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Audi A4 2004 and earlier
6042 messages, Last post on Sep 20, 2011 at 4:33 PM
You are in the Audi A4 Forum.What is this discussion about? Audi A4, Sedan
#2675 of 6042 JOFO - Get the A4!! by cyberpmg
Dec 10, 2001 (7:03 am)
My previous vehicle was a 1996 Toyota 4Runner Limited. I agree that the handling is nothing compared to what's been discussed here (what do you expect from a truck? :-p). When I went looking for a new vehicle, I knew I wanted AWD.I had looked at the Jaguar X-Type 3.0, Toyota Highlander Limited, Lexus RX300, BMW 325XI, and the Audi A4 3.0 Quattro. The Highlander is derived from the RX300, and (IMHO) was better in drivability, but this would only replace a SUV with another SUV (no spirited driving allowed
). The Jaguar had all of the features you can expect, but the interior fit and finish threw this off of the list (too many Ford identifiable parts - and parts broken in all X-Types I saw!). The Jag drove well, but don't know on it's reliability, especially with the AWD system. Too many unknowns. Probably worth looking at in a few years.
The BMW definitely stands up as a driver's car. There is something in the engineering of the car that links the road to the car and to the driver. This is without all of the marketing and social hype of the BMW name. I probably would have gotten one until I test drove the A4 3.0.
With the A4 3.0, I was able to get more options in a car for about the price of the BMW 325XI. The connection to the road is still there, but only slightly subdued with the added luxury items I got.
If you still need the cargo space to haul stuff like you did in the 4Runner, then look at the A4 Avant that's coming out real soon. Otherwise, the A4 sedan is really great. The best way to decide is to try them all yourself. Make no commitments with any dealer, and go have fun driving the best there is
#2676 of 6042 Mileage by audibon
Dec 10, 2001 (7:25 am)
Billy:'Rocco with 5k on his car yet? I think you are being overly optimistic.
You drive quite a bit too I see, we have 7400 on ours at just about 5 months. Do either of you lease? 'Rocco, not to beat a dead horse but a lease would seem to be perfect for your situation considering the amount of mileage you put on the vehicle. Have you ever considered it? Just curious? Brian
#2677 of 6042 Audibon re Mileage by lauk0dg
Dec 10, 2001 (8:29 am)
Yup I told myself not to drive the A4 as much as my ex-Accord (5.5 years and 120k miles).....given the fact that the A4 hasn't left Illinois for more than a state (farthest it has gone was Wisconsin).....and I drove my Accord from Chicago to Seattle.....I have NO clue why I put so many miles on the A4. And no, I didn't lease the car cuz as you said, leasing with even 15k miles/yr is going to kill me with the extra mileage. Yeah Rocco, you should be leasing.....but you are not doing that route, right? ONLY 2k??? Geez. Yeah I'm being too optimistic, Brian. WHy don't we trade cars for a while, Rocco? :>Billy
#2678 of 6042 Re:Mileage by audibon
Dec 10, 2001 (1:54 pm)
Billy:Got to love those Accords! I had 2 myself and put 170k and 95k on them and can only hope the A4 lasts as long... The one with 170k, tranny was blown and the one with 95k we traded in because it had more value on it than our Cavalier. I think we can keep our cars we just need 'Rocco's driving habits. Any tips on how you keep your mileage down? I have that feeling we'll be over when our lease is done and am not looking forward to it.
Guess we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Brian
#2679 of 6042 *grrrrrr* I know, I know..... by scirocco22
Dec 10, 2001 (4:06 pm)
Brian and Billy-- *lol* yeah, it wasn't my intention to drive this little. I had grand expectations to be driving the A4 a lot when I first purchased it but because of my situation at work and in my personal life, it isn't panning out the way I planned ...but maybe one of these days I can catch up with you guys. I've never been one to favor leasing ...never felt it made much sense, from a financial perspective, for the average joe. I've always paid cash for my cars with the intention of driving them until the wheels fell off. But as can be expected, I usually start itching for something new after about 5-7 years. I've always refused to make payments on a depreciating asset but as I grow older, I'm thinking that leasing may make more sense. In fact, I may seriously consider it on my next new car selection. I mean, so what if it doesn't make financial sense ...I think I'll just treat myself to a new car every 3 years or so. --can we say "new S4 in 2003?"
