Bobdole

i've been looking into getting a new suburu STI or mitsu Evolution,but a family friend is selling his 2001 audi S4 with 30k miles and still under factory warranty,and would sell it 2 me for $26-27k,all opinions would help,thanks BOBODOLE

Diz382Benz

bob din't you just get a new c320 coupe?

This for yourself or for someone?

Anywhooo, i would go with the s4.
love that car

Buellwinkle

Yes, the older S4's are very nice but the STI would be new and faster. Tough choice but at least with new you have a warranty. The EVO is ugly to me, don't think I would ever get that.

TimmyC230boy

I would rather have the S4. S4 + chip($599) = 318hp, 382lb-ft. Or if you really wanna go fast you can get a turbo upgrade, 418hp, 482lb-ft, in a really nice German car.

Thats why I would take the audi.

jpb5151

Unless the Audi's known to be a lemon, the choice isn't much of a choice at all.

[edit -- was always told _not_ to do car buying or selling with friends, though; if stuff goes wrong, you might start to really dislike one another]

nukblazi

dude, S4 or bust

Where is the question in this?

FrankW

yep, although the STi and EVO 8 sounds tempting, I'd go for the S4 even it's used. You'll get a better quality car in the Audi.

Buellwinkle

I checked the S4 on kbb.com and 26-27k is below trade in value, you can't lose (assuming it's in excellent condition). It may even still be under warranty. That's the one to get so you don't lose your shirt on resale value like you will with the C-Coupe. Just when you got the ponies to where you want them. But I understand, you wanted a 4 door and I don't know many 4 doors that look better than the previous generation Audi A4/S4.

S_kLaSse

Both STi and Evo are good japanese car but they are still japanese car. I will still go with S4, like TimmyC230boy said, Audi's engine is easy to upgrade. go with german car.

ffejalink

I'd go with the S4. The other cars don't impress me. They go fast and handle well, but the interiors are bare bones. I'll sacrifice a little go for some luxury anyday (within reason, of course).

Mike T.

No question!

Better car if you are into high performance...plus it's AT LEAST as suitable for modification as an S4.

FrankW

Bob, man! if you still can't decide, just go and ask if you can sit in the S4 and then go sit in a WRX or a Evo (Lancer works too because they have the same interior other than the steering wheel and seat). Trust me, you'll know which one you want after you sat in all three of them.

Jim Banville

There is NO way Buellwinkle can suggest the Audi since it is neck and neck in "below average dependability" with MB on the lastest JD Power survey
That is unless he believes the survey is actually meaningless, or he knows of an Audi dealer that gives free loaners and donuts while the car sits in the shop for weeks at a time

midas888

S4: not as fast as the other two, has German road-solid feeling, easily chipped to more hp, much better interior
STi: fast! very! and quick and nimble on its toes (or wheels) however, interior is very lacking and feels cheap. if you don't mind being embrassased by the interior when taking around the ladies, this is the one id prefer over the evo
evo: still very fast, quick and nimble as well, i can't comment on the interior as ive never sat in it.

i do believe the S4 used will be cheaper (plus remember you save a grip on taxes), so just based on the value, i would go for the s4. someone earlier did have a very good point about not doing business with family/friends, so you might want to take that into consideration.

sorry for no caps, too lazy right now (hot socal afternoon..... )

Buellwinkle

That way he can maintain the same relationship he had with the MB dealer but with Audi. The Mitsu is down the list from MB, way too low in the standings to be a contender. Yes, the Subie is way above MB but what will he do with the time he normally allocated to visiting the dealer? I like the Subie WRX better than the STI, nicer looking but that wasn't one of the choices. My biggest complaint with it is the whole interior looks cheap. Maybe aftermarket seats or leather might spruce it up. The latest Sport Compact Car magazine has an article on a couple of WRX's that go head to head with the STI.

alan16828

I'd say S4. Like other people mentioned before, the japanese cars have very cheap interior, but they're very fast cars. For quarter mile, STi and Evo are both in the 12's. However, in my personal opinion, I'd take the S4. But it all comes down what you want in a car and the usage of the car. Let us know your choice when you get it.

66 Roadster

I have a friend with a WRX. Unless you are driving it ***** out, the turbo lag will **** you off - big time!! It is soo bad the car is flustrating to drive normally. He can't keep up with my P5 (with a big 130 HP) in the corners or through traffic. My friend keep cars forever, but I am guessing he will sell his WRX within the year.
--S4--

Keyser_Soze

S4
freakin test drove that thing...floor the pedal and before you can start saying 2 mississipie ...what turbo lag...those twin-turbos will have u flying...awesome car...the one i looked at had +20K on it and the dude wanted 43 K for it...so it was out of my budget thats why i went with the C230 Sedan....

also someone has it at my work with 18s and it looks sweeet....

yea STI and Evo are fast...but can you say ugly and plastic....

Get the S4

...by the way is the S4 stick or auto?

dmatre

Go with the S4! The interior is top notch, definitely a step up from the rice burners. The car is solid, grippy, and an absolute joy to drive. Additionally, it looks great, rides well, and is every bit as solid as the others.

My brother's S4 is pumping out about 330hp with only a chip, and some other minor mods. The car is seriously fast, almost scary fast!

He's had no problems with the car since new (2 years old now), so I think that reliability should be in the same class as the others.

BrabusCClass

I say Lancer Evo 8.

midas888

Your friend must be a horrible driver or just stingy with the gas. He's bound to have better handling than you (balanced car and awd) and easily can push the car to speeds that can let him beat traffic. Nothing personal, just couldn't let it go :p

Bobdole

thanks guys for all your input,to answer some of the questions,its black exterior,with black/white suede leather mix,and the thing holding me back is that this S4 is tiptronic(auto),not sure how much power would be lost with an autoover the manuel

66 Roadster

Hey Midas - Yea, he is not the best driver. Have you driven a WRX? The car washes out very easy. A lot of it is due to the poor stock high profile tires/wheels. He is so used to sliding around corners, that when he test drove a P5 he hit a inside curb and damaged a wheel. When we ride in the P5 he can't believe the cornering speeds. I must admit, exiting a corner in the P5 sucks - front drive and no power. And why I ordered the C320 Coupe

As far as turbo lag. When he first bought the car it was not bad because he stayed in it all the time. That great rush of power is wonderful. But as reallity sets in.............. He finds he can't spontanously blast though a corner or through traffic, he has to plan in advance. Kinda takes the fun out of it.

With the right wheels/tires, suspension, and motor upgrades he will kill anything out there. But, he is having a hard time justifing the money. If the STi came in a wagon he would have one.

You are right, on paper the WRX is supernatural, but like everything else - driving is believing. Hick I LOVED the G35C on paper........... (Sorry Wreck)

FrankW

what's a P5?

anyway, if you want to see turbo lag...try my Beetle 1.8T auto... :o

66 Roadster

Hey Frank - P5 = Mazda Protege 5. The little sportwagon.

Someone told me that VW is phasing out the Beetle. I don't believe it. Auto and turbo don't mix. But, in my book automatic and automoble don't mix - give me gears