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Audi A4 vs Acura TL vs Volvo S60 vs VW Passat

90 messages,  Last post on Sep 03, 2010 at 2:09 AM

You are in the Audi A4 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Audi A4, Acura TL, Volvo S60, Volkswagen Passat, Sedan

Messages Page 5 of 10

#35 of 90 Re: Audi A4 vs Acura TL vs Volvo S60 vs VW Passat [edwardsf] by taxesquire

Sep 12, 2005 (12:14 pm)

Replying to: edwardsf (Sep 12, 2005 11:51 am)
Few randome responses on this topic:
 
Volvos are fun cars. If I was in the market for a compact car, it would've easily been the S40 T5. I'm in the mid-sized market, and if the S60 came with a 6 MT, I would've considered it.
 
I'm one of those who've said the Passat interior is similar to Audi, and I base that on personal experience, and stand by that comment with one qualification: I base my view on personal experience with a 2001.5 Passat and a 2002 Audi A6. The seats are the same - stitching, stuffing, etc. The gauges and center-stack controls are the same. I could believe that the A4 is firmer riding than the Passat, but do not believe the A6 is firmer. Audi is clearly sportier, but the Passat interior is very well-done and Audi-like.
 
You said "The even bigger difference between the A4 2.0 and the Passat 2.0 was the handling"
 
Of course the A4 handles better! The Jetta with a sport package probably handles better, too, since the Passat is bigger. The Passat handles more like the A6 b/c it's mroe similar in size to the A6. At least back in '01.5, what Passat did was take a car body similar to the A6, and put in an A4 engine (either the smaller one or the v6 one which was smaller than the v6 in the A6). Because of the larger size, the Passat is less sporty than the A4. Because of the smaller engine, the Passat is less sporty than the A6. Still kicks the crap out of the competition!!!!
 
In my mind, it's unfare to compare the A4 and BMW3 series with "competitors" such as the G35, TL and the cars mentioned in this forum. Don't get me wrong, I'm the 1st person to say that you have to compare what you might buy. If it's an apples to oranges comparison, then you need to decide whether you want an apple or an orange. Anyway, all I'm saying is I understand the comparisions b/c of price, but I think that if you're talking about handling and sportiness (and not $$$) the TL, G35, S60, etc should be compared to the A6 and 5-series. Of course, the 5-series might handle better than the G35 and TL, but that's still what the comparison should be.
 
Regarding a prior comment that the Passsat handles like a TL, I could agree. I think the TL is a stiffer ride (I have the 6MT w/ summer tires), but I also think I'm at my comfort-limit with the TL. I thought the Passat handled well, as did the S40 (though that is based on a short test-drive in which my main realization was that a compact car was too small for me).

#36 of 90 Re: Audi A4 vs Acura TL vs Volvo S60 vs VW Passat [taxesquire] by edwardsf

Sep 13, 2005 (2:56 pm)

Replying to: taxesquire (Sep 12, 2005 12:14 pm)
I agree on most of what you said. I much prefer the pre 2006 Passat interiors to the current version of the Passat. Regarding handling, the new Passat, while feeling more balanced and solid, is not quite as sporty as the last version. And since the A4 is even more sporty this year (the 1.8 version did not thrill me), there is now a big difference. Hop in a new Passat and you might agree. I compared the Passat to the TL, but I agree with you that the TL is stiffer and sportier. I also think the TL, and the S60 are fantastic deals. As you say, they are comparable, though not quite as sporty, as the 5 series but cost about $15 K less. I think all four cars are super cars and good good deals in their respective niches: small sport sedan (A4), sporty near luxury sedan (TL, S60), sporty family car (Passat).
 
Comparos should be:
A4, 3 series, S40 T5, Mazaspeed 6, IS, C230, TSX, 9-3
5 series, E series, A6, M45, S60, TL, 9-5, GS300,
Passat, Mazda 6, Altima SER, Maxima,
 
I have no clue what to do with the G35 as that round shift plate is too ugly for anything.

