General reliability
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From: Highland, Utah
General reliability
I stumbled across this website earlier today, and it seems like a great forum! I've been searching the forum but can't seem to find the simple answer I'm looking for. I'll explain my situation and I would appreciate some feedback. I came across a 2001 A4 2.8 with 122,000 miles. Excellent condition, good price. Lovely car. And I want it really bad! Never owned an Audi, but always secretly wanted one. But from what I hear, Audi's are generally very expensive to maintain. Obviously it's a luxury car, so I would be prepared for that, to some extent... But I don't want to fork out thousands each year just to keep it running. And they seem to be more expensive to maintain then, say, an Infiniti, or an Acura. Which leads to my real question. I'm choosing between a 2001 Audi A4, 2002 Infiniti I30, and a 2001 Acura TL. The Dealership has these three cars very reasonably priced.
I want a good, strong, reliable car (that's also fun to drive). What is your honest opinion? Would the Acura or Infiniti be more reliable then the Audi? I'm not a mechanic, but would be willing to learn the tricks to maintain the A4 if it's really worth it.
I want a good, strong, reliable car (that's also fun to drive). What is your honest opinion? Would the Acura or Infiniti be more reliable then the Audi? I'm not a mechanic, but would be willing to learn the tricks to maintain the A4 if it's really worth it.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Toronto
Acura is probably your best option. Stay away from Infiniti.
Audis can be a money pit, and they can be very reliable. The 2.8 in 2001 A4 is a 30v engine, one of the best and most reliable Audi engine.
Search these forums for general issues people are having, or read te first 5 pages of threads.
5-speed manual will be most reliable.
It depends on the history and maintenance of the car. even an Acura can be a money pit.
Audis can be a money pit, and they can be very reliable. The 2.8 in 2001 A4 is a 30v engine, one of the best and most reliable Audi engine.
Search these forums for general issues people are having, or read te first 5 pages of threads.
5-speed manual will be most reliable.
It depends on the history and maintenance of the car. even an Acura can be a money pit.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,138
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From: Redmond WA
Acura is probably your best option. Stay away from Infiniti.
Audis can be a money pit, and they can be very reliable. The 2.8 in 2001 A4 is a 30v engine, one of the best and most reliable Audi engine.
Search these forums for general issues people are having, or read te first 5 pages of threads.
5-speed manual will be most reliable.
It depends on the history and maintenance of the car. even an Acura can be a money pit.
Audis can be a money pit, and they can be very reliable. The 2.8 in 2001 A4 is a 30v engine, one of the best and most reliable Audi engine.
Search these forums for general issues people are having, or read te first 5 pages of threads.
5-speed manual will be most reliable.
It depends on the history and maintenance of the car. even an Acura can be a money pit.
Acura (Honda) V6s and automatics of that era are not great either. A 4 cylinder TSX would be a better choice.
An Automatic 2.8 Audi with no service history is a crap-shoot quite honestly. You really can't "learn" to be a mechanic on one of these.At 122,000 miles you could be due for it's second timing belt ($400-2000 depending where you go) unless you have proof it's been done recently.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Fallbrook, CA
That's the dilemma: if you get the Honda or Datsun (sorry, Acura or Infinity) you may drive around wishing you were really in an Audi. But if the A4 gives you grief, then you'd wish that you'd settled for the other ones. A couple of things in this Audi's favor is that it is a 2001, last year of the series, and a V6, which tends to lead a less stressed life. Also, Audi reliability, beginning with the A4 series, was vastly improved compared to earlier models. I've got over 220K on the original 2.8 engine and automatic trans, and it runs like a champ. You might want to track down a German auto/Audi/VW shop, and have them thoroughly inspect the car. Be sure that they can scan every system with a diagnostic code reader: engine, trans, climate control, anti-lock brakes, airbags, etc., otherwise a lurking problem could be missed.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 340
Likes: 1
I stumbled across this website earlier today, and it seems like a great forum! I've been searching the forum but can't seem to find the simple answer I'm looking for. I'll explain my situation and I would appreciate some feedback. I came across a 2001 A4 2.8 with 122,000 miles. Excellent condition, good price. Lovely car. And I want it really bad! Never owned an Audi, but always secretly wanted one. But from what I hear, Audi's are generally very expensive to maintain. Obviously it's a luxury car, so I would be prepared for that, to some extent... But I don't want to fork out thousands each year just to keep it running. And they seem to be more expensive to maintain then, say, an Infiniti, or an Acura. Which leads to my real question. I'm choosing between a 2001 Audi A4, 2002 Infiniti I30, and a 2001 Acura TL. The Dealership has these three cars very reasonably priced.
I want a good, strong, reliable car (that's also fun to drive). What is your honest opinion? Would the Acura or Infiniti be more reliable then the Audi? I'm not a mechanic, but would be willing to learn the tricks to maintain the A4 if it's really worth it.
I want a good, strong, reliable car (that's also fun to drive). What is your honest opinion? Would the Acura or Infiniti be more reliable then the Audi? I'm not a mechanic, but would be willing to learn the tricks to maintain the A4 if it's really worth it.
The Infiniti is ok. It doesn't look very good to me. If you want an infiniti go for the g35 if you can fork over a few more thousands.
I'd leave the choice to the Infiniti and Audi. The rest is your decision.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,277
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From: Toronto
Those Hondas/Acuras need their transmission serviced regularly, and if done, will last a long time. When I was changing my transmission oil for the A6, was talking to the shop owner (strictly a transmission shop). He said if the oil is not changed, those honda transmissions can fail shortly after 60K miles.
However, that discussion was for the 2003+ model year cars. My friends owned Acuras/hondas and were very reliable (late 90's, early 00's).
From what I remember, early Infinitis had electrical gremlins (mostly interior).
However, that discussion was for the 2003+ model year cars. My friends owned Acuras/hondas and were very reliable (late 90's, early 00's).
From what I remember, early Infinitis had electrical gremlins (mostly interior).
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