Teenager's First: '99 Golf GLS, '97 GTI VR6, '97 A4 1.8T, '96 A4 2.8, or '96 BMW 318ti?
02-07-2002, 12:57 PM
#12
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My high school and college car was a 93 Accord LX (two years old at the time I bought it used)
I racked up 90,000 miles on it in high school and five years of college. I graduated, worked for a year and bought my A4. Gave my sister the Accord to use while she's in college. 150,000+ miles and going strong.
02-07-2002, 01:16 PM
#14
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my opinions
#1 Gti vr6. fast, not ridiculously expensive, relatively reliable.
out of your options, that's the car. everything else has a major achilles heel.
golf - the 2.0 motor sucks nuts. have you ever driven one? please do before you even consider this car.
318 - slow, "poser" bmw, RWD. these things suck in winter, and people WILL make fun of you for driving this thing.
97 1.8t. any a4 you buy for about 10k is going to have huge miles, and no warranty. this is a big consideration when you take into account the cost of repair and maintenance. the turbos in 97s were prone to failing, and this is a $3500 fix..also, consider that (from the dealer) the timing belt will cost about $900 to change, and it needs to be done at 90k miles.
the 96 2.8 would be a good choice if you can find one with decent miles / good price. they're a lot more reliable than a 97 1.8, (my 98 1.8 has had many more probs than my buddies 96 2.8..and he has almost double the mileage.) Still, however, maintenance costs would definitely be higher than the vw. the original 2.8 is kinda slow, but in stick it's definitely liveable. it lacks, counter-intuitively, low-end torque.
if i were in your position, i would stick with honda / toyota for a first car. (actually, that's exactly what i did a few years ago!) An integra gs-r, as mundane and common as it is, is a terrific, safe, fast, cheap, bulletproof first car. Unless you've got good bank, i would be a little leery of going for an audi - when they break, it's expensive!
sorry if my tirade is on the ragged edge, grammar wise. i'm tired
keith
(prev cars: 91 mr2, 95 240sx, 96 gsr)
out of your options, that's the car. everything else has a major achilles heel.
golf - the 2.0 motor sucks nuts. have you ever driven one? please do before you even consider this car.
318 - slow, "poser" bmw, RWD. these things suck in winter, and people WILL make fun of you for driving this thing.
97 1.8t. any a4 you buy for about 10k is going to have huge miles, and no warranty. this is a big consideration when you take into account the cost of repair and maintenance. the turbos in 97s were prone to failing, and this is a $3500 fix..also, consider that (from the dealer) the timing belt will cost about $900 to change, and it needs to be done at 90k miles.
the 96 2.8 would be a good choice if you can find one with decent miles / good price. they're a lot more reliable than a 97 1.8, (my 98 1.8 has had many more probs than my buddies 96 2.8..and he has almost double the mileage.) Still, however, maintenance costs would definitely be higher than the vw. the original 2.8 is kinda slow, but in stick it's definitely liveable. it lacks, counter-intuitively, low-end torque.
if i were in your position, i would stick with honda / toyota for a first car. (actually, that's exactly what i did a few years ago!) An integra gs-r, as mundane and common as it is, is a terrific, safe, fast, cheap, bulletproof first car. Unless you've got good bank, i would be a little leery of going for an audi - when they break, it's expensive!
sorry if my tirade is on the ragged edge, grammar wise. i'm tired
keith
(prev cars: 91 mr2, 95 240sx, 96 gsr)
02-07-2002, 01:33 PM
#15
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I would say either the 97 GTI or the 97 A4 1.8T...
I am also getting a car very soon. My dad has a 98 1.8T and i love it. I would get that over the GTI, but if i were you, get a GIAC chip for the 1.8T. I woudl go strongly against the Golf GLS 2.0L, its too slow. I would also go against the 2.8L A4 cause i am a 1.8T guy. You have more options with the 1.8T as far as upgrades. You can get the 150hp 1.8T to 200hp with a couple hundred dollars. I don't know much about the 318, but out of all i would recomend the 1997 A4 1.8T.
02-07-2002, 01:36 PM
#16
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Re: my opinions
Well now, my dad has a 1995 Acura Integra LS sedan. He's going to get rid of it soon, in order to help pay for my mom's new car (want to help pick? Passat GLX 4Motion, BMW 325i sedan, Saab 9-3 SE, Volvo S60 2.4, or Acura 3.2TL?)
He thinks it is too fast, though. That is, of coarse, according to him, so the real reason is probably that he couldn't stand me having his Integra and him driving a 1995 Dodge Caravan (this is another possible free hand-me-down for me).
Is the 2.0 engine REALLY that bad? I've heard its a commuting car only. What is performance like in heavy city traffic, and what is performance like in midnight Interstate traffic? What about a Jetta?
I really don't want a Honda ricer, or Toyota or something. The 318ti was really interesting because no one in town has one!
Ben
He thinks it is too fast, though. That is, of coarse, according to him, so the real reason is probably that he couldn't stand me having his Integra and him driving a 1995 Dodge Caravan (this is another possible free hand-me-down for me).
Is the 2.0 engine REALLY that bad? I've heard its a commuting car only. What is performance like in heavy city traffic, and what is performance like in midnight Interstate traffic? What about a Jetta?
I really don't want a Honda ricer, or Toyota or something. The 318ti was really interesting because no one in town has one!
Ben
