Looking for a second car...

[AWDTurboLuvr]

Hey all,

Got married and I'm moving farther outside the city and need to pick up second car as the wife will be driving the Audi mostly. It won't be driven heavily on the streets (maybe 3-4 days), but I'll be also using it to auto-x and track every second or third weekend. As well, it would be nice to not have a turbo car for some of the short trips I sometimes do on the weekends. However, my last 3 cars all had a turbo and was AWD. Perhaps change is a good thing...or not.

I've whittled down my choices to three local choices.

1) 2002 B5 S4 ($22,900)
Pros: Twin turbo performance, AWD, nice interior and it's an Audi. I have a reputable Audi mechanic already as well. Takes well to mods. It is a CPO car however.

Cons: For a second car, maybe too heavy and not as nimble. Maintenance and repairs are expensive. Don't know condition of turbos. It has 100,000 kms and the timing belt has not being replaced. It's the most expensive one of these three.

2) 2002 Mini Cooper S ($17,900)
Pros: Light, nimble and fun. It already has Dinan mods (ECU flash, intake and exhaust). I also know the previous owner of the car and it had only minor issues on it. Also has snow tires on original wheels, so all I need is some sticky rubber and lightweight wheels for the summer months. This one has been sitting on the lot for a bit and it's dropped $1k over the last month. I think I can get it for $16,500.

Cons: Not AWD. Interior designed by an epileptic Flavor Flav. It's also one of the least reliable cars. Repairs if needed are expensive. Doesn't have the most space, but do I really need it with the A4 still around??

3) 2002 Subaru WRX Wagon ($17,900)

Pros: Cheap, fast and carries a bunch of stuff. It's AWD and it's got a turbo. I also had a 2002 WRX sedan before, so I'm familiar with the car. Excellent track car, with suspension mods. It's a bug-eye.

Cons: Basic, but functional interior. Needs suspension mods. Might not have the best stigma due to all the young drivers around. Insurance is quite expensive.

So there you have it....gimmie your thoughts and feel free to post any previous experiences you have had with any of these cars.

[kelticslob]

I'd go WRX. Still light enough for auto-x, makes almost as much power as the S4 with similar mods, and wont be the pig the S4 is (yes, it's a pig, not great for auto-x). Sounds like this car is utilitarian in purpose, so why bother with luxuries?

[BryanR]

Toyota Corolla.

Gas and oil changes for the next 4 years - that's it!

[audipotential]

Toyota Corolla.

Gas and oil changes for the next 4 years - that's it!

Um NO!
Toyota YARIS.

[lorvar]

Go with the Audi, WRX is on the top 3 stolen car list and I don't trust those trannies from the 2002. Mini Cooper if you're a chick.

[m5racer]

Have you thought about maby something like an MK4 VR or something like that, not sure on Auto X but its a smaller nimble car with no turbos!

[MagnusS4]

If i had to pick out of those 3 (call me bias) of course it would be the s4. great daily driver, good platform for mods espeically with more gt turbo kits comin out, and of course great weekend track car.

But have you ever thought about doing something diff and looked into hybrid cars. i know many of them are still in the early stages but look at nissan and lexus both will be releasing more "sporty" hybrid cars which is a good change to see compared to the civic or prius. just something to maybe keep in mind? if gas keeps up at this rate in the next few years we'll be breaking a toonie/L

[Louis J.]

I think you should go with a B7 A4.

Fuel efficient: gas is now $1.50/L and it's not going to get cheaper. If you're moving out of the city, I presume consumption will be an issue for you. I paid $100 to fill up on Sunday (Oct94). The 2.0T FSI is much more efficient than your 1.8T.

Luxury/quality: since you have a B6, the Subaru especially will be a big downgrade. If you're going to be commuting (again, assuming) it'd be nice to ride in a comfortable, nice cabin.

Fun: Don't forget where you live. Summers are short. AWD makes all the sense in the world for this climate. Check out my times from Sunday's AutoX...I was beaten only by Mark's BMW, a Civic that is prepared and is the WCR champion and an STI.

Bottom line: B7 A4 = 250HP/300TQ with a $600 chip, great quality, reliable, warranty, prepaid service, AWD, great looks and you can get a 2006 out of the US landed in Vancouver for ~$25k. Get an Avant if you want something a little different.

[Tgr_Clw]

The 2.0T FSI is much more efficient than your 1.8T.

It's a bit more efficient. Not "much more efficient".

[Louis J.]

It's a bit more efficient. Not "much more efficient".

Frankly, I don't have experience with the 1.8T but I know that most people on the B6 forum seem to get mid to high teens MPG in the city and mid twenties on the hwy. I'm getting low to mid twenties in the city and got 34MPG on a trip to Seattle and back this past Friday (don't do much hwy driving). The B7 2.0T is rated for 25/35MPG and it seems to be pretty accurate by my account.

[Tgr_Clw]

I'm getting 22mpg in the city and about 29mpg on the hwy.

I'm not saying you're incorrect, just the difference is not exactly huge.

[audipotential]

I'm getting 22mpg in the city and about 29mpg on the hwy.

I'm not saying you're incorrect, just the difference is not exactly huge.

I bet the K04 helps lol

Somewhat hard at times to stay in decent vaccum on K03

[Tgr_Clw]

I bet the K04 helps lol

It does but only by a tiny bit.

Can't wait to go BT.

[AWDTurboLuvr]

I think you should go with a B7 A4.

Fuel efficient: gas is now $1.50/L and it's not going to get cheaper. If you're moving out of the city, I presume consumption will be an issue for you. I paid $100 to fill up on Sunday (Oct94). The 2.0T FSI is much more efficient than your 1.8T.

Luxury/quality: since you have a B6, the Subaru especially will be a big downgrade. If you're going to be commuting (again, assuming) it'd be nice to ride in a comfortable, nice cabin.

Fun: Don't forget where you live. Summers are short. AWD makes all the sense in the world for this climate. Check out my times from Sunday's AutoX...I was beaten only by Mark's BMW, a Civic that is prepared and is the WCR champion and an STI.

Bottom line: B7 A4 = 250HP/300TQ with a $600 chip, great quality, reliable, warranty, prepaid service, AWD, great looks and you can get a 2006 out of the US landed in Vancouver for ~$25k. Get an Avant if you want something a little different.

Hey Louis,

Is the B7 tank bigger? I can fill my tank for $75 on 94 OCT. I'll still have my B6 anyways if I'm doing longer trips or if the wife doesn't need it.

I want to stay in STX classing, so no chips that touch boost. With the WRX, I'll run the STX-tune from COBB Tuning. I'm fast in the B6, considering I run with 170hp and shittier tires than most. Faster than David in his STX WRX that runs with us...but he's relatively new to the sport. Hope you're not planning to run APR or REVO on the course...lol!

If I was to get an Audi, it would be the B8 A4...but that's too far away for me. Boo.

If fun was the only factor in this, the Mini would've won a loonng time ago. I wish it was shittier to drive...it makes my decision much harder. I"ll have to drive them back-to-back this weekend.

[AWDTurboLuvr]

Um NO!
Toyota YARIS.

LOL! Yeah, my good friend dumped too much money into modding his Yaris...LOL! I bug him everytime about it.

[BryanR]

better yet, import one of these...



(please overlook the dual VR6 conversion and ceramic Porsche brakes - just get the 3L with a slam and some rims )

[audipotential]

LOL! Yeah, my good friend dumped too much money into modding his Yaris...LOL! I bug him everytime about it.

Modifying a yaris?

Um Geez.

[lorvar]

http://forums.turbomagazine.com/70/6...itz/index.html