I saw an Audi A5 on the road yesterday and I got to say it looked good. How are they in terms of maintainence costs, reliability etc? How does the other ones like G37, TL, 3 Series etc compare? I have heard that the BMW service is really expensive. Anyone have any experience with such brands? I can only speak for Toyota and Honda. I
The TL is not a coupe, and isn't in the same vehicle class as the G and 3 Series. That's all, carry on ...
In terms of reliability or bang-for-the-buck, I love the TL. It's a Honda, so it'll run you for a while unless you're unlucky. I have a pretty trouble-free '04 TL with over 160,000 on it, and it's had only one major out-of-warranty repair. I just don't like the looks of the current model. They were giving those buck-tooth cars away for the past few months. Its MMC is about to be revealed in about 2 days. Expect a less-pronounced grill and a 6sp AT as the major changes. The current design is polarizing - you either hate it or love it. If you can get the SH-AWD version, the handling is awesome. A complete re-design is about 1-2 years away. Also, like JeopardE said, the TL has no coupe version. The G37's current body style has been around so long, it's getting bland. They're about to redesign it. I never was a big fan of Nissan/Infiniti interiors - something cheap about them. It's got a good engine and performance numbers, as well as a pretty good modding community if you're into that. I also dislike how they've softened the coupe's shape. I was going to get the A5, but the thing is underpowered and overpriced like most Audi's. Their base engine is a joke for the price they want for it. By the time I optioned it out, it starts getting pricey again. It's a sexy beast, though. If you can pay more, go for the S5, but then you're probably still getting screwed. This car probably has the least bang-for-the-buck, and Audi reliability sucks, to boot. It's one of the reasons I stay away from VW's and Audi's. BMW 3-series is a great-handling car, but again, you end up paying for it, and as is the case with a lot of German makes, the reliability can be iffy. I've had co-workers who said they didn't have any problems with their 3-series and others that wanted to set the thing on fire. Just like the Audis, by the time you start adding options to it, you're up around $45-$50k, and you have to wonder if it's worth it.
No idea what he got, but I would call the 370Z a cheaper cousin. The true cheaper sister of the G37 is the new G25.
Thank you DoD. Ya we have an altima and the interior is pretty cheap feeling/looking. I guess it's another topic all together on the Z vs. the G coupes. Though I said coupes, I just added in the TL for comparison purposes. Like you said, the looks of the car takes some getting used to. and Relentless..Clutchfans is on the internet and discussing it with fellow clutchfans = research...but my bad since this thread is not in the likes of "hottest woman from x country.."
If you can get over the TL's looks, people were getting a loaded 2010 (and possibly 2011) TL with SH-AWD for around $36k-$37k tops (before TT&L). That's a steal for that car. I'm not sure you can still get deals that good, but with the 2012's about to be released, who knows.
I nearly got the S5. I think it's beautiful. The interior is gorgeous. But in the end I didn't like my test ride and went back to BMW. I was going to get the new M3 but ended up with the M5 I got now. As far as reliability, I've always heard they're about the same. Knock on wood but I've had good experience with BMWs these past 13 years. Plus if you get a new BMW, your first 4 years is covered.
the current model goes from 2009 to 2013 right? Europe's Bumpy Road While European reliability had been improving, momentum seems to have stalled. All Porsche and Volvo models are rated average or better. But Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz are among the worst automakers overall in terms of reliability. http://blogs.consumerreports.org/ca...g-strides-while-honda-toyota-dominate-pr.html
I think spending a great deal of money on a car serves as an indicator that the driver of that car isn't a terribly interesting person. I think buying a reasonably priced car is a sure sign that you just want the car for driving places and not for attempting to impress people.
I think you're right. Only slight more interesting than someone who speaks in 3rd person and constantly tells everyone that they've done your wife/gf/female pet.
Completely disagree. It could mean you have enough money to afford it and you realize the difference between driving a crappy American car and a great handling machine like a BMW. I love my 3 series, and no way is it to impress people, I enjoy the comfort, the speed, and the handling.
I don't understand how you can make conclusions that buying a 35-40K car all of a sudden makes you an uninteresting person. Only people who drive Civics now are interesting? I guess you also think everyone who has an iphone makes boring phone calls?
Seriously. Why would anyone ever buy a new car when the value drops by thousands as soon as you drive it off the lot? And why would anyone other than stupidly rich and/or irresponsible people buy something that costs more than 30k? Ooooh, the LX package: leather and gizmos and different trim. BFD. Stupid car decisions are one of the reasons this whole country's in debt up to our eyeballs.
