Bluto

Would you ever track the Z?

I feel having a performace car and never legally driving it how it was intended is a waste. Don't buy a car for the image.

JRock

I don't really like the image of the Z actually, but I want a car I can enjoy driving when I feel like it and the Z gave me that feeling on the test drive. I'm buying a car for me, not for anyone else. And no, I would not track the car.

Crazy Bimmer

Why not a g35 coupe?

Artwork

You should be up in the air between the G35C and the Audi TT. The Audi TT is AWD and has the sports car look. It just seems like you are comparing apples to oranges...IMHO

BTW most people pick the practical car over the fun car...That is what I did...and I think it was the correct choice for me.

JRock

Well I like the dash/center console layout of the Z much more than the G35's, and I don't think it'd be effective to spend ~$6k-7k more for a sunroof and two more seats for a car whose exterior I find less attractive and weighs more, though another year warranty is nice.

Really if I'm spending that much I'm getting the Audi and going for luxury and comfort with decent handling and AWD in place of straightline speed.


edit - I think the TT is the gayest looking car ever and would never consider buying one. =\

I am comparing two different things because I've already found the sports car and the practical car I like most and now I'm just trying to see which is the appropriate thing to buy.

darrinb

have u driven a tl 6 speed

JRock

Okay I test drove the 6spd 1.8T w/ sport package and thought it was great. Only two things I found odd were:

The delay in throttle response (found this also on the 3.0 I test drove so it wasn't the 1.8T). Must be something related to the throttle by wire

The seats... don't really grab you at all. Kinda flat and non-supportive in the sporting sense. Comfy enough but not as grabby as I'd like.

Now it's just up to price I guess...

The Enthusiast Z is like $4.5k-5k less than the loaded A4, but doesn't have included service w/ warranty, shorter warranty, crappy service departments, and doesn't have AWD for year-round use. But it's a sportier car with a lot more power and better seats, and it's cheaper. Hmmmm.

4thGSi

Hahahahah!!!

cusdaddy

There aren't that many issues on the 03's. I have an 03 and don't have a single problem. Many people here have 03's and don't have problems either. Again, reading a website forum, you will think every car is a lemon, but that's just because people love to bitch.

cusdaddy

I can take 2 people, pack up supplies for a week and drive 5 hours in my Z too. The car is a very comfortable highway cruiser. It has a decent amount of storage space too. I fit luggage for both my gf and I going to the airport for a week in Cancun in the back of the Z.

It's not as comfortable as a CL, but not much different IMO. The only major difference is the ability to hold more than 2 people

Crazy Bimmer

Well dont look at sticker price of the Audi, they discount them pretty well. I got about $2200 off my sticker price.

1SICKLEX

If it's your only car, I suggest the pratical one. That is what makes sports sedans fun, keeps pace with a sports car with the room for people and luggage.

But the heart will decide.

TypeSKid

how long are you planning to keep this car?

Audi's have shitty resale value and they are basically flashy VW's.


I wouldn't have one. Get the Z.


Also, do you have your own place? I'd much rather spend that money on real estate as opposed to an automobile. That's just common sense!



REAL ESTATE > DEPRECIATION

TypeSKid

btw, I'm narrowing my choices down and the Z is near the top. I can get it now or wait a year and get an M3....I'm so sick of my CL!

JRock

Oh it wouldn't be more than $500 over invoice. But it's still a solid $4-5k over what I can get the Z for.

TypeSKid - whattup man!
I would plan to keep the car for at least the length of the warranty so at least 3-4 years (depending on mileage which shouldn't be too bad). Probably longer if it holds up well.

I'm not in the position to own my own place right now but that is a separate issue from my car budget so not really a consideration.

I think the A4 with all packages is pushing the budget too much though. I am pretty much sold on it but I don't think it's a reasonable purchase right now after seeing my final price estimate w/ taxes, tags, etc. =\ We'll see.

TypeSKid

GET THE Z!!!


My car is slipping when it shifts from 1st to 2nd. I'm going to take it to the dealership this weekend or early next week to see if it needs ANOTHER transmission. This will be the 2nd replacement one if it does need one.


I'm getting the Z if the transmission is out.

JRock

Nice.

Well:

RWD
lack of cargo space
crappy service departments
shorter warranty w/o included maintenance

Those are the main strikes against the Z.

If there was a 6speed AWD G35 available I think that'd be my car, even though I'm not too fond of the sedan's looks. But they don't offer that combination (yet).

cusdaddy

-Lack of cargo space I'll give you
-Crappy service departments: I've written many times about my great experiences at my Nissan service department. It totally depends on the dealer. There are many Nissan dealers fairly close to where I live, so I picked the one with the Platinum award for service. I have been nothing but satisfied.
-Shorter Warranty: Get the extended warranty. It's not much more $$ and it will cover the difference between other models. I extended mine to cover the length of my lease as I have 15,000 miles a year. It was only $3 extra a month

Essarak Huot

Nothing against A4's but grab a consumer report issue, and see what's the ratings the A4 receive ; IMO it's not worth it.. But it was stated before, YES German cars are quality built and very solid cars. Again the predicted reliablity SUCKS!

