura does have Accord/Civic based vehicles.

Honda = Acura
Nissan = Infinity
VW = Audi
Toyota = Lexus
Ford = Lincoln

Etc, etc, etc.

If the things you're paying for don't appeal to you, then don't buy them.

Viper GTS

 

[woodie1]

Many of the higher line autos contain newer technology that won't filter down to the lower priced vehicle for several years. Things like ABS, air bags, etc. were like this.

 

[Dari]

I'm seriously thinking of getting a Volvo S60R in July. Your thoughts on that?

 

[AvesPKS]

"componentry"?

 

[JYDog]

The easiest way to tell if a manufacture is cheating you in the departments you talked above is to measure their engine line-ups. If the make have only two or three engines spread over like 7 or 8 cars, its not a good sign.

 

[CTrain]

Mostly has to do with PRESTIGE.

Why must the rich buy a 10K coffee table as oppose to a $200 table ??
All has to do with money...if you have it, why not spend it ?

There are qualities that makes a $40K BMW superior to a $25K Accord but is the extra $15K worth it ??
Of course for people that has money.
Its a way of telling people " Hey I have MONEY"

Its the same with everything else in life, the more money you have, the more expensive products you're going to buy.

 

[SWScorch]

If you're gonna get an Audi, go all the way and get an RS6... a 4-door sedan that will keep pace with a Porsche? I want it \m/

 

[Phuz]

Originally posted by: Dari
I'm seriously thinking of getting a Volvo S60R in July. Your thoughts on that?

I can only dream...

300ft/lbs @ less than 2200rpm.... AWD... all this out of a 2.5L engine... yessss.

 

[ElFenix]

they are better assembled, usually. infinity has better assembly than nissan, lexus is better assembled than toyota. they also usually have higher output engines, more anti-noise bits, and a higher grade of leather (acura leather isn't noticably better than honda leather, which is realllly plasticky)

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Originally posted by: Phuz

Originally posted by: Dari
I'm seriously thinking of getting a Volvo S60R in July. Your thoughts on that?

I can only dream...

300ft/lbs @ less than 2500rpm.... AWD... all this out of a 2.5L engine... yessss.

Volvos rule and are true lux cars, nuff said.

 

[Marty]

The G35 is not a Maxima. The most obvious indication is that the Maxima is FWD, whereas the G35 is RWD.

If you buy a more expensive model, such as a Lexus instead of a Toyota, you are going to get a car that has better construction, is more luxurious, and is more reliable. In general, these cars have simply been thought-through more often.

 

[Phuz]

Originally posted by: LordSegan

Originally posted by: Phuz

Originally posted by: Dari
I'm seriously thinking of getting a Volvo S60R in July. Your thoughts on that?

I can only dream...

300ft/lbs @ less than 2500rpm.... AWD... all this out of a 2.5L engine... yessss.

Volvos rule and are true lux cars, nuff said.

I was wrong.... its 2100rpm... running @ 15.2 psi. Q )

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: Marty
The G35 is not a Maxima. The most obvious indication is that the Maxima is FWD, whereas the G35 is RWD.

If you buy a more expensive model, such as a Lexus instead of a Toyota, you are going to get a car that has better construction, is more luxurious, and is more reliable. In general, these cars have simply been thought-through more often.

More reliable..?

I have a 1998 Corolla with 121,6** miles, and it's still going strong..

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: Phuz

Originally posted by: LordSegan

Originally posted by: Phuz

Originally posted by: Dari
I'm seriously thinking of getting a Volvo S60R in July. Your thoughts on that?

I can only dream...

300ft/lbs @ less than 2500rpm.... AWD... all this out of a 2.5L engine... yessss.

Volvos rule and are true lux cars, nuff said.

I was wrong.... its 2100rpm... running @ 15.2 psi. Q )

I'm not a car buff so please forgive my ignorance. But, what does that mean practically? will it give me more gas mileage?

