New Car: (New Body) A4 1.8T Quattro vs. WRX...let the games begin

2096 Views 37 Replies 26 Participants Last post by stl4310, Nov 28, 2001

hjohns

Discussion Starter · Nov 23, 2001

As you might know (see sig) we have a VR-4. HOWEVER several of its wheels are all bent up, it's having problem after problem, and it's been in the shop longer than we've actually had it here. Most recently, the tire went out on my dad and before he knew what was going on, he was riding on the rim. This is just one instance in the car's long and problematic 1500 mile history with us. So, we're going to let the Mitsubishi people do what they will with it, and then we're either going to:
A. Make the dealership who sold it to us give us a full refund, and take the car back (they lied to us about several things while selling it, so we could get them on that and other things as well)
or B: If worst comes to worst, we'll take a hit and trade it in. This leads to my question:
We really want a reliable but fun car, preferably with 4WD. I _might_ take this car to college at Grinnell because the Iowa winters are worst than ours here in Topeka. Another criterion is that we want a car that's around $25k, plus or minus a thousand or two. I've come up with 2 main contenders:
1. an Audi A4 1.8T
2. Subaru WRX
Performance-wise, the stock WRX will be quicker than the A4. I've sat in both the WRX and the A4. While the A4 has a really nice interior, the WRX isn't as bad as people say (this is my personal opinion) so the interior quality won't be a big issue for us. What I'm really looking for is firsthand experiences with both cars. Are they reliable? Are there a lot of little irritations that always come up with them? How safe are they? Any feedback on either of these 2 cars would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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matt007

· #2 · Nov 23, 2001

Re: New Car: (New Body) A4 1.8T Quattro vs. WRX...let the games begin (hjohns)

If you don't mind an ugly car with a cruddy interior, then a WRX is fine.
Of course, the A4 will still rip it up at speed.
Oh yes, and if you don't mind FWD, you could get a 'Multitronic' CVT version..Very cool

Silver Ghost

· #3 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: New Car: (matt007)

Nothing like AWD handling and off the line acceleration!! http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

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Elbows

· #4 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: New Car: (Silver Ghost)

Two totally different beasts...and no WRX interiors are not cruddy...they're normal...but here on the `Tex, anything which is not VW or BMW...is "cruddy and crappy"...looks wise...those are always up to the buyer (I think the WRX looks good).
The A4 with a 1.8T (unmodded) will be a slow, but fancy beast...impressing the ladies, and making you look quasi-rich

Being a first year car, there will be a few issues, but Audi's are pretty damn good. I think AWD 1.8T will be about 3-4 grand more than WRX. With some mods, you can have a 200+ hp very nice car...and AWD is great on both cars...So if you want luxury, looks and leather etc., go with an Audi, if you're young and want some more fun...WRX by far.
The WRX is simply a toned down rally sport car beast. With 2,500 and a Cobb package you're at 315 horsepower, with STi components up the wazoo...a real race beast...Interior is minimal, nothing fancy...and people will envy your car everywhere...because no matter what people say ....its fast. It may have some first year model problems, and some think its ugly, and it may not come with leather...but all BS aside...its a very fast car. I've heard the driveability is questionable because the turbo kicks in hard (from what I've heard) making it a little ancy on short low-speed trips. Unless its an expensive German or Japanese car...anything this fast will suffer in most other areas (interior, body, looks? etc)
My vote? WRX indeed...A4 is a great car, very nice...but its getting bigger and slightly slower...and is a bit expensive. I'm a college student, and I can deal without auto-dimming mirrors, or fake-wood interior.
WRX is a relatively cheap street beast...insurance is a biotch.

I hope that was helpful...

[Modified by Elbows, 4:25 PM 11-23-2001]

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Lackey

· #5 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: New Car: (matt007)

quote:[HR][/HR]Of course, the A4 will still rip it up at speed.[HR][/HR]

Like usual, you're talking out of your ass.
That Elbows guy, on the other hand, is right on all counts.

Elbows

· #6 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: New Car: (Lackey)

Lackey is now "the man" in my book!

