- #69 of 88
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Re: Audi A4 vs Acura TL vs Volvo S60 vs VW Passat [nhdriver1]
by quasiactuary
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Jul 24, 2006 (12:11 pm)
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Replying to: nhdriver1 (Oct 01, 2005 8:31 pm)
So nhdriver1 can't recommend the Volvo S60 awd based on turning radius.....
I just wanted to point out that the turning radius on the Acura TL is actually 1 foot WORSE than the S60 (38.7' on the S60 and 39.7' on the TL). They both aren't much fun in tight turning situations..... like parking.
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- #70 of 88
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Re: A4 it is!!! [txn8v]
by cruznsd
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Aug 01, 2006 (10:15 am)
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Replying to: txn8v (Jan 01, 2006 9:41 pm)
txn8v, I have owned both a VW Jetta GLI as well as a Volvo Turbo wagon. Both will be more expensive to maintain than the Acura. The Volvo may be safe, but it is underpowered and fit and finish are for crap. The VW was always fun and pretty reliable, but prepare to bend over when it is time for service. Our Volvo replacement, a Honda Odyssey has been terrific only problem being transmission which has been replaced under warranty and they also extended the warranty. I have been shopping for a new car for months and was about to purchase an Audi A3 as it is one fun go-cart ooops I mean car. That was until I stopped at the Acura dealer to check on the TL. In CA we are able to get rediculous deals on the TL at this point in time. 06 TL auto with Navigation for 31K including destination!! It is not quite as fun to toss around as that go-kart like A3, but as far as bang for your buck nothing comes close. The TL comes fully equiped, the Passat, Audi and the Volvo options are very pricy and will run you 5K more for the same equipment. I am not sure what the problem was with the TL's sound system that you listened to, but I have not heard anything close to the sound quality coming out of a TL in any of the other vehicles mentioned. Its one downfall is it inability to play MP3's. Check edmunds list of best stereos in cars between 25k and 35k, RL =#1, TL = #2 and I must agree unless hip hop is your favorite.
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- #71 of 88
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Re: A4 it is!!! [txn8v]
by raven_seven
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Sep 07, 2006 (9:32 pm)
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Replying to: txn8v (Jan 01, 2006 9:41 pm)
I was sitting at the Acura dealership about to sign the papers on a TL. I changed my mind at the last minute though. The TL's interior simply reminded me too much of my 2003 Honda Accord. Both of these are great cars in almost any aspect, but I personally just hated driving the Accord, plus I never became very comfortable in its seats. I also read that the TL's interior doesn't age very well. So, I finally realized that the TL wasn't for me.
I had owned a '99 Passat which gave me 0.0 problems in four years of ownership -well, I once left the gas cap loose and got a CEL, but it went away after a couple of days-. I also loved driving that Passat.
Anyway, I ended up with a Passat 3.6 with the luxury package. I'm averaging about 28 MPG in a brand new V6 engine. I'm very happy with my decision so far.
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- #72 of 88
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Re: A4 it is!!! [txn8v]
by holdencaul
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Sep 08, 2006 (7:13 am)
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Replying to: txn8v (Jan 01, 2006 9:41 pm)
I was in a similar boat for the past few months. Looked at some Acuras (TL and TSX), the A4 and others. Finally decided to go with the Passat 3.6L with the Sport 2 package, Black interior and exterior for a pretty good deal (over 6K off of list). It is absolutely amazing. The interior detail, the stereo, the 280hp engine's acceleration, and the handling are so much better than everything else I've driven. I'm sure there will be some quality issues along the way, but for me, it's THE car for the money (approx 30K). BTW, I agree with you on the lower-end Passats, you have to go with the 3.6 for the "real" Passat euro-sports-sedan experience (preferably with the Sport pkg and some 18" wheels).
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- #73 of 88
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Volvo FWD vs. AWD
by voxboy
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Dec 03, 2006 (9:05 am)
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Can anyone enlighten me on this? Consumer Reports gives the Volvo S60 FWD an above-average reliability rating, while it gives the AWD model a below-average reliability rating. Logic dictates that this gap in customer satisfaction is 100% AWD-related. But is that truly the case? What sort of problems should I expect and how severe and/or frequent are the issues that arise? I need to understand if the AWD S60 is going to be a reliability headache.
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- #76 of 88
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Re: A4 it is!!! [holdencaul]
by pats1
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Jan 16, 2007 (7:35 pm)
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Replying to: holdencaul (Sep 08, 2006 7:13 am)
My wife drives a 2006 S60 AWD 2.5T and I have a 2006 A4 2.0T quattro auto. I'm not sure how they market these cars (as in suggesting they should compete with one another), but they are markedly different from one another. I agree with the comment made some time back about the S60 turning radius - horrible. But I would not drive past the Volvo dealer just because of that - you adjust to that just like you adjust to speed-sensitive steering and different brake feel, etc. It's a great all-around sedan, actually a bit quicker than the A4. The seats are the most comfortable and supportive around, and Volvo has come a long way in the styling department, inside and out. The interior seems roomier than the A4 although they look alike on paper. But the A4 handles more crisply and is better equipped for the money. The A4 is more of an enthusiast's car and the S60 fits the bill for those who want an "almost-enthusiast's" car. I am not knocking Volvo owners as "less than", as I said I really like the car. But if am going to take some winding backroads and want to have fun, I'd probably grab the Audi keys before the Volvo keys. On a freeway, I like the ride of the Volvo a bit better. I cannot comment on the Consumer Report lower rating for the AWD as we have only 5K miles on the odo on the S60 - no problems so far.
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