YAUCT: Volvo S40 or Audi A4 (both 2000)

[eits]

ok, so i just drove the audi around...

the interior was grey... wasn't really beige.

there were a couple scratches and whatnot around the outside. the speakers were awesome, as expected. it looks so nice just looking at it....

but..... the s40 felt a lot better (minus the loud engine and the pulsing whenever i braked)

 

[masshass81]

Originally posted by: eits

Originally posted by: mrSHEiK124

Originally posted by: eits

Originally posted by: Otaking
2002? My 2001 A4 has the B5 styling :heart:

what's b5?

Audi A4 Generation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_A4

I like the B6 (2001-2004) alot more, but its still a nice car.

ah, thank you

so, can someone give me some proven reasons why i should go with the 2000 audi a4 vs the 2000 volvo s40?

links proving that the 2000 audi a4 is unreliable, please?

Significant problems with the engine between 1997-2001??

4/10 rating for value in class??

Most people buy their BMWs and Audi's for performance, not reliabilty. The majority of the demographic only keep said vehicles maybe 3-5 years and buy newer versions.

Just know you'll potentially have a higher risk of experiencing significant problems with the car, especially since it's already 6 years old. I would definitely ask the owner for maintenance records and ask for a carfax report to make sure it hasn't been in any accidents and that he/she made a concious effort of maintaining the car. Search the same links for info on the S40.

You could look into more reliable luxury brands such as Lexus or Acura. Maybe even consider a non-luxury V6.

 

[eits]

i saw the carfax for both cars... both clean.

i think i'm gonna go with the volvo.

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: kalster
2000 honda accord v6

:thumbsup:

 

[eits]

Originally posted by: raildogg

Originally posted by: kalster
2000 honda accord v6

:thumbsup:

ok, but i'm not trying to get an accord.... or any other car that practically everyone already has.

i like european cars.

 

[kcthomas]

the "upgraded" bose systems in g35's are pretty bad. i wouldn't be suprised if the other stock stereo is better than the bose system

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: eits

Originally posted by: raildogg

Originally posted by: kalster
2000 honda accord v6

:thumbsup:

ok, but i'm not trying to get an accord.... or any other car that practically everyone already has.

i like european cars.

I've got a 96 A4 right now and I can't say that I would buy another B5 again. There are a lot of really finnicky things that will get really expensive really quick - control arms go at around 100K, same CV joint boots and engine/tranny mounts. The interior of my A4 rattles like no tomorrow and !.8Ts do have the oil sludge problem.

I would recommend that you look into Benzes if you're looking for well-built vehicle. My moms 97 c230 has over 120K on the clock and the car has absolutely no rattles or anything like that. The sound of the doors closing is of a brand new car.

Oh yeah, for the people recommending 2000 accord.... YAWN. I wouldn't trade my A4 for one. If I wanted a boring, uninspired sedan I'd save myself money and get a Taurus...

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: eits

Originally posted by: raildogg

Originally posted by: kalster
2000 honda accord v6

:thumbsup:

ok, but i'm not trying to get an accord.... or any other car that practically everyone already has.

i like european cars.

I see just as many Jettas on the road as much as I see Corollas.

Anyway, I don't see why people have favoritism towards European carmakers. I guess the brand carries extra weight to it. Nowadays, Japanese cars are equals to the Europeans and are superior to Americans. But go on how Europeans are superior.

Between those two, I would get the Audi since it has more personality, won't feel as big as the Volvo. Not a bad choice. I like Audis.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: masshass81

Significant problems with the engine between 1997-2001??

4/10 rating for value in class??

Most people buy their BMWs and Audi's for status, not reliabilty. The majority of the demographic only keep said vehicles maybe 3-5 years and buy newer versions.

fixed.

 

[eits]

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: eits

Originally posted by: raildogg

Originally posted by: kalster
2000 honda accord v6

:thumbsup:

ok, but i'm not trying to get an accord.... or any other car that practically everyone already has.

i like european cars.

I've got a 96 A4 right now and I can't say that I would buy another B5 again. There are a lot of really finnicky things that will get really expensive really quick - control arms go at around 100K, same CV joint boots and engine/tranny mounts. The interior of my A4 rattles like no tomorrow and !.8Ts do have the oil sludge problem.

I would recommend that you look into Benzes if you're looking for well-built vehicle. My moms 97 c230 has over 120K on the clock and the car has absolutely no rattles or anything like that. The sound of the doors closing is of a brand new car.

