Car, lease or buy?

[sd_t2]

The depreciation on the Audi will be bad as well. A few years ago I got a used A4 (2001) for about $24k OTD (TTL included).

It had only 30,000 miles on it but was an electrical nightmare and in the shop alot for any number of sensors tripping.

I eventually traded it in at an approx. 10,000 dollar depreciation loss because I was getting sick of the dealer trips.

If you do buy used, be sure there is lots of residual warranty. You’ll be needing it.

[kev374]

leasing is extremely expensive and it’s NEVER EVER a good financial decision unless you’re able to write it off as a business expense.

My preference is to buy cars I can put at least 20% down and comfortably afford to pay off the balance completely in 3 years at a payment no more than 20% of your net income. Anything more and you’re overextending yourself. If that means that you can afford only a Geo Metro, so be it. People need to come down to reality about what they can really afford.

Way too many are stretching to the limits using credit!! I heard 84 month loans are common these days, absolutely ridiculous!

Once you buy the car keep it for at least 10 years.

[kev374]

leasing is extremely expensive and it’s NEVER EVER a good financial decision unless you’re able to write it off as a business expense.

My preference is to buy cars I can put at least 20% down and comfortably afford to pay off the balance completely in 3 years at a payment no more than 20% of your net income. Anything more and you’re overextending yourself. If that means that you can afford only a Geo Metro, so be it. People need to come down to reality about what they can really afford.

Way too many are stretching to the limits using credit!! I heard 84 month loans are common these days, absolutely ridiculous!

Once you buy the car keep it for at least 10 years.

[kev374]

leasing is extremely expensive and it’s NEVER EVER a good financial decision unless you’re able to write it off as a business expense.

My preference is to buy cars I can put at least 20% down and comfortably afford to pay off the balance completely in 3 years at a payment no more than 20% of your net income. Anything more and you’re overextending yourself. If that means that you can afford only a Geo Metro, so be it. People need to come down to reality about what they can really afford.

Way too many are stretching to the limits using credit!! I heard 84 month loans are common these days, absolutely ridiculous!

Once you buy the car keep it for at least 10 years.

[kev374]

leasing is extremely expensive and it’s NEVER EVER a good financial decision unless you’re able to write it off as a business expense.

My preference is to buy cars I can put at least 20% down and comfortably afford to pay off the balance completely in 3 years at a payment no more than 20% of your net income. Anything more and you’re overextending yourself. If that means that you can afford only a Geo Metro, so be it. People need to come down to reality about what they can really afford.

Way too many are stretching to the limits using credit!! I heard 84 month loans are common these days, absolutely ridiculous!

Once you buy the car keep it for at least 10 years.

[kev374]

leasing is extremely expensive and it’s NEVER EVER a good financial decision unless you’re able to write it off as a business expense.

My preference is to buy cars I can put at least 20% down and comfortably afford to pay off the balance completely in 3 years at a payment no more than 20% of your net income. Anything more and you’re overextending yourself. If that means that you can afford only a Geo Metro, so be it. People need to come down to reality about what they can really afford.

Way too many are stretching to the limits using credit!! I heard 84 month loans are common these days, absolutely ridiculous!

Once you buy the car keep it for at least 10 years.

[Newblet]

as far as financing goes, I have no down and I’m getting rates from 4.9% to 5.29% for a 5-year. And I drive an average 18k miles a year

See my other thread, I have 100k down for a house already

[Newblet]

as far as financing goes, I have no down and I’m getting rates from 4.9% to 5.29% for a 5-year. And I drive an average 18k miles a year

See my other thread, I have 100k down for a house already

[Newblet]

as far as financing goes, I have no down and I’m getting rates from 4.9% to 5.29% for a 5-year. And I drive an average 18k miles a year

See my other thread, I have 100k down for a house already

[Newblet]

as far as financing goes, I have no down and I’m getting rates from 4.9% to 5.29% for a 5-year. And I drive an average 18k miles a year

See my other thread, I have 100k down for a house already

[Newblet]

as far as financing goes, I have no down and I’m getting rates from 4.9% to 5.29% for a 5-year. And I drive an average 18k miles a year

See my other thread, I have 100k down for a house already

[Coronita]

Newblet, As an audi owner. I have to say. Unless you plan on servicing your car yourself, you will be in for a treat.

1) Audi stopped giving free maintanence first the first 4 years.

2) Audi service is not going to be cheap, especially with the latest FSI engines. For example, the oil change isn't simply a oil filter. They went to a canister approach, which means taking it to your local jiffy lube (even if you dared) probably won't work.

3) Audi/VW's has a terrible depreciation record versus BMW and Mers.

4) The A4's current styling is due to expire in 1 year. You'll definitely get hit with depreciation.

A5/S5 is coming soon, followed by the next gen A4. While the next gen A4 looks more and more like a passat, the next gen will have better weight distribution, and the S4 is rumored to return with a bi-turbo v-6 instead of an V-8.