And yeah, I know so many friends and relatives that are former Accord owners who have moved on to other cars. Why is that? Does that mean the people at Honda who make decisions aren't keeping up with what people want? You'd think one of their main goals would be to sustain owner loyalty and at least keep them in the Honda family. But that doesn't appear to be happening from what I can see. My Aunt and Uncle, just yesterday, bought a Toyota Avalon after having two Accords previously ...did they even consider, say, a TL?, probably not. I guess that's my point, you'd think they's want to be making cars that Accord owners want to consider moving up to. Not only have Accord sales dropped in relation to their competion in recent years but so has their rating in Consumer Reports. I noticed in the last issue, the Accord is still in third place behind the number one Passat and the brand new Camry. Of course, isn't the brand new Accord due out next year? ...if so, maybe things will change for the better.
Okay, so anyway, let's compare mileage next year at this time and maybe by then I'll have caught up with you guys ...I've got several trips planned that I hope to take but if my situation doesn't change I'll probably only have 3,000 miles on it at this time next year! *lol*
--'rocco
#2680 of 6042 Got to love those Honda's... by 02a4curt
Dec 10, 2001 (5:51 pm)
My last eight cars have been Honda's, from a 1982 Accord to Preludes to Civics. Been totally happy with every one of them. All reliable and trouble free. Test drove the new Civics and Accords. Nice but boring. I was ready for something exciting. The 02 A4 did it for me. Have not been this excited about a new car since my 86 white Prelude. BTW...I still have that 86 Prelude, getting a little rusty but still keeps on ticking...#2681 of 6042 Yeah Honda's are nice but...... by lauk0dg
Dec 10, 2001 (11:07 pm)
they just don't have the SOUL German cars have. Our Audi's have it, BMW's have it, but unfortunately not the Honda's. My girlfriend's Civic got her from point A to point B everytime she jumps into the car and nothing broke since she got it in 1997 but it's just not exciting to drive. I guess Pontiac KINDA figured out the solution.....you guys saw those new commercials about some everyday joe's got the keys of a Pontiac and they ENJOY it soooooo much? I was like, wow, guess what they'll do if they got the keys to an Audi or a BMW.....they might wet their pants hehe.Billy
#2682 of 6042 Honda's/Rev's by audibon
Dec 11, 2001 (7:39 am)
Billy/'Rocco/et al:I don't know why Honda has that problem with owners not wanting to stay within the Honda family of cars. I have some hunches and I tend to agree with Billy that their cars just don't stir up any excitement in people as much anymore. I also think that a lack of a manual on the Accord V6 has hurt them as well as very few manuals on the Acura lineup. The Acura lineup while nice gives one the impression of dressed up Accords with different sheetmetal on top. Lots to look at and plenty of sizzle but where is the steak? So, that was why I made the change to Audi.
BTW I have vendor training in Vernon Hills, Illinois all week and on the way home checked the tach and it read 3200 rpm at 70 mph with the cruise control set so am not sure why I am a little higher on the revs at 70 but it is nice to be there for the passing ability. I agree that 3000 is not that high up in the rev range when you consider that the Honda S2000 makes its peak hp at 8000rpm or something? I would like to think that the mechanicals on our engines will be able to handle it. Later all.
Brian
#2683 of 6042 Audi repair questions? by tentwalker
Dec 11, 2001 (7:41 am)
I have a '98 A4 1.8T and it has about 46k miles on it. I recently was told that the rear brakes were low and when I went to have them replaced I was told it would be $70.00 and an additional $68.00 to have the anti-lock braking system 'flushed'. Is this necessary, or even real? And is this a good price for these repairs? I need some advice. Thanks.#2684 of 6042 Revs by lauk0dg
Dec 11, 2001 (8:01 am)
Oh for the record I looked at my rev at 70mph (5-speed manual) at cruise control on flat interstates, and it's 3200rpm. Sorry for the confusion.Billy
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