Need a premium used car for 10-15K. BMW, Audi, Subaru, Chevrolet??? | GTAMotorcycle.com

Need a premium used car for 10-15K. BMW, Audi, Subaru, Chevrolet???

DJM

DJM

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My Jeep Grand Cherokee finally died. Good riddance to 16L/100 Km.

So, I'm considering a small premium sedan for my newly-discovered eclectic tastes. I'll only drive about 10 000 Km a year since it's a secondary vehicle and I have my bike for the riding season. Thinking around spending 10 to 15 k and planning to hit the GTA to purchase by next week, since that's where the majority of vehicles are. There's a plethora of 3-series and A4's for sale on the internet in that price range. Rather not do a private sale so that leaves car dealers and some sort of powertrain warranty. I think the 3's have a timing chain and normal aspiration while the A4 1.8T's are belt and turbo. Any particular strengths and weaknesses in these brands? One over the other? I'll definitely get winter tires, is the X-drive more reliable than Quattro? etc, etc, etc.
 
I had an older audi and it was great. Personally I would go for the V6 over the I4 Turbo. Turbos always add a layer of maintenance.
 
In that price range you should be able to get a decent A4, a car that I've had for years. Your main points of interest would be the timing belt/water pump which as per Audi standards should be changed at around 120k. The control arms can be pricey to replace so make sure those are in good condition too. The 1.8T/2.0 models are great on gas unless you're planning on constantly red lining them.
 
Other than an invoice for the timing belt is there a way to tell by looking at the engine if it's been done. Tell tale signs?
 
As said, out of those choices find the right a4. I would say stay away from the v6. Parts for 1.8t's or 2.0t's are much more common and after working with these cars for years I've seen more issues with 3.0 cars. I also wouldn't waste the money if it wasn't quattro and no not all of them are. Audi is perfectly reliable but is not a car you skip or prolong doing proper maintenance with. As far as comparing x drive to it, I'd say they're all very similar. The minor differences in the awd systems won't really affect you with daily driving.
 
Slow1 said:
As said, out of those choices find the right a4. I would say stay away from the v6. Parts for 1.8t's or 2.0t's are much more common and after working with these cars for years I've seen more issues with 3.0 cars. I also wouldn't waste the money if it wasn't quattro and no not all of them are. Audi is perfectly reliable but is not a car you skip or prolong doing proper maintenance with. As far as comparing x drive to it, I'd say they're all very similar. The minor differences in the awd systems won't really affect you with daily driving.
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Got it. Found a few Avant Quattro's in GTA, I'll be up there shortly to check them out.
 
If you are looking for a VAG car with a 2.0T engine, do some internet search on them to see if you still want to buy it. Great engines when it comes to performance and fuel economy, but they are in constant need of TLC. Excessive oil consumption (some people claiming 1l/1000km) and cam follower wearing out too fast (need to be checked at every oil change) are two of the most common problems with these engines. They run only on premium fuel and should use only synthetic oil that meets the VW 502.00 specifications. The timing belt change it's a three hour job, was about $500 parts and labour.

I don't mind checking the oil level every 2000kms, but some people expect more from a premium brand.
 
Always like the Avant and standard transmission.

I'm tooling around in a Rogue and kinda of regretting not getting the Golf Wagon TDI. Yes, the GTAM gang told me so but, I couldn't put my foot down when the other half wanted a higher perch the golf didn't offer. And then there was the wait for one to become available.

A couple of my colleagues have returned their 2011 models and the pay out was around the $15k range.

So, I'd keep my eye open for a former fleet golf wagon TDI.

IMO, a friend has an A4 Avant, quattro, stick (bright blue) and a silver A4 auto (cvt) and FWD, both 2.0 T. He loves them both. I say as long as you can confirm the service records showing regular maintence, you should be good. You could invite costly trouble from an example that hasn't been regularly maintained.

Some folks just gas and go and run the sucker until the lease is up and toss the keys back.

PS. I found the Golf wagon just as roomy as the Audi.

Another friend has a 3 series with x-drive. He loves the car. He loves his local Shell station too. At least he collects Airmiles!!!!!


PS. Th colleagues elected to get something different than the Golf wagon again because of limited availability off the lot.
 
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tiborgh said:
If you are looking for a VAG car with a 2.0T engine, do some internet search on them to see if you still want to buy it. Great engines when it comes to performance and fuel economy, but they are in constant need of TLC. Excessive oil consumption (some people claiming 1l/1000km) and cam follower wearing out too fast (need to be checked at every oil change) are two of the most common problems with these engines. They run only on premium fuel and should use only synthetic oil that meets the VW 502.00 specifications. The timing belt change it's a three hour job, was about $500 parts and labour.

I don't mind checking the oil level every 2000kms, but some people expect more from a premium brand.
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If my memory is right (already into some stella) the 2.0 issues were addressed and from mid to late 2009 on and the engine was actually a little different.
 
