cannot make up my mind between a Audi A4 1.8t and a V8 sport 4X4

the_josh

the_josh

New member
i know i know, they are two totally different vehicles...
i just took a A4 (quattro) on a test drive today and boy that is one fantastic car!!! its about the same price as the 4runner i wanna get but i guess if i did not take it for a drive today i wouldn't have a problem. the thing that gets me is that the car is just so well crafted compared to the runner. it just seems that audi cares more for the driver than toyota does. there is no end to the creature comforts in that car, and on the other hand ive been wanting a truck for such a long time and i have always been in love with the 4runner. i think the whole issue with all the hiking gas prices has been getting to me lately and its spinning me in circles because i know i am going to shelling out the dough just to take my truck around town...
please help me out, im in limbo...
 
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For what it's worth....

This month I am trading in my 2001 A4 1.8T (lease is ending) and I leased a '04 4-Runner V6 sport edition. My vehicle needs changed, I needed something more like the 4-Runner. The A4 was a great vehicle, I had little problems with it. Very fun car to drive, no doubt, but can be small at times.

You have to list out all the various things you want your vehicle to do for you. Decide which vehicle accomplishes more of these, and if that vehicle accomplishes more of the various things that are more important in your mind.

Can't go wrong with either vehicle, they are both great.
 
These two are hard to compare. The Audi will be much more luxurious with a much "classier" interior. Come on, Audi is a luxury car company. You will also get a smooth carlike ride. The 4Runner is a great looking truck. It will give you a more trucky ride, but it comes with great standard features. It also has great power with the V8 and the towing is unbeatable. What about offroad? Would you take an Audi offroad? I am not sure what you want in a vehicle, but I would recommend the 4Runner. Would you expect different??? :dancin:
 
Audi's are pretty but lack reliablity, you will regret it if you buy the Audi. If you want something fun and fast get a Nissan 350Z 6speed, it's around the same money as the 4runner, and will blow the doors off the Audi, if you need a back seat get the Infinity G35 coupe. Matter of fact I bet that the 4runner V8 will blow the doors off that Audi. But don't listen to me my Nephew didn't, he bought a new Audi convertable with the 1.8 turbo a month ago, it's been in the shop twice with turbo and exhaust problems. He said the dealer has been real nice and even gave him an A4 to drive while they were working on his ride. Plus the resale suck on Audi's. Good luck.
 
Pitbull said:
Audi's are pretty but lack reliablity, you will regret it if you buy the Audi. If you want something fun and fast get a Nissan 350Z 6speed, it's around the same money as the 4runner, and will blow the doors off the Audi, if you need a back seat get the Infinity G35 coupe. Matter of fact I bet that the 4runner V8 will blow the doors off that Audi. But don't listen to me my Nephew didn't, he bought a new Audi convertable with the 1.8 turbo a month ago, it's been in the shop twice with turbo and exhaust problems. He said the dealer has been real nice and even gave him an A4 to drive while they were working on his ride. Plus the resale suck on Audi's. Good luck.
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Get your facts straight.

Audi's reliability does not suck. Mechanically, they are bullet proof. They do have a history of some electrical problems, but is very rare. Most recently, they had trouble with their coil packs, which was another manufacturers issue with poor Q.C., which affected the majority of the Audi and VW vehicles. It is very rare to see turbo or exhaust problems, especially on the 1.8T engine which is a remarkable design that has proven to be of excellent quality and durability. Tons of owners chip their 1.8T's to twice the stock pressure with no problems what so ever. Also, Audi's resale values are no lower than Toyotas. Oh, and Audi gives you free service for 4 years, 50,000 miles, including everything except putting new tires on your car. (spark plugs, wiper blades, headlights, oil changes, tire rotations, balancing, even your annual inspection fees - all covered!)


Like I said above, both brands have pro's and con's. For shear fun factor, Audi wins hands down. They are a blast to drive on the road, I consider the handling of the new A4 to be superior to the 330. Audi's AWD is phenomenal, in fact the 4-runner's torsion differential setup is a mirror image of Audis. Audi had it first btw. For any kind of off-roading, towing, or needing to haul larger items around that wouldn't fit in the A4 avant sport wagon, the 4-runner wins.
 
Well said. Audi's have had limited problems and are solid cars that are overshadowed by the likes of BMW and Mercedes.

My next car will either be an M3 or an Audi S4. In the neighborhood of 340 hp...4doors...AWD...V8. Can't ask for much more than that. Just couldn't afford the S4 at the moment so I can save for a house.
 
Mpower3 said:
Well said. Audi's have had limited problems and are solid cars that are overshadowed by the likes of BMW and Mercedes.

My next car will either be an M3 or an Audi S4. In the neighborhood of 340 hp...4doors...AWD...V8. Can't ask for much more than that. Just couldn't afford the S4 at the moment so I can save for a house.
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Some advice then... never test drive one of the new S4's - you'll find yourself homeless and living in the back of a German sedan. :p
 
I was in the same boat.....

I was in the same boat with the rising gas price and I was personally looking at the Lexus ES 330, which was only a few dollars extra than what I paid for my 4Runner.

In our area, the Lexus dealer usually sells at sticker, which was around $33,000 to $34,000. I also looked at the RX 330, which is around $38,000; it gives true luxury with a sporty SUV feel.

