I have a friend who sold his Outback and looking to get a new car. He tested the AV6 and 1.8T last weekend. The Accord is probably a bit more $$, but which do you think is a better buy. He had asked me about my Max and I said it's a great car, but I told him to go test the TSX, or WRX. He didn't want another Subaru for some reason.

Yesterday I tested another friend's AV6 auto. It's nice inside. The windshield is very small from some reason, but the seats, dash, etc were nice. I don't think it has HID, or memory seats, but do have dual climate, which is nice. The car has more headroom than the Max, and has a nice large storage compartment by the gear shift. It was fast, not like Maxima 3.5 fast. We parked side by side and both looked good.

Back to the original question. AV6 or 1.8T? What else would you consider? I don't want him to get a 2004 Max :-)

 

Based purely upon looks, there is no question. New Accords are BUTT UGLY.

 

true...the exterior of the accord is really ugly...but the interior is really refined since the last gen...tell ur friend to buy a 1.8t since it really lacks the speed...so just in case he wants to duel ur sometimes....u will always leave him in the dust....on another hand, accord 6sp...will be a major competitor....

just my 2cents....

 

1.8T.. Tell him to get a boost controller and a chip and he'll be hauling some @ss!

 

You'll probably beat him because that VW is going to be in the shop half the time.

 

That was my backup plan if I didn't get my Max. 300hp is not hard to get out of these.

 

Of the two, I think the 1.8t is definately the better overall car. However, there are a miriad of better cars in the same price range. If he doesn't like the looks of the WRX that's one thing, but it's without a doubt one of the most fun cars I've ever driven and their reliability is very good as well. It just isn't very refined. Altima has more room and about the same price and it's bigger and more powerful.

 

We have a 02 1.8t,5 speed with the Upsolute chip,it gives the car about 225 h.p.

This thing MOVES,big time.

 

impreza sti.... there's nothing that even comes close in terms of speed and looks and fun factor (maybe the lancer evo... but even that is a little below the sti i think)

 

I believe he's looking for the mid $20K's, not $33K. Well, that's an assumption, but judging by the cars he's already looking at, I'd say low to mid $20's. The 1.8T VW/Audi engine is a tuners wet dream. It can easily approach 350 FWHP on a limited budget. I like the engine more so than the car, but I'll take the car along with it (kinda sporty looking)...

 

i thought he meant the 1.8T A4.... which is low 30s.... i was merely bringing up another possibility for a couple thousand extra...i guess i shoulda read the post more carefully.. heh

 

id say 1.8t over the accord. unless he wants the accord coupe which is much better looking than the sedan.

 

Yeah, I think he is leaning toward the 1.8T. Like I said, I told him to go check the TSX. Personally I like to recommend others to try Honda/Acuras. However, I likely won't be one cuz I dislike drivers of such cars :-). As for VW, they and Audi's have nice paint. A car that is a few years old still seem to shine better than our Nissans. The TL, CL is out of the question, as is any Audi, Lexus, Infiniti, domestic. I had the similar choices when I got my 2002 Max.

 

2.7TT 2001 Audi A6. 260hp stock. 300hp+ is a chip/intake away. Mid-20's used.

 

So how exactly does this work out? You recommend those cars to people you know, then if they get one you dislike the same people?

Kind of setting up for a revolving door of friends, huh?

 

i definitely agree with u on this one....accord coupe is much much better then the sedan...but the downside to this is that if u want fully loaded accord coupe....it will cost ya with all the options on kits and wheels.....

 

To pick a Honda over an Audi would be really messed up!!!!!!!!

 

 

i personally think, looks aside, that the AV6 is a "nicer" car. it rides quieter and smoother than the VW and it's bigger. the 1.8T (A4, Jetta, etc) all seem to have a jitter at idle that is not characteristic of cars in anything but the true economy class. it's not like the VQ35 idle either that we all b*tch about either...the 1.8T exhibits a constant strumming that is quite noticeable and i gets very annoying (to me, at least) after even a short ride.

that caveat aside, jettas are built very solidly for a low 20's car. it really feels like VW has come a long way in the last few years. and yes, chipped 1.8Ts MOVE.

 

Check my homepage. I have a Max and a 1.8T 337 edition GTI. I have the best of both worlds. The max has that raw power and is great on the highway, but when I want to hit the backroads and tear it up the 337 is the bomb.

Looking at his choices, send him to VW. After I am done with this Max, I am off to an Audi dealer to go pure german and stay that way. All their cars handle better, paint is better, stronger is crashes, and for the most part, more reliable. I have owned many Honda/Nissan Cars and 2 VWs.

If he wants a good car, fun to drive, and easy to mod, tell him to go get the Anniv. edition GTI this summer. If he wants to spend a bit more, the R32 hits this summer as well. 240hp, AWD, 18" BBS, 6spd, navi, all for just under 30k. That will be nice.

Just my .02

 

Which car with the 1.8T motor is he looking at? Jetta? Passat? GTI? A4? Need more information.

Is he set on buying new?

 

amen to that! i'm gonna get flamed for this, but in hindsight, i probably should have bought a 1.8T A4 or a V6 passat instead of the 2k2 maxima. no doubt speed is fun, but you're only utilizing the maxima's capabilities for like 3 percent of your actual driving time. both the VW and audi (and especially the audi) were built like vaults. none of this excessive windnoise, flimsy doors, or cheap and loud suspension parts. the sport A4 in particular handled like it was on rails. don't flame me too bad

 

No flames from me! I might be right behind you when I do eventually trade the AE.

 

>If he wants a good car, fun to drive, and easy to mod, tell him to go get >the Anniv. edition GTI this summer. If he wants to spend a bit more, the >R32 hits this summer as well. 240hp, AWD, 18" BBS, 6spd, navi, all for >just under 30k. That will be nice.

I have seen the new GTI commercial. What is this 240hp AWD car? Ah, it's an Audi right, and that is less costly than the A4. The A4 here cost probably $7G Canadian more than the top of the line Maxima.

My friend, yes he is looking new, and was looking at a Silver manual Jetta.

 

you can get a 1.8t Audi FWD with sport and premium packges for just little over $30k. I drove my brother's car in snow and it handles great. But it's really nice inside and outside. If you don't care about leather and Bose you save 2K.
Also, those cars are fun to mod. Lot's of aftermarket support: Chips, intakes, suspention parts, exhausts, body kits, you name it.

 

The cars have two different personallities, and you're friend just needs to choose. The Accord is an all around good car; practical, reliable, and peppy. The VW is a smaller tuner car. If he wants to just go fast, then get the VW. If he wants a daily driver, get the Accord.

 

I say the Jetta, but I do see an awful lot of chicks and in that car.

 

I was talking about the VW R32 coming out this summer. It is not even called a GTI, it is the Golf R32. Here is a link:

http://www.vwvortex.com/features/08_...19/index.shtml

I think they need some turbos on this but 240 is still a great starting point for such a soon to be performer.