i,m somewhat new to this board and to audi's. I have yet to purchase one but i am getting close to start looking for something new(hopefully the begining of the year) and the audi A4 is one major contender. My problem/question is i really like the b6 platform and i want to get a wagon,
but i don't know what to get. I am looking at maybe something like an my05 ultrasport wagon or if i could find a good deal on a my04 s4. i drive 35-40k+ a year mostly highway for work and i think that the s4 will tax my wallet. i need the most reliable of the two engines. Preformance is nice but i don't want to go broke tring to fill up my gas tank. I know that there are many perfomance upgrades for the 1.8T. I am coming from an Subaru WRX so tuning is not too new for me. I love the reliablity and perfomance of my current car and that is what i am tring to match. I though about the STI or even the new Legacy GT but i want something more "upscale" eventhough i love my WRX. I also have never test driven any of the cars in question. I will most likely have an autobroker find one for me at an auction because these cars are not very common since i want an avant.
Any feedback or imput would greatly be appreciated
but i don't know what to get. I am looking at maybe something like an my05 ultrasport wagon or if i could find a good deal on a my04 s4. i drive 35-40k+ a year mostly highway for work and i think that the s4 will tax my wallet. i need the most reliable of the two engines. Preformance is nice but i don't want to go broke tring to fill up my gas tank. I know that there are many perfomance upgrades for the 1.8T. I am coming from an Subaru WRX so tuning is not too new for me. I love the reliablity and perfomance of my current car and that is what i am tring to match. I though about the STI or even the new Legacy GT but i want something more "upscale" eventhough i love my WRX. I also have never test driven any of the cars in question. I will most likely have an autobroker find one for me at an auction because these cars are not very common since i want an avant.
Any feedback or imput would greatly be appreciated
2nd Gear
If gas mileage is important to you, you'll have to stick with the 4cyl A4's. Not real good gas mileage with the other motors ( I'm getting around 16-17 in town with my 2000 A6 Avant 2.8). I hear that the S4 V8 gets about the same. I also rear a comparision test on sporty wagons (Car & Driver?) where they liked the Legacy GT, but also complained about ITS gas mileage. Thought about the Mazda6 wagon?
It just doesn't do it for me. I love the reliablilty of the japanese car makers but i think that I want more of an upscale car. Lexus' new IS is really appealling to me but there is no wagon model, and the AWD only comes on the lower scale IS. My dad has an LS430, my brother has an LS400 and my mom and sister in-law have an ES300 so i know that they are very reliable and well made cars. My brother's wife has a 1.8t b6 passatt with about 50k and has not had to many problems with it. The main reason that I want an Audi is the AWD. After having a car with it, it is hard to go without it. When I see what the STI puts down for numbers at that price it really tempts me. But we are getting rid of my wifes car because she is getting a company car. I want a wagon for sure because I want the space, Unless I find a good deal on a sedan.
we dirve a Sequoia Limited everywhere on the weekends and the mazda and Subaru Just don't make up for the luxury, not that the Toyota is "that"nice.
we dirve a Sequoia Limited everywhere on the weekends and the mazda and Subaru Just don't make up for the luxury, not that the Toyota is "that"nice.
1st Gear
Well I just strapped into a 99 A6 Quattro with the 2.8 and I am getting around 30 on the highway and 17 city. Not really that bad on the highway, which is where I spend most of my time. And if you are putting 35k+ miles a year, then you are on the freeway quite a bit. My family has had a lot of Lexus models as well and they are well made and reliable, but you won't find the luxory of a like-year Audi in one of them. And this year's GS300 gets the same mileage I do, so there ya go. It just depends on what you really want. A4 for performance, Lexus for overal reliability and A6 for luxory.
That's my 2 quarts.
Irate
That's my 2 quarts.
Irate
1st Gear
I just got a 2005 s4 (B6). It's a great car in all respects.
My prior car was a WRX (Stage 1 tuned), so I can relate to where you're coming from.
Net, net, the Audi is a much more solid car. About the same acceleration as the WRX, but less noticeable. ie instead of the turbo 'whiplash' you get from a WRX, you suddenly realize you're going 80 when you check the dial. Car is heavier and generally much more solid, quiet, more luxurious, refined etc. A true 'Grand Tourer' in the old sense of the word - not a real sports car. But still damn fast. And unlike the subie, it will keep pulling and pulling all the way to 150mph+
Now, the catch is gas mileage: I average about 18-22 mpg, with about 80% of that on the highway. So, not cheap, but the WRX also drank quite a bit of gas. Bottom line, power doesn't come free! I think the s4 is probably pretty reliable because the engine is huge and isn't being pushed very hard. It's certainly nowhere close to as high-strung as a tuned WRX. You might want to check out the 3.0 or 1.8T if you're concerned about gas mileage.
Hope that helps! And good luck with the new car.
My honest opinion: if you can afford it, get an s4. The dealers still have B6s at deep discounts. You won't regret it!
Claudio
My prior car was a WRX (Stage 1 tuned), so I can relate to where you're coming from.
Net, net, the Audi is a much more solid car. About the same acceleration as the WRX, but less noticeable. ie instead of the turbo 'whiplash' you get from a WRX, you suddenly realize you're going 80 when you check the dial. Car is heavier and generally much more solid, quiet, more luxurious, refined etc. A true 'Grand Tourer' in the old sense of the word - not a real sports car. But still damn fast. And unlike the subie, it will keep pulling and pulling all the way to 150mph+
Now, the catch is gas mileage: I average about 18-22 mpg, with about 80% of that on the highway. So, not cheap, but the WRX also drank quite a bit of gas. Bottom line, power doesn't come free! I think the s4 is probably pretty reliable because the engine is huge and isn't being pushed very hard. It's certainly nowhere close to as high-strung as a tuned WRX. You might want to check out the 3.0 or 1.8T if you're concerned about gas mileage.
Hope that helps! And good luck with the new car.
My honest opinion: if you can afford it, get an s4. The dealers still have B6s at deep discounts. You won't regret it!
Claudio