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

[rbjeepthing]

My 09 WRX with 75k on it does about 1L per 3000 km. It's annoying to me. My 01 Jetta TDI (diesel) with 350k on it did under 1L in 10k. Wasn't an issue because 1L is just beyond the difference between the high and low marks on the stick and by 10k it was time to change the oil anyway.

Lexus or Acura is where it's at if you want reliable. Also, a used IS250 is peanuts compared to a used WRX, has a significantly better interior, way more fancy gadgets, fits way more luggage (I'm comparing to the hatchback WRX). A little slower, though.

Very common for boosted gasoline engines to burn a bit of oil. We had the same issue with our WRX and switched to Motul. No longer burns oil at all period.

Just got back from Kitchener and London looking at A4's. Out of 5 decent dealer cars only 1 had an invoice for the 120K timing belt service. It was $1346 at an Audi dealership. 3 others said it was done but could provide no invoices, and 1 other said they would have their "mechanic" do it. The car that had the proofed invoice had garbage Nexen tires on it and 4 curb-rashed, ground-to-**** wheels. WTF? I've never rashed a wheel in my life.

There were 2 Audi's that shook at idle in-gear like a toonie-powered massage chair you find in the middle of a mall aisle, I'm guessing engine or trans mounts at the least. Tough pickings man. They are all priced in the 10 K range. Heading to Toronto tomorrow to try my luck there...

This is a very common issue when you look at luxury cars in the 10-20g range. People who typically purchase them cannot afford to maintain them properly and tend to use far inferior parts on them to make it affordable. Those same people complain that a brake job is two grand because they forgot their Audi/BMW/Benz cost sixty grand brand new and repair costs and parts reflect that.

 

[Kri$han]

In that price range you can get a pretty nicely equipped 2008 Acura TSX - maybe even with navi at this point.

All-round a great car, but it's a Honda so it will feel utterly gutless (no torque). By far your best bet in terms of bang-for-buck, though. I've done a lot of shopping lately for these kinds of cars, but in the 20-25k range.

 

[daisoman]

For the love god get rwd.

 

[Roomie]

For the love god get rwd.

over awd? for real?

Honda/Acura aren't horrid cars but as said, 150hp is useless with 5 lb ft of torque. Everyone wants to talk about how bad germans are to work on? Have a look at this picture and tell me you'd like to try anything involving this engine and maintenance.

 

[honduhmatic]

Really tho, what does it need? A timing belt every 170,000 kms?

It can be tough to access for the very little it ever needs to be touched.

 

[Roomie]

Even the air filter is a ***** to check because of how confined it is. Don't get me wrong I did enjoy the car but at least the big bad scary german cars are a lot easier to work on even for regular checks of maintenance items or adding fluids.

 

[honduhmatic]

The air filter looks like it's bunched in, but it is exposed. It's not that frequent of job. I agree that's a cramped engine compartment - my Accord is much better, and there are worse offenders than even that car. V6 front-drive Nissans, for instance, and VR6 Golf/Jettas come to mind. There isn't a lot of room in a V6 A4 or V8 S4 either.

I'd sooner pay a few hours extra maintenance for the timing belts that come up once every five years, vs. having to replace 6 litres of some obscure expensive oil on a BMW and paying the mark-up on other frequent items like brakes, shocks and suspension components, ...

It's not that the maintenance on a Benz, Bimmer or Audi is hard, it's moreso the part cost and the criticality of maintenance. Being lax with maintenance on a Honda, or using Wal-Mart fluids and generic replacement parts rather than the OEM/owner's manual gospel, doesn't have the same consequence.

Don't get me wrong, I love european cars and would love one someday. I just think the maintenance expense and tedium of owning one is better spent on a motorcycle.

 

[Roomie]

Don't get me wrong, I love european cars and would love one someday. I just think the maintenance expense and tedium of owning one is better spent on a motorcycle.

We agree here. This is why I am down to one german, albeit a vr6 car but it's a riot to drive and bought a new bike instead of an audi or similar. I may look at one later this year but for now I am going to be much happier on a bike.

 

[honduhmatic]

If I hadn't found motorcycling, I'd probably have something cool as a second car. A few years ago, I almost bought an E30 318is.