Oh yeah, for the people recommending 2000 accord.... YAWN. I wouldn't trade my A4 for one. If I wanted a boring, uninspired sedan I'd save myself money and get a Taurus...

exactly! thank you!

 

[eits]

i'm pretty sure i'm going to be going with the volvo....

that volvo was so damn clean. it was virtually like an s40 that had never been driven before... except for the 81k miles.

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: eits

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: eits

Originally posted by: raildogg

Originally posted by: kalster
2000 honda accord v6

:thumbsup:

ok, but i'm not trying to get an accord.... or any other car that practically everyone already has.

i like european cars.

I've got a 96 A4 right now and I can't say that I would buy another B5 again. There are a lot of really finnicky things that will get really expensive really quick - control arms go at around 100K, same CV joint boots and engine/tranny mounts. The interior of my A4 rattles like no tomorrow and !.8Ts do have the oil sludge problem.

I would recommend that you look into Benzes if you're looking for well-built vehicle. My moms 97 c230 has over 120K on the clock and the car has absolutely no rattles or anything like that. The sound of the doors closing is of a brand new car.

Oh yeah, for the people recommending 2000 accord.... YAWN. I wouldn't trade my A4 for one. If I wanted a boring, uninspired sedan I'd save myself money and get a Taurus...

exactly! thank you!

Actually, the Accord is the best midsize sedan in its price range and more enjoyable to drive compared to cars in its class. It is no M3, no BMW 3, no Audi A4 even, but in its class, it is decent.

But I want to not drive this thread off course (no pun), so I will comment on the actual issues.

You were saying how the Accord is bland, yet you want to get the Volvo S40? Is it that European thing? It is a nice car that has a great price for cars from 2000. It beats out some similar priced used cars in that category.

I think the Audi A4 from the 2000 generation looks a bit out of place now. So get the Volvo.

Sorry for taking the thread a bit off course.

 

[Aimster]

How much is that Audi going for?

 

[eits]

Originally posted by: Aimster
How much is that Audi going for?

$8500, but i talked him down to $7600.

the volvo is $7950 firm.

i just found this and i'm debating whether i'd want to bother talking him down to $8100 because i'm worried about the maintenance costs...

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

OP - have you tried testing out an accord or something that you seem to be avoiding? If you're sure you won't like it then there's no harm in trying it out...

 

[Strifer]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
how about neither. you've got a rebadged ford with warped brake discs versus one of the least reliable cars in the known universe...how about some cars that don't suck?

Correction: The 2000 Volvo is based on the Mitsubishi Charisma platform, not the Ford P1. It's a solid, fast, and classy car that's built amazingly well. Even after Ford began implementing their platforms in Volvos, the build quality remained consistent. Ford's integration of Volvo into its Premier Auto Group did not degrade the quality of the Volvo brand at all. Some say that it improved. Just look at the new Volvo designs. They're hot, desirable cars.

My mom drives a 2001 S40, and faced this same A4 vs S40 dilemma.

The S40 has less turbo lag than the A4, and is much more comfortable. That said, the A4 has a cooler looking interior, IMHO. The build materials in both vehicles are high quality--exactly what you'd expect of European sedans.

If you get the S40, I would definitely recommend adding a spoiler if it doesn't already have one. It significantly improves the look of the car.

I would avoid that old C-Class. The quality of the older style Mercedes C-Class is questionable, and the aesthetic of the car is kind of unflattering. They look boxy and old, and aren't especially comfortable. The Mercedes brand doesn't mitigate the car's weak value.

 

[eits]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
OP - have you tried testing out an accord or something that you seem to be avoiding? If you're sure you won't like it then there's no harm in trying it out...

harm = time and energy spent.

also, i've driven in many of the cars that i am avoiding buying. EVERYONE'S got one... it's hard not to have driven in a honda or a toyota or a chevy or ford or whatever.

also, those cars don't have any personality. they're as vanilla as can be. i'm also not into car customization or any of that "xtreme" bullshit.

i like my cars, computers, etc. to be sleak, stylish, and not overplayed.

 

[Strifer]

Edit: double post.

 

[eits]

Originally posted by: Strifer

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
how about neither. you've got a rebadged ford with warped brake discs versus one of the least reliable cars in the known universe...how about some cars that don't suck?

