hackysackerX

i am looking to buy a new car this summer. right now i own an 02' cavalier and i really dont like it anymore. right now i am torn between my all time favorite car the 300zx and my new love the audi a4. i wasent even considering the a4 until i read the post on here where it was mentioned. overall which car is a better buy? i have around 9k to spend and i want to consider things such as engine power, gas mileage, and overall quality. anyone have an suggestions?

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politicophile

Well, if you spend enough time around this forum, you will hear repeatedly about how terrible Audis are. I personally believe those remarks are entirely off-base, as the three Audis I have driven, A4 3.0, A6 3.0 and S4, were all really impressive.

The 300zx definitely doesn't have a reputation for reliability, but I've never seen actual numbers substantiating that viewpoint.

If you value practicality, I'd definitely side with the A4. The 300zx might be more fun to drive, depending on what type of A4 you can get for 9k. Even so, the A4 is a better daily driver, in addition to being well-built and a lot of fun to drive.

My $0.02

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Tech

yeah i think with these two cars it comes down to practicality... the 300zx is going to be more for fun, the a4 is going to sacrifice some fun for function. if i don't see a family in the future, i'd go 300zx

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Borla

I have to agree. What is your main use for your car? How many miles do you put on it? Family? Cargo?

I'd say either car should be decent, it's all about what fits your lifestyle.

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barenakedladies

stay away from the audis! !!!!!

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BadNick

Like they said above, it depends a lot on what kind of use you intend for the car.

I still have my somewhat unfounded doubts about Audi's since I always still hear both favorable and bad reports, but no personal experience. But based on road performance and styling I'm positive I really would like the car a lot if it proved to be reliable ...while the A's are basically very nice, my heart lies with the S models, S4's are extremely nice. My long time expert foreign car mechanic still keeps saying the cost of maintenance is significantly higher for most European cars than comparable Japanese cars.

The 300ZX is a very cool interesting car and I would definitely enjoy having one but would never think of using it as a daily driver. I'm a die hard motor head and I would have to start cranking up on the twin turbo model (the only one I'd get) and one thing leads to another to another ad nauseum. A little over six years ago when I was shopping for a fun sporty car and which I intended to modify to a limited degree and already knew I would take it to high performance driving events at various road course venues in the Northeast U.S., I looked at quite a few 300ZX twin turbo models and a handful of other cars in that class as well. Though the initial cost was somewhat higher, I ended up buying a low milage '95 Toyota Supra twin turbo (even though I liked the 300ZX TT better in some ways) and I have never had even one millisecond of regret and actually, the car has exceeded all of my expectations by a huge margin. Now six years later it has never even hic-up'd wrong once, I barely have to do anything to it except change the oil and normal maintenance, for the last few years it has been reliably cranking out well over 500bhp, when I track the car almost nothing can touch it except hardcore race cars ...the best car choice of my life. Good luck with your decision.

PS: know theyself ...my ad nauseum part continues, I have parts laying around now and on order to step it up a couple hundred more hp but that will be the end

Scorps

Is the 300ZX the TT version or not?

If it is the 300ZX-TT then hell yes if not then its up to you!

DEI37

Yeah, Audi's aren't known for reliability. The cars are built pretty well, but oil leaks, failed turbo's, and all sorts of electrical gremlins, plus the insane maintanence costs would make me shy away from most any late model Audi.

That said, the 300Z isn't all that much better of a car. Taken care of, it would be OK, but I'd be leary of it if it is your sole ride.

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pocon1

nothing to say

Scorps

I had less of a budget and got a kickass muscle car, then again I make over 15 dollars an hour to pay for the gas

BadNick

From what I'm reading into your situation, and I of course could be wrong, I'd go for something like a nice, good condition used Honda Prelude if you want "sporty" but reliable and easy on maintenance.

Save you pennies for the day you can afford to get a "nice day only fun car" that you don't have to use as daily transportation.

hackysackerX

the 300zx is prolly what i will get but there are some other cars i have in mind. i think a muscle car would be fun mainly b/c i have from now till september to work and it would be a fun project car. i was also wondering what you guys think about a 300gt, GTI, a nice 5.0 mustang, an RX-7, or an older BMW. i know my tastes are pretty random. i just cant decide what i want.

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JStrider

my dad got an 87 bmw 325is that car is way fun to drive...

there are a good number of bmw forums... find one of em and learn what things to look for when buying one of them...for 9g i'm sure you can find a pretty good used bmw...

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Lockjaw

Can't go wrong with a Fox body

bobby

300's are lead sleads compared to a real sports car...weigh (slip) to heavy...audi is ok but get an S4.....more bang for the buck!!! .....

local audi dealer has "new" A4's on lease return...11,000 miles /1 year old @ 13,000$!!!


xoxoxoo

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newtx

I agree with badnick. Can't beat a honda for a daily driver. Maybe you could find an older Z for a project car and have the best of both worlds.

ncgti

Go for the A4 or the Passat, they are the same platform - the Passat has great reliability numbers.