buying a used car - Accord or Audi?

Question

I am in the market for a car for about $10k. I want to get an Accord but i have started looking at Audi A4's. Are Audi mainanance cost very expensive? Or can someone mention pros and cons for the Accord and Audi? Any help greatly appreciated

Answer 1

audi. no question. but it might be hard to find one that is $10K

Answer 2

The Accord is a much better vehicle then the Audi when it comes to maintenance, repair and reliability. Plus, the Accord has more room inside for people, an A4 is very cramped inside.

The A4 is a more "sporting" machine though, German cars drive very well and tend to respond better. The Audi will definitely have a nicer, more comfortable interior, except it tends to be small inside. The Accord is no slouch either and it will have more room, but it will be very plain compared to the Audi.

The Audi also has AWD available( it was standard after a certain model year), Honda hasn't offered that on the Accord yet. The Audi will have the performance edge over the Accord, unless it's a V6 Accord, then it will be close. If you can drive a stick, look for both cars with a stick. Much more entertaining to drive.

VERY important: Make sure any Audi has maintenance records with it. German cars are very fussy when it comes to maintenance and if it has been maintained properly, you should be OK. If no records exist, it can be a very expensive mistake. You should look for records on an Accord too, especially the timing belt at around 60k to 90k miles (varies with year) but it seems that Japanese cars run no matter what. Not so with German cars. Advice: If you buy an Accord ( or any car needing a timing belt change) and there are no records, but it's close to 90k miles, get the belt changed. $600 is about the norm and is mandatory. If that belt breaks, the car won't run and timing belts give no warning when they let go. Happened very suddenly on a storied Acura Legend I had once.

It's all up to you. If you don't put much mileage on the car, don't have kids or anyone to really haul around (and aren't too tall yourself) and want it for the fact that it's an Audi, get the A4. If you want a newer car thats a bit more plain, but a more proven vehicle, go for the Accord.

I have a friend who has had nothing but Mercedes and always told me to set aside $1500 a year for maintenence and another $1000 or so for repairs on a German car. Audi's aren't much cheaper.

Maybe look for an Acura TL? It's still basically an Accord but it's more upscale looking inside and out. It may cost you closer to 12k, but it will be better then the Audi and have more luxury touches then an Accord. A Lexus ES300 (or ES330) is a good car too, based on the Camry, not as sporting as an Acura or Audi or even the Accord.

Good luck!

Answer 3

You can probably get a 7 year old loaded Accord V6 or a nice Audi about the same age. Sad to say, the maintenace on the Audi will be more expensive than the Honda but you'll have a lot more style than than in the Accord. After all you don't see A4s on every corner of the street. The Audi is also more sportier and fun to drive than the Honda.

Answer 4

I know from experience the Honda Accord EX is a great little reliable car. My daughter has a '92 with 175000 miles and it STILL runs strong. We bought it 5 years ago with 130,000 miles on it and we've been very pleased. As for the Audi, I've never owned one but my feeling is if you only have $10,000 and have to ask about the maintenance costs then you aren't ready for the Audi. I would go for the Accord and set your sights on the Audi for next time. Who knows? Maybe after you have more time to reseach it you wouldn't really want the Audi. But, that's my opinion, if you have to ask, you probably can't afford it. Good luck with whatever you choose!

Answer 5

Hands down, the cost of aowning the Honda are going to be much less than the Audi.

Hondas are a dime a dozen in the US. Repair and salvage parts are readily available. The same can't be remotely said for the Audi. Call around and ask for something as simple as a fuel filter and you'll see what I mean.

Go with the Honda. You'll be happier in the long run.

Answer 6

You're gonna get a much higher quality, longer lasting vehicle in a honda for 10k. Yes, maintenance on the audi is ridiculoulsy expensive, and there will be maintenance on a cor with 80k miles on it. Get the accord, you wont regret it. You may with the audi.

Answer 7

i have a 2 door 05 accord and i love it. I think mantenance on an audi might be a bit higher since it is concidered the better version of a volkswagon. Most car makers do this nowadays, toyota has lexus, nissan has infinity, you get the idea. Go with an accord, they are great cars and it would probably be easier to find parts for a honda.

Answer 8

Well if you want the more "luxurious" car, you may want to go with the Audi.... But for the best quality car, go for the Accord... Everyone knows Accords run forever... And since it's a used car.... you really can't go wrong!!

Answer 9

An audi for $10K? What from 1990s?

Why would you spend that money on an old piece of sh*t. Get an accord that's a few years old.

Answer 10

Sean, Audi's are notorious for every problem In the book, and God forbid you need to get It fixed your In trouble. I hate Imports but will advise the accord. Throw some rims on It, a system, keep it clean, and get the girls In It.. Botts

Answer 11

i loved my audi A4 2.0. The drive was great. No other luxurious car makes can compare. Not even BMW. I miss it so much. *sob* Unfortunately the value drops too fast where i come from. (Not the US)

by the way the A4 is not cramped atleast not the 2003 model