A4 or Civic EX???

[iJohnHenry]

Fuel economy has been mentioned, but I didn't notice fuel grade being addressed.

I believe the A4 requires Premium, due to a higher compression ratio, but I'm not totally sure.

That might add up, over time, as you await your 'maturing' as a driver, insurance-wise.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Fuel economy has been mentioned, but I didn't notice fuel grade being addressed.

The A4 does require 91 octane, it's true. Under certain circumstances you could be seeing over 40% greater fuel costs with the A4.

 

[nanofrog]

But you do have to weigh that against the passion of the car. No sensible person would ever buy an Audi for reliability and low TCO. But I think it's equally true that no sensual person would ever buy a Honda for driving passion.

EDIT: Oh, if the OP is 20, just get the Honda... but get a stick. Learn how to drive and then get a drivers car when you're ready to push it to its limits, but safely.

I decided to leave passion out of it. How does one truly argue that anyway?
Two test drives, and he'll figure it out for himself. Then the decision gets really complicated.

I didn't know the OP was only 20 when I posted. So yeah, the Honda will be a better choice I think.

BTW, as mkrishnan said, think seriously about getting a manual shift. It will offer greater control, saves fuel, and needs less maintenance so long as you don't abuse it.

 

[nanofrog]

Fuel economy has been mentioned, but I didn't notice fuel grade being addressed.

I believe the A4 requires Premium, due to a higher compression ratio, but I'm not totally sure.

That might add up, over time, as you await your 'maturing' as a driver, insurance-wise.

It hadn't even dawned on me.

I had a '92 GTI 16V that knocked like mad on 87 octane, even though it was rated to run on it. It always ran lean despite re-adjusting the mix. Never ran well until I used 93 octane. Not practical these days.

 

[63dot]

Well i'm 20, so reliability would be a plus. I've always been a huge Audi fan, so when i originally decided to get the civic i felt a little bad, but thought i would just get the Audi i want in a few years. Now i changed to the Audi, but after the bad things i've heard about reliability, i think i'll go back to the honda.

well at the end of the day, the audi is still way better than a jaguar when it comes to reliability and repairs

i was only saying that against the honda, the audi seemed less reliable

both seem to be well regarded, but honda and volvo are the gold standard when it comes to reliability in the long term

 

[silbeej]

EDIT: Oh, if the OP is 20, just get the Honda... but get a stick. Learn how to drive and then get a drivers car when you're ready to push it to its limits, but safely.

FYI, i've never driven an Auto in my life Learned to drive on a 77 MGB four speed, took my test in a Ranger pickup with a 5 speed, and have drivin since then a 99 Forester and 08 Outback, both 5 speeds as well.

So yeah, i was planning on getting the stick, if i can find one.

 

[ucfgrad93]

My vote would be for the Civic. Hondas are great cars and I have owned several in the past 15 years.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

So yeah, i was planning on getting the stick, if i can find one.

IMO automatic transmissions are only suitable for pure luxury cars and some trucks. Everything else is better off with a manual.

If I were you I'd go with the Civic. It should run forever as a daily driver, and later on you can buy something more flashy as a second car.

 

[mkrishnan]

I decided to leave passion out of it. How does one truly argue that anyway?

Passionately! And futilely.

I'm still curious though about how a used A4 and a new Civic of all cars came together to be the two top choices... it seems like a very odd combination. If you want a more reasonable driver's car investment, there are many options such as the Mini (also reliability issues, though) and the Mazda3 (slightly aging design, but easily the best driver's car in the class). Or possibly some of the Subarus if you have an AWD lusting....

 

[silbeej]

Passionately! And futilely.

I'm still curious though about how a used A4 and a new Civic of all cars came together to be the two top choices... it seems like a very odd combination. If you want a more reasonable driver's car investment, there are many options such as the Mini (also reliability issues, though) and the Mazda3 (slightly aging design, but easily the best driver's car in the class). Or possibly some of the Subarus if you have an AWD lusting....

