Finally buying a new car, need help.

[cycosis]

Alrighty, so my benz bit the bucket back in August and going to school has been fine with no car but summer is coming round and its time for a new car. Trimmed it down to 4.

More "Functional" Hatches:
Mercedes B200 Turbo w Sports Package
Audi A3 w S-Line Package

More "Fun" Sedans:
Mercedes C230 w Sports Package
Lexus IS 250 RWD

They all range from 35,000 to 38,000. Anyone own one of these? Comments? Ive test driven them all and they're all about the same power wise, approx 200hp, and same fuel economy, approx. 7.5L/100K highway, 10.5L/100K city.

Whatd you guys recommend?

[rc2002]

Warranty and service are easy with the Lexus. If you're going to be keeping the car past the warranty period, I'd buy the Lexus.

[heavyD]

Originally posted by richardchan2002
Warranty and service are easy with the Lexus. If you're going to be keeping the car past the warranty period, I'd buy the Lexus.

True. If not take a hard look as the A3 S-Line.

[teggypimp95]

Yeah i would also vote for the A3 s-line.

[Myers]

A3 S-line

My mum just got one out in the uk (well she got an S3), from what i hear its a GREAT car!

That, and they look gorgeous!

[heavyD]

Originally posted by Myers
A3 S-line

My mum just got one out in the uk, from what i hear its a GREAT car!

That, and they look gorgeous!

My brother has an 07 top of the line S-Line with quattro and V6 and it's really fun to drive and in white especially looks sweet with the glass roof.

[E46..sTyLez]

Wouldn't go for either of the MB's but a toss up between the A3 and Lexus. Overall appearence my vote goes to the lexus, performance wise I would probably give that to the Audi.

Is it the 2.0T Audi or 3.0L?

[Zephyr]

I wouldn't consider the IS a fun car, I bought mine thinking that, I have some regrets, but it's a nice daily, not so much on "fun" though...especially the 250, that thing is really slow, had one for a rental, my friend's stock GSR pulled away from it....

[teggypimp95]

I have never been a big lexus fan myself. And i think there a tad over priced. IMO. I love the Audi a s-line. My dad has a new a4 with the sport pack and the 2.0T engine and its a fanstatic engine. Lots of tq, power in every gear. Next to no turbo lag. That engine in the Audi A3 is a wicket choice. The car comes with a ton of bells an whistles.

[bspot]

Tough... The A3 is FWD which sucks. No quattro with the 2.0T.

The Lexus is nice looking, especially the exterior, RWD, but yeah, a bit lacking on the performance.

If you want to mod at all, the 2.0T is pretty cheap to crank a bunch of power out of.

[dan_dtp]

Original Post Removed. (Please read the Forum Rules and Terms of Use (http://forums.beyond.ca/articles.php?action=data&item=1) before posting again, or risk getting banned).

[Weapon_R]

Appearance, resale, and reliability all go to the Lexus. That would be my choice.

[Impreza]

Since it appears that you're considering the A3 with the 2.0T (no quattro), I would consider the Lexus instead. I just don't believe in getting an Audi without quattro.. but that's just my opinion. You should consider looking at the GTI if you like the A3 FWD.

[teggypimp95]

The a4 2.0T comes with the quattro, why does the A3 2.0T?

[blownz]

Originally posted by Weapon_R
Appearance, resale, and reliability all go to the Lexus. That would be my choice.

Unfortunately bland and boring also go to Lexus which would keep that from my choice.

The Audi would be my choice in that list.

[illeagle]

Coming from the bmw guy..... and you wonder why everyone attacks you for your ignorant and biased comments.

[Aleks]

1. Audi A3
2. Mercedes C230
3. Lexus IS250
4. Mercedes B Class

[blownz]

Originally posted by illeagle
Coming from the bmw guy..... and you wonder why everyone attacks you for your ignorant and biased comments.

What I drive makes no difference on my opinion. I think I am going to put a picture of my Expedition in my sig instead of the bmw. What would your comment have been then?

And that wasn't ignorant and biased. The other guy made it sound like Lexus was the obvious choice. And while I agree it is a good car, the stlying is a bit bland imo and the 250 is a bit too boring to drive imo. I prefer the look and the engine of the Audi which is why I think it is the better choice. If the guy said his brother was 40 and the emphasis was on comfort and reliability then I would recomend the IS250 too.

[MMAfighter]

The IS 250 should be on the bottom of the list imo.

I was actually considering that for my first car, however, for the price/performance I found the Honda coupe/TSX to be better.

Not to mention, the 250 is slow as hell and it's way too expensive for what it's worth. Same with all the other Lexus's which is why I've never been a big fan of it. I'd go with the Audi as first choice, then the two .

EDIT: Nice to see some people agree with the Audi as well =P.

[rc2002]

Originally posted by MMAfighter
The IS 250 should be on the bottom of the list imo.

I was actually considering that for my first car, however, for the price/performance I found the Honda coupe/TSX to be better.

Not to mention, the 250 is slow as hell and it's way too expensive for what it's worth. Same with all the other Lexus's which is why I've never been a big fan of it. I'd go with the Audi as first choice, then the two .


The TSX and IS250 are pretty much the same performance wise (aside from the IS being RWD). Both underpowered and clumsy. Except with the IS you get the ride quality, reliability, and service. IMO Acura really doesn't belong in the same class as MB, Audi, and Lexus - at the end of the day it drives just like another Honda.

If by Honda coupe you mean the Accord V6 coupe, then I agree with you - for the same price (or less) you could have better performance than all the cars on this list. But I think name is important to the OP considering the choices.

[cycosis]

Can't do the GTI. im 6'5" so it doesnt fit me too well. UNfortunately, alberta has no A3s for awhile and according to several dealers that ive talked to, they dont really come "unloaded" which puts them out of my price point. Performance is not a driver is my decision though, just something comfortable and decently good looking.

[Aleks]

Originally posted by cycosis
Can't do the GTI. im 6'5" so it doesnt fit me too well. UNfortunately, alberta has no A3s for awhile and according to several dealers that ive talked to, they dont really come "unloaded" which puts them out of my price point. Performance is not a driver is my decision though, just something comfortable and decently good looking.

GTI has more room up front than TSX, IS250, C230.

The seats however are tight.

[bspot]

^ Yeah, GTI's are about the only car where my head isn't touching the roof (I'm 6'7). They have loads of leg room too.

I'm guessing an A3 would be almost identical for interior dimensions.

[:EzE:]

have you considered the Jetta GLI?