I currently have a 2002 VW Passat and I’m considering buying an Audi next year. Obviously, there are many similarities. Is Audi considered the 'Lexus" of Volkswagon?
I’d prefer to buy a used vehicle about 2 or 3 years old with low miles.
How about BMW and Mercedes? Are they also worthy of consideration?
I prefer the styling of European cars. I know Lexus, Infiniti, or Acura would be a better buy, but I’m looking for something a bit more distinctive.
I always recommend to anyone I know looking to buy an Audi the following: DON’T.
Resale values are horrible. I mean really, really bad.
I have heard a lot of complaints from people who drive them and have drove other cars in the same ‘class’. Although they are good cars, from what I understand from talking to people, the ones made for the US just are not as good.
Comparing to BMW and Mercedes? Well, I work for Mercedes but I try to stay as unbiased as possible, as those who remember from my Ask the Car Salesman thread. It all depends what you are looking for. From experience, I would say you get a better car from BMW and Mercedes, but it comes down to exactly what model you are looking at, price range, how long you will have your car for, and other things.
You said you are looking for something a bit more distinctive. Definite what you mean by distinct. Elegant? Probably the Mercedes has a higher appeal, luxurious value. Sporty? Probably the BMW? Better lease? Audi and BMW have better leases.
Ask and I shall tell.
I think the new Audis are bulky, jellybean-shaped eyesores. I don’t see why anyone would want to get one.
There’s one compelling reason to get an Audi over the competition - if you want a good All-Wheel-Drive system. Audi has one of the best. So if you’re in a snowy climate, an Audi is worth a look.
Aside from that, Audis are typically heavier than other cars in their class, because of the AWD system, and not quite as sporting in the regular line as BMW.
What size of a car are you looking at? If it’s a compact sedan you’re interested in, compare the Audi A4 to the BMW 3 series, the Mercedes C Class, the Infiniti G35, and the Lexus IS350. Of those, I’d personally take the BMW 3-series, but that’s because I favor driving dynamics over luxury. No one beats BMW in pure driving dynamics. The steering, brakes, engine, balance, and suspension are just superb.
Lexus is known for its high-technology and electronics as well as luxury. The Inifini G35 is another excellent driver’s car. The Mercedes probably offers more pure luxury, and the Audi has a little bit of all of it.
The newer BMW’s are a bit iffy to look at and the 3-series utterly and completely bland, but they seem to have pulled off a feat and made the 3-series couple look completely desirable.
A close friend has had an A4 for 5 or 6 years now. With hard use it is only now starting to feel anything other than brand new.
It’s a great car. Nobody does better interiors than Audi and if you don’t need all wheel drive they are lighter and more spacious than the other Germans/Lexus.
Broadly speaking they are the Lexus of VW, although Audi/VW was first to the idea.
Audi though, is just not as distinctive as BMW or MB. If distinctive is a big factor, that is where you go. Of those I’d take the BMW. The MB is all I wanted and more but from what I’ve seen of BMW the feeling is much more sharp, although the interiors are functional. Still you never lose the feeling of being in a high quality machine. OTOH it is a bit of a lottery trying to get a reliable one. With the MB and the Audi: nothing goes wrong. Driving them:
BMW: Precise
Audi: Relaxed
MB: Imperious
I had an Audi for years, and have had a couple of other VAG cars, and didn’t find them that reliable. In particular, there were many electrical faults. Some just annoyances, like dashboard lights failing, some more serious, and eye-wateringly expensive to fix, like not one but two immobiliser coils failing on the A4, at 350 pounds a pop (~$600). Maybe they’re better lately, but it has made me wary of VAG brands.