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Which Car?

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JStrathern
Posts: 8747 - Karma: 1,536
Trying to make a decision on which one of these cars to get. Not looking for others to make my decision I'm just wondering what everyone's opinions is because it's a pretty tough choice, I do like all of them. Here are my 3 main choices as of now:

1. 2002 Audi TT Quattro - $10,995
225 horsepower I4
Cold Air Intake
Blow Off Valve
Turbo
Extra Set of Rims with Winter Tires
All Wheel Drive
89K Miles
Click for larger image


2. 2006 Acura RSX Type S - $9,000
200 horsepower V6
A Spec Body Kit
Front Wheel Drive
101K Miles
Click for larger image

3. 2004 BMW 325XI - $10,995
185 horsepower I6
102K Miles
All Wheel Drive
Click for larger image
Jun 6 2011 3:24PM
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tronned
Posts: 1098 - Karma: 790
sigh. When will newschoolers learn? I work at a VAG repair shop and am directly related to all 3 of these cars in one way or another. Lets break it down nice and simple.

Audi pros.
- some people like styling
- half ass awd
- turbo if youre into that kind of thing
- decent interior
-gavalized so it will never rust
-decent aftermarket support

audi cons
- built off a mk4 golf chasis, aka it has many many lurking problems and has even less space for work to be done... aka it costs a fuckload in labour to replace almost anything.
- parts are literally 200 percent the cost of the honda/acura, i shit you not.. most parts will be 200 percent + more expensive.
- timing belt driven
- half assed awd
- bov on a recirulating air calculating system? what the fuck.
- voted in the top 3 of the international gay car.
- sweet fuck all for interior space
- has very complex wiring systems that standard mechanics shops will not touch nor have ability to fix.

Bmw pros
- all wheel drive
- classy car
- decent space but being a sports sedan it has a tad cramped leg room in the back
- interior is normally of decent quality

BMW cons
- parts at 200 percent again
- labour is fucking stupid on these cars due to engine layout.
- again, complex electrical so you are tied to the dealership for most electrical problems.
- pretty fucking slow

Acura pros
- cheap parts and labour
- will hardly ever break down or need parts, just do normal services and you will be golden.
- fairly simple electrical and engine layout, easy to work on so most shops will do work.
- amazing motor in this car (k20)
- most modern k20 motors are timing chain driven, so no need to replace a belt ( which is expensive)
- amazing aftermarket support

acura cons
- that one you posted is slightly riced out
- little cramped for room
- very little torque in motor
- FWD ( some people hate FWD)
- people will assume you are a boy racer
- not galvanized, so you will have to becareful to take car of paint and frame of car to prevent rust.




It all depends on what you want, if you dont mind spending 200-300 percent of the cost to keep a car on the road but feel as if you want a superior interior.. go german. If you want a car that wont let you down, get japanese, It basically boils down to that.
Jun 6 2011 7:30PM
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spere
Posts: 6105 - Karma: 248
some TT's are gangster though, and with bags you could raise it up for the winter real easy :)

Click for larger image
Jun 6 2011 7:31PM
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tronned
Posts: 1098 - Karma: 790
fail. Bags dont go in winter unless you want failure of suspension. Factory equipped air suspension is far far different than aftermarket bags.
Jun 6 2011 7:34PM
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ImNotARacist
Posts: 5136 - Karma: -1,032
Yo your about to buy one of those cars??



I Hate You
Jun 6 2011 7:35PM
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Scrambles
Posts: 2270 - Karma: 63
and this is why i hate sti owners
Jun 6 2011 7:35PM
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spere
Posts: 6105 - Karma: 248
I wasn't being serious
Jun 6 2011 7:37PM
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Chompo.
Posts: 4952 - Karma: 88
i would go with this
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=297053877&dealer_id=65505025&car_year=2004&systime=&doors=&useImpressions=true&listingCounter=3&model=325XI&adModel=325XI&search_lang=en&start_year=2001&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=0&min_price=&drive=&rdm=1307403899309&marketZipError=false&advanced=y&fuel=&listingPriority=20&flip=b&keywords_display=&sownerid=82351&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2012&showZipError=n&make2=&certified=&engine=&dma=DETROIT_NE&adBodyStyle=&page_location=findacar::ispsearchform&body_code=0&transmission=Manual&default_sort=&max_mileage=100000&useBIRF=true&color=&address=48317&sort_type=priceDESC&adMake=BMW&max_price=11000&adClassSeries=3_SERIES&make=BMW&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=388

