Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Audi A4 3.2 quattro vs. Infiniti G35x vs. Volvo S60R (AWD-geartronic)
I am close to buying (no lease) one of these 3 but can't decide on which one! I have test driven them all, they all have different performance each with pros and cons. I plan on owning the car past the warranty life of 4 years so I am also concerned about reliability. Also, what kind of out the door price can I expect on these models? (plan to pay cash, live in SoCal) Any input would be appreciated. 
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
I also believe that you will have much better long term ownership bliss with the infiniti vs. the other two. My Passat needed a $1,200.00 timing belt change shortly!! You don't have to worry about that particular issue with the G.
Finally, bought the car with every option except chrome wheels for $36,500.00 + TTL.
That is exactly the same transition I made (from the 2000 Passat). I am very happy with the move. The G35x is quick, powerful, smooth and agile. I find that I miss only one thing from the Passat GLX, and that is the auto locking doors at 10 MPH, which is minor enough given the huge improvements in almost every other way. The only thing that really bugs me about the G35x is the lumpy seat bottom on the right side of the drivers seat (to accomodate the brain-dead location of the seat controls). Driving with my wallet in my left back pocket is bad enough (on long drives I always take it out). It makes me feel like I'm sitting on a second wallet on the right side ... only wish I could take it out as well!
Also, anyone know much about the 2006 changes in the AWD system?
I'm close to purchasing a 2005 for a couple-K under invoice with model year end incentives ... just wondering if waiting for the 2006 is worth the extra cost (probably $3-$4K). I don't intend to take it to the track ... and the wife certainly isn't ... so I'm not too concerned about shaving off a few tenths from the standing quarter mile. Just like a it to be 'quick' and agile for my day-to-day driving.
Am I right in my understanding that after you get up into 3rd gear in the GT, that the torque limit between the 2005 & 2006 would be similar, i.e., the changes in the 2006 mostly address off-the-line acceleration ... but 40-100+ the two cars would be pretty similar in acceleration? The AWD changes in 06 sound like they are limited to torque pre-charging for off-the-line, but once you're rolling the AWD behavior should be very similar, i.e., the 06 change isn't a permanent bias to send more power to the rear wheels, just a bias for the initial launch. Is this a correct assessment?
Maybe I can talk my way into an Evolve powerchip upgrade down the road ... still wouldn't be as quick as the 2006, but close. Anyone have some quantitative info on whether the 5-speed GT auto can handle the occasional 288 ft/lbs ... for average city/hwy driving, not talking about taking it out onto the track every weekend. If I were a weekend rally type of guy, I'd have waited for the 06.
Any other rmajor differences between 2005 and 2006 - like the AWD system?
Reason is that I can get an 05 leftover at a real good deal - but I don't want to make the worng decision over a few K.
Thanks.
If you are trying to get the most value and I sugeest you look at the 04 S60R. There are not many for sell, but if you search you can find them. A good deal for a low 30s... in a car that will last almost for ever.
If your dad smoked a g35x w/o flooring it then the g35x wasn't racing and/or it wasn't turbo'd.
S60r is a very nice (and fast) car, but there is no way that it would smoke a turbo'd g35x when a non-turbo'd g35x has virtually the same power as the s60r. No way.
I am, however, not suggesting that the Japanese cars are unreliable -- only that our 28 Audis and 2 BMWs (both AWD) have been reliable.
Expensive to repair out of warranty? Breathtakingly.
But, I think this probably describes any car these days.
On the other hand there are ceratinly lots of folks who swear by their "fill in the blank" car's reliability.
We all want more reliable cars, he said in his best Homer Simpson style.
But we also want cars that are rewarding to drive. Test them all, over the same test drive loop. Then test them again.
Drive it like you live. :shades:
Perhaps Audi is the ultimate lease car? Drive it 4 years/50K miles and close out/return it once the warranty is gone?
'98 A4 1.8T (we got it four years old for my son's first car)
'00 A6 2.7T quattro (our first Audi)
'05 S4 Cabriolet (replacing the A6)
'06 A3 2.0T FronTrak (this is not AWD, but I've only had it for two months anyway [replaces the A4; my spare car])
No problems worth noting... the first week I got my S4, the air con wasn't up to snuff, and Audi not only replaced the system but offered to throw in a free set of 17s for the winter.
In my experience no other Japaneese, and very few European makers can compare with the pickup of Nissan's VQ engine. The turbo always has somewhat of a lag (we are talking single factory units here), and the other Japaneese and some European makers are too concerned with saving gas -- which is why a 270 HP Acura does not come close to the pickup of my G35. Nissan engines burn gas like there's a hole in every cylinder (I get about 12 MPG with "spirited" city driving), but I am yet to find a car outside the Mercedes S500 league (and this includes the new Mustang GT) that I had trouble keeping up with off the light. I never tried to race an S60R, nor would I say it is not an impressive car, but I still have trouble picturing the Volvo "smoking" and Infiniti without climbing past 60 mph.
