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June 22, 2010 1:22 a.m. doc_speeder New Reader

So within the next year or so, I'm thinking of buying a "nicer" car, and I've got a couple in mind. I'm partial to G35's (more on that a bit later), but I've also been a long-time VW fan and have owned several, thus by extension I like Audi's too.

So, regarding the G35: I had an '06 sedan, 6mt, sport package, aero package etc. I loved it. Some people say they are unrefined compared to the german competition, but maybe that's why I love them. They have a very direct mechanical feel and sound, and I really like the VQ 35. They have a fairly large aftermarket, they're well made and seem to hold value fairly well. I know about the weak-ish clutch, and possible oil consumption issues with the "rev-up" version of the VQ.

This time around, I'd buy a coupe, as I don't NEED a 4 door. Again, it would be a 6 speed. The coupe's are dead sexy IMO. Looks like right now a very nice '05-06 can be had for around $15-$18k.

Now the Audi. I'd be looking for an '04 or newer 4.2 V8 S4 with the manual box. Prices are pretty amazing given that these were like $60-70k new (Canada). I know about Audi electronic etc issues. Is there anything other than that to be overly scared of these cars? I've never driven one, I assume they would be quieter and smoother than the Infiniti? Maybe at the cost of some fun though. Heavier, and all wheel drive, that's a plus and a minus. Price is maybe a bit more than the Infiniti, but not much.

This car will be used for summer cruising, maybe the odd road-trip with the missus, mostly just a nice toy. MAYBE a couple autocrosses per season. I've got my Jetta for more regular abuse of that sort. The car will not be a project. I'd keep it stock maybe with the exception of a nice sounding exhaust. What are your opinions?
June 22, 2010 2:14 a.m. HiTempguy HalfDork

doc_speeder wrote:

Now the Audi. I'd be looking for an '04 or newer 4.2 V8 S4 with the manual box. Prices are pretty amazing given that these were like $60-70k new (Canada). I know about Audi electronic etc issues. Is there anything other than that to be overly scared of these cars? I've never driven one, I assume they would be quieter and smoother than the Infiniti? Maybe at the cost of some fun though. Heavier, and all wheel drive, that's a plus and a minus. Price is maybe a bit more than the Infiniti, but not much.

This car will be used for summer cruising, maybe the odd road-trip with the missus, mostly just a nice toy. MAYBE a couple autocrosses per season. I've got my Jetta for more regular abuse of that sort. The car will not be a project. I'd keep it stock maybe with the exception of a nice sounding exhaust. What are your opinions?

I can tell you a bit about the S4. Tight and cramped to work on. The V8 sounds like sex, but is extremely thirsty. We're talkin' 250km in town thirsty on 50L of premium. I've drove in and rode in one for 5000kms on a roadtrip to Vegas and back once. Good times.

I don't know if there is anything to really be scared of per say. Audi's have come a long way in the past decade. I wouldn't even dream of a auto-xing it, too big and heavy (plus that V8 hanging out over the schnoze).
June 22, 2010 6:30 a.m. Rusnak_322 Reader

open the hood on the S4 and see if you could drop a nickel and have it hit the floor. it is VERY packed.

I traded in my 2004 A4 for a 2004 G35 and I liked EVERYTHING about the Audi better then the Infiniti except for the Audi always breaking.

3 of the 4 windows wouldn't roll up or down (needed regulators - $125 ish each). The steering rack started leaking - quoted $1500+. I could not get the car aligned where it wouldn't eat the inside of the front tires in 8k miles.

but the car looked better, drove better and just felt better in every way. The turbo 4 that I had with a cat back sounded great as well.

Get the S4. My next sedan may be a G37
June 22, 2010 8:17 a.m. Ian F Dork

If you can afford the fuel costs (the V8 S4 had the distinction of being the compact sedan with the worst MPG when it was new), then get a CPO version and dump it when the CPO warranty runs out.
June 22, 2010 8:34 a.m. Buzz Killington Reader

the G sounds like it aligns better with your intended usage.

if it was a year-round car carrying baby seats, my vote would probably change.
June 22, 2010 9:52 a.m. Rusnak_322 Reader

Also, I had a friend who had a 2004 S4 that took him almost a year to sell. I had a 2004 A4 that sold to the first person who drove it.

He sold his a year before I sold mine, he had 40k less miles and his car was in better shape then mine but he only got just over $4k more for his car then I got for mine.