Well i've always wanted the Audi, but i decided that it was pointless to try and get one at this stage for i would hate it (not enough $ to get a decent one) and then i thought of how cheap the civic is to run and how they last forever. I've used two Subarus for a while, and that was in the mix as well, but i just can't see myself in another one, there is just something i don't like about them. they are great cars, btu right now i cant get another one. lol

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Well i've always wanted the Audi, but i decided that it was pointless to try and get one at this stage for i would hate it (not enough $ to get a decent one) and then i thought of how cheap the civic is to run and how they last forever.

Other decent options instead of the Civic:

Honda Fit - even more economical than the Civic, and every bit as reliable. Cheaper too.

Ford Focus. Boring, but good handling and cheaper than the Civic.

Nissan Sentra, Nissan Versa, and Toyota Corolla and Toyota Yaris are all good options. Honda doesn't have a stranglehold on economical compacts.

 

[nanofrog]

Passionately! And futilely.

Exactly. LOL!!

I'm still curious though about how a used A4 and a new Civic of all cars came together to be the two top choices... it seems like a very odd combination. If you want a more reasonable driver's car investment, there are many options such as the Mini (also reliability issues, though) and the Mazda3 (slightly aging design, but easily the best driver's car in the class). Or possibly some of the Subarus if you have an AWD lusting....

Not really sure. Maybe some weird slant on 'Pocket Rocket'? A concept I dearly loved, but $$$ has rendered it extinct for the most part.

There are definitely other makes/models that could provide enjoyment and satisfaction without sending him into the poor house.
I like the Subaru's, but the WRX has interior build quality issues. For a Mazda, avoid automatics like the plague. Ford transmission. Yuck!

 

[Counterfit]

FYI, i've never driven an Auto in my life Learned to drive on a 77 MGB four speed, took my test in a Ranger pickup with a 5 speed, and have drivin since then a 99 Forester and 08 Outback, both 5 speeds as well.

So yeah, i was planning on getting the stick, if i can find one.

You've driven a Forester and an Outback, but you aren't considering a Subaru this time around?
The Impreza is just about as reliable as the Honda, and has as much power as the A4 1.8t, but weighs 200 pounds less. Plus, it's safer.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

You've driven a Forester and an Outback, but you aren't considering a Subaru this time around?
The Impreza is just about as reliable as the Honda, and has as much power as the A4 1.8t, but weighs 200 pounds less. Plus, it's safer.

I have an '00 Forester and against an A4 I'd make the following remarks. Note that I'm not considering the turbo Subarus here.

Subarus are uglier (except in the case of the Legacy GT).

The Subaru will be more reliable and cheaper.

The A4 has a better interior, better handling and is a bit faster, particularly at the top end.

Insurance on the A4 will be higher, fuel consumption will be higher, and the A4 needs 91 octane.

...if you are talking a comparison between a turbo Forester/Legacy/WRX, I'd lean towards the A4, so long as speed isn't you primary consideration.

 

[bousozoku]

If getting from A->B is all that matters, a Honda is good enough. They're akin to appliances. Someone suggested that I look at a Honda Fit recently. I almost had a fit. It's similar to my current VW Golf--9 years later--without the good parts--and the bad.

Audi cars will drive you to the limit both on the road and in the maintenance bay, though they've become better.

 

[mkrishnan]

For a Mazda, avoid automatics like the plague. Ford transmission. Yuck!

I've always loved the Ford manuals, but I do have to agree, what Ford automatics I've driven have been deplorable. A caveat to anyone, though -- most Ford global manuals are long throw. I personally love it but some people are not so fond of it. And to be fair, I do still occasionally accidentally stall out a long throw.

Overall, though, the more you say, the more sensible a Civic sounds for you. It's going to be a relatively low TCO first car, it's very reliable, it's not that boring, and you can sell it in a few years and get something more fun. Also the latest Civic is really pretty, even by my standards.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Someone suggested that I look at a Honda Fit recently. I almost had a fit. It's similar to my current VW Golf--9 years later--without the good parts--and the bad.

