JTLexus1

Hi guys. Nice to meet you all.

I'm currently located in North Carolina but I am moving to Chicago next week! (Got a great job!!)

So I have to get a new apt and a new car... and I am having trouble picking my very first car that I would pay it independently.

Of course. It has to be all-wheel drive sedan since the winter over there would be so bad..

These were my lists:

2011 C300 4Matic (Dropped - I believe this car will have highest maintain costs out of all four. and I have heard that if mercedes once break, there is only chaos)

2010 328xi (Dropped - I have researched and many people said if I have choice to buy cars, buy something else.. not BMW. BMW also have one of the highest maintain costs and unexpected fix will be superrr expensive. They told me if you want to ride BMW get it leased and I do not want to do that.. )

So I came up with final two.. both have similar price tag (A4 is 2k cheaper)

2011 IS250 AWD full options
- 55k mileage
- clean carfax with good maintenance history


2011 A4 Quatro full options
- 63k mileage
- clean carfax with good maintenance histroy

Both car have similar MPG.. IS have a 6 cylinder underpower engine while a4 has turbocharged 4 cylinder engine which I like.

Lexus IS250's are known as better re-sell value cars with very reliable and cheap to maintain. but the car is 2k expensive and it is SLOW!!
While Audi A4's are known as not reliable car(it tends to break a lot; many people reported that it starts with small fix and it gets bigger-----> however they said this is all up to my 'luck') and not very cheap to maintain (cheaper then bmw/mercedes I believe) However it looks nice and turbo will make me happy as I drive

So I couldn't decide.. I really can't...so I'm asking for some help from you guys.

I would much appreciate if you could give me some advice buying A4 (such as you do you hate the most about 2011 A4?) or direct answer to my question .. BUY A4!! / IS250!!

I will post simliar to this on IS forum as I get my answer.

Thank you so much for your time!
JT

I'm sorry I made some mistakes there

Lexus -> 2011 AWD IS 250 w/ Navi, sunroof and back-up camera. [65k mileage]

Audi -> 2010 AWD (Quat) A4 Premium plus w/ Navi, sunroof and back-up camera. [55k mileage]

Audi is little more then 2k cheaper then lexus.. Still not sure which one to get.

jonathanz

iTrader: (2)

I was on your boat not too long ago and was debating 2011 A4 or 2012 IS 250, both are AWD but I bought the IS250 AWD instead.

Lexus- i paid approx $5k more for the Lexus due to newer model and lower miles.
Indeed the A4 is cheaper but inside does feel cheaper and i don't like the fact that i still need my key to start engine, i really like the "PUSH START" on Lexus, made things a lot easier.
I had a 2003 Audi A4 before and a lot of issues with the turbo such as like leaks. i would suggest you test drive both and see from there. overall I'm glad I made my choice with Lexus and that's why i'm here.

JTLexus1

Mind if you can tell me how much you paid for your IS?

jonathanz

iTrader: (2)

I paid $26k for 2012 IS250 AWD with 52K miles from Lexus dealer. CPO car so warranty from facctory 3 years or 100k. so far got my brand new headlight replaced under warranty and few other things fixed

dtl

I've often heard Audi's were a mechanics nightmare...just too complicated. I might be a little bias though since I've always been a Lexus fan.

darkdream

The IS you would be buying an old generation car. The A4 is the current generation.

keyframe13

Obviously everyone here will advise you to get the Lexus. It looks like you are very educated and I think you'll make the right decision picking up Lexus. Just test drive it a lot. it is a very slow car especially AWD version. Like a Prius.
You do get reliability tho and you'll not worry much about anything other than oil changes and gas.
P.s. 60k service is an important one and expensive if not DYI, make sure its done before you purchase.

tex2670

Not sure I know what "full options" really means.

IS250 with Luxury Package, Nav, Radar Cruise? What about F Sport?
And A4 Prestige?

It's kind of a rarity to find either of those cars that are truly "fully" loaded with every possible option.

Given that the cars are both probably about 4 years old at this point, I'd be more likely to go with the Lexus.

Whatever--you have to live with it. Why do you give a shoot what a bunch of strangers on a Lexus forum think anyway?

tex2670

Not for long.

Saintseiya

not a big fan a audi A4 had one and after 70k miles they star going downhill, cost for parts are really expensive.

i just got my first lexus but reviews are great and friends that have had them for years would not buy any other car.

at the end they are both nice cars. just pick the one your heart tell you and not what we pick for you lol.

Sffd103

iTrader: (16)

I too was debating Audi, Benz, BMW long ago. Came down to maintenance and how long you want to keep the car. If you got money to blow then get the Audi. I didn't want to be at the dealer getting things repaired on a German car $$$$. Maybe look at a 350 then if you want more power. I truly only like the S4. Take a look at Consumer Reports on the A4 and see what it says.

JTLexus1

I'm sorry I made some mistakes there

Lexus -> 2011 AWD IS 250 w/ Navi, sunroof and back-up camera. [65k mileage]

Audi -> 2010 AWD (Quat) A4 Premium plus w/ Navi, sunroof and back-up camera. [55k mileage]

Audi is little more then 2k cheaper then lexus.. Still not sure which one to get.

SlangBlade

I'd look for a good deal on a 350 if you're worried about it being slow.

JTLexus1

All 350's are out of my budget.. at least 30k+

SlangBlade

I'm not sure what your budget is or what your requirements are, but you can get 350's for under 20k. If you're looking solely at 2011+, CPO, <60k mi., etc., then maybe more like high 20's/low 30's. I'm no expert, this is just what I've noticed. I'm sure there are others on this forum that could chime in.