Correction: The 2000 Volvo is based on the Mitsubishi Charisma platform, not the Ford P1. It's a solid, fast, and classy car that's built amazingly well. Even after Ford began implementing their platforms in Volvos, the build quality remained consistent. Ford's integration of Volvo into its Premier Auto Group did not degrade the quality of the Volvo brand at all. Some say that it improved. Just look at the new Volvo designs. They're hot, desirable cars.

My mom drives a 2001 S40, and faced this same A4 vs S40 dilemma.

The S40 has less turbo lag than the A4, and is much more comfortable. That said, the A4 has a cooler looking interior, IMHO. The build materials in both vehicles are high quality--exactly what you'd expect of European sedans.

If you get the S40, I would definitely recommend adding a spoiler if it doesn't already have one. It significantly improves the look of the car.

I would avoid that old C-Class. The quality of the older style Mercedes C-Class is questionable, and the aesthetic of the car is kind of unflattering. They look boxy and old, and aren't especially comfortable. The Mercedes brand doesn't mitigate the car's weak value.

best review yet

thanks.

going with the s40 for sure (it has a spoiler on it).

here it is (for some reason, the leather seats look extremely worn and cracked... that's not at all what it looks like in vivo).

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: Strifer

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
how about neither. you've got a rebadged ford with warped brake discs versus one of the least reliable cars in the known universe...how about some cars that don't suck?

Correction: The 2000 Volvo is based on the Mitsubishi Charisma platform, not the Ford P1. It's a solid, fast, and classy car that's built amazingly well. Even after Ford began implementing their platforms in Volvos, the build quality remained consistent. Ford's integration of Volvo into its Premier Auto Group did not degrade the quality of the Volvo brand at all. Some say that it improved. Just look at the new Volvo designs. They're hot, desirable cars.

My mom drives a 2001 S40, and faced this same A4 vs S40 dilemma.

The S40 has less turbo lag than the A4, and is much more comfortable. That said, the A4 has a cooler looking interior, IMHO. The build materials in both vehicles are high quality--exactly what you'd expect of European sedans.

If you get the S40, I would definitely recommend adding a spoiler if it doesn't already have one. It significantly improves the look of the car.

I would avoid that old C-Class. The quality of the older style Mercedes C-Class is questionable, and the aesthetic of the car is kind of unflattering. They look boxy and old, and aren't especially comfortable. The Mercedes brand doesn't mitigate the car's weak value.

Where exactly are you pulling the reliability and comfort things from? Having driven the said cair this afternoon, I can't see where that came from at all....

 

[eits]

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: Strifer

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
how about neither. you've got a rebadged ford with warped brake discs versus one of the least reliable cars in the known universe...how about some cars that don't suck?

Correction: The 2000 Volvo is based on the Mitsubishi Charisma platform, not the Ford P1. It's a solid, fast, and classy car that's built amazingly well. Even after Ford began implementing their platforms in Volvos, the build quality remained consistent. Ford's integration of Volvo into its Premier Auto Group did not degrade the quality of the Volvo brand at all. Some say that it improved. Just look at the new Volvo designs. They're hot, desirable cars.

My mom drives a 2001 S40, and faced this same A4 vs S40 dilemma.

The S40 has less turbo lag than the A4, and is much more comfortable. That said, the A4 has a cooler looking interior, IMHO. The build materials in both vehicles are high quality--exactly what you'd expect of European sedans.

If you get the S40, I would definitely recommend adding a spoiler if it doesn't already have one. It significantly improves the look of the car.

I would avoid that old C-Class. The quality of the older style Mercedes C-Class is questionable, and the aesthetic of the car is kind of unflattering. They look boxy and old, and aren't especially comfortable. The Mercedes brand doesn't mitigate the car's weak value.

Where exactly are you pulling the reliability and comfort things from? Having driven the said cair this afternoon, I can't see where that came from at all....

my dad used to have an older version of the same car... i think it was like a '97 c280 or something. anyways, i remember the seats being too hard/flat. drove real smooth, though.

 

[Strifer]

Compared to the Volvo seats--which are considered by some to be among the best in the industry--the old C is not very comfortable. I drive a Jetta, which has similar leather seats to the A4. I think they're kind of stiff and, again, prefer the Volvo.

The new C (after 2001) is a nice, solid, comfortable car. It's substantially different from the older model.

 

[Strifer]

Nice! She looks good! One of my favorite features is the leather wrapped steering wheel. It's got a nice, thick, solid feel to it.

 

[eits]

strifer, check your pm

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: eits
i like my cars, computers, etc. to be sleak, stylish, and not overplayed.

Ah, so you're a Mac owner.