That bad, eh? I've ridden in one and liked it. It's no barn-burner but it isn't supposed to be. And it fills the gap that the Civic left when it got big and fat.

 

[NightFlight]

Well i'm 20, so reliability would be a plus. I've always been a huge Audi fan, so when i originally decided to get the civic i felt a little bad, but thought i would just get the Audi i want in a few years. Now i changed to the Audi, but after the bad things i've heard about reliability, i think i'll go back to the honda.

Well the A4 is many classes above the Civic but I would never recommend a VW product of any kind. FOUR VW products have been lemoned where I work, including a 2004 A4. My family has had terrible experience with VW products as well.

The Civic will have a better resale value no matter what people tell you. It all comes down to what you want, a reliable vehicle that is still very nice (EX-L) or an incredibly nice vehicle that will notbe reliable. Also, if you get the Civic with a stick it will be just as quick as the 1.8t in the heavy A4. The A4 is a pig with the stock 1.8t.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

what Ford automatics I've driven have been deplorable.

I agree, with the exception of the Crown Vic transmission (especially the Police Interceptor model). As long as you have it flushed when you're supposed to it is nearly invincible.

Ford is bad, but Chrysler is the worst at the moment.

 

[bousozoku]

That bad, eh? I've ridden in one and liked it. It's no barn-burner but it isn't supposed to be. And it fills the gap that the Civic left when it got big and fat.

If Honda and Nissan and Toyota could see past their economy-only vision for that size car, they'd be much more acceptable. I'd consider one that had four wheel disc brakes a major step above what's being offered now. Most of what they make are appliances anyway and I don't want to drive a toaster oven. I want a car.

 

[mkrishnan]

If Honda and Nissan and Toyota could see past their economy-only vision for that size car, they'd be much more acceptable. I'd consider one that had four wheel disc brakes a major step above what's being offered now. Most of what they make are appliances anyway and I don't want to drive a toaster oven. I want a car.

Now this is becoming an off-topic conversation threadjacking two threads, but... Yeah, I really lust for more options that are conceptualized like the Mini is.

 

[iJohnHenry]

A Mini Cooper JCW convertible is about $48K.

Now don't laugh, but have you ever driven a smaller KIA?? I have what you would call the Optima, and love it.

KIA has the Rio and the Rio5, and both are less expensive than the Civic.

They will start building cars in the U.S. soon, and their QC has improved by leaps and bounds since Hyundai took them over.

 

[nanofrog]

I've always loved the Ford manuals, but I do have to agree, what Ford automatics I've driven have been deplorable. A caveat to anyone, though -- most Ford global manuals are long throw. I personally love it but some people are not so fond of it. And to be fair, I do still occasionally accidentally stall out a long throw.

One of, if not my favorite transmission shift wise, was the '92 VW. It was the last model they built that had a real linkage system. Nice positive feel. The differential was another story. Main gear would break its mounting rivets. New tranny please!

I always have the sense most manuals are a toy these days, they're so light.

 

[nanofrog]

Now don't laugh, but have you ever driven a smaller KIA?? I have what you would call the Optima, and love it.

I had the opportunity to test one also. I was impressed!
Build quality concerned me at the time, as they were new to North America.

 

[Chris Rogers]

So i'm in the market for a car (within 6 months) and i'm having a difficult choice to make. I'm interested in either a new 08 Civic EX or EX-L, or about an 05 Audi A4. I'd really like to get the ultra sport, but to keep cost low i would get teh 1.8T, and i've heard some bad things about it. Insurance for the Civic being new is about 300 more for 6 months. Now i'm looking for input on if the Audi would be a good choice because it's my number 1 choice, but who knows. Any input would be great.

Thanks

I got the 07 Civic EX plus nav 5spd...absolute best bang for your buck. Audi and VW's are slightly overpriced plus honda's reliability is superior.