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mtrainTurbo

· #7 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: New Car: (Elbows)

I went to Iowa State University, and survived a few blizzards in a 1998 Cavalier Z24 with P225/50ZR16 Pirellis. You don't NEED AWD. Anyone who tells you otherwise hasn't driven enough in snow. WHat you NEED is a dealer that can fix it.
AWD is nice, but good luck finding an Audi or Subaru dealer in Grinnell. Closest one is Des Moines, a good hour and a half away. And lets be real here, you WILL need a dealer eventually.
I recommend buying a winter beater till you graduate, and then get a nice car. College and Iowa winters are hard on a car, especially a nice one. Grinnell is for all intents and purposes in the middle of nowhere. NOT a place for a fancy new import car. Looking back, I wish I kept my Geo SPectrum till I graduated, so I could have kept all the miles off my new car.
Go get a used Cherokee, something that is cheap and can be fixed by Johnny Mechanic. Invest the money you would have otherwise spent. Then when you graduate, reward yourself for your patience with a used M3 or S4 with all the money you saved up for the downpayment.

[Modified by mtrainVR6, 7:00 PM 11-23-2001]

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prana

· #8 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: New Car: (New Body) A4 1.8T Quattro vs. WRX...let the games begin (hjohns)

I really love the A4's interior and luxury
But I refute that the A4's performance could ever compare to the WRX, the S-series is a contender. But the price, sigh, the price !
So if you REALLY as you say, do not mind the interior of the WRX, then I would go with it.
my 2 cents worth

QcGTI

· #9 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: New Car: (New Body) A4 1.8T Quattro vs. WRX...let the games begin (hjohns)

The WRX IMO is a car with no style and originality, in a few year it will look like a neon. If I had 25k to spend I would choose the A4 right now! It look good, the interior is very nice and luxurious, it's AWD and it's german (look at the steel thinkness on the WRX, it's very funny)... if you want a fugly "tape à l'oeil" car and cheap plastic interior go for the WRX!
remember this is my opinion!
good bye!

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hjohns

Discussion Starter · #10 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: New Car: (mtrainVR6)

I recommend buying a winter beater till you graduate, and then get a nice car. College and Iowa winters are hard on a car, especially a nice one. Grinnell is for all intents and purposes in the middle of nowhere. NOT a place for a fancy new import car. Looking back, I wish I kept my Geo SPectrum till I graduated, so I could have kept all the miles off my new car.

Hmmmm....I had not thought of this before...interesting point. Very true, a blizzard or just a regular winter, for that matter, would be bad for a new car...Thanks for bringing that up. I had previously overlooked this factor! http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

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matt007

· #11 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: New Car: (Lackey)

quote:[HR][/HR]Of course, the A4 will still rip it up at speed.
Like usual, you're talking out of your ass.[HR][/HR]

Oh, that was mature

Have you ever driven a WRX on the highway?
My stock Passat 1.8T kept up with one just fine...And I could hear the guy redlining each gear
I'm sure it is a very competant car when it comes to performance, handling, and 'tossability', but for everyday use, the Audi will be nicer to drive.

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RJetta8V

· #12 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: New Car: (mtrainVR6)

quote:[HR][/HR]I went to Iowa State University, and survived a few blizzards in a 1998 Cavalier Z24 with P225/50ZR16 Pirellis. You don't NEED AWD. Anyone who tells you otherwise hasn't driven enough in snow. WHat you NEED is a dealer that can fix it.
AWD is nice, but good luck finding an Audi or Subaru dealer in Grinnell. Closest one is Des Moines, a good hour and a half away. And lets be real here, you WILL need a dealer eventually.
I recommend buying a winter beater till you graduate, and then get a nice car. College and Iowa winters are hard on a car, especially a nice one. Grinnell is for all intents and purposes in the middle of nowhere. NOT a place for a fancy new import car. Looking back, I wish I kept my Geo SPectrum till I graduated, so I could have kept all the miles off my new car.
Go get a used Cherokee, something that is cheap and can be fixed by Johnny Mechanic. Invest the money you would have otherwise spent. Then when you graduate, reward yourself for your patience with a used M3 or S4 with all the money you saved up for the downpayment.[HR][/HR]

I agree, whats the use of spending 25k on a car youll take to collage? Get an mk3 Golf or Jetta, theyll do fine in the snow and you wont care when the guys get it dirty. God knows I have a fit when my bro gets into my car sweaty.