Fun cars: no specific order.......
1) S2000
2) STI
3) EVO
4) 350Z
5) the list can go on and on but you get the idea!

I do own a S2000 and Hell yea it's a fun car!

JRock

Oh the best part was when the Audi salesman was saying (without any prompting, he just decided to mention it) "i dont care what you hear or what anyone tells you, chipping your car will void your warranty (on an engine or turbo related issue)" which was obvious to me but oddly not to a lot of AudiWorld members who think they can chip away and blow the turbo and expect it to be covered. All you hear over there is DOOD U SHUD GET THE 1.8T N CHIP IT N U WILL B FASTR! Yeah okay, lemme go buy a thirty-some-thouand dollar car and void the warranty for a relatively minor improvement in performance.

Cus - any comment on RWD with winter weather?

Also, anyone know if there are plans for a 6spd AWD G35 sedan anytime soon?

Crazy Bimmer

Go on the B6 1.8t forum and ask them who ever had issues with their stock turbo. I think there was only ONE member who did. The chips out there arent agressive enough to blow the turbo.

You think i would chip my car without doing the research?

amir was here

jrock....last time im gonna tell you this, then you can either believe me, or continue to be misinformed.

it depends on your dealer, 90% dont care

the other 10% NEVER CHECK, and if they do check, WELCOME TO DIRECT PORT...it cant be detected unless you tell them

you do NOT void your warranty. NOBODY TO DATE has ended up PAYING for engine work due to a chip on the B6 forums. This includes, THOUSANDS of members!!

Furthermore, respected tuners DO NOT MAKE CHIPS that blow turbos!

Are all the thousands of members that have purchased their A4's....stupid?
no.

this chip warranty voiding thing is the biggest crap i ever heard.

For almost 8 years now, people have been buying audis, and chipping them. You would think that after a while of all these "issues" that arise, people wouldnt do it anymore...but its the opposite, more and more people are chipping.

The ONLY car that you would have to worry about A LITTLE MORE than others is the 2.7t S4, which still....many people chip.

Crazy Bimmer

Jrock just like to make excuses not to abuy a car. :o

amir was here

its safe to say that more CL-S's with AEM have probably hydrolocked, then A4's having their turbos blown due to a chip!

JRock

ok ok fine. =p

Python2121

jrock, trust me my friend is obsessed with audi, but not to the point where hes blinded by his obsession, you DONT HAVE TO WORRY and ESPECIALLY with APR, they are respected more then almost any other company in tuning.

you can also turn on and off the chip by using the cruise controll buttons

Bluto

My house made almost as much as me last year.

If you are worried about the service departments and shorter warranty, get the Audi.


Or get a Z and just change your own oil.

The Z is an enthusiast's car.


Don't worry about snow. Having AWD won't help with all of the bad drivers around here anyway.

JRock

I wish they offered better seats in the A4 when you get sport package. So unsupportive and flat and up high.

Well I think I might settle for a regular sport package A4 instead of Ultrasport and save a couple grand there.

It's between that and a Z that doesn't have a 6-disc in dash or some of the other creature comforts and for a daily driver I think I want those things even though the Z would be more fun. We'll see.

Crazy Bimmer

I still dont see how you are comparing two totally different cars.

JRock

You've never had to decide between a fun car and a practical car?

Crazy Bimmer

Well i drove all the cars when i totaled my 330. So yes i had to decide what i wanted, i went with practical car that had some fun to it. As sson as i knew what i wanted in a car, i bought it. (didnt take me long)

No regrets on not getting the 350z. But its still a great car if you are looking for a sports machine.

JRock

Drove another Z. I don't think it's going to cut it as a daily driver and main car. A4 it is. I wonder if I can stuff a T04E in there without service noticing.

amir was here

what is T040?

pimpscls

audi 1.8t and chip it, you got yourself a fast car

Zapata

huh? That car will still be slow as shit on cold day.

Tosh

I have always loved Audi, and if I could ignore their awful reliability, I would already have an A4 Avant. Seriously, look in the April issue of Consumer Reports, and look at the black spots for ANY used European car under the "electrical" category. Pathetic!
I love the usefulness of a roomy hatchback or wagon, and I wish Honda/Acura would make something to compete with Lexus IS300 Sportcross, Volvo V50, and Audi A4 Avant.
Regardless of how fast a car is, you have to live with and like it under the worst of conditions. So, imagine sitting in it during rush hour traffic, in the dark, crawling along in the rain (or snow)... Myself, I'd pick something on the bigger, more laid back side, with some hope for reliabilty and safety. And I guess that's why I have a CL-S....

Tosh

Crazy Bimmer

well faster on a cold day... but i know what ya mean.

yea just chip wont make the car fast. High 14s at best in the 1/4. More common is low 15s.

pimpscls

thats faster then a 3.0 for sure, and with exhaust work you should be close to a cl type s which aint bad for a 1.8t engine, and its basically the same as a 3.0 audi