Used Car buyer question

The Bimmer isn't likely to meet your price point, but it will be the
most satisfying car. Also you should consider poor weather behavior.
A 3-series ix which has all-wheel drive might be good for you, if you
find a good price. I commute in Michigan daily about 70+ miles round
trip in a 1992 325 with a 5-speed, now up to about 140k miles. I
don't like the reduced security in snowy weather or the high cost of
dealer maintenance, but the car is phenomenal in any other conditions.
I have not put snow tires on it, and maybe I should have. After I got
a few things restored, I have had no failures that prevented using the
car, even on vacation trips.

I think there is ultimately more durability in a BMW than in a Nissan,
though the frequency of repair in a Nissan will be lower. I would not
trust Audi at this point, because I hear too many stories of VW
products of recent years leaving people immobile. It's too bad,
because I've been thinking of looking at an all-wheel drive or
front-wheel drive sedan (325ix, quattro, or 9-5).

Ken

"Darren" wrote in message

 > I will be enrolling in graduate school soon but will be commuting
 > about 100 miles each way, twice a week for about 3 years. This is
on
 > top of working full-time. I need a car that can provide this
 > transportation. I am looking at a 2000+ Maxima, a 1999+ BMW
3-Series
 > or a 1999+ Audi A4 or A6. I will be spending about $15k-$17k for
this
 > car. Obviously repair costs and reliability are key factors for
this
 > planned commute.
 >
 > Any suggestions?
 >> Stay informed about: Used Car buyer question 

The BMW and Audi would be my choice in terms of driving pleasure but in
general be prepared for higher repair costs with the Audi and BMW autos; if
reliability and costs are one of the most important issues to you I would
stay away from Audi altogether. They are nice cars and fun to take skiing
but everyone I know that has an A4 or A6 has spent quite a bit to keep them
on the road. My boss purchased a brand new A6 last year and it has been in
the shop a couple of times for the infamous coil replacements and has
already had the transmission replaced ! Also at work, one guy sold his 2000
A4 3.0 Quattro to somebody else at our company and let's just say the
transaction hasn't been to the satisfaction of both parties. The car was
properly maintained and through no fault of the previous owner, has required
 >$2,000 in repairs in less than a year. I really like Quattro but I can't
imagine owning a 3-4 year old Audi.......

The Maxima should provide bullet-proof reliability, be pretty fast with that
nice V6 but a notch below the BMW and Audi in the fun to drive, one with the
road feeling....

"Jim" wrote in message
 > They are all fine cars that should easily do 200K if properly
 > maintained. The Maxima will be a little cheaper to maintain, but they
 > are all good choices IMO.
 >
 > Darren wrote:
  > > I will be enrolling in graduate school soon but will be commuting
  > > about 100 miles each way, twice a week for about 3 years. This is on
  > > top of working full-time. I need a car that can provide this
  > > transportation. I am looking at a 2000+ Maxima, a 1999+ BMW 3-Series
  > > or a 1999+ Audi A4 or A6. I will be spending about $15k-$17k for this
  > > car. Obviously repair costs and reliability are key factors for this
  > > planned commute.
  > >
  > > Any suggestions?
 >
 >> Stay informed about: Used Car buyer question 

"Ken Freeman" wrote in message ...
 > The Bimmer isn't likely to meet your price point, but it will be the
 > most satisfying car. Also you should consider poor weather behavior.
 > A 3-series ix which has all-wheel drive might be good for you, if you
 > find a good price. I commute in Michigan daily about 70+ miles round
 > trip in a 1992 325 with a 5-speed, now up to about 140k miles. I
 > don't like the reduced security in snowy weather or the high cost of
 > dealer maintenance, but the car is phenomenal in any other conditions.
 > I have not put snow tires on it, and maybe I should have.


I've done winter driving in Michigan and you should be on WINTER or
even SNOW tires. If you commute you often have no choice but to be
out there on whatever tires you have.

....yes, you should heed your own advice.


After I got
 > a few things restored, I have had no failures that prevented using the
 > car, even on vacation trips.
 >
 > I think there is ultimately more durability in a BMW than in a Nissan,
 > though the frequency of repair in a Nissan will be lower. I would not
 > trust Audi at this point, because I hear too many stories of VW
 > products of recent years leaving people immobile. It's too bad,
 > because I've been thinking of looking at an all-wheel drive or
 > front-wheel drive sedan (325ix, quattro, or 9-5).


I find VWs very disappointing to own especially with regard to
durability. They look nice and even drive well but don't seem
designed to last. Their engines seem to perform well but also seem
not to be designed with durability in mind. VWs tend to look and feel
tired as quickly as the rest of the non-luxuary marques...with a
puddle of oil under them to boot. Recent models seem to have
reliability problems.