I was not a believer in getting a Lexus, but after I sat in the ES 330 and test drove one it was a hard decision. My decision came down to what was going to be a better car for my needs.

One point that I would like to mention is that insurance for my 4Ruuner is A LOT cheaper than what it would have been for the ES 330, but I am young, which is a factor, but I don't know how much of a difference it makes.

All I can say is buy what makes YOU happy.
 
ScottAW said:
Get your facts straight.

Audi's reliability does not suck. Mechanically, they are bullet proof. They do have a history of some electrical problems, but is very rare. Most recently, they had trouble with their coil packs, which was another manufacturers issue with poor Q.C., which affected the majority of the Audi and VW vehicles. It is very rare to see turbo or exhaust problems, especially on the 1.8T engine
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I guess you must be right, other than the electrical problems, coil packs and the problems my Nephew is having they must be great cars and very reliable. So you had one on lease and turned it in and bought a Toyota 4runner? Since Audi/VW is so good why didn't you buy/lease another one, maybe one of the Toureg's ??? Just want all of the facts straight :p Don't get me wrong I'm not saying that the Audi/VW is a Yugo but it does not measure up to Toyota/Lexus. I've never personally owned the Audi or BMW. I've had 911,928s4,944 Porsches, Acura NSX, Z's, Vetts, SL's. I've had friends that have owned Audi's and BMW's. The ones that owned the BMW's like them but up keep was more in line with the Porsche costs. The Audi's were problems and not that sporty or fast. I know that Audi has recentily come out with some A4's with the V8, a buddy at the gym just bought one and said it's fast, it's only a month old so the jury is out on problems.
 
Audi Reliability

Audi`s are decent vehicles, however their reliablity goes down consideralbly after 60,000 miles. Things like oil leaks, suspension wear and electrical problems eat away at your wallet. The 4Runner is extremely reliable, some older ones have gone well over 300,000 miles with little problems. My point is if you only intend to keep the vehicle for less than 60,000 miles either are a great choice. If you itend to keep the vehicle longer, get the 4Runner. The 4Runner and the Audi are two completly different classes of vehicles. You`ll have to consider what and where you are going to use and drive the vehicle. The Audi is an awd luxury 4 door sports car, the 4Runner is a wagon on a 4wd truck chassis and can be loaded up with some luxury options. If you intend to haul a boat to the cottage, have to go through deep snow or go off road then the 4Runner is an obvious choice. If you just want awd security, drive to the golf course or zip around corners the Audi is the obvious choice. The Audi will be faster and more agile, but the 4Runner will be able to get you out of some rough situations while be loaded up with the family and all thier luggage. For me it is always the 4Runner.
 
Audi is a sweet car but I hate to say this, when I test drove them I was like for the money I'll be buying a BMW, now I was looking at the A4 1.8t quattro and I think the salesman saw my brother who had money to spend cause the price of the car just kept getting higher and higher.

I don't really see myself behind the wheel of an A4, or an RS4 but I do like the A6, A8 and the other Audi vehicles, my friend has a A6 4.2 Quattro, that thing is simply amazing, he outran/lost a cop in the ran, trooper thought he was gonna get us:D all I can say is the car jolds the road, cars are doing 55 and he was pushing 100 on the offramps;): with the lights off:eek:
 
Audi and Toyota are on the same level of resale values. For one such example, I can tell you that with the lease of the 4-Runner, the residual value was like 56% after 3 years and ~50,000 miles while the Audi was at 54%.

Basically - the same. Throw in a Ford or GM, that value drops big time. European cars, such as the BMWs, Audis, Mercedes, etc., tend to have the same level of residual value as the Asian cars like the Hondas, Toyotas, Lexus, etc.


Pitbull - I would have preferred to get the V8 Touraeg actually, but they are priced too high for me. I love the design, ride, and handling of German cars - they simply can't be beat. The reason I got the 4-Runner is I needed a vehicle that would be a more durable vehicle for my needs. I have cargo and various odds and ends that weren't practical for a sedan or even a sport wagon. I've enjoyed watching the folks behind the Toyota emblem come up with new designs, such as the Tundra and 4-Runner. I think the company has come a long way in the past 5 years. The previous gen. 4-Runner was too cramped for me, but I consider the current gen. to be perfect sized for my lifestyle. Can't go wrong with the 4-Runners, great vehicles in my opinion.
 
i have made my decision...

screw the audi and maybe i just might run over one with my runner!!!
:uzi: Audi

then the audi will :bowdown: to the mighty runner
 
My decision was easier...
1. never had a suv, and wanted one
2. needed space, newborn on board now
3. sick and tired of my car getting bumped/scratched in NYC

BTW, my friend just purchased an A4 and loves it. Nice car but small.
 
the_josh said:
i have made my decision...

screw the audi and maybe i just might run over one with my runner!!!
:uzi: Audi

then the audi will :bowdown: to the mighty runner
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Woohoo! Good choice. BTW, did you post a similar question on any of the Audi boards? I'd be curious to see how they responded :)
 
AUDI

GG -

I can imagine the Audi folks' responses to Josh's questions: pro A4. It's their resposes to [the delivery of] his decision which would make good reading!

Greg - any thought to some smaller stickers, say 1" x 6"? Prob generate a li'l $.
 
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