#37 of 90 Re: Audi A4 vs Acura TL vs Volvo S60 vs VW Passat [edwardsf] by taxesquire

Sep 13, 2005 (4:39 pm)

Replying to: edwardsf (Sep 13, 2005 2:56 pm)
I'm enjoying this stream, Ed. You make good points. I'll only counter on your 2nd comp.: 5 series, E series, A6, M45, S60, TL, 9-5, GS300
 
I think it should be broken up as follows:
 
530 & below (525?); TL; G35; S60; 9-5
530 & above (545?); A6; M; GS300; RL; S60T5(?)
 
I'm not knowledgable with Saab or Mercedes

#38 of 90 Re: Audi A4 vs Acura TL vs Volvo S60 vs VW Passat [taxesquire] by frisconick

Sep 13, 2005 (6:07 pm)

Replying to: taxesquire (Sep 13, 2005 4:39 pm)
I believe the Mercedes C class would belong in the 530 & below (525?); TL; G35; S60; 9-5 comparo

#39 of 90 A4 it is!!! by quest3

Sep 13, 2005 (9:00 pm)

Well I been car shopping for almost 2 long months now, test driving everything I come across and wasn't getting that "I gotta get this car" feeling but I was saving the Acura TL, Volvo S40 awd, 06 Audi A4 quattro, and the Lexus IS250 awd for last cause I kind of figured I wouldnt get that feeling until getting to the main part of my test drive list. I'm currently in Alaska so the rwd 350 was out but when I get stationed back in the lower 48 that is what I want. So anyway test drove the Volvo still nothing. Drove the Acura which was my favorite all around before driving it for the way its packaged but didnt care for it after driving it, it just seemed "heavy" dont ask me what that means. So just yesterday I went to Audi and test drove a 06 2.0 A4 and absolutely loved it it was actually the longest test drive I had ever been on. It was so much fun to drive, loved the way it looks, and feels just so solid and So needless to say all that plus the audi 2 yr leasing special going on right now I opted to not wait for the Lexus 250 and jump on the Audi. I only had to wait 1 more month to drive the Lexus but they wouldnt be able to beat the leasing offer anyway so its Audi for me at least for the next 2 yrs.. Thank you for everyones discussions and opinions on all the vehicles it really helped me narrow thing s down and zone in on which had over all everything I wanted.
in case you want to know
06 A4 2.0 quattro
auto, premium, technology 2, sunroof pkg,cold weather, ocean blue pearl/plat leath
1080- due at lease inception
435- a month
Guess I'll see you all in about 23 months when its time for another vehicle

#40 of 90 Re: A4 it is!!! [quest3] by frisconick

Sep 14, 2005 (7:23 pm)

Replying to: quest3 (Sep 13, 2005 9:00 pm)
Great post! Now that's how to pick a car, whatever knocks you out.

#41 of 90 $35K Comparo by bjbird2

Sep 14, 2005 (8:56 pm)

In the October 2005 issue of Car and Driver Magazine, they did a comparo of $35K sports sedans, which included some of the cars in this forum. Their results:
 
1. BMW 330i
2. Lexus IS350
3. Infiniti G35
4. Acura TL
5. Audi A4 3.2 Quattro
6. Cadillac CTS
7. Volvo S60R AWD
8. Saab 9-3 Aero

#42 of 90 Re: $35K Comparo [bjbird2] by fish8

Sep 15, 2005 (4:50 am)

Replying to: bjbird2 (Sep 14, 2005 8:56 pm)
That was an interesting article.....They weren't too fond of the A4. They said the A4 was not a big step up from the previous A4 and the other makes improved substantially..........

#43 of 90 Re: $35K Comparo [fish8] by 600kgolfgt

Sep 15, 2005 (5:16 am)

Replying to: fish8 (Sep 15, 2005 4:50 am)
Audi's Achilles' heel is being associated with the least reliable group on the planet - VW Group. The most unreliable vehicles in automotive history...

#44 of 90 Re: $35K Comparo [600kgolfgt] by taxesquire

Sep 15, 2005 (5:23 am)

Replying to: 600kgolfgt (Sep 15, 2005 5:16 am)
VW Group. The most unreliable vehicles in automotive history...
 
That's quite an exageration. VW may have a bad reputation based on now-defunct models, but they've been ave or above ave in recent years, according to consumer reports, that focuses on reliability as opposed to sportiness. From at least 2001 through 2005, the VW Passat was a CR recommended pick for its class. One of the significant factors is reliability.

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