 

[Phuz]

Originally posted by: Dari

Originally posted by: Phuz

Originally posted by: LordSegan

Originally posted by: Phuz

Originally posted by: Dari
I'm seriously thinking of getting a Volvo S60R in July. Your thoughts on that?

I can only dream...

300ft/lbs @ less than 2500rpm.... AWD... all this out of a 2.5L engine... yessss.

Volvos rule and are true lux cars, nuff said.

I was wrong.... its 2100rpm... running @ 15.2 psi. Q )

I'm not a car buff so please forgive my ignorance. But, what does that mean practically? will it give me more gas mileage?

The T5 engine is amazing. That kind of power, at that low RPMs is performance generally seen in V8s, not 5 cylinders. Its base model has just over 220hp, and its getting the difference with a very high performance turbo, running at 15.2 pounds/square inch. Thats a lot of boost pressure.

Engine aside, its a volvo, with AWD, suspension technology like none other, and a very very cool interior.

This is a 2500CC engine... making 300hp.
I have a 2200CC engine... making 140hp. (non turbo)

 

[FrustratedUser]

I have to say that saying VW = Audi is not 100% true.
Wolkswagen and Audi has existed side by side for a long time. But nowadays they share some parts and to an extent chassies.

Toyota = Lexus is more true since Lexus began as the high-end Toyotas to fool the US costumers. Same goes for Honda = Acura and Nissan = Inifiti. They have since then diverged more.

Mercury is definitely = Ford.

 

[vetteguy]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser
I have to say that saying VW = Audi is not 100% true.
Wolkswagen and Audi has existed side by side for a long time. But nowadays they share some parts and to an extent chassies.

Toyota = Lexus is more true since Lexus began as the high-end Toyotas to fool the US costumers. Same goes for Honda = Acura and Nissan = Inifiti. They have since then diverged more.

Mercury is definitely = Ford.

I have to agree, at least with the Audi comment. I can tell you from firsthand experience that my TT is NOT a Beetle with the Audi rings slapped on it. If you're "turned-off" from a luxury car because it shares a platform with a non-luxury brand, then you need to either a) reevaluate why you're looking at these types of cars in the first place, or b) get a "true" luxury car (by your standards), such as a BMW, Mercedes, etc.

 

[gopunk]

some people appreciate the differences more than others. if you don't appreciate the difference, then go for the cheaper car.

 

[NFS4]

I mean, seriously, the dash and everything is exactly the same between the Audis and Volkswagens (much to my dismay,... I was turned off).

Since when did Audi's and VW's the same interiors? You're DEAD WRONG there.

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: JYDog
The easiest way to tell if a manufacture is cheating you in the departments you talked above is to measure their engine line-ups. If the make have only two or three engines spread over like 7 or 8 cars, its not a good sign.

Obviously this comment was aimed twards Nissan/Infiniti. What's so wrong with it? If anyhting, it's an advantage

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: Marty
The G35 is not a Maxima. The most obvious indication is that the Maxima is FWD, whereas the G35 is RWD. If you buy a more expensive model, such as a Lexus instead of a Toyota, you are going to get a car that has better construction, is more luxurious, and is more reliable. In general, these cars have simply been thought-through more often.

When did anyone say that the G35 WAS a maxima?

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: rbloedow

Originally posted by: Marty
The G35 is not a Maxima. The most obvious indication is that the Maxima is FWD, whereas the G35 is RWD. If you buy a more expensive model, such as a Lexus instead of a Toyota, you are going to get a car that has better construction, is more luxurious, and is more reliable. In general, these cars have simply been thought-through more often.

When did anyone say that the G35 WAS a maxima?

No one ever did. The original poster said I35. Marty was just smoking crack when he posted

 

[Marty]

.

When did anyone say that the G35 WAS a maxima?

Whoops, I guess in my eager i misread the I35 as G35. My mistake