or

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=298916669&dealer_id=100024042&car_year=2003&doors=&systime=&position=top&model=A4&search_lang=en&start_year=2001&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=0&min_price=&rdm=1307404051885&drive=&marketZipError=false&advanced=y&fuel=&keywords_display=&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2012&showZipError=n&make2=&certified=&engine=6+Cylinder&dma=DETROIT_NE&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=0&transmission=Manual&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=100000&address=48317&color=&sort_type=yearDESC&max_price=11000&make=AUDI&num_records=25&seller_type=b&cardist=589&standard=false
Jun 6 2011 7:49PM
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JStrathern
Posts: 8747 - Karma: 1,536
I agree with almost everything you've said other than the riciness.. I dislike ricers strongly and have to disagree with you other than the spoiler, which like I said earlier I would take off and replace with a small on because it looks stupid.
Jun 6 2011 7:49PM
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Tucks
Posts: 2120 - Karma: 161
I believe the tt is a 90 10 awd so it isn't that great in snow. Just my 2 cents. Really I would go more for an a4 or a legacy gt. I am in the market right now as well and a legacy gt looks like just what I want and looking at the cars you have mention a gt would probably fit the bill.
Jun 6 2011 8:09PM
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The_Beekeeper
Posts: 843 - Karma: 302
Appropriate username right here
Jun 6 2011 8:12PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 372
id ho with the audi
Jun 6 2011 8:15PM
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ImNotARacist
Posts: 5136 - Karma: -1,032
But why do you hate subaru
Jun 6 2011 8:16PM
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Scrambles
Posts: 2270 - Karma: 63
not subaru on a whole, but i couldnt fit "I_hate_subaru_impreza_wrx_sti'S_and_modified_ foresters" in the name
Jun 6 2011 8:21PM
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Yinzer
Posts: 1011 - Karma: 73
this, if your getting down to brass tax.

TT is AWD but thats about all it has going for it in my mind, too girly, to small. BMW is probably your best choice because it is AWD and that will come in handy for skiing and I've driven that exact car just without x and it is a great car depending on the options. However, unless you know for a fact the service record and how well it was taken care of do not buy. These particular years are known to be hit or miss as far as reliability. They can either be really bad, ie literally in the garage more than you drive it, or its just normal which is still expensive cause all BMW maintenance is mad money.

This leaves the RSX. first, you have literally the best version of this already awesome car. front wheel drive will not be too bad in the snow, most of the weight is on the nose and that tends to keep em planted if you have snow tires. I've driven a non type R and it was great fun as well as not bad in the snow, good for only 2 wheel drive.

RSX
Jun 6 2011 8:28PM
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JayDope
Posts: 6842 - Karma: 408
get the beamer, 4 doors, all wheel drive, wont have to worry about turbos blowing on u, is more reliable than the audi, big enough for ski gear, its an obvious pick
Jun 6 2011 8:38PM
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tronned
Posts: 1098 - Karma: 790
lets get serious here. Why in the fuck would this kid want to pay BMW to service his car if he drives a basemodel 3 series car? Its not like owning a bimmer is a godly status, its a fucking 3 series..... I could understand if its an M but come on people. Why pay a premium to own a german car but get hardly any of the benefits? He is a young guy with what looks like a 10k budget... realistically audi and bmw should NOT be included in a 10k budget... simple as that. If you find a deal that seems "too good to be true " chances are its exactly that.... but what the fuck do i know? I only fix german cars for a living, you should just listen to the teenagers.
Jun 6 2011 8:53PM
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geteducated
Posts: 6410 - Karma: 86
if you buy any german car off warranty you might as well spend the 1000 you were gonna spend on the first batch of repairs on a gun and blow your head off. that way you'll have only 1 short headache.
Jun 6 2011 9:30PM
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crab_pretzel
Posts: 3919 - Karma: 622
BEAMER!!!! then acura, then audi (my 2cents)
Jun 6 2011 10:58PM
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geteducated
Posts: 6410 - Karma: 86
a shitstorm or a foot in mouth storm?
Jun 6 2011 11:06PM
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tall_pants
Posts: 663 - Karma: 446
Audi
Jun 7 2011 12:11AM
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Njens.
Posts: 1688 - Karma: 46
BMW. TTs are gay and that acura is just plain ugly.
Jun 7 2011 12:15AM
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Njens.
Posts: 1688 - Karma: 46
BMW. TTs are gay and that acura is just plain ugly.
Jun 7 2011 12:15AM
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Njens.
Posts: 1688 - Karma: 46
lol
Jun 7 2011 12:17AM
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Sallabillz
Posts: 1289 - Karma: 762
why are they soo cheap?
Jun 7 2011 12:19AM
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pomme-de-terre
Posts: 3915 - Karma: 703
i dont see why you wouldnt buy the acura. its really the most reasonable car out of any of them. the TT is really not a great car, the BMW is awful, the acura will be a really fun car to drive while also being able to bring you point a to point b without costing an arm and a leg, falling apart, making you look like a total fucking douche, or like changing into a giant robot or something.
Jun 7 2011 12:20AM
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Sallabillz
Posts: 1289 - Karma: 762