I don't lease and only buy to own for the long term so I care about
durability.

IMO, the new Audis have the best interior fit and finish but are too
staid for my taste. Audi exteriors are too egg-like to me;
plain-looking. I could never gather enough interest to own one.

I don't like FWD and think they're potentially more dangerous than RWD
in Winter. If traction is an issue I'd pick an AWD - Subaru or BMW.
Always pack a shovel in Winter.


Michael
 >> Stay informed about: Used Car buyer question 

"Ken Freeman" wrote in message

 > don't like the reduced security in snowy weather or the high cost of
 > dealer maintenance, but the car is phenomenal in any other conditions.
 > I have not put snow tires on it, and maybe I should have. After I got
 > a few things restored, I have had no failures that prevented using the
 > car, even on vacation trips.

Ken: Don't hesitate, do it now. All-season tires are a poor compromise in
any conditions, but worst in winter weather. Good, modern technology snow
tires are incredible by comparison. Don't saddle a great machine with such
poor shoes.

-Russ.
 >> Stay informed about: Used Car buyer question 

"A.C." wrote in message

 > The BMW and Audi would be my choice in terms of driving pleasure but in
 > general be prepared for higher repair costs with the Audi and BMW autos;
if
 > reliability and costs are one of the most important issues to you I would
 > stay away from Audi altogether. They are nice cars and fun to take skiing
 > but everyone I know that has an A4 or A6 has spent quite a bit to keep
them
 > on the road.

Parts are very cheap if you source them from a german parts supplier


My boss purchased a brand new A6 last year and it has been in
 > the shop a couple of times for the infamous coil replacements and has
 > already had the transmission replaced ! Also at work, one guy sold his
2000
 > A4 3.0 Quattro to somebody else at our company and let's just say the
 > transaction hasn't been to the satisfaction of both parties. The car was
 > properly maintained and through no fault of the previous owner, has
required
  > >$2,000 in repairs in less than a year. I really like Quattro but I can't
 > imagine owning a 3-4 year old Audi.......


Wow he must be special, the 3.0 B6 was not released until 2002, do you mean
2.8 B5?

Mines 6 yrs old and still drives like the day I got it



 > The Maxima should provide bullet-proof reliability, be pretty fast with
that
 > nice V6 but a notch below the BMW and Audi in the fun to drive, one with
the
 > road feeling....

Nissan V Audi

German everytime

Ron
 >> Stay informed about: Used Car buyer question 

These are good choices but you would also be very happy with a honda 2002
V6 or a Lexus 1999- 2000 with that money.
I spent 4 years commuting every single week between Long Island, NY and
College Park in Maryland (239miles each way) with a used 94 Saturn my dad
bought for $5000 at that time. Never had a single problem. Gave it to
someone else after 179K miles. Still running strong. Very savvy in gas (15
fills a tank) reliable, and parts and service are really cheap too.


"Darren" wrote in message

 > I will be enrolling in graduate school soon but will be commuting
 > about 100 miles each way, twice a week for about 3 years. This is on
 > top of working full-time. I need a car that can provide this
 > transportation. I am looking at a 2000+ Maxima, a 1999+ BMW 3-Series
 > or a 1999+ Audi A4 or A6. I will be spending about $15k-$17k for this
 > car. Obviously repair costs and reliability are key factors for this
 > planned commute.
 >
 > Any suggestions?
 >> Stay informed about: Used Car buyer question 

What "infamous coil replacements"? And where can one go to learn more
about Audi A 6 reliability?


"A.C." wrote in message

 > The BMW and Audi would be my choice in terms of driving pleasure but in
 > general be prepared for higher repair costs with the Audi and BMW autos;
if
 > reliability and costs are one of the most important issues to you I would
 > stay away from Audi altogether. They are nice cars and fun to take skiing
 > but everyone I know that has an A4 or A6 has spent quite a bit to keep
them
 > on the road. My boss purchased a brand new A6 last year and it has been
in
 > the shop a couple of times for the infamous coil replacements and has
 > already had the transmission replaced ! Also at work, one guy sold his
2000
 > A4 3.0 Quattro to somebody else at our company and let's just say the
 > transaction hasn't been to the satisfaction of both parties. The car was
 > properly maintained and through no fault of the previous owner, has
required
  > >$2,000 in repairs in less than a year. I really like Quattro but I can't
 > imagine owning a 3-4 year old Audi.......
 >
 > The Maxima should provide bullet-proof reliability, be pretty fast with
that
 > nice V6 but a notch below the BMW and Audi in the fun to drive, one with
the
 > road feeling....
 >


