Daily Driver: G35x or A4 2.0t Quattro

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Hi everyone,

Looking to buy a daily driver so that I can use my Z4 as a weekend/track car. I wanted a sedan with awd capabilities and narrowed it down to an 06 G35x or 06-07 A4 2.0t quattro. Which would you choose and why?

I'm very familiar with the Audi platform and their modding potential. My previous car was a 1.8T and it had chip, exhaust, cat, full suspension & bbk. However if I were to go with the Audi again, I'd keep it relatively simple. The 2.0t is a capable engine and I'd probably go with an APR chip and nothing else. The A4 comes in various trims & option packages but I'd choose a S-line sedan with 6spd manual. This in comparison to the G35x would probably cost $3k more.

I'm not as familiar with the G35x however I have driven one before and I thought it pulled fairly well. Again I have the Z for the weekend so not looking to track the car, but do want something that'd make the 70 mile commute somewhat enjoyable. I think the interior lacks compare to the A4 but the G also has its pluses, ie overall reliability, solid VQ engine, and better pricing. The G35x is only offered in automatic transmission but that might not be so bad for a daily.

Both CPO come with 6yr/100k warranty. The A4 is priced around $25k and the G35x is around $22k before any negotiating. Does anyone now how Infiniti's awd system performs compared to Quattro?

[domobrown]

I like both. I'd get the Quattro because it has been proven to be excellent in any weather conditions. But then again, the G35x has ATTESSA E-TS, which is a variation of the AWD from the R32 and R33 GT-R. That alone sounds very tempting. Test drive both and decide.

[Ender514]

the G sedan is a great car. if you go with the 07, you'll get the HR motor which is a beast.

[Dr_Jones]

audis break...get the infiniti

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Originally Posted by domobrown

I like both. I'd get the Quattro because it has been proven to be excellent in any weather conditions. But then again, the G35x has ATTESSA E-TS, which is a variation of the AWD from the R32 and R33 GT-R. That alone sounds very tempting. Test drive both and decide.

i hear ya... i've been thinking about this for a while, and i thought these were the best 2 awd sedans. i also considered the legacy, 328xi, and s60 but felt they either lacked personality or just didn't do it for me in the looks dept. as of now i'm leaning more towards the g. as much as i love audi, i know no matter how on top i am on maintenance i'll inevitably have to deal with bad coilpacks, torn cv boots, vac leaks, etc.

Originally Posted by Ender514

the G sedan is a great car. if you go with the 07, you'll get the HR motor which is a beast.

i realize the 07 engine is an upgrade but based on my budget, 06 fits best. plus, i'm actually not too fond of the look on the 07, both inside and outside.

[mmm def]

Infiniti

[Ender514]

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

i realize the 07 engine is an upgrade but based on my budget, 06 fits best. plus, i'm actually not too fond of the look on the 07, both inside and outside.

got it. the 06 is definitely nice too. a common problem that presents itself with this car is the circuit board that controls the a/c and radio tends to die and needs to be replaced....at what cost im not sure. just be sure to check that everything is working. window and lock actuators have been known to go at about 50-60K miles.

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Originally Posted by Ender514

got it. the 06 is definitely nice too. a common problem that presents itself with this car is the circuit board that controls the a/c and radio tends to die and needs to be replaced....at what cost im not sure. just be sure to check that everything is working. window and lock actuators have been known to go at about 50-60K miles.

i'm not sure if the pics of the interior i've seen are for all 07+ or just those with the oem navi but don't like the big screen in the middle of the console. actually like the 06 for that reason b/c it has the standard double din radio which would allow me to go with an aftermarket navi.

[Ender514]

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

i'm not sure if the pics of the interior i've seen are for all 07+ or just those with the oem navi but don't like the big screen in the middle of the console. actually like the 06 for that reason b/c it has the standard double din radio which would allow me to go with an aftermarket navi.

well the 06 has a pop up one like this:



the 07 looks like this:

[shipill]

audi A4

[warmtoes]

Originally Posted by Dr_Jones

audis break...get the infiniti

Have you seen the latest Consumer Reports? Audi is now ahead of BMW.

[Draman]

I would personally go with the Audi, the older G35 has a pretty low rent interior imo

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Originally Posted by Ender514

well the 06 has a pop up one like this:



the 07 looks like this:

but can't i get an 06 w/o a flip unit whereas the 07 has that integrated screen regardless?

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for the folks that give me one liners, like audi or infiniti... reasons?

[bubbletea 4 me]

both great cars but i prefer 07+ G35... well, whatever model that has the newlook with the new interior. the old interior was blah.. i had an 05 G35 so i know. the new ones is much nicer with many new toys.

Nissan/Infini has always made very good awd systems.. just not as known as audi quatro, but again, i think partly cuz Audi advertise it that way to make their auttro seem like the best thing ever.. but if u guys think bout it, they have no choise cuz its either awd or FWD, which is what all of their car are based on.. not impressed.

on the other hand, G35 is very much rwd. even in awd form, they drive like rwd until more power is needed in the front. impressive stuff. GTR is a great example

[Ender514]

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

but can't i get an 06 w/o a flip unit whereas the 07 has that integrated screen regardless?

correct.

[adrian1480]

I test drove the G35x ('07) and I found the steering wheel to be artificially heavy and it was noticeable. haven't driven any A4's though.

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Originally Posted by bubbletea 4 me

both great cars but i prefer 07+ G35... well, whatever model that has the newlook with the new interior. the old interior was blah.. i had an 05 G35 so i know. the new ones is much nicer with many new toys.

Nissan/Infini has always made very good awd systems.. just not as known as audi quatro, but again, i think partly cuz Audi advertise it that way to make their auttro seem like the best thing ever.. but if u guys think bout it, they have no choise cuz its either awd or FWD, which is what all of their car are based on.. not impressed.

on the other hand, G35 is very much rwd. even in awd form, they drive like rwd until more power is needed in the front. impressive stuff. GTR is a great example

i'll take a 2nd look at the facelift g35 but i'm pretty sure it's out of my range. really looking at cars around 22k with reasonable mileage. question though since you owned a g35, how was the maintenance costs? any reliability issues?

[bubbletea 4 me]

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

i'll take a 2nd look at the facelift g35 but i'm pretty sure it's out of my range. really looking at cars around 22k with reasonable mileage. question though since you owned a g35, how was the maintenance costs? any reliability issues?

never had an issue the two years i've owned it. it was a 05 couple with 19" rims/sport suspension so had performance tires hence eating tires much more quickly. but other than that, it was perfectly reliable car.

not sure of A4 but Audi is never known to be reliable and resale on them aint that great either. maybe reliability has something to do with it? who knows,. but they are beautiful cars inside and out.

I think the 1st gen G35 was not as refined (both engine and suspension) which i would think Audi is better in that regard. but if u get 07+ g35, they are much more improved in every way.

oh and don't forget with G35 u are getting a much more powerful V6 engine than an A4