wyliss Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 I have finally started to look for my dream car. The question is which engine do I go for and also should I stretch my budget and go quattro even on a 1.8T?. I have already driven a 2.4 but was not overly impressed. Also your experience on some decent places to buy one from would be good too. Just noticed that private sales in Auto Trader are comparing roughly the same re price with a dealer...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Differing views on this. Quattro good, but adds a lot of weight to an already heavy (due to cab stiffening) car. I have 1.8T 2wd and it goes fine, but I'm not sure I'd want it to be any heavier. Driven a 3.0 2wd extensively and that is a gorgeous engine, smooth and powerful, but thirsty and quattro would make it worse. Personally I'd stick to 2wd with the cab, but I know some people have quattro and like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 I would have thought Quattro is wirth considering with a 2.5 or 3.0 TDi or an S4, otherwise like Ari says, it's already a heavy cab for the poer that they have. That is of course if you want some performance, if that is not high on the list then a little extra weight ain't going to dent cruising or posing ability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Even if you ignore the performance aspect, the 1.8T Cab feels a very heavy car sometimes on hill starts, even without quattro... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hashluck Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 I would say 3.0 2WD is the best compromise. Or 1.8T but not 2.4 No need for quattro, if it comes for free then great but may be better to get a 2WD with more toys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damocles03 Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 If money was no object, I would buy a 3.0Tdi Quattro - but since, unfortunately, it is I have a 2003 2.5Tdi 2WD. I love the blend of smooth torque, especially when the turbocharger gets going, relaxed high speed cruising (I do a lot of motorway and A-Road miles) and the outstanding economy for a big heavy open topped cruiser. Its no sports car but its great for long-distance relaxed motoring. The only time I really know its a diesel is at the lights with the top down - but I quite like sounding like a Panzer Tank! It would drive better with quattro as the diesel's torque can cause the ESP to cut in in the wet when pulling out but the extra weight would be the downside. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyliss Posted September 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Thanks guys for your thoughts. I think I know which road to look down now. Forget the 1.8T Quattro, cross off 2.4 but if a 3.0 Quattro turns maybe a possibility. Thing is price really.........my budget will only run to 16-17K really tops. May try a few stealers..dont fancy handing over all that cash on a private sale....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will22 Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 If you can streach then I'd go for the S4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyliss Posted September 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 Hi Will, my budget (wife) won't stretch that far unfortunately............maybe one day though........whats your thoughts on engines/spec for the money I have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 If running costs are an issue I wouldn't rule out a 1.8T 2wd. I've been very pleased with mine. (Although if cost no issue I'd have a 3.0. Actually, if cost no issue I'd have a 911 cabrio! ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyliss Posted September 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 I see what you mean Ari !, Looked at a 3.0 Quattro yesterday...nice but expensive. Just wondering if I really need that power of car. Whats your 1.8 T like in the way of pulling away and overtaking etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will22 Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 I'd think about the 1.8T in quattro drive and then if you feel you want more power just have it tuned a little..... ......or a lot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyliss Posted September 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Fair point will.never thought of that...thanks . What would it involve and how much approx? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmmlmmam Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 I've owned both 1.8T and 3.0 Cabs doing over 10k miles in each. Both 2WD. The 3.0 is the better car in EVERY respect except economy and tuneability. The engine really suits the car, never struggles, sounds nice, is hyper refined. Neither of these really need quattro and I guess at the money your spending it's unlikely to be that common. The must have option is the sport suspension. The normal suspension (on the early cars at least) was horrid - not even comfortable. I'd avoid both the diesel and 2.4. Good luck with the search. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyliss Posted September 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I've owned both 1.8T and 3.0 Cabs doing over 10k miles in each. Both 2WD. The 3.0 is the better car in EVERY respect except economy and tuneability. The engine really suits the car, never struggles, sounds nice, is hyper refined. Neither of these really need quattro and I guess at the money your spending it's unlikely to be that common. The must have option is the sport suspension. The normal suspension (on the early cars at least) was horrid - not even comfortable. I'd avoid both the diesel and 2.4. Good luck with the search. [/ QUOTE ] Would you say I am best looking for a 1.8T non quattro then with the money I have?...........there are plenty of 2.4's around but reading on here it does not seem to be highly recommended........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_m Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 I had a 1.8T cab 2wd and I found it to be a great car Personally i dont think you can go wrong with a 1.8T sport Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I see what you mean Ari !, Looked at a 3.0 Quattro yesterday...nice but expensive. Just wondering if I really need that power of car. Whats your 1.8 T like in the way of pulling away and overtaking etc? [/ QUOTE ] Dibbs, have a look at a review I wrote comparing a 3.0 Sport to a 1.8T by CLICKING HERE Cabmac is quite correct, avoid non sport models like the plague (more details on that in my review). Shortly after that review I changed my 1.8T to a 1.8T Sport. 2.4 very smooth, but considered worst of all worlds in that the performance is no better than the 1.8T but the economy is as bad (worse even) than the 3.0. Also the 2.4 is an old cast iron design engine so heavier than the alloy 3.0 My choice would be (is in fact) 1.8T, second choice would be 3.0, both 2wd non quattro. 3.0 would be first choice if I was a bit richer though!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmmlmmam Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I've owned both 1.8T and 3.0 Cabs doing over 10k miles in each. Both 2WD. The 3.0 is the better car in EVERY respect except economy and tuneability. The engine really suits the car, never struggles, sounds nice, is hyper refined. Neither of these really need quattro and I guess at the money your spending it's unlikely to be that common. The must have option is the sport suspension. The normal suspension (on the early cars at least) was horrid - not even comfortable. I'd avoid both the diesel and 2.4. Good luck with the search. [/ QUOTE ] Would you say I am best looking for a 1.8T non quattro then with the money I have?...........there are plenty of 2.4's around but reading on here it does not seem to be highly recommended........ [/ QUOTE ] I haven't looked at used prices recently so don't know what is attainable. If you can get a 3.0 2wd then I think there is a much better chance that you'll be happy with it for longer. It's all personal really. There is no substitute for an extended test drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyliss Posted September 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Talking of test drives what are dealers like over letting you have a car say other the weekend...I will need to see if it can do everything I require and that cant be done in an afternoon ......any experiences ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmmlmmam Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 No ones going to give you a car for a weekend if you looking at a sub 20k second hander. Optomistic even for a new purchase although a single day should be possible on the prospect of a new order Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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