2009 Audi A4 2.0T vs. 2005 Honda Accord sedan V6

[red_shift]

Uh, and the means what exactly? The A4 (and C-class) are the pinnacle of poser badge snobbery; they're for people who really can't afford anything more than a CamCord, but are desperate to act like a high roller.

My 3er will lag behind most new V6 powered cars in a straight line, and will show it's tail lights to most FWD V6 sedans in the twisties. I chose handling and ride quality over power. My TSX is the same. Put the two together, and I would have gone for a new 550i or a E500 or something like that and would probably show my taillights to all econo sedans. I did not choose to.

Entry level luxury cars like the A4, 3 series and C-Class have what it takes to earn their price of entry. For some, handling and interior comfort means a lot more than 0-60 sprints. Yes, there are badge snobs too, but your blanket statement ignores the discriminating buyers who really want more car. (I went over the what 'more' means already)

[hotrodalex]

Uh, and the means what exactly? The A4 (and C-class) are the pinnacle of poser badge snobbery; they're for people who really can't afford anything more than a CamCord, but are desperate to act like a high roller.

In some cases.

In my case, I bought a 3er because I've always liked the E46's. Love how they look and drive. No need for me to get a more expensive model, as they don't look or drive as well. Plus, I don't need the extra room.

[TBR]

I wouldn't say that people buy the Accord for the badge... there's nothing glamorous or cool about driving an Accord (unless it's the 6th gen Accord ). They buy it more for the perceived reliability.

Plus there aren't many cheaper alternatives for a car its size, anyways.

Perceived reliability is a result of the badge.

[Cookie Monster]

A base 328i isn't a terrible deal, and I don't think the 335i is horrible either. Keep in mind, with options, yeah, they get way out of hand.

Good luck finding a stripper M3. If I were in the market for an M3, I'd order a base M3 with nothing other than heated seats.

I would order a base one with no options.

[MexicoCityM3]

My 3er will lag behind most new V6 powered cars in a straight line, and will show it's tail lights to most FWD V6 sedans in the twisties. I chose handling and ride quality over power. My TSX is the same. Put the two together, and I would have gone for a new 550i or a E500 or something like that and would probably show my taillights to all econo sedans. I did not choose to.

You chose well my friend. I find having two cars is great, you are a lot less likely to get bored with driving. The TSX and 3 are great choices both.

[MexicoCityM3]

Good luck finding a stripper M3. If I were in the market for an M3, I'd order a base M3 with nothing other than heated seats.

There are a few options that I think make sense, especially in the E90 (mind you, I had no choice as base spec for Mexico is quite loaded):

1. EDC: The adjustable suspension is really noticeable and very well executed. You can go from almost 5 series comfort to razor sharp with a button.
2. M Drive: The little M button gives you MDM stabilty control mode which is great for the track (others disagree). And the adjustability at the touch of a button means that you can be cruising, hit the button for that onramp you love and then back again to soft mode.

Other than that, I could live without other options that my car has, including: iDrive (I don't hate it but it's not necessary ---- maybe you need it for M Drive?), rear electric sunshade, PDC, enhanced sound, etc.

[CALL_911]

There are a few options that I think make sense, especially in the E90 (mind you, I had no choice as base spec for Mexico is quite loaded):

1. EDC: The adjustable suspension is really noticeable and very well executed. You can go from almost 5 series comfort to razor sharp with a button.
2. M Drive: The little M button gives you MDM stabilty control mode which is great for the track (others disagree). And the adjustability at the touch of a button means that you can be cruising, hit the button for that onramp you love and then back again to soft mode.

Other than that, I could live without other options that my car has, including: iDrive (I don't hate it but it's not necessary ---- maybe you need it for M Drive?), rear electric sunshade, PDC, enhanced sound, etc.

I guess, maybe that would be worth it.

I'd just try to avoid iDrive.

[MexicoCityM3]

I guess, maybe that would be worth it.

I'd just try to avoid iDrive.

If I had to pick just one option it would be EDC. The M Drive is just safety for the track, but if you can drive and know your limits then DSC fully off is fine. Heated seats I guess make sense in your weather.

[omicron]

Can I just say that when Wimmer mentions 'Europeans' he doesn't speak for me.  I'm not necessarily disagreeing with what has been said, just that there's not really any such thing as a 'European' customer.

And can I just say that when Mr. Water mentions his British countrymen, he also means me, given I'm just one of his lot with a longer criminal record?