id get the acura or beamer

the tt is pretty girly its like driving a boxter but not as gay

Jun 7 2011 12:21AM
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JStrathern
Posts: 8747 - Karma: 1,536
Audi is out, most likely getting the Acura as of now
Jun 7 2011 10:44AM
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Yinzer
Posts: 1011 - Karma: 73
you are correct in everything except about the M. buying an older used M car means only one thing, it was drive way to hard for way to long. reason i will never realize my dream of an e36
Jun 7 2011 10:13PM
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ski-or-die
Posts: 770 - Karma: 17
TURBODEAZLE!1!
Jun 7 2011 10:19PM
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*rkp*
Posts: 8198 - Karma: 257
umm...generalize much?

there is a large portion of m owners who are conservative with their cars.
not to mention that they are usually better taken care of/ are equipped to better withstand prolonged enthusiastic driving etc etc.

there are lots of well maintained e36 m's on the market...
Jun 7 2011 10:31PM
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Yinzer
Posts: 1011 - Karma: 73
lol enthusiastic. yeah it is a generalization but you have to agree on average that if you take and 3 series or any series for that matter and you compare it to its M version, same year same mile blah blah, your going to get a more reliable less beat less cost to maintain car.
Jun 7 2011 10:49PM
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*rkp*
Posts: 8198 - Karma: 257
you can't really compare maintenance costs between the two for the most part...

to put it simply, m-specific parts cost a premium over non-m parts.
this is exacerbated when you factor in things like tires (and other high-wear components), specifics like vanos servicing etc, and especially if you go through a dealership.

The biggest thing that kills the value/re-saleability of older performance cars is neglectful maintenance. Problems left unattended compound to equal bigger, costlier problems.

So no, the reliability and wear on a car isn't dependent on model designation, but of the previous owner's attention to care and habits.
There are lots of examples of nice and not-so-nice m and non-m cars for sale of all vintages out there.

Jun 8 2011 12:48AM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
.
Jun 8 2011 12:55AM
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Yinzer
Posts: 1011 - Karma: 73
So on average your going to pay more to maintain an M verses its series counterpart? k great
Jun 8 2011 7:08AM
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*rkp*
Posts: 8198 - Karma: 257
on average, yes.

why does this come as a surprise to you?...

again, you can't compare the two in terms of cost.

initial+running costs of an M are usually greater.
for the premium you get a very specialized car.
it's simple.

do you not have any understanding?



Jun 8 2011 8:24AM
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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
TT, you're getting less mileage and more features + AWD. You're a skier.
Jun 8 2011 8:56AM
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JStrathern
Posts: 8747 - Karma: 1,536
Just got back from test driving the rsx, has a number of small marks/scratches/mini rust marks on the edges of the hood and stuff, and some light stains on the inside, but pretty much as I expected for a used car
Jun 10 2011 10:13PM
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JStrathern
Posts: 8747 - Karma: 1,536
I am really really leaning towards it, but a little dissapointed that it isnt in perfect condition, its a bit of a turn off. But with some touch up paint and some detailing it should probably be ok.
Jun 10 2011 10:15PM
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geteducated
Posts: 6410 - Karma: 86
are the stains in the back seat?
Jun 10 2011 11:04PM
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Aaaron.
Posts: 11817 - Karma: 903
maybe you can talk the seller into knocking a good portion off the price cause the condition isnt what you were expecting
Jun 11 2011 3:40PM
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Chuzles
Posts: 89 - Karma: 21
as an rsx type-s driver myself im kind of biased because i love the car. The front bumper on that one has a bit of a strange look to it and if the pic. is of the one you'd be getting it isn't an 06 unless they did a front end conversion to an 02-04 model. the models after that didn't have the little circles under the lights.
Jun 11 2011 4:13PM
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JStrathern
Posts: 8747 - Karma: 1,536
Wellthat was an example I typed in google. I offered the guy 8 and he didnt accept, but Im looking at an 05 type s tomorrow, we'll see how that goes
Jun 11 2011 7:53PM
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snowflexzone
Posts: 200 - Karma: 18
why can't you just have a shit car like everyone else. fuck you. but get the beamer.
Jun 11 2011 7:55PM
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yuck
Posts: 8384 - Karma: 2,090
the TT is probably the most fun car in there, but its just too girly.
Jun 11 2011 7:59PM
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JStrathern
Posts: 8747 - Karma: 1,536
Well sorry you are less fortunate I guess. A friendly fuck you to you too!
Jun 11 2011 8:04PM
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snowflexzone
Posts: 200 - Karma: 18
Lol. I drive a saturn. it causes my rage to build up sometimes, and i tend to release it on people who have access to better (as in any other) cars. ESPECIALLY beamers
Jun 11 2011 8:15PM
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