Buying a new car...

[itsstillmatt]

Thinking about either a Boxster, an A6 or a 5 Series. Any opinions or other suggestions?

 

[zjpj83]

I would get an A6. Great interior, not quite as big of a badge-conscious status symbol, AWD.

 

[matadorpoeta]

of the 3 you mention i'd get the boxster.

but if i had that budget, i'd get an old alfa from the '60s for say $20k, and save the left over money for maintenance.

the ending of the movie "contempt", is brigitte bardo getting into jack palance's red alfa, they speed off, and then die in a car crash.

 

[A Y]

There are two very different kinds of cars in that group. Also, the A6 only comes with an automatic transmission. What do you want to do with the new car?

--Andre

 

[itsstillmatt]

Originally Posted by Andre Yew

There are two very different kinds of cars in that group. Also, the A6 only comes with an automatic transmission. What do you want to do with the new car?

--Andre

For my wife. We got rid of our second car about a month ago and now realize that we need two. Generally, we share the cars, whoever leaves first takes the one in back.

 

[johnapril]

All you do is drive on hills, and all your parking spots are little. I'd go for an automatic beater and take the change to Wilkes and Bashford.

 

[Mr. Checks]

As a former Audi employee, I must vote for the A6.

But, if you live where the weather's always nice, I'd go for the Boxster.

Truthfully, though (and you didn't ask this, I know) I like the 3-series over the 5, and the A4 over the A6.

 

[globetrotter]

I love the boxter, but it does seem less practical. but a lot of fun

 

[imageWIS]

Originally Posted by Mr. Checks

As a former Audi employee, I must vote for the A6.

But, if you live where the weather's always nice, I'd go for the Boxster.

Truthfully, though (and you didn't ask this, I know) I like the 3-series over the 5, and the A4 over the A6.

Probably because they are more fun to drive because they are smaller and thus weigh less. Although, the 3-series is more fun to drive than the A4, I still prefer the A4 as a daily driver (obviously) and I don't even have Quattro on my car.

Jon.

 

[CTGuy]

I have done a fair amount of driving in each model of the BMW because of being a BMWCCA member and doing ultimate drives etc. My brother actually has an Audi S4, which I think is a superb mix of power and luxury. I would actually look into the S4 as an alternative to the A6-- at least as something to test drive. It's a lot more fun to drive though it is a little smaller.

My advice is to go muy a car magazine like Top Gear that has a review of cars in your price range and then go test drive as much as possible. I say this for two reasons: 1. the differences between cars like the A6/5 Series is going to be somewhat negligible in a global sense. Which one you prefer is going to be a matter of preference, so it's hard to say over the internet what is right for you. 2. In the price range you are looking at there is a lot out there in terms of choices- hell, you could get a lotus elise.

Although less sexy, the Phaeton is a hell of a car and basically the half brother of the Bentley (also, maybe a little out of your price range). The Infiniti G45 is also a great combination of Japanese reliability and German performance.

 

[imageWIS]

Originally Posted by CTGuy

I have done a fair amount of driving in each model of the BMW because of being a BMWCCA member and doing ultimate drives etc. My brother actually has an Audi S4, which I think is a superb mix of power and luxury. I would actually look into the S4 as an alternative to the A6-- at least as something to test drive. It's a lot more fun to drive though it is a little smaller.

My advice is to go muy a car magazine like Top Gear that has a review of cars in your price range and then go test drive as much as possible. I say this for two reasons: 1. the differences between cars like the A6/5 Series is going to be somewhat negligible in a global sense. Which one you prefer is going to be a matter of preference, so it's hard to say over the internet what is right for you. 2. In the price range you are looking at there is a lot out there in terms of choices- hell, you could get a lotus elise.

Although less sexy, the Phaeton is a hell of a car and basically the half brother of the Bentley (also, maybe a little out of your price range). The Infiniti G45 is also a great combination of Japanese reliability and German performance.

The S4 uses up a lot more gas though than the A6...really, they are two different cars and are not really comparable. An S4 vs. an M3, now that's a more valid comparison.

And WTF happened to your self-imposed timeout?

Jon.

 

[CTGuy]

You're right, the S4 is a obviously a performance/tuner car, whereas the A6 is for all intents and purposes a family sedan. However, if you're looking at an Audi, I think it's worth looking at all the models. That being said, I am guessing that a someone considering a Boxster is searcing for something a bit more sporty. Also, costwise the S4 is a lot more reasonable than the M3 and I would venture to say a lot more practical given that it's a sedan and all wheel drive.

 

[imageWIS]

Originally Posted by CTGuy

You're right, the S4 is a obviously a performance/tuner car, whereas the A6 is for all intents and purposes a family sedan. That being said, I am guessing that a someone considering a Boxster is searcing for something a bit more sporty. Also, costwise the S4 is a lot more reasonable than the M3 and I would venture to say a lot more practical given that it's a sedan and all wheel drive.

Yeah, but I wonder if the S4's 4.2-liter V8 isn't a lot more of a gas guzzler than the M3's 3.2-liter I6, also I think the M3 weighs less (again, coupe vs. sedan). I could look all this up online, but alas...

Jon.

 

[CTGuy]

Originally Posted by imageWIS

Yeah, but I wonder if the S4's 4.2-liter V8 isn't a lot more of a gas guzzler than the M3's 3.2-liter I6, also I think the M3 weighs less (again, coupe vs. sedan). I could look all this up online, but alas...

Jon.

Hey, I agree with you in terms of general principles here. I am just speaking from experience- my older brother has had a 2002 S4 for the last 4 years and has loved it. He is an avid skier and also into amatuer racing down at Lime Rock. In his case, the car has proved to be an excellent marriage of performance and practicality. I've only ridden in an M3 in very limited circumstances, but I do not think the two cars are quite the same. This is just my opinion and obviously if you were in someplace like Florida, my distinction would probably seem less imporant.

 

[imageWIS]

Originally Posted by CTGuy

Hey, I agree with you in terms of general principles here. I am just speaking from experience- my older brother has had a 2002 S4 for the last 4 years and has loved it. He is an avid skier and also into amatuer racing down at Lime Rock. In his case, the car has proved to be an excellent marriage of performance and practicality. I've only ridden in an M3 in very limited circumstances, but I do not think the two cars are quite the same. This is just my opinion and obviously if you were in someplace like Florida, my distinction would probably seem less imporant.

Actually in FL, it all really depends if you like seeing 150 BMW's every 15 minutes while you are driving your BMW or you rather see 10 Audi's every hour while driving your Audi. I personally like seeing less of my car / car brand as possible. If not it all becomes a bit too monotonous. Hell, I see at least 1 Bentley every day. EVERY DAY (its really unbelievable)

Jon.