Thoughts on Impreza vs A4, with a twist?
06-09-2001, 12:06 PM
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Thoughts on Impreza vs A4, with a twist?
Here's the deal: I have $20k to spend on a car. I like Audis, I want an Audi, I can't afford a new Audi. I also like Subarus, but the one I dream of owning is, at the minimum, a WRX. That's $5k past my price range.
I'm considering getting a 97-98 A4 1.8TQtip or a brand new Impreza 2.5RS. Out of the box their straight-line performance is very similar. Of course, I'd chip the A4 and that would push it ahead, significantly I think. The test drive of the Impreza wasn't a very good one - I basically went up a highway a little bit and then came back. No local roads, no twisties. The impression that I got was positive, although the performance is definitely lacking. My 1990 Acura Legend with all 198k miles it has could easily win a stoplight grand prix. I have some experience driving A4s and I like how they feel. A chipped A4 should walk all over both cars. I'd love to test drive them both back to back on local roads. Maybe next weekend I will.
Any A4 that I could afford would have around 40-50k miles on it. The Impreza would be brand new, with 60k miles left on the powertrain warranty. I could also get the car configured exactly as I want it. The Audi is much more expensive to repair, but would also cost about $2k less to buy.
At the moment, I'm leaning towards the A4, but there are not any that I'm interested in buying at the moment. The only near me is Pearl, and that's not a color I want. I can wait for one to become available, but not too long.
So here we go:
The A4 is better because:
Sportier (after chipping)
It's an Audi and everything good that comes with it
Cheaper to purchase
Feels better than the Impreza
The 2.5RS is better because:
It's new and has a warranty
Cheaper to own
More reliable
Your thoughts?
I did sit in a WRX in the showroom. It was equipped with the short throw shifter and a minor (but effective) body kit. Wow! That car is sharp! (once you get beyond the headlights) The Momo wheel felt great, the seats felt great. It's too bad this isn't the one I'll be getting.
I'm considering getting a 97-98 A4 1.8TQtip or a brand new Impreza 2.5RS. Out of the box their straight-line performance is very similar. Of course, I'd chip the A4 and that would push it ahead, significantly I think. The test drive of the Impreza wasn't a very good one - I basically went up a highway a little bit and then came back. No local roads, no twisties. The impression that I got was positive, although the performance is definitely lacking. My 1990 Acura Legend with all 198k miles it has could easily win a stoplight grand prix. I have some experience driving A4s and I like how they feel. A chipped A4 should walk all over both cars. I'd love to test drive them both back to back on local roads. Maybe next weekend I will.
Any A4 that I could afford would have around 40-50k miles on it. The Impreza would be brand new, with 60k miles left on the powertrain warranty. I could also get the car configured exactly as I want it. The Audi is much more expensive to repair, but would also cost about $2k less to buy.
At the moment, I'm leaning towards the A4, but there are not any that I'm interested in buying at the moment. The only near me is Pearl, and that's not a color I want. I can wait for one to become available, but not too long.
So here we go:
The A4 is better because:
Sportier (after chipping)
It's an Audi and everything good that comes with it
Cheaper to purchase
Feels better than the Impreza
The 2.5RS is better because:
It's new and has a warranty
Cheaper to own
More reliable
Your thoughts?
I did sit in a WRX in the showroom. It was equipped with the short throw shifter and a minor (but effective) body kit. Wow! That car is sharp! (once you get beyond the headlights) The Momo wheel felt great, the seats felt great. It's too bad this isn't the one I'll be getting.
06-09-2001, 12:27 PM
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How did you like the stickshift on the Subaru? . . . .
I don't like the way it jiggles with the engine ... different linkage.
Also, A4 is not a drag racer, so to keep judging it as such is to overlook the car's essential attributes, such as its incomparable beauty, superb handling and crappy control arms. (-:
99,5 1,8TQM
Also, A4 is not a drag racer, so to keep judging it as such is to overlook the car's essential attributes, such as its incomparable beauty, superb handling and crappy control arms. (-:
99,5 1,8TQM
06-09-2001, 12:41 PM
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Why don't you go with a new Passat??
For the same price as the RS, you could go with the new Passat. I think they are very good looking and you get pretty much the same exact car as the A4 (minus quattro and xenons). You still get your warranty and you still have a better feeling car.
