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Started By
Message
HELP...I'm looking for a new car; need a man's opinion
Posted on 6/22/12 at 2:13 am
Posted on 6/22/12 at 2:13 am
I'm interested in: Mercedes C350, Audi A4, or Nissan Maxima. All of these cars are about the same price although I'm sure I could get a better deal with Nissan. All seem to be about the same "cost to own" except the Mercedes appears to be slightly higher. Reviews state that Audi is an oil hog but it really is my favorite at this point. I'm looking for some men to give some real life input....Any advice?
Also, how can I get the best deal?
Also, how can I get the best deal?
9
Posted on 6/22/12 at 6:36 am to Cali 4 LSU
Audi and Mercedes are among the most trouble-prone vehicles you can buy. Take a look at Lexus and Acura if you want a reliable luxury car. The Nissan and higher-end Toyotas would also be good choices.
If you don't put a lot of miles on the car, consider leasing under one of the factory-sponsored lease specials. The dealer doesn't have very much wiggle room on these deals because the terms are all spelled out by the manufacturer. Just stick to the advertised car and don't try to customize it. Check out the manufacturer's web sites under "special offers" to find something that fits.
Good luck.
If you don't put a lot of miles on the car, consider leasing under one of the factory-sponsored lease specials. The dealer doesn't have very much wiggle room on these deals because the terms are all spelled out by the manufacturer. Just stick to the advertised car and don't try to customize it. Check out the manufacturer's web sites under "special offers" to find something that fits.
Good luck.
Posted on 6/22/12 at 6:53 am to Cali 4 LSU
a friend of mine had an a4 about 5 years ago and it needed a $8k transmission (not a typo, $8k) with only 40,000 miles on it... New Audis looks amazing but no way i could do it after hearing that story..
Posted on 6/22/12 at 7:47 am to Cali 4 LSU
Go with the Nissan. Then laugh at your friends who have atrocious maintenance bills on their Audis and Mercedez.
Posted on 6/22/12 at 7:59 am to Cali 4 LSU
quote:
Nissan Maxima
Two of my relatives have purchased new Maxima's within the last year. Both had major problems within 6 months, although they were covered by the warranty, thats not a good sign for me.
Personally I would look towards the Lexus ES, it is incredibly reliable and a great all around car (Luxurious yet zippy when it needs to be)
Just my 2 cents.
Posted on 6/22/12 at 8:11 am to Layabout
quote:
If you don't put a lot of miles on the car, consider leasing under one of the factory-sponsored lease specials. The dealer doesn't have very much wiggle room on these deals because the terms are all spelled out by the manufacturer. Just stick to the advertised car and don't try to customize it. Check out the manufacturer's web sites under "special offers" to find something that fits.
Unless he fully understands capitalized cost reduction, acquisition fee, money factor, lease terms, mileage overage, residual factor, and is willing to accept the MSRP price of these "lease specials," I don't think this is good advise.
This post was edited on 6/22/12 at 8:13 am
Posted on 6/22/12 at 8:13 am to Cali 4 LSU
I just bought an Audi 2012 model. Love it so far. Friends have driven them for years with no trouble. I really like the all wheel drive, I get good mileage and the luxury is unsurpassed. Just my two cents.
This post was edited on 6/22/12 at 8:14 am
Posted on 6/22/12 at 10:37 am to SlidellBammer
quote:
a friend of mine had an a4 about 5 years ago and it needed a $8k transmission (not a typo, $8k) with only 40,000 miles on it... New Audis looks amazing but no way i could do it after hearing that story..
That's just it...my friend had the S5 and I rode with her ONCE. I have never forgot the experience and I have yet to sit my arse in a car seat and feel the same sense of luxury in any other car but Audi. Even the Mercedes disappointed me..
BUT, the kicker is she has never had any maintenance problems. Brings it in once a year for oil change. She doesn't put extensive miles on it though and I guess I wouldn't either. I certainly appreciate the input!Posted on 6/22/12 at 10:40 am to txtiger21
quote:
Two of my relatives have purchased new Maxima's within the last year. Both had major problems within 6 months, although they were covered by the warranty, thats not a good sign for me.
My last 2 cars have been Nissan Maxima...LOVE 'EM. Never had any problems. Which is why I'm looking at another one. But when I discovered getting a loaded Maxima is about the same price as a decked out luxury, I thought I might try something different. The biggest problem I have is the Audi is a 4 cylinder (I'm used to a V6). But supposedly the torque is what matters for take-off...?
Posted on 6/22/12 at 10:45 am to Cali 4 LSU
quote:
My last 2 cars have been Nissan Maxima...LOVE 'EM. Never had any problems. Which is why I'm looking at another one
Do you want a new car or need a need car?
Posted on 6/22/12 at 10:46 am to SlidellBammer
quote:I'd think that's the exception, not the rule and the fact of the matter is if you drive a number of vehicles, you're going to have a problem sometime. I bought mine based upon the experiences of a friend which were all good. Wouldn't trade it for a gold monkey.
friend of mine had an a4 about 5 years ago and it needed a $8k transmission (not a typo, $8k) with only 40,000 miles on it... New Audis looks amazing but no way i could do it after hearing that story..