[565]

Whoa Whoa Whoa.  We are allowed to post kills/street racing on Carspin now?  Then we need a kills/street racing section on Carspin ASAP.

[Raza]

Please no.  We don't need that crowd here. 

[2o6]

Please no.  We don't need that crowd here. 

Ed would end up, well, dead.

[Minpin]

I totally killed a Mack truck today! It was suhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhweet. But then he was like vrooooooooooooooom and hooooooooooooooooooooooooooonk and I took the next exit to avoid a Maximum Overdrive flashback.

[MX793]

So the car with 30 more hp at the crank (and about 40 more at the wheels when you factor in AWD drivetrain loss) and carrying at least 150 fewer pounds turned out to be the quicker of the two?

In other news, water is wet.

[MrH]

So the car with 30 more hp at the crank (and about 40 more at the wheels when you factor in AWD drivetrain loss) and carrying at least 150 fewer pounds turned out to be the quicker of the two?

In other news, water is wet.

  Sums up this thread pretty well.

[GoCougs]

I just read in the September C&D that the V6 has been canceled altogether for the A4.

No offense out there to those who made the choice, but the A4 is the pinnacle of poserism; even worse than a six-cylinder powered 5 series.

The A4 is fail.

[TBR]

I just read in the September C&D that the V6 has been canceled altogether for the A4.

No offense out there to those who made the choice, but the A4 is the pinnacle of poserism; even worse than a six-cylinder powered 5 series.

The A4 is fail.

The 2.0T as just as fast as the 3.2, that's why they canceled the 3.2.

Furthermore, as has been suggested numerous times over, there is more to a car than straight line speed.

[2o6]

I just read in the September C&D that the V6 has been canceled altogether for the A4.

No offense out there to those who made the choice, but the A4 is the pinnacle of poserism; even worse than a six-cylinder powered 5 series.

The A4 is fail.

You should also know that 6-cyl A4's have always been front-heavy pigs, that really couldn't out accelerate or out handle their turbo 4cyl counterparts.

[GoCougs]

The 2.0T as just as fast as the 3.2, that's why they canceled the 3.2.

Furthermore, as has been suggested numerous times over, there is more to a car than straight line speed.

Uh, the implication was, Where is the V6 of the ~300 hp range just like the rest of its competitors?

As to the continual "there's more to a car" out-of-context claim? Few could/would dig on the ES350 for being slower than a previous generation Accord (it's not, but you get the point), but most should/could dig on the IS350 if it were slower.

[TBR]

Uh, the implication was, Where is the V6 of the ~300 hp range just like the rest of its competitors?

As to the continual "there's more to a car" out-of-context claim? Few would dig on the ES350 for being slower than a previous generation Accord (it's not, but you get the point), but many/most/all should dig on the IS350 if it were slower.

The S4 has ~350hp.

And, I wouldn't.

[r0tor]

i should pull a ChrisV and show you a one-off tuner A4 that proves you wrong....

[GoCougs]

The S4 has ~350hp.

And, I wouldn't.

True, but the S4 is not an A4; it also costs a bundle more than a G37, 335i, IS350, etc.

[2o6]

We really wouldn't hate on the IS350 for being slow.



We hate it for being cramped, not that great to drive, and lack of a manual transmission.

Also, what's wrong with being different from the competition? If when they all try to match each other, then all cars on the market end up being the same.

[TBR]

True, but the S4 is not an A4; it also costs a bundle more than a G37, 335i, IS350, etc.

Pricing isn't out, but I'd be a little surprised if it costs significantly more than the 335i.

[GoCougs]

i should pull a ChrisV and show you a one-off tuner A4 that proves you wrong....

And there aren't tuner Accords that are mega performers???

[2o6]

And there aren't tuner Accords that are mega performers???

Compared to an Audi, no.

[GoCougs]

Pricing isn't out, but I'd be a little surprised if it costs significantly more than the 335i.

The previous generation S4 started at ~$50k; the 335i starts at ~$40k...

[Colonel Cadillac]

Nassau.

We're better than you.

Hmmm...questionable. Westchester has a lot of good places to live.

[2o6]

Cougs, this car is very different than the other competitors. Buyers of these cars aren't looking for outright power.

[Colonel Cadillac]

Glad you said that, not me!  Listen, I'm FROM there, so I know.  Westchester people think they're better (and we are), and Long Island people don't give a shit.  The only thing you have are the great beaches, I'll give you that.

I'll just have to put my 2 cents in here. Fairfield County > Westchester County

Where the real money is