A4 Avant vs. Infiniti EX35?

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Old Dec 5, 2009 | 11:42 PM
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A4 Avant vs. Infiniti EX35?

In a recent thread, I discussed about the decision between Q5 and A4 Avant. At that time, I was really favoring the Q5. However, I went to another dealer today, and test drove the Q5 and A4 Avant back-to-back again, and then I realized how much better the A4 Avant was, in terms of handling! The Q5 was very smooth, but not as sporty as the Avant. It felt much softer than the Avant, and it surely felt "larger" as well. Still, the Q5 was a great vehicle.

Then the biggest surprise came when I thought I might as well test drive the EX35. The first surprise was that, the rear leg room was surely not spacious, but it was nowhere near what I was imagining! The second surprise was how this vehicle handled - it did not feel like driving a CUV at all! I thought I was driving a sportscar!!!! The EX35 felt very solid and sporty. In fact, I think that the handling was the best of the three (EX35, A4 Avant and Q5). The interior space though, was the smallest. The gas mileage is better with the Audi's. Then in terms of reliability, I have no doubt that Infiniti would win hands down.

The 2010 EX35 has a $3000 dealer cash offer running right now. So, for a loaded EX35 (with the Premium, nav, Bose and Tech packages) with an MSRP of $44,415, according to Carsdirect, it can be had for $38,739, which is almost $5,700 below its MSRP! Furthermore, it is also about $7000 thousands below the Carsdirect price of the A4 Avant Prestige, which is comparably equipped to this EX35.

Personally, I really don't need a ton of rear legroom (the car is only for me). So, I am now very tempted with the EX35! What do you say?
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 01:15 AM
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EX35 is a wasteful POS as far as I'm concerned. It was designed to give the appearance of utility whilst really having none at all.

The two cant even be compared. The A4 has more usable cargo space and its an all around better vehicle hands down.

The EX is poorest excuse for a vehicle in inifinti's otherwise solid line up.
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 02:06 AM
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avant. in the EX when i fixed the seat to my liking there was ZERO leg space behind me. literally no leg room.
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 02:42 AM
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I know it's not one of your options, but I'd say "neither".

Although, of the two, I say the Audi.
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 03:05 AM
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Wait for the BMW X1
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 06:34 AM
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ehhh, they were trying to convince me to get into the EX at the dealer a year ago or so. At the time it was a $7,000 cash incentive and I still hated it. It drove ok but it was so small and so damn ugly. On the test drive I felt like I was an old man and was actually embarrassed passing cars


Q5
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 08:54 AM
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WOW! You guys surely don't have any strong opinion, eh? LOL!

Actually, in terms of looks, that is very subjective. I personally like the looks of the EX. I made it a point to sit in it, adjusted the driver's seat and the went to the back seat to see how it was. It was actually OK! The thing is that, there was a well under the front seat so the back passenger could put their feet underneath. So this was quite a bit different from the G sedan, where there was no room under the seat when I saw it yesterday. So it was small, esp. when compared to the Q5, but it was OK.

Anyway, the X1 would be really great for me, I THINK (without having seen it). But the thing is that, I don't think I can wait that long.... sigh!

Keep the opinions coming! :-)
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 01:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Sarlacc
EX35 is a wasteful POS as far as I'm concerned. It was designed to give the appearance of utility whilst really having none at all.

The two cant even be compared. The A4 has more usable cargo space and its an all around better vehicle hands down.

Upscale baby "SUVs" are amongst the most non-useful vehicles ever-- very little space for the footprint, heavier than the more capacious sedan/station wagon, slower, etc.
Oh, and the EX is ugly, too.
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 01:19 PM
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The Audi.

IMO, the Infiniti is just too ugly to even consider, though if you can get past that, you really have to consider the bang-for-the-buck factor with the price difference.
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 01:41 PM
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I don't think the EX35 is an ugly car. I think it's a tall G35 wagon from the previous generation. Unfortunately, tall wagons normally work well as designs people lust after.