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Blitz16v

· #13 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: New Car: (RJetta8V)

jesus.

Elbows

· #14 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: New Car: (Blitz16v)

Oh come on...we all know Jesus drives a FIAT...

(with a 1.8T stuffed into it!)

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A4Jetta

· #15 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: New Car: (New Body) A4 1.8T Quattro vs. WRX...let the games begin (hjohns)

With B6 chassis's new found handling dynamics in an already neat-looking package, I would easily choose an A4 1.8T over WRX instead.
A4 has always been a timeless design, as with every Audis. However, WRX will look dated in a few years when all the hypes are over.
Of course, you can't go wrong with both cars.

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RJetta8V

· #16 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: New Car: (Elbows)

quote:[HR][/HR]Oh come on...we all know Jesus drives a FIAT...

(with a 1.8T stuffed into it!)[HR][/HR]

Jesus is

if thats his ride. I might convert back if he takes me for a ride...

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Sneakyracer

· #17 · Nov 24, 2001

Re: New Car: (hjohns)

quote:[HR][/HR]I recommend buying a winter beater till you graduate, and then get a nice car. College and Iowa winters are hard on a car, especially a nice one. Grinnell is for all intents and purposes in the middle of nowhere. NOT a place for a fancy new import car. Looking back, I wish I kept my Geo SPectrum till I graduated, so I could have kept all the miles off my new car.

Hmmmm....I had not thought of this before...interesting point. Very true, a blizzard or just a regular winter, for that matter, would be bad for a new car...Thanks for bringing that up. I had previously overlooked this factor! http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif [HR][/HR]

The WRX is a better "college car" than the AUDI. The AUDI is too nice. Its more upscale than the Subaru. The WRX is very reliable and can take a beating (and u wont feel too guilty about it in the process

). The Subaru is hella fun. i have driven both stock and modded and they both felt quite good. With 17in wheels the susp. is perfect. It has great steering and is sharp but at the same time comfortable. The turbo lag is there and there is little power bellow 3k (the 1.8t is MUCH better in this aspect) but there is nice power from 3500-7k. With a few tricks the rush up top gets SERIOUS and the launches are violent http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

even in dusty or wet roads

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5

-GTR-

· #18 · Nov 24, 2001

...all this talk about interiors just gets so annoying. wrx all the way. in my not so humble opinion, most vwoa products are overweight, and becoming more and more expensive. finally a car comes along that is stupid fast (for the money) and all you can do is say that it has a terrible interior? i've ridden in many subarus, and the interior is just fine. and honestly, if somebody is riding in your car, are they going to be more wowed about the interior, or when you step on the gas, and their head is torn off their neck? german engineering will only go so far...vw and audi need to ditch some weight and make their cars driver's cars again--unlike a golf with foglights, some other minor stuff, and a should-be-legendary "gti" badge on it.

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daredvl2b

· #19 · Nov 26, 2001

Re: (-GTR-)

I'll take the Audi over the WRX. Yeah, I agree that the WRX is fast for the money. But ya gots to remember the speed limit as well unless you live somewhere that doesn't have a speed limit. Audi can go 100 MPH easily. That's all I'm worried about. While the WRX is whinning high I'll be cruising in the Audi quietly listening to my jazz...I'd feel much safer in an Audi as well especially for those who have kids. Besides, when people ask what I drive I think I'd rather say "audi" than "Subaru". hehe. Love that German Engineering!

http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

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mutcth

· #20 · Nov 26, 2001

Re: (daredvl2b)

quote:[HR][/HR]Besides, when people ask what I drive I think I'd rather say "audi" than "Subaru". hehe. Love that German Engineering!

http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif [HR][/HR]

Fellow kayakers and bikers - those who I hang out with - are far more impressed by my gf's 2002 Outback Sport than my Passat. Plus, I don't get the nasty looks being a tourist in some small less-well-off towns with the Sube than I would with an Audi.
Buying a car based on what others think is silly. Despite saying the above, I'd rather have the Audi myself - I do a lot of highway mileage and relish the added refinement and, as you noted, quiet. But I don't like German engineering when it comes time to fix it...Subaru has it beat there. Hell, VW doesn't even tell me how to change the oil in the owners manual, while the Subaru is set-up perfectly for it....
Tom

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