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I think it would be worth taking the risk. I know everybody loves to harp on Fiat(and all Italian cars in general) for being unreliable junk, but things have changed since the 1980's.
That's true, but, even today, Fiat-sourced products still rank at or near the bottom in reliability.
As the owner of a '17 A4 for several months, I can say it ticks all the boxes you mentioned. The exterior styling is understated, but the interior is fantastic and intuitive, the car is plenty fast and nimble, and I'm getting 24 mpg in mostly city driving. My two previous cars were a '15 S5 and a '13 GS F Sport, and the A4 is as good if not better than both in lots of areas. I agree with you re: the TLX. I test drove one prior to getting my A4. It was a good car, but just not special, and I was also turned off by the fake glossy wood.
Go to the Audiworld forum and you will see that A4 owners love their cars. (Yes, I started the thread.)
There is a forum member who traded a BMW 640i, one who traded an M3, one who traded a Macan, and me who traded an S5. I guess I'm now an A4 "fanboy", but it's that good!
So the HS will be history soon. It seems like you just got it.
I've never shopped this category before so I can't help, but a Jaguar? With their reputation I wouldn't be ready to try one on. I thought you even mentioned that in a recent post.
You must also be considering a replacement for your NX. I'd be interested in what you're thinking on that.
Good luck on your search, of the ones mentioned as others have said the A4 looks like winner, but then again I would think that would depend on the NX replacement.
i too was looking for a new DD recently and had a price ceiling of around $45k. i looked at a lot of the same cars the OP mentioned. ended up getting a bit bigger, more luxurious car in a new GS350 f sport. the only thing it lacked compared to the others was the fuel economy.
It would be to replace the HS. Good car getting 33-35 mpg but it is devoid of excitement in my commute which I am aching for especially during winter months when I will soon have the RC F stored in the garage.
Jag is flaky on reliability but for the amount of time I keep cars (< 2 yrs), I'm willing to risk it.
I finally test drove the S3 and A4 back to back and here are my comments:
S3
+ excellent power and beautiful engine/exhaust note especially the pop heard during up/downshifts.
+ tight nimble handling yet ride quality was compliant.
+ compact well planted look and stance.
- stark VW-like interior
- tight interior
- no $ incentives
A4
+ impressively smooth and quiet 4 cyl turbo, rivals the Benz 4 cyl turbo.
+ quiet and superb ride quality.
+ quality nicely styled interior.
+ roomy interior
+ $ incentives
- ho-hum styling although the S-Line with a lower suspension and 19" wheels looks a little more exciting (below)
- handling felt FWD-biased and somewhat unengaging.
There's a black A4 available in S-Line trim or one in Scuba Blue (below) I can get a decent deal on.
It would be to replace the HS. Good car getting 33-35 mpg but it is devoid of excitement in my commute which I am aching for especially during winter months when I will soon have the RC F stored in the garage.
Jag is flaky on reliability but for the amount of time I keep cars (< 2 yrs), I'm willing to risk it.
I finally test drove the S3 and A4 back to back and here are my comments:
S3
+ excellent power and beautiful engine/exhaust note especially the pop heard during up/downshifts.
+ tight nimble handling yet ride quality was compliant.
+ compact well planted look and stance.
- stark VW-like interior
- tight interior
- no $ incentives
A4
+ impressively smooth and quiet 4 cyl turbo, rivals the Benz 4 cyl turbo.
+ quiet and superb ride quality.
+ quality nicely styled interior.
+ roomy interior
+ $ incentives
- ho-hum styling although the S-Line with a lower suspension and 19" wheels looks a little more exciting (below)
- handling felt FWD-biased and somewhat unengaging.
There's a black A4 available in S-Line trim or one in Scuba Blue (below) I can get a decent deal on.
That looks nice! I got to drive an A3 back in 2014 at a dealer premier event, and it wasn't bad. But yeah, the A4 is the real deal and would be worth considering on a lease.
A4
+ impressively smooth and quiet 4 cyl turbo, rivals the Benz 4 cyl turbo.
+ quiet and superb ride quality.
+ quality nicely styled interior.
+ roomy interior
+ $ incentives - ho-hum styling although the S-Line with a lower suspension and 19" wheels looks a little more exciting (below)
- handling felt FWD-biased and somewhat unengaging.
There's a black A4 available in S-Line trim or one in Scuba Blue (below) I can get a decent deal on.
And...that's why I recommend Audi's but never buy them.
According to Audi specs, recommended but not required.
It can run on 87, but it will have significantly impacted performance, worse MPG etc. that will more than offset any cost savings that you would have.
Hyundai/Kia are some of the only turbos I can think of off the top of my head that are tuned initially and spec'ed for regular grade gas. Mazda's new turbo CX-9 indicates to different horsepower tunes for Regular vs. Premium grade, but torque remains the same.
11-06-16, 03:20 PM
