If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Infinity G35 v BMW 330 i/xi v Audi A4 v ?
I'm trying to decide among these cars. Any help will be appreciated.
Below are my thoughts so far (after test driving all three at least twice). Any other cards I should consider? All three I'm only considering only in manual transmission. (1) I really like the power and tight suspension of the G35, but dislike it's fit and finish (looks cheap, buttons and knobs are a little tacky, and the headliner is the same cheap one as the one on my Grand Am rental). Also, the stereo isn't good either, I'm not impressed with the "Bose" system, and I'm not sure if I could easily replace it without the interior looking even worse, speakers fitting poorly or some other problem. When you turn it up (and I don't mean so that you can't hear people talk) it starts to sound bad (noticeable distortion) quickly. (2) The Audi 3.0 Quatro seems like a nice compromise. I give up a significant bit of power and some of the tight suspension (even on the sports package), but the fit and finish is the best of the three, the stereo is really good, and I gain the all-wheel drive. It feels solid, it sounds good, it drives really well, and I'd feel really safe in it. I'm upset it doesn't have a real NAV system yet. (3) So far I've only test driven the xi (see note below). I expected to be impressed and I was really disappointed (as compared to the Infinity). The BMI is also pricey, but maybe I'll decide it's worth it. I don't want to actually pay much over $35k (after dealing), but then the i will be cheaper than the xi anyway, if I decide to go with it. Still, it appears they're becoming hard to find (they've stopped making them and the next ones come out May-July). I'm still not sure why people say that the 330 ride (well, I'm actually still thinking of the xi ride, since I haven't driven an i yet) is better than the G35 because it seems softer. It definitely rocks more on turns and if you just jerk the car to the left and right quickly. The steering also isn't as tight as the G35. I wonder if people just like a softer ride than I do. It would be helpful to hear someone even just say, "Yeah, you seem to like a tighter ride than I do. I like the luxuary ride v. sports ride balance of the 330, but I realize I don't feel the road as much as in a G35." I like to feel the road because it gives me confidence I know just how the car is reacting to the road. I also like good feedback in the steering wheel. I also like a little more power than the 330 has. One further complication--NAV: I also would really like a factory navagation system. Audi won't have one until May (I'd consider waiting, but my last car was totalled--not my fault--and I don't know of a good short-term solution to just renting a car each week. Anyone know of a good way to rent a car for 5 months?). I haven't seen BMW's NAV system yet, but I fear that will make it even harder to find a 330. Infinity already has a reasonably nice NAV system. (Note: I really liked the Acura TL's NAV system, but the ride is way too soft for my taste.) My dream would be the G35 engine and feel with Audi fit and finish with the Acura NAV system. I wondered if there might be a difference between the xi and i on handling. The Audi salesman I spoke with seemed very knowledgeable and was willing to discuss my understanding of the 330xi versus the G35 (and didn't even seem to mind we weren't talking about the Audi and that I might have written it off). He said he thought the xi might drive differently and suggested I drive an i. When I mentioned it to the BMW dealer over the phone, he told me point blank that I was wrong, that he knows the cars very well and they drive exactly the same. I'll have to drive one. Thanks for your advice, Rick |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
>One further complication--NAV:
>I also would really like a factory navagation system. Audi won't have >one until May (I'd consider waiting, but my last car was totalled--not >my fault--and I don't know of a good short-term solution to just >renting a car each week. Anyone know of a good way to rent a car for 5 >months?). http://www.leasetrader.com/e/home.asp Check enterprise. They offer long term deals. http://www.enterprise.com http://www.madmousergraphics.com web design, print design, photography |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
I've looked into the leasetrader.com option. It looks interesting, but
I worry there might be some cost I don't realize. Is it as easy as (1) pick up the car, (2) pay the monthly payments until the end of the lease (only about 4-6 months for what I want), and (3) return the car and forget about it? Or is there more to it? Repair costs? Tires? What happens if it gets a ding in it? Thanks, Rick |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
"Rick" > wrote in message ups.com... > I've looked into the leasetrader.com option. It looks interesting, but > I worry there might be some cost I don't realize. Is it as easy as (1) > pick up the car, (2) pay the monthly payments until the end of the > lease (only about 4-6 months for what I want), and (3) return the car > and forget about it? > Or is there more to it? Repair costs? Tires? What happens if it gets > a ding in it? That's a standard issue with any and all leases--they make you keep full coverage insurance. In most cases tires and repair won't be an issue, but you'll get penalized for driving more miles than allowed. Leasetrader.com seems hardly worth the effort! You can walk into any dealership and get similar lease without all question marks. The lease payments are exactly the same as you could get alone. In some cases it's clear the person didn't put anything down (e.g. $600+ for a G35 vs. $400 with a downpayment). I suppose if you have the lease and must get out of it then it works to your advantage. -John |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Infinity G35 v BMW 330 i/xi v Audi A4 v ? Passat | [email protected] | Audi | 8 | January 26th 05 06:34 PM |
Infinity G35 v BMW 330 i/xi v Audi A4 v ? Passat | [email protected] | BMW | 9 | January 25th 05 06:00 PM |
Audi Picture | R. de Jong | Audi | 0 | December 18th 04 08:28 AM |
audi facts may be of interest | news.blueyonder.co.uk | Audi | 0 | October 28th 04 01:35 PM |
Audi Picture | R. de Jong | Audi | 0 | July 27th 04 04:08 PM |