I would go with the Audi because the B8 is an exceptional car. The Infiniti is probably a good one as well but the A4 Avant is so big that it's probably far more useful for carrying people and junk than the EX.
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 01:42 PM
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I work for INfiniti and also thought the EX was a waste of time and space, But after driving it , My opinions have changed GREATLY.. The backseat is a little tight but the handling and the options make up for it. If you get the round view camera you get the free nav, with 9.3GB hd and u can play music and movies Via bloutooth. The nav also has navweather, traffic, and zagat.. The nav id hd BASED and is 2nd to none. Cunsomer reports actully rated Infiniti nav No#1 last year out of 60+ systems... Before anyone bashes the infinity they drive it!
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 02:31 PM
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Nuff' said.
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 03:12 PM
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OK, OK, OK.... so you guys really like the EX35! LOL! But just like what StonedCL said, the EX35 did not seem that great.... UNTIL YOU DRIVE IT! It was a blast to drive that thing yesterday! That's why I am now thoroughly confused... it was NEVER on my list before, but now having driven it, I am also looking at it completely differently.

If it's a G35 wagon, then that is great! Cos that's what I would like... LOL

That said, yes, the B8 Avant is a great looking vehicle. With the options that I want, it would have to be a custom order. It would be about $8000 more than the EX35 and also I will have to wait for 3 months. The very nice salesperson tried very hard to look at what is on order and what is being shipped for the entire region for me yesterday. Can you believe it? No one order Brilliant Red, Aruba Blue or Meteor Gray... they are mostly black! Having had a black TSX, I am NOT going to go with another black car.... LOL
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 03:27 PM
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What are you really looking for? A wagon? cute-ute?

How about the Mazda CX-7? Or Caddys new SRX?
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 03:48 PM
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A4 Avant all the way. It's hot. The EX.....is not. IMO of course .
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 05:00 PM
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Originally Posted by aznpxdd




Nuff' said.
That looks like ricer ass.

My vote is for the non-rubbish looking A4:
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 05:06 PM
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wow i didnt realize how big the new a4 avant got...i questioned whether or not it was the A6 until i saw the front view.
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 06:02 PM
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Save money and time and just get the EX. Thats a great deal, and resale on wagons is horrible
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 06:21 PM
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another thread?

you test drove both vehicles already. You sure sound like you are in love with the EX35, so why don't you get it?

Last edited by JS + XES; Dec 6, 2009 at 06:23 PM.
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 06:24 PM
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Oh yeah, I vote CX-7 too.
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 08:14 PM
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The EX is agreat deal if Audi still inported the S4 Avant you might have a keeper, the 2.0 is not my cup of tea. Have you looked at the CTS DI wagon, I have not seen one, but pics arre cool. Might look for a used s4 avant they are rare or go whole hog with an E63 touring.
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 09:03 PM
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If you will be the only driver and since you have mentioned not caring about rear seat legroom or cargo space, why look at a wagon or CUV/SUV at all? There are so many more sedans and coupes to choose from that will give you exactly what you need if space, utility, and room for passengers isn't a huge priority. Way more options than what you're looking at....
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 09:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Viscous
That looks like ricer ass.

My vote is for the non-rubbish looking A4:
Ricer? What I posted is what a S4 Avant essentially looks like (without the drop).
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 01:32 AM
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Get the EX...its the most fun to drive and the VQ35 is a gem! The around view monitor, nav and interior are just sexy...the exterior is meh
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 09:51 AM
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Get the Avant S-Line, you will not regret it. There's no way the EX handles better than that. Of course you have to see what you can afford. Don't let the 3-month wait be a factor, wait for the car you actually want.

