Expensive Car shopping help
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Car shopping help (more expensive than a Civic)
My aunt is looking at buying a new car. She wants (I'm just helping, and not trying to change minds, so don't ask why) an AWD wagon. She's driving an Outback now, and wants something better. So I threw out there the BMW 325 xi, the A4 Avant and the Passat V6 4Motion. Are there any more? Put a maximum of $38000 on it just to keep it reasonable. Any recommendations? I'm gonna talk to her again tonight. The only one I've ever driven is my boss's A4, and it's a chipped 1.8T that flies. Thanks for the help.
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From: Toronto, ON
Rep Power: 0 I think Mercedes-Benz may also make a touring wagon E-class with 4-MATIC, their AWD system. They currently have the C-class Sport Wagon, but it is RWD only.
Another option may also be the Volvo XC70 which is a wagon and AWD.
Or the new 2003 Subaru Forester is another option, seeing as she already has an Outback.
My personal favorite among that group is the Audi A4 Avant. Quattro is a very reliable and proven AWD system that is technically superior to other AWD systems, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Subaru, and BMW.
Another option may also be the Volvo XC70 which is a wagon and AWD.
Or the new 2003 Subaru Forester is another option, seeing as she already has an Outback.
My personal favorite among that group is the Audi A4 Avant. Quattro is a very reliable and proven AWD system that is technically superior to other AWD systems, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Subaru, and BMW.
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Rep Power: 0 What about that lexus crossover is300 thing? maybe over 38k
or the passat wagon...
volvo wagon always good and dependable...i dont think any of these are 4wd...but the volvo can be bought with the set up....i think...
thats all i can think of for now
or the passat wagon...
volvo wagon always good and dependable...i dont think any of these are 4wd...but the volvo can be bought with the set up....i think...
thats all i can think of for now
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From: Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
Rep Power: 0 definitely check out the volvo XC... it's about the same price as the other wagons...
i'm partial to audi; their quattro AWD system kicks major *** on the street AND off-road. the BMW is probably gonna be a bit weak compared to the rest, considering it's the smaller engine of the two offered on the 3-series wagons.... the 330 would be faster and smoother, but that would push you over $40k real quick. the passat... is a passat, nothing really wrong with that, just the fact that it's a $38,000 VW. again, VWs are great cars... but its still a VW -- it doesn't have the same head-turning quotient as an audi or BMW.
other than that, there isn't really much in the line of AWD wagons in the $30k+ range, unless you want one with 8" of ground clearance and 8 MPG, those crappy things called SUVs...
i'd highly recommend the A4 avant, 3.0, quattro, tiptronic transmission. should be $37-38k loaded, and there's nothing you'll regret with that car.
i'm partial to audi; their quattro AWD system kicks major *** on the street AND off-road. the BMW is probably gonna be a bit weak compared to the rest, considering it's the smaller engine of the two offered on the 3-series wagons.... the 330 would be faster and smoother, but that would push you over $40k real quick. the passat... is a passat, nothing really wrong with that, just the fact that it's a $38,000 VW. again, VWs are great cars... but its still a VW -- it doesn't have the same head-turning quotient as an audi or BMW.
other than that, there isn't really much in the line of AWD wagons in the $30k+ range, unless you want one with 8" of ground clearance and 8 MPG, those crappy things called SUVs...
i'd highly recommend the A4 avant, 3.0, quattro, tiptronic transmission. should be $37-38k loaded, and there's nothing you'll regret with that car.
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325 xi,
i think u mean 330 xi thats the only awd 3 seeries...
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Uhhh... no, I'm pretty sure I meant 325 xi, which according to www.bmwusa.com IS available in both Sedan and Wagon styles.
It seems what I originally thought was right... Audi with Quattro. I doubt if she cares for the 3L V6, but the car itself would probably be good. IMO, the Bimmer would be a little smalli for hauling around people in the back seat, the Audi back seat looks a little bigger. As far as quattro goes, it's been around for over 20 years and by now is darn near perfected. She didn't want another Subie, no problems with it, just wanted a change.
325 xi,
i think u mean 330 xi thats the only awd 3 seeries...
__________________________________________________ __________
Uhhh... no, I'm pretty sure I meant 325 xi, which according to www.bmwusa.com IS available in both Sedan and Wagon styles.
It seems what I originally thought was right... Audi with Quattro. I doubt if she cares for the 3L V6, but the car itself would probably be good. IMO, the Bimmer would be a little smalli for hauling around people in the back seat, the Audi back seat looks a little bigger. As far as quattro goes, it's been around for over 20 years and by now is darn near perfected. She didn't want another Subie, no problems with it, just wanted a change.
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From: Oakland, CA
Rep Power: 0 I say go with Audi. If its your aunt then I figure a speedy car with race-car handling's not at the top of her list.
My dad owns a WRX Wagon and I drive it a bit when I visit my parents. The power is great (brings a smile on your face when you floor it), and the chasis is very stiff and nice, but interior space and and build's a little cheaper compared to an Audi or BMW.
Also, a big turn-off for the WRX for the non-performance oriented person is that the ride's a little bumpy ...you can feel every little nook and dent in the road ...bad for people who just want a pleasant smooth drive (I underline cus' some of you flame-happy people don't read).
Audi Quatro's AWD I'm guessing is more refined than BMW's because most of the BMW line-up is RWD. The Quatro on newer generation cars is very nice, a reason why the A4 and 3 series are neck-in-neck in automotive reviews.
Can't go wrong with the new Audi.
-Aki
My dad owns a WRX Wagon and I drive it a bit when I visit my parents. The power is great (brings a smile on your face when you floor it), and the chasis is very stiff and nice, but interior space and and build's a little cheaper compared to an Audi or BMW.
Also, a big turn-off for the WRX for the non-performance oriented person is that the ride's a little bumpy ...you can feel every little nook and dent in the road ...bad for people who just want a pleasant smooth drive (I underline cus' some of you flame-happy people don't read).
Audi Quatro's AWD I'm guessing is more refined than BMW's because most of the BMW line-up is RWD. The Quatro on newer generation cars is very nice, a reason why the A4 and 3 series are neck-in-neck in automotive reviews.
Can't go wrong with the new Audi.
-Aki
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