Slow1 said:
If my memory is right (already into some stella) the 2.0 issues were addressed and from mid to late 2009 on and the engine was actually a little different.
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Yes indeed, in 2009 they came out with the TSI engine having a timing chain instead of the belt and replacing the FSI engine from the earlier models. I do not have first hand experience with the TSI, just a few oil patches on my driveway, curtesy of a leaking plastic oil filter cap. There is an aftermarket bilet aluminum oil filter cap, it's only $80 south of the border.
 
tiborgh said:
If you are looking for a VAG car with a 2.0T engine, do some internet search on them to see if you still want to buy it. Great engines when it comes to performance and fuel economy, but they are in constant need of TLC. Excessive oil consumption (some people claiming 1l/1000km) and cam follower wearing out too fast (need to be checked at every oil change) are two of the most common problems with these engines. They run only on premium fuel and should use only synthetic oil that meets the VW 502.00 specifications. The timing belt change it's a three hour job, was about $500 parts and labour.

I don't mind checking the oil level every 2000kms, but some people expect more from a premium brand.
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Actually the 2.0L turbo is out of the question anyways because I'm not looking past '05 models, and because both my neighbour and workmate have early 2.0T's that drink oil at the rate of 1L every 500Km. VW told them that's "normal".
 
What about a 00-07 Volvo V70r for wagon, or S60r for sedan? 300hp, brembo brakes, the works.
 
Get yourself a Lexus or an Acura (Acura is generally cheaper to maintain than a Lexus). This is my opinion:

Audis fall apart much much faster and Germans still haven't resolved electrical issues after decades of issues with VW. I work in a shop, not a mechanic though so will not claim any superb expertise but I do go through a lot of vehicles daily and it's not that hard to compare them. Avoid Mercedes as well, not much better than VW and Audi. BMW seems to be the most reliable German vehicle but I would still purchase Jap in a blink of an eye. Maybe a G35? They come AWD as well. Avoid Volvo at all cost - over complicated, very high maintenance vehicles. One thing goes, 10 other things are connected to it. Same for Saab - weak weak built, lots of corrosion, things like strut mounts and such.
If you don't like large gas bills, check if the vehicle requires 87 or 91. Quite a few luxury cars need higher octane fuel and most definitely all boosted vehicles. That adds another 10% to your bill every time you fill up.
I generally agree with comments about turbos. They are an extra thing that could be a costly problem down the line.
 
Does any one make a good reliable car these days? Seems like every car has some serious quirks. Audi definitely went to ****.

1l oil/500 km isn't even normal for 2 stroke. That's close to another $10 every fill up.
 
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DemonPig said:
Get yourself a Lexus or an Acura (Acura is generally cheaper to maintain than a Lexus). This is my opinion:

Audis fall apart much much faster and Germans still haven't resolved electrical issues after decades of issues with VW. I work in a shop, not a mechanic though so will not claim any superb expertise but I do go through a lot of vehicles daily and it's not that hard to compare them. Avoid Mercedes as well, not much better than VW and Audi. BMW seems to be the most reliable German vehicle but I would still purchase Jap in a blink of an eye. Maybe a G35? They come AWD as well. Avoid Volvo at all cost - over complicated, very high maintenance vehicles. One thing goes, 10 other things are connected to it. Same for Saab - weak weak built, lots of corrosion, things like strut mounts and such.
If you don't like large gas bills, check if the vehicle requires 87 or 91. Quite a few luxury cars need higher octane fuel and most definitely all boosted vehicles. That adds another 10% to your bill every time you fill up.
I generally agree with comments about turbos. They are an extra thing that could be a costly problem down the line.
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I'm done with German cars! I compare them to having a Model as a gf, fun to play with, fun to brag to your friends, but she'll burn a hole in yo' wallet.

I've got a bmw i'm trying to get rid of. Not much takers

Sent from my Phone, dont judge the grammar
 
Yep. Youtube Timing belt changes for German cars. You'll see why to stay away from German cars. As well just to change all the fuel injectors on a BMW 5 series is near to $7000.



DemonPig said:
Get yourself a Lexus or an Acura (Acura is generally cheaper to maintain than a Lexus). This is my opinion:
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RockerGuy said:
I'm done with German cars! I compare them to having a Model as a gf, fun to play with, fun to brag to your friends, but she'll burn a hole in yo' wallet.
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And she'll look good doing it.

It's only money.

Vorsteiner-Taiwan-Matte-Blue-GTRS3-BMW-M3-exterior-rear-details-angle-view.jpg
 
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BLUE_KAWI said:
Yep. Youtube Timing belt changes for German cars. You'll see why to stay away from German cars. As well just to change all the fuel injectors on a BMW 5 series is near to $7000.
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because you don't do timing belts on other cars? Either you find a shop with a decent tech or learn yourself and it's not that bad. Just because the dealership bends you over for it doesn't mean they're hell to do. As for your theory on injectors, how often do you change those? Granted if it happens bmw is on crack for how much they charge. So many people are paranoid because they hear or read things on the internet that happen to a handful. I could give you pages of why not to buy any north american comparable car. Does it mean they're all bad? Probably not.
 
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