 

If your are definitely an audi-holic, I'd at least wait for the 2008/09 a5 or a4. One thing you'll notice is all current generation audis have a pretty hefty front overhang and as such are pretty nose heavy. This is all fixable with suspension mods, good set of tires, etc. But why bother. Also next gen quattro systems are rear-wheel biased, unlike current gen. (You are going to get quattro, aren't you?). Also, the DSG transmission is not available on most cars except the A3 and TT (haldex quattro). Tiptronics and CVT transmissions blow, and the manual will be slightly soft unless you get a S4/S4/S6/RS4 (so I'm told).

Image of the next gen S4/A4 is :

http://audiworld.com/news/07/b8-s4-exclusive-preview/

 

Image of the next gen S5/A5 is :

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/06/audi-announces-u-s-pricing-on-new-a5-and-s5-models/

 

 

5) I have not found a trusted mechanic to service Audis here.

 

6) While my audi's reliability has been decent, it's definitely NOT the same as a honda.

 

7) You will enjoy the driving dynamics. But for you, will it outweigh everything else? For me it does, because I like to tinker. For you it might not be.

8) Leasing an audi is a bad idea. Buying a used one is also worse. Most people don't do proper maintanence. It's especially a bad idea to buy a used audi with the 1.8T or 2.0T or the 2.7T(found in the B5 generation S4) engine without really knowing the history behind them. For more information, go to audiworld and search for "turbo" and "oil coaking(sp?)". Basically, it's what happens when people run a turbocharged car hard such that the turbo is glowing red and shutoff the engine right away over a long period of time (over 4-5 years). Audi's don't come with an after-run oil pump, so oil doesn't circulate after you shut the engine off, which is bad if the turbo is glowing red.

That's why I run full synthetic, have a turbo timer that lets the engine run 1-2 minutes after I shutdown, and do oil changes after 5000miles even with synthetic. 

 

You're young. If I recall, you were asking for 401k advice. At the same time, you're going to take out a loan/lease a $30k car? Shouldn't you be saving for a house? 🙂

 

 

[Coronita]

Newblet, As an audi owner. I have to say. Unless you plan on servicing your car yourself, you will be in for a treat.

1) Audi stopped giving free maintanence first the first 4 years.

2) Audi service is not going to be cheap, especially with the latest FSI engines. For example, the oil change isn't simply a oil filter. They went to a canister approach, which means taking it to your local jiffy lube (even if you dared) probably won't work.

3) Audi/VW's has a terrible depreciation record versus BMW and Mers.

4) The A4's current styling is due to expire in 1 year. You'll definitely get hit with depreciation.

A5/S5 is coming soon, followed by the next gen A4. While the next gen A4 looks more and more like a passat, the next gen will have better weight distribution, and the S4 is rumored to return with a bi-turbo v-6 instead of an V-8.

 

If your are definitely an audi-holic, I'd at least wait for the 2008/09 a5 or a4. One thing you'll notice is all current generation audis have a pretty hefty front overhang and as such are pretty nose heavy. This is all fixable with suspension mods, good set of tires, etc. But why bother. Also next gen quattro systems are rear-wheel biased, unlike current gen. (You are going to get quattro, aren't you?). Also, the DSG transmission is not available on most cars except the A3 and TT (haldex quattro). Tiptronics and CVT transmissions blow, and the manual will be slightly soft unless you get a S4/S4/S6/RS4 (so I'm told).

Image of the next gen S4/A4 is :

http://audiworld.com/news/07/b8-s4-exclusive-preview/

 

Image of the next gen S5/A5 is :

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/06/audi-announces-u-s-pricing-on-new-a5-and-s5-models/

 

 

5) I have not found a trusted mechanic to service Audis here.

 

6) While my audi's reliability has been decent, it's definitely NOT the same as a honda.

 

7) You will enjoy the driving dynamics. But for you, will it outweigh everything else? For me it does, because I like to tinker. For you it might not be.

8) Leasing an audi is a bad idea. Buying a used one is also worse. Most people don't do proper maintanence. It's especially a bad idea to buy a used audi with the 1.8T or 2.0T or the 2.7T(found in the B5 generation S4) engine without really knowing the history behind them. For more information, go to audiworld and search for "turbo" and "oil coaking(sp?)". Basically, it's what happens when people run a turbocharged car hard such that the turbo is glowing red and shutoff the engine right away over a long period of time (over 4-5 years). Audi's don't come with an after-run oil pump, so oil doesn't circulate after you shut the engine off, which is bad if the turbo is glowing red.

That's why I run full synthetic, have a turbo timer that lets the engine run 1-2 minutes after I shutdown, and do oil changes after 5000miles even with synthetic. 

 

You're young. If I recall, you were asking for 401k advice. At the same time, you're going to take out a loan/lease a $30k car? Shouldn't you be saving for a house? 🙂

 

 

[Coronita]

Newblet, As an audi owner. I have to say. Unless you plan on servicing your car yourself, you will be in for a treat.

1) Audi stopped giving free maintanence first the first 4 years.

2) Audi service is not going to be cheap, especially with the latest FSI engines. For example, the oil change isn't simply a oil filter. They went to a canister approach, which means taking it to your local jiffy lube (even if you dared) probably won't work.

3) Audi/VW's has a terrible depreciation record versus BMW and Mers.

