I'm new here and considering a CPO A3 or A4, but I'm weary of going for an Audi after it repeatedly scores poorly on dependability year after year. BMW is not much better. Lexus is always at the top. What gives What are some of the common problems of the TDI vs the 2.0T I should be weary of?

 

Old people!
Honestly what age groups own Lexus and what type of motorists? Not enthusiasts that is for sure, this all plays in part how reliable the car is by the repairs it has done to it. I would say Audi and BMW have a wide range of enthusiasts and they drive their cars hard like they are meant to be driven. Buy what you like and enjoy it. Have a buddy with an Audi that is now over 500 000 km's with no issues. Regular maintenance and part replacements and he loves it to this day.

Its how you take care of it. Audi is a maintenance car as any other, if you maintain it and change things before they are broken (ie. follow the maintenance schedule, timing belt etc.) it will last you a long time. If you wait for something to break down it will cost you three times as much to fix.

 

Can't agree more!

 

audis are smooth and reliable cars

 

I test drove a CPO '11 A3 TDI and an '11 CPO Lexus CT over the weekend. Two really different cars.


No surprises here, the Audi from a driving standpoint is powerful and well planted and a better overall rewarding driver's car. Interior is not as exciting, in fact a little VW-ish in my opinion due to the design and black plastic but material quality and fit and finish are excellent.

The CT was not that bad actually, better than what Lexus typically represents (soft, quiet luxury). Handling was very close to the A3 and car felt well planted. Comfort was slightly better than the A3. Car was a little quieter than the A3 at all speeds especially at idle (hybrid, car is off!). Interior was very nice and Lexus quality and design shows here, about a half notch above the A3's interior. CVT and power was (yawn)... but fuel average indicator was listed at 5.5L/100km whereas the A3 was 6.9 L/100km on the test cars I drove. The CT will be the better city driver for fuel economy.

Overall I'm on the fence. From a driver's standpoint, the Audi is more engaging but the Lexus is pretty good (minus the power) too. Styling I prefer the CT's more aggressive hatchback look vs the A3's more "mini-wagon" look. The reliability ratings no matter where you look, Lexus is always at the top and shockingly Audi is 15 to 20 car brands below Lexus and below many of the domestics! This is probably the biggest concern I have buying a used vehicle with about 60K km.

Torn...

 

Well looks like you have you heart set on the Lexus. Honestly I do not even look at fuel economy anymore it is truly irrelevant information if you are comparing two similar cars. You might pay $0-$5 difference per tank and that is minimal if you are looking at more power. Is the Lexus AWD?

I would be swaying towards Audi as their design seems to always last a lot longer than any other car manufacturer in a sense it is timeless. To me at least the 1999 models still beat out the design of some new car manufacturers. Either way, sleep on it and go test drive again and you will just know, the A3 is a zippy car and the TDI is awesome. If the A3 is not Quattro stay away from it (if it is CVT).

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the level-headed feedback. Yes perhaps I'm leaning more towards Lexus because of the better reliability track record, but the CVT and engine are boring and under-powered and the A3 is therefore more fun to drive.

You mentioned to stay away from the A3 front-wheel drive with the CVT? Any specifics to look out for?

Thanks again

 

Just make sure the car is AWD. Look for the quattro badges on the interior and exterior of the car. The quattro will have a drive shaft going back to the rear of the car, other than that you are set. To me the Lexus you mentioned looks a little out there, but hey at the end of the day its about what you like. One thing I know for sure is that you wont be dissapointed with the A3 or A4 as long as it is AWD. Good luck and let us know how it goes, and what you decide on. I personally have had two Audi's now and no other car manufacturer exists for me as I trully belive in their reliability, most of the people on here and forums such as these are here to talk about an issue they have had, barely anyone comes on to rave about how awesome the car is. Here is a video for ya