I currently drive an 06 G35 RWD. Despite the 280hp rating, I find the acceleration soft off the line, when compared to the BMW 330Ci I used to own (both are stock with automatic). The G35 has a lot of power above 4000 RPM, but that's not how I normally drive. Maybe it's due to differences in vehicle weight, transmission gearing, tires, whatever. But my guess is that my G35 would lose to my old 330Ci in a stop light race, at least till 50mph.
Background:
I have owned Japanese, German, and Swedish (Saab). My experiences included an '85 Honda Civic, an '88 Saab 9000, a '92 Volkswagen Passat, a '90 Toyota Corolla, an '85 BMW 635csi, a '94 Infiniti J30, an '01 Audi TT, an '00 Audi A6 2.8.
First of all, the Infiniti J30 has easily been the most expensive automobile in terms of maintenance that I have EVER owned. The Saab suprisingly was relatively troublefree. At 90k miles, the tranny died, and I replaced it through a reliable mechanic for $5k. At 80k, I had to replace the timing belt for ~$600. On three seperate occasions, spaced about 10k miles apart around the 100k mark, my injectors died. Replacing those was $500 each time (labor intensive). And as for the interior... I ran into a suprising problem with my leather seats. They shrunk on the pasenger side making the seat very hard. In addition, the sunroof regulator wore out, and the cd player began to skip after the first year... Needless to say, I will not purchase an Infiniti again anytime soon.
With my 635csi, my 2.8, and TT, all problems have been mild in comparision. For instance, a quarter of my 2.8's LCD trip computer screen has died. Another problem includes the blower fan was sticking on high at around 50k miles. That was covered under warranty.
The TT (it has 70k miles) and the 635csi (aside from the A/C's compressor dying at 80k miles and the recaro seat gears stripping) have been bulletproof.
These cars are admittedly are more expensive, but with proper maintenance, they will last. I am certain the parts are more expensive than a japanese car, but I actually have been fortunate enough to bring my cars in.
I truly feel I purchased a lemon with the J30, but that doesn't affect the cost of the parts. They were much more expensive than I anticipated. I have since learned through feedback from a few friend/ mechanics that Nissan parts are the most expensive of all Japanese auto manufacturers. Just look it up on Autozone....
I will give credit where it's due, however. The most inexpensive, troublefree cars I have experienced were the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.
________________________________
Now for my Volvo defense.
The stiffest fastest car I have ever ridden in is my college friend's 1996 Volvo T5-R. It was VERY torquey. My girlfriend drives an Infiniti G35 Coupe. The first time I drove it, I was unimpressed for a 'sports car'. It was a bit soft. The T5-R felt much tighter and I clearly remember my head being pulled against the headrest. My friend, who I'll admit is a little nuts, says his T5-R felt very stable when he reached and cruised for a few miles 160+ mph in Nevada.
I am convinced that the current S60R would drive similar to the T5-R. If it does, I believe it might actually pull away from a G35 (especially the G35x). Now... against a turbo'ed G35, I do have my doubts... But do understand and acknowledge, these Volvos are quick.
Cheers.
BTW, is it me or does the interior of the G35 already feel dated?
Great seats as is the norm for Volvo
But I thought the S60 type R was a very impressive car otherwise. It did, however, seem outclassed by the fresher cars from Germany.
S60R's AWD is merely haldex - this means it runs FWD all the time, and then if wheels slip, it goes up to 50% to the rear wheels.
The Audi Quattro system is a full 40% front/60% rear split, and can apportion up to 100% to either front or rear as needed
ALSO - The Quattro system is TorSen (Torque Sensing) - this means that it detects wheel torque, not wheelspin, when apportioning power - as a result, the other systems may spin before power is transferred, whereas the Audi's power is transferred instantly.
Therefore - the Audi is a superior vehicle if your main focus is AWD grip - just remember, AWD doesn't help you stop!
Loving my first Audi
In terms of customer satisfaction, Skoda rank right up there with Lexus, Honda and Toyota and light years ahead of Mercedes etc, (JD POwer 2006).
Skoda UK homepage is here. Have a browse.
www.skoda.co.uk/skoda3g/survey.aspx
The orange Fabia pic is taken from the current TV ad - shows a new Fabia being made from all sorts of confectionery. Kinda cool. Take a look at the Skoda Octavia vRS - saloon or estate, petrol or diesel, all 6-spd manual. Cool car and based on current Golf chassis etc.