I'm not saying that Benzes, Bimmers and Audis are bad cars that will leave you stranded. I generally have a lower opinion of Audis and have heard bad things about the 2.7 biturbos. Overall, my overall impression is that they're great, enjoyable cars need (and are well worth) a bit of extra maintenance expense and where proper planned service is important. I know lots of pleased repeat customers so it can't be that bad.

 

[DJM]

Well yesterday I pulled the trigger on a Dolphin Grey '04 A4 1.8T Quattro with Sport Package. Just need to get the exterior detailed and have the windows tinted. I'm not worried about maintenance, I do my own on both cars and bikes plus I have a well-equipped garage to perform it in. Hell, I've owned Jeeps and motorcycles for years, can't be any worse off for repairs or maintenance. Although I think I'll get another VAGCOM to supplement the maintenance, had one when I had a VW TDI and it's an excellent tool.

Thanks to everyone for their input. If anyone cares I'll post a pic up later when it's been detailed.

 

[GTA_6speed]

Congrats, love the colour! What are the details? Stick or Auto? How many km? Mind sharing what you paid?

 

[DJM]

It's Tiptronic but I can live with that. 140K. Originally purchased and then traded in at Agincourt Audi and owned by a T.O Doctor. With a 2 year powertrain warranty it was just over $10K out the door. I had argued with them about the lack of a record of timing belt service so I factored that into my offer. However, when I got home and started going through all the manuals I found an $1800 dealer invoice for the belt service etc.

I've been going over the car as I do with all new aquirings, looks like there's been some replacement parts recently. Control arms and struts look recent, labels on them are still clean and shiny and the steering is very tight. Slight oil leak at rear of engine block, I'm guessing either valve cover gasket or camshaft plugs, rainy day repair in the future. That's about all I can see.

Brakes are a weak point. Wooden and spongy. The front rotors look to be less diameter than on my motorbike. That's first on my upgrade list. Adding an ECU tune is second, could always use more power.

Reminds me a lot of my old MK IV Jetta. Quality interior, solid feel.

Forgot to add: Driving it back to Windsor I averaged 7.4L/100Km @ 115Km/h average speed. My old Jeep would have been around 14L/100Km so I basically have cut my fuel bills in half. I estimate I should save about $160 a month in fuel.

 

[caboose56]

^^ buybrakes.com for upgrade kits.

 

[GTA_6speed]

Good to hear and congrats. I think you did quite well given the ownership and service history. The fact that it was owned by a doctor speaks volumes and hopefully means that you'll get long-life out of that factory turbo.

Enjoy it and the fuel savings!

 

[Roomie]

The upgrade to S4 brakes is always an option and they're much better. Do yourself a favor and go with aftermarket drilled rotors at least in the front (brembo) :thumbup:

 

[caboose56]

The upgrade to S4 brakes is always an option and they're much better. Do yourself a favor and go with aftermarket drilled rotors at least in the front (brembo) :thumbup:

I just put some cross drilled and slotted rotors on my Edge with ceramic pads. $380 from buybrakes.com.

 

[DJM]

I just put some cross drilled and slotted rotors on my Edge with ceramic pads. $380 from buybrakes.com.

Good link. Lots of choices on that site. How much was shipping etc?

 

[caboose56]

Good link. Lots of choices on that site. How much was shipping etc?

Free shipping to SCC Parcel Pickup in Port Huron. I imagine shipping to Canada could get expensive.

 

[DJM]

Free shipping to SCC Parcel Pickup in Port Huron. I imagine shipping to Canada could get expensive.

That's right. I forgot about my Kinek parcel service account in Detroit.

 

[daught]

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.

BUMP. I want an audi again... well I want an AWD sedan, no SUVs, to take me skiing in the worst storms. I don't really care much about performance, but I want RELIABLE. RELIABLE. Can anyone make that anymore? Gas performance, anything under 12L/100KM is ok. I considered a supra reliable, so my standards aren't that high, but it seems everything I look at these days has a million quirks. Seems my choice is either subaru or audi. Considering subarus rust audi it is. But which one?
Like I said, my old audi 90 with the 2.8 12V engine was a tank. Someone mentioned the new V6 has issues with the timing chain guides. If I am not mistaking the older A4 2.8 24V is pretty similar to my old 2.8 12V. It has a belt, which is a much easier job than timing chain. I actually enjoy doing big maintenance jobs myself. I hate replacing broken **** constantly. Is the I4 turbo really better than the 2.8 24V reliability wise?