So unfortunately my current car has just been declared a total loss by my insurance company, so now I'm in the market for a new car.

I've got about $25000 available, so I'm debating between a CPO 2009 Audi A4, and a new chevy cruze, or something else relatively reliable.

I really love the look/design and the features of the Audi A4, so the only thing I'm worried about is the fact that if anything goes wrong with an Audi, it's going to be significantly more expensive to fix when compared to an american car like the Cruze. On the other hand, since the depreciation of cars tend to level off after the first few years, buying the 2009 A4 should save me a couple thousand assuming I plan to sell it within 3 years.

Thus, also considering that a CPO warranty would last the entirety of the 3 years, buying an Audi A4 over a Chevy Cruze (with a 5-year new car warranty) would save me approx $2260 if I were to sell the car at the end of that period.

On the other hand, the warranty doesn't cover things like brake pads, or other components that fail due to normal wear (these would presumably cost more on an Audi), and furthermore the audi CPO warranty does charge a $85 deductible per visit compared to a 0$ deductible on the Chevy.

Note that I don't plan to drive more than 5000 miles a year, so the greater mpg on the cruze isn't that big of a factor.

So, I dunno. If the 2009 A4 were financially equivalent to a new Cruze, I'd definitely go with the Audi. The question is, how much are the maintenance costs, and what exactly does Audi mean when they say that components that fail due to normal wear are not covered by the warranty? If the previous owner liked to shift gears a lot on the tiptronic gearbox and as a result two years in the transmission fails, will the dealer be able to recognize that and as a result refuse to honor the warranty?

Another question - the audiusa website lists a few CPO 2009 Audi Premium Plus at < 50k miles for only $24000. NADA seems to value it at $25500 dealer retail. How much haggle room do you guys think there is?

I'm really just looking for arguments for one or the other, or any general thoughts or advice.

- will

 

just a couple things I would like to point out, you are kinda nitpicking at the value of the A4 where as the value of the Chevy will drop like a brick. But you should be able to haggle the price down.
Also Chevy's are built to last no more that 100k miles, and are of poor quality in general
Quality and reliability alone should sway you to Audi.

another FYI, Brakes as well as other wearable items (friction material, wipers, bulbs, fluids) are not usually covered under warranty. if they are, it is for a very short period of time/miles (usually 1 year/15k miles)

Friends don't let friends drive American Cars

 

You are comparing a Chevy Cruze to the A4????

 

A very feeble attempt, but I think he is...

I would suggest you actually test drive each, on the same day if you can, then decide. If the Audi just doesn't wow you, then get the Cruze.

 

i wouldn't downplay american made quality and reliability. i used to own a mustang and it was solid..never had an issue at all. the chev cruze is a very nice car. the fusion is also in the same class and is also a nice looking car.

regarding parts, yes luxury brand parts are generally much higher than non-luxury brand parts. that said, i've never had to buy and replace a faulty part yet <knock on wood>.

i agree with brad, test drive both and see what you like better.

 

^..Have u bought a New Car yet? I was wondering on ur choice. I am in the Market for a Newer A4 and was interested in which route u went!

 

I ended up going with a 2009 A4 premium plus in meteor gray. I just couldnt resist how awesome those led daytime running lights look. Plus, I'll only be driving my car around 3000miles a year, so I figure the maintenance costs can't be that bad.

 

with mpg's not an issue there was no comparison!! a jetta or passat if you did not want quattro or luxury interior, i just purchased a 2001 37xxx mile TT BEAUTIFUL!! traded an 01 jetta 1.8T still running well at 199xxx miles