Next Car: Help me pick!
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Re: Next Car: Help me pick!
FWIW, my A4 was AWD with a turbo upgrade and injectors and I was getting around 21mpg city if I wasn't on it. I ran a k04 with a GIAC PC16 tune with 380cc injectors (you can get these from a 225 TT) with an adjustable FPR. You're supposed to have a FMIC with the PC16 but I never ended up getting one. I also ran the PC16 tune on stock injectors and a 5bar, but it wasn't as strong. I had this setup for about... oh.... a week and a half before my car got totalled. Compared to other people on the the same set up, that's around 220awhp I think, or about 200awhp on the 5bar and stock injectors. The set up without the 380cc's and adjustable FPR would actually work better on the standard K04 tune, though.
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From: Virginia
Re: Next Car: Help me pick!
My word TDI's are SOOO overpriced at dealers, even some private sellers..
Was lookin at A4's again last night, only thing I hate is the whole "chipping" thing and not being able to tune myself, unless there is some software out there that I don't know about..
the 1.8's 5v per cylinder is just sexy, even if it's still slow
Was lookin at A4's again last night, only thing I hate is the whole "chipping" thing and not being able to tune myself, unless there is some software out there that I don't know about..
the 1.8's 5v per cylinder is just sexy, even if it's still slow
Capitalist Pig
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Miami FL
Re: Next Car: Help me pick!
In fact, these programs and others like ECUx that allot of audi guys use are much like DSMlink, very simple and straight forward, if you know what you're doin.
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From: Virginia
Re: Next Car: Help me pick!
Per our talk at sears, my roomate got his 2000 silver a4 1.8t quattro for $6,800 recently with some decent mileage on it.
Do not buy this car if your plans are to mod, as it's main purpose seems more geared towards comfortability, gas mileage.
-The stock turbo's and bolt on options are a joke and costly. My stock t25 flows better.
-The software chip upgrades are pricey with no adjustability. The car is completely ecu governed, from boost psi to the electronic throttlebody. -It's not a "honda modding" car where parts are at wholesale low prices.
With that out of the way, the car is sexy as shit and has H.I.D's stock, i've always liked that body style, I'd rather have an S4 though. S4's are pricey to mod too, and a bitch to work on from what I hear.
What about a fwd buick regal gs, or gtp? The audi / saab definitely are more luxurious compared to them, but the moddability is there. Twin turbo kitted buick regals on pump gas are easily making 380whp on the stock motor.
Dsm's are out of the question. Unless you can find a completely mint, unmolested, 30-50,000 mile gsx. And even then crankwalk is suspect down the road. Plus I don't think this is the type of car you are wanting.
I've always liked the idea of a 95-96 Lexus GS300, with a single turbo setup on it. The stock motor can handle quite a bit with the supra swap always as an option. It is rear wheel though, which could be a pain in the winter.
Whatever you buy, pay the extra to get what you want, you will be happier. I spent well out of my price range on my car back in 2002.
Do not buy this car if your plans are to mod, as it's main purpose seems more geared towards comfortability, gas mileage.
-The stock turbo's and bolt on options are a joke and costly. My stock t25 flows better.
-The software chip upgrades are pricey with no adjustability. The car is completely ecu governed, from boost psi to the electronic throttlebody. -It's not a "honda modding" car where parts are at wholesale low prices.
With that out of the way, the car is sexy as shit and has H.I.D's stock, i've always liked that body style, I'd rather have an S4 though. S4's are pricey to mod too, and a bitch to work on from what I hear.
What about a fwd buick regal gs, or gtp? The audi / saab definitely are more luxurious compared to them, but the moddability is there. Twin turbo kitted buick regals on pump gas are easily making 380whp on the stock motor.
Dsm's are out of the question. Unless you can find a completely mint, unmolested, 30-50,000 mile gsx. And even then crankwalk is suspect down the road. Plus I don't think this is the type of car you are wanting.
I've always liked the idea of a 95-96 Lexus GS300, with a single turbo setup on it. The stock motor can handle quite a bit with the supra swap always as an option. It is rear wheel though, which could be a pain in the winter.
Whatever you buy, pay the extra to get what you want, you will be happier. I spent well out of my price range on my car back in 2002.
I know he referenced not wanting the A4 because of how difficult he thought they may have been to tune, but I think the general idea is to have something relatively stock that does what he wants it to do out of the box. I'm hoping he's not looking to buy another daily driver only to put a turbo kit on it and make 380hp... because that sort of defeats the purpose of looking for a reliable and economical daily driver.
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From: Virginia
Re: Next Car: Help me pick!
Very true. These ECU's may control everything on the car, but that isn't a bad thing. It means you, the owner, can control everything by the click of a button via VAG-COM or Lemmiwinks (which are both easy to get). So in other words, the ECUs are easily tweaked and tuned. In fact, these programs and others like ECUx that allot of audi guys use are much like DSMlink, very simple and straight forward, if you know what you're doin.
In fact, these programs and others like ECUx that allot of audi guys use are much like DSMlink, very simple and straight forward, if you know what you're doin.I'm voting for Garen to purchase a ride that's exactly how he wants it and for him to totally leave it alone and enjoy it the way it is. I know that's ultimately what he's looking for, and he's fighting the "bug"
In actuality, yes, you can modify a car and still retail reliability and it can still be economical, but sooner or later your luck is going to run out. How does that old saying go? You can be cheap, fast, or reliable. Pick two!?! I think it's something like that anyway... You can rarely get away with having it all, and if you do, it's going to catch up to you sooner or later.
Banned
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Roanoke,VA
Re: Next Car: Help me pick!
You should really broaden up your list of cars you're interested in...
As great as the TDI's are, VW's are gay... and so is the only VW dealership in the direct area.
I'll try and come up with a list of some cars I would consider if I were you, but it may take me a while..
As great as the TDI's are, VW's are gay... and so is the only VW dealership in the direct area.
I'll try and come up with a list of some cars I would consider if I were you, but it may take me a while..
Thread Starter
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Re: Next Car: Help me pick!
Yea I think you are pretty much right Adam.. youre like the vadriven Dr. Phil hahaha
I am kinda leaning towards a 2001 A4 1.8t 5spd
I just want a comfortable car, the AWD is a huge bonus for rain/snow/etc. and its rated at 30mpg, plus 2001 the 1.8t is rated 20 hp more
If I did mod it, it would just be very minor stuff, I will probably have a project car as well sometime
I am kinda leaning towards a 2001 A4 1.8t 5spd
I just want a comfortable car, the AWD is a huge bonus for rain/snow/etc. and its rated at 30mpg, plus 2001 the 1.8t is rated 20 hp more
If I did mod it, it would just be very minor stuff, I will probably have a project car as well sometime
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Joined: Oct 2004
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Re: Next Car: Help me pick!
I was considering a 94-01 A4 awd 1.8t manual... couldn't find the right one. Seems like reliability, maintenance, and parts-cost wise... they can be quite a task... the life of them doesn't seem that great either--just looking on autotrader, i really didn't see too many over 140k, I assume most hit the graveyard by then.