  > > They are all fine cars that should easily do 200K if properly
  > > maintained. The Maxima will be a little cheaper to maintain, but they
  > > are all good choices IMO.
  > >
  > > Darren wrote:
   > > > I will be enrolling in graduate school soon but will be commuting
   > > > about 100 miles each way, twice a week for about 3 years. This is on
   > > > top of working full-time. I need a car that can provide this
   > > > transportation. I am looking at a 2000+ Maxima, a 1999+ BMW 3-Series
   > > > or a 1999+ Audi A4 or A6. I will be spending about $15k-$17k for this
   > > > car. Obviously repair costs and reliability are key factors for this
   > > > planned commute.
   > > >
   > > > Any suggestions?
  > >
 >
 >
 >> Stay informed about: Used Car buyer question 

"REInvestments" wrote in message

 > What "infamous coil replacements"? And where can one go to learn more
 > about Audi A 6 reliability?

Check out this website:

<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.carsurvey.org/model_Audi_A6.html" target="_blank">http://www.carsurvey.org/model_Audi_A6.html</a>

--
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.anti-leech.com/spam/spambot_stopper.php" target="_blank">http://www.anti-leech.com/spam/spambot_stopper.php</a>
 >> Stay informed about: Used Car buyer question 

"Ronny" wrote in message

 >

 > Nissan V Audi
 >
 > German everytime
 >
 > Ron
 >

Why? How do you compare reliability, handling, power, and seating room?


 >
 >> Stay informed about: Used Car buyer question 

"REInvestments" wrote in message

 > What "infamous coil replacements"? And where can one go to learn more
 > about Audi A 6 reliability?
 >
 >

Coil packs failed on Audis after 2002 for about a year, now they are all
replaced under warranty
 >> Stay informed about: Used Car buyer question 

Darren,

If you can find a Audi S6 from the '95 or 96 model year with low mileage you
won't be dissapointed. The engine is bullet proof (230 hp). I've owned one
for a year and a half and had a couple of things to replace, thats expected,
which I have been able to do myself - battery, turbo water pump, thermostat.

You'll have regular maintenance to pay out for, but its a fun car to drive.

Tony
Ottawa

"Darren" wrote in message

 > I will be enrolling in graduate school soon but will be commuting
 > about 100 miles each way, twice a week for about 3 years. This is on
 > top of working full-time. I need a car that can provide this
 > transportation. I am looking at a 2000+ Maxima, a 1999+ BMW 3-Series
 > or a 1999+ Audi A4 or A6. I will be spending about $15k-$17k for this
 > car. Obviously repair costs and reliability are key factors for this
 > planned commute.
 >
 > Any suggestions?
 >> Stay informed about: Used Car buyer question 

On Fri, 16 Jan 2004 06:58:53 -0500, "Ken Freeman"
wrote:
[snipped]
 >I think there is ultimately more durability in a BMW than in a Nissan,
 >though the frequency of repair in a Nissan will be lower. I would not
 >trust Audi at this point, because I hear too many stories of VW
 >products of recent years leaving people immobile.

He's not asking about VW products, he's asking about an Audi.

hth

/daytripper
'00 s4 6spd
 >> Stay informed about: Used Car buyer question 

Tony,

Thanks very much for the input. I took a look at the car you
recommended and the prices seem significantly more than the other cars
that I'm considering. I really can't justify spending almost $20k+ on
a 9 or 10-year old car.

Once again, thanks and any other thoughts would be appreciated.


"Tony Curran" wrote in message ...
 > Darren,
 >
 > If you can find a Audi S6 from the '95 or 96 model year with low mileage you
 > won't be dissapointed. The engine is bullet proof (230 hp). I've owned one
 > for a year and a half and had a couple of things to replace, thats expected,
 > which I have been able to do myself - battery, turbo water pump, thermostat.
 >
 > You'll have regular maintenance to pay out for, but its a fun car to drive.
 >
 > Tony
 > Ottawa
 >


  > > I will be enrolling in graduate school soon but will be commuting
  > > about 100 miles each way, twice a week for about 3 years. This is on
  > > top of working full-time. I need a car that can provide this
  > > transportation. I am looking at a 2000+ Maxima, a 1999+ BMW 3-Series
  > > or a 1999+ Audi A4 or A6. I will be spending about $15k-$17k for this
  > > car. Obviously repair costs and reliability are key factors for this
  > > planned commute.
  > >
  > > Any suggestions?
 >> Stay informed about: Used Car buyer question