4) The A4's current styling is due to expire in 1 year. You'll definitely get hit with depreciation.

A5/S5 is coming soon, followed by the next gen A4. While the next gen A4 looks more and more like a passat, the next gen will have better weight distribution, and the S4 is rumored to return with a bi-turbo v-6 instead of an V-8.

 

If your are definitely an audi-holic, I'd at least wait for the 2008/09 a5 or a4. One thing you'll notice is all current generation audis have a pretty hefty front overhang and as such are pretty nose heavy. This is all fixable with suspension mods, good set of tires, etc. But why bother. Also next gen quattro systems are rear-wheel biased, unlike current gen. (You are going to get quattro, aren't you?). Also, the DSG transmission is not available on most cars except the A3 and TT (haldex quattro). Tiptronics and CVT transmissions blow, and the manual will be slightly soft unless you get a S4/S4/S6/RS4 (so I'm told).

Image of the next gen S4/A4 is :

http://audiworld.com/news/07/b8-s4-exclusive-preview/

 

Image of the next gen S5/A5 is :

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/06/audi-announces-u-s-pricing-on-new-a5-and-s5-models/

 

 

5) I have not found a trusted mechanic to service Audis here.

 

6) While my audi's reliability has been decent, it's definitely NOT the same as a honda.

 

7) You will enjoy the driving dynamics. But for you, will it outweigh everything else? For me it does, because I like to tinker. For you it might not be.

8) Leasing an audi is a bad idea. Buying a used one is also worse. Most people don't do proper maintanence. It's especially a bad idea to buy a used audi with the 1.8T or 2.0T or the 2.7T(found in the B5 generation S4) engine without really knowing the history behind them. For more information, go to audiworld and search for "turbo" and "oil coaking(sp?)". Basically, it's what happens when people run a turbocharged car hard such that the turbo is glowing red and shutoff the engine right away over a long period of time (over 4-5 years). Audi's don't come with an after-run oil pump, so oil doesn't circulate after you shut the engine off, which is bad if the turbo is glowing red.

That's why I run full synthetic, have a turbo timer that lets the engine run 1-2 minutes after I shutdown, and do oil changes after 5000miles even with synthetic. 

 

You're young. If I recall, you were asking for 401k advice. At the same time, you're going to take out a loan/lease a $30k car? Shouldn't you be saving for a house? 🙂

 

 

[Coronita]

Newblet, As an audi owner. I have to say. Unless you plan on servicing your car yourself, you will be in for a treat.

1) Audi stopped giving free maintanence first the first 4 years.

2) Audi service is not going to be cheap, especially with the latest FSI engines. For example, the oil change isn't simply a oil filter. They went to a canister approach, which means taking it to your local jiffy lube (even if you dared) probably won't work.

3) Audi/VW's has a terrible depreciation record versus BMW and Mers.

4) The A4's current styling is due to expire in 1 year. You'll definitely get hit with depreciation.

A5/S5 is coming soon, followed by the next gen A4. While the next gen A4 looks more and more like a passat, the next gen will have better weight distribution, and the S4 is rumored to return with a bi-turbo v-6 instead of an V-8.

 

If your are definitely an audi-holic, I'd at least wait for the 2008/09 a5 or a4. One thing you'll notice is all current generation audis have a pretty hefty front overhang and as such are pretty nose heavy. This is all fixable with suspension mods, good set of tires, etc. But why bother. Also next gen quattro systems are rear-wheel biased, unlike current gen. (You are going to get quattro, aren't you?). Also, the DSG transmission is not available on most cars except the A3 and TT (haldex quattro). Tiptronics and CVT transmissions blow, and the manual will be slightly soft unless you get a S4/S4/S6/RS4 (so I'm told).

Image of the next gen S4/A4 is :

http://audiworld.com/news/07/b8-s4-exclusive-preview/

 

Image of the next gen S5/A5 is :

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/06/audi-announces-u-s-pricing-on-new-a5-and-s5-models/

 

 

5) I have not found a trusted mechanic to service Audis here.

 

6) While my audi's reliability has been decent, it's definitely NOT the same as a honda.

 

7) You will enjoy the driving dynamics. But for you, will it outweigh everything else? For me it does, because I like to tinker. For you it might not be.

8) Leasing an audi is a bad idea. Buying a used one is also worse. Most people don't do proper maintanence. It's especially a bad idea to buy a used audi with the 1.8T or 2.0T or the 2.7T(found in the B5 generation S4) engine without really knowing the history behind them. For more information, go to audiworld and search for "turbo" and "oil coaking(sp?)". Basically, it's what happens when people run a turbocharged car hard such that the turbo is glowing red and shutoff the engine right away over a long period of time (over 4-5 years). Audi's don't come with an after-run oil pump, so oil doesn't circulate after you shut the engine off, which is bad if the turbo is glowing red.

That's why I run full synthetic, have a turbo timer that lets the engine run 1-2 minutes after I shutdown, and do oil changes after 5000miles even with synthetic. 

 

You're young. If I recall, you were asking for 401k advice. At the same time, you're going to take out a loan/lease a $30k car? Shouldn't you be saving for a house? 🙂

 

 

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