There just isn't a big market for those cars used. Too many people scared away by the Audi rep, and the M3 is right there price and performance wise.
June 22, 2010 11:41 a.m. 1988RedT2 New Reader

I loved our A6 2.7T. We bought it new and drove it to 100,000 miles, at which time the cost of repairs became prohibitive. In spite of that, I am a raving Audi fan. The look and feel of the cars is very rewarding. There ain't no way a stinking Nissan is coming close.
June 22, 2010 11:43 a.m. racerdave600 HalfDork

I have a G35 that I bought recently and really like. My other choice was a 330CI, of which I drove a few. In the end I picked the Infiniti mainly due to repair and maintenance cost, and since it was a just a driver, I won't do any track work with it. I have that covered elsewhere. The choice is a similar one to yours, except my Audi experience was worse than my previous BMW experience cost and breakdown-wise. Like the BMW, I liked the way the Audi drove, but I hated having to wait to drive it while I fixed the next thing that broke.

For me, getting to work on time sometimes beats the driving experience getting there. You have to find your threshold for repairs and if the Audi fits it, they are great driving cars. You give up some of the driving fun with the G35, but it makes up for it in getting you there with little cost.
June 22, 2010 12:18 p.m. DukeOfUndersteer SuperDork

from what my co-worker tells me, the B6 S4 4.2s have real bad blow by. He has seen a drastic difference in compression between cylinders doing a leak down test, saw like 45psi difference between cylinders. He says the valves Carbon up real bad and causes misfires all the time.
June 22, 2010 12:20 p.m. gamby SuperDork

Rusnak_322 wrote:

open the hood on the S4 and see if you could drop a nickel and have it hit the floor. it is VERY packed.

I traded in my 2004 A4 for a 2004 G35 and I liked EVERYTHING about the Audi better then the Infiniti except for the Audi always breaking.

3 of the 4 windows wouldn't roll up or down (needed regulators - $125 ish each). The steering rack started leaking - quoted $1500+. I could not get the car aligned where it wouldn't eat the inside of the front tires in 8k miles.

but the car looked better, drove better and just felt better in every way. The turbo 4 that I had with a cat back sounded great as well.

Get the S4. My next sedan may be a G37

lulz--no thanks. I don't have the intestinal fortitude (or the checkbook) for that crap.
June 22, 2010 1:56 p.m. Lugnut HalfDork

I'll throw another hat in the ring, because I looked at both of those cars when I bought mine. Consider a 6.0 GTO. I drove a bunch of cars when I was coming out of my 996 C2, and in the fun-to-drive category the GTO soundly beat all of them.

But if I HAD to pick one of those two, I'd still pick something different. I would go with an A4 2.0T. The V8 sound is missing, but it's pocket change (and WAY less than the savings between the A4 and S4) away from the same kind of torque.
June 22, 2010 10:14 p.m. doc_speeder New Reader

In reply to Lugnut:

Wow! THAT came out of nowhere! And I thank you. I always forget about these cars (mostly because we never got them up here) but they are legal for import to Canada. They just may be the perfect solution! More power and V8-ness (and less complexity) than the Audi, and a bit softer and more comfy than the G! Prices look good too. One concern: What's the long term parts outlook for these? Would I be sourcing Holden-specific bits from down under sooner than later?
June 22, 2010 10:19 p.m. Gearheadotaku Dork

I wouldn't wory about GTO parts. Drivetrain is common GM stuff and there will be an aftermarket for a long time. back to G35 vs. S4. I vote G35. Rwd FTW! Also S4=pull engine for any timing chain or cam related work, even some of the sensors.
June 22, 2010 11:58 p.m. digdug18 HalfDork

How much are you really looking to spend? You can now get a RS4 for $50k, its alot, but test drive one and you'll understand. I have driven both the G35/G37 and the S4, I'd stick with the audi's. They have their problems but are more fun to drive, imho. I do however like the twin turbo v6 s4's better though, like stated above, a little less nose heavy, and cheaper.

Andrew
June 23, 2010 12:17 a.m. doc_speeder New Reader

In reply to digdug18:

My budget will be around $20-$22k - tops. I must say, the GTO has a real appeal to me. Some say they are bland, but I really have always liked the styling. Interior looks very nice as well. Love the LS2 too!
June 23, 2010 9:06 a.m. scardeal Reader

As much as I love Nissans...

the Goat might get you! In Soviet Russia!
June 23, 2010 9:18 a.m. racerdave600 HalfDork

I did drive one GTO before I bought the G35, but it was ratty and overpriced. Had I found a good one before I bought the G, I would probably have had a different car. To be honest, it didn't feel all that much faster ('04 version), but it had an old Muscle Car feel to it. I liked it better than I thought I would. But it looked like rats lived in it and they wanted about $20k for it. I bought a low mileage, one owner G for half that ('05 model).

The V8 version of the G8 is also pretty cool in my book, but they are still more than I want to spend on a car. I'm waiting on the depreciated versions to come out!

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