Posted on 6/22/12 at 11:34 am to Will Cover
quote:
Do you want a new car or need a need car?
At this point it is more of a want...but we will be needing a new car within the next 2 years so why not now and get the thing paid off? The car being replaced is 12 years old but isn't breaking down or anything. BTW, it's my husband's Maxima.
Posted on 6/22/12 at 11:45 am to Cali 4 LSU
quote:
BTW, it's my husband's Maxima.
quote:
Cali 4 LSU
Pics?
Seriously though, I've had two Audis over the years and didn't really have any major complaints with them. The interiors were just amazing and the Quattro AWD just plants the car on the road in a way that makes it feel so stable. I'd cruise at 110-120 on the interstate and it felt like I was going 70-80. They are amazing vehicles.
But if you are buying used and out of warranty, make sure you have a good local European garage where you live to bring it in for servicing/repairs. Going to a dealer will get expensive if you are out of the factory warranty period (4 yrs/50,000 miles).
Posted on 6/22/12 at 11:55 am to iPadThai
quote:
But if you are buying used and out of warranty, make sure you have a good local European garage where you live to bring it in for servicing/repairs. Going to a dealer will get expensive if you are out of the factory warranty period (4 yrs/50,000 miles).
What about an extended warranty...worth it?
Posted on 6/22/12 at 12:22 pm to Cali 4 LSU
Extended warranty is a hit or miss. People tell you to go both ways. For an expensive German car like this, you'll probably be better off getting one. But make sure you get it from a reputable company, preferably from an Audi dealership itself. Also read the fine print and make sure the extended warranty covers stuff like transmission, electrical parts, especially stuff like the power windows (as they are known to break on Audis), major suspension parts etc. If I remember right, I was quoted somewhere between $1500-1800 for extending the warranty on my Audi for two more years (and up to 100,000 miles) after the initial 4 years by my dealer. This gave a total of 6 years and 100k miles on warranty.
Also all Audis need a major timing belt service around 70k to 80k mile range. It is a big service that will take a few days. No warranty covers this and depending on where you go, dealer or independent European mechanic, it will cost anywhere from $1500-2000 for this service. Audi recommends you do this at 100k, but you really need to do this much earlier. I've heard of horror stories of timing belts breaking at 80 or 90k and due to the interference type engine on Audis, as soon as the belt breaks, you frick up a lot of things on your engine, bent valves and what not. Trust me you don't want to be fixing that! Make sure to consider this cost while buying the car if you plan on keeping it for long.
Also all Audis need a major timing belt service around 70k to 80k mile range. It is a big service that will take a few days. No warranty covers this and depending on where you go, dealer or independent European mechanic, it will cost anywhere from $1500-2000 for this service. Audi recommends you do this at 100k, but you really need to do this much earlier. I've heard of horror stories of timing belts breaking at 80 or 90k and due to the interference type engine on Audis, as soon as the belt breaks, you frick up a lot of things on your engine, bent valves and what not. Trust me you don't want to be fixing that! Make sure to consider this cost while buying the car if you plan on keeping it for long.
Posted on 6/22/12 at 12:28 pm to iPadThai
quote:
adThai
Damn...maybe I should stick with the Maxima. Literally I've had NO issues EVER with my 2 Maxima's and my husband's has never had anything either. At least not within the first 5 years. I really wanted to get an import but my mechanic isn't crazy about them and doesn't work on them. Now I feel like
Posted on 6/22/12 at 12:47 pm to Cali 4 LSU
I didn't mean to discourage or scare you, but I just wanted to give you the truth about owning an Audi. They are amazing cars, but you need to be on top of maintenance and baby them a little. You can't put off regular maintenance like Japanese cars. If you treat the car well, they run really great. You can't go wrong with them. As a reference, I drove Audis for 4 years and had to go to the dealer for an unscheduled maintenance only once for replacing bad fuel injectors, but even that was not the car's fault. The place I got the car detailed from decided to spray the engine bay with water to get it clean 
. As you can imagine, I never went back there. The dealer was actually nice enough to replace the injectors for free even though it wasn't their fault. Other than that I did all the regular maintenance on time and the cars ran great.
But at some point in my life I will return to a German car when the time is right because the satisfaction and fun that you derive from driving one just can't be compared to anything else.
. As you can imagine, I never went back there. The dealer was actually nice enough to replace the injectors for free even though it wasn't their fault. Other than that I did all the regular maintenance on time and the cars ran great. But at some point in my life I will return to a German car when the time is right because the satisfaction and fun that you derive from driving one just can't be compared to anything else.
Posted on 6/22/12 at 1:15 pm to iPadThai
quote:
iPadThai
Thanks! You're right...must consider all aspects of it so that will defintely play into my decision. I've always wanted one but maybe I should wait until my next car (in about 10 years,
).
Posted on 6/22/12 at 3:33 pm to Cali 4 LSU
quote:
Also, how can I get the best deal?
Buy an Acura TL and don't get the 3 you mentioned.
This post was edited on 6/22/12 at 3:36 pm
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