And if you insist on a wagon do check out the CTS, it really look amazing (more in person than in pics). If you're looking for flashy styling you might like it better than the A4, although the car is inferior to the A4 from a technical point of view (bigger engine but slower and uses more gas despite being about the same size inside).
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 10:30 AM
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I was actully looking to lease on of our leftover 09 ex's B4 I leased my TSX. The numbers did not work though.. The car is the perfect size fo getting in and out , you don't have to sit up into it nor down into it, Its perfect.. The engine been on wards top 10 engines for like 14 years now and the car MOVES.. The Interior is nicely designed and you get ALOT of technology for under $45,000 sticker..Agreed the outside doen not look stunning but once u get inside its a different story!
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 11:10 AM
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The EX35 looks:ghey: Be a man and get a certified used/demo version of this for the same price:
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 11:11 AM
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^^^...wait, are you a man or woman?!!?
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by StonedCL
I was actully looking to lease on of our leftover 09 ex's B4 I leased my TSX. The numbers did not work though.. The car is the perfect size fo getting in and out , you don't have to sit up into it nor down into it, Its perfect.. The engine been on wards top 10 engines for like 14 years now and the car MOVES.. The Interior is nicely designed and you get ALOT of technology for under $45,000 sticker..Agreed the outside doen not look stunning but once u get inside its a different story!
and Audi doesn't have any of this right?
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by JS + MS3
and Audi doesn't have any of this right?
Does AUdi have 4 camera's around the car?
Does audi Nav play DVDs and can stream movies and music via bluetooth from your phone?
Is the audi Nav touchscreen or infiniti controller or voice?
I highly doubt audi has as much tecnology as the EX , and if it does expect to be fixing alot of stuff!..
My fiancee's dad just bought a new QX& v8 , fully loaded, and I know it does not have the technology the EX has and his truck was like $70K so I doubt the a4 has more then the qx!

Last edited by StonedCL; Dec 7, 2009 at 01:28 PM.
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 01:29 PM
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^ Is gonna make me hate Infiniti soon.
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 03:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Viscous
That looks like ricer ass.


Those are Audi RS4 reps in an offset color and the car is lowered. That's it.

Ridiculous comment of the day.
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 03:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Crazy Acura
^ Is gonna make me hate Infiniti soon.
How about a Fanboy sub-forum where MSL82 and StonedCL can just lead their marching bands around the parking lot.

That way the rest of us can have some peace.
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 04:19 PM
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Originally Posted by charliemike
How about a Fanboy sub-forum where MSL82 and StonedCL can just lead their marching bands around the parking lot.

That way the rest of us can have some peace.
I love acura's I actully went to 2 acura DLR's for a job first B4 i ended up working for infiniti.. Can't fault a Great product.. The Infiniti Product Line is GREAT consumer reports rates the G # 1 in its class and the M35 1st and and M35X second , so they DO HAVE great products.. Thats one of the reason I picked them to work for.. I just Leased a TSX base though cuz for the Price It was the best product in my price range... I just state FACTS , not a fanboy.. I make a very good living selling them
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 04:20 PM
  #35  
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Avant.

No contest.
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 05:11 PM
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Originally Posted by StonedCL
Does AUdi have 4 camera's around the car?
Does audi Nav play DVDs and can stream movies and music via bluetooth from your phone?
Is the audi Nav touchscreen or infiniti controller or voice?
I highly doubt audi has as much tecnology as the EX , and if it does expect to be fixing alot of stuff!..
My fiancee's dad just bought a new QX& v8 , fully loaded, and I know it does not have the technology the EX has and his truck was like $70K so I doubt the a4 has more then the qx!
I don't even know where to start, so I won't.

But you sound very much like msl82, and that's an extremely negative thing, if you already don't know it.

eat before you talk son.
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 05:39 PM
  #37  
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Originally Posted by StonedCL
Does AUdi have 4 camera's around the car?
Does audi Nav play DVDs and can stream movies and music via bluetooth from your phone?
Is the audi Nav touchscreen or infiniti controller or voice?
I highly doubt audi has as much tecnology as the EX , and if it does expect to be fixing alot of stuff!..
My fiancee's dad just bought a new QX& v8 , fully loaded, and I know it does not have the technology the EX has and his truck was like $70K so I doubt the a4 has more then the qx!
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 07:44 PM
  #38  
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I love the haters, The more people hate The more I love IT!!
Like My manager said to me, The more the other sales people hate on me, The more I make them hate on me.. When someone has soo many haters that means I am doing sumtim right! So far no one proved me wrong, I know the audi does not have 4 camera,s nor a touch screen nav, so where am I wrong?
Please tell..
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 07:45 PM
  #39  
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Originally Posted by JS + MS3
I don't even know where to start, so I won't.

But you sound very much like msl82, and that's an extremely negative thing, if you already don't know it.

eat before you talk son.
Is the audi nav touch screen?
Does the audi have a touch screen nav, prove me wrong buddy?
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 07:52 PM
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Originally Posted by StonedCL
Is the audi nav touch screen?
Does the audi have a touch screen nav, prove me wrong buddy?
If I put touch-screen nav in a Pinto does that make it better than an Audi?

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