C240, CTS, TL Type S or A4?

[a4passata6]

My dad is going to buy one of these cars for my mother's 55th birthday. He knows very little about cars but he has narrowed it down to these four.

Mercedes C240
Cadillac CTS
Acura TL Type S
Audi A4

Basically he has left the decision up to me. I am leaning to the A4 but with options it runs about $36,467 with quattro and $34,697 without. This is about $2,000 more than the C240, $3,000 more than the Caddy and according to Edmunds $6,000 more that the Type S. Oh yeah, it must be an auto as she cannot drive stick.

How about some arguments for which car I should choose. Or possibly a car not mentioed above.

[mutcth]

Buy a TL Type S, or ES300, or I35.

No matter how cool it might seem to get a more trendy or ever-so-slightly better handling European car, I think it's better to get something that has near-bulletproof warranty and well-established customer service for your parents, especially if they aren't car nuts. Chances are better that that will come from a Japanese premium make.

Remember too - buy something YOUR MOM would want, not you. I made a similar mistake when I told Dad to buy an Odyssey instead of a Town and Country - luckily he didn't listen to me....

BTW, the CTS will have major revisions next year (motor and interior), the A4's reliability is probably a bit shaky, and the new C-class has been dreadful (ask VWGUY4EVER - he works on them all day....)

Tom

<![CDATA[Buy a TL Type S, or ES300, or I35.

No matter how cool it might seem to get a more trendy or ever-so-slightly better handling European car, I think it's better to get something that has near-bulletproof warranty and well-established customer service for your parents, especially if they aren't car nuts. Chances are better that that will come from a Japanese premium make.

Remember too - buy something YOUR MOM would want, not you. I made a similar mistake when I told Dad to buy an Odyssey instead of a Town and Country - luckily he didn't listen to me....

BTW, the CTS will have major revisions next year (motor and interior), the A4's reliability is probably a bit shaky, and the new C-class has been dreadful (ask VWGUY4EVER - he works on them all day....)

Tom

[Modified by mutcth, 1:37 PM 6/19/2002]

[alsinc]

1st Passat GLX http://www.clubb5.com/images_forum/b5.jpg http://images.zeroforum.com/smile/emthup.gif

A4

Infitinit G35 / Acura 'TL

C240 looks small and cheesy for a MB
CTS is American http://images.zeroforum.com/smile/emthdown.gif

Just my two bits.

[N8DAGRT]

A4 - By far the best styling exterior and interior!

It's a safer car, with Quattro she will be able to swerve with out losing control.

Did I mention it is awesome looking!

And if A4 reliability is shaky, than so is the Passat!
And I haven't had any problems!

Nate

[Ernie1.8T]

go with the TL Type S. though i love our euro cars. i think the TL is the best out of your selection. sure i would rather say go with the A4, but IMO the Type S is the better buy. good luck on your decision. http://images.zeroforum.com/smile/emthup.gif

<![CDATA[go with the TL Type S. though i love our euro cars. i think the TL is the best out of your selection. sure i would rather say go with the A4, but IMO the Type S is the better buy. good luck on your decision. http://images.zeroforum.com/smile/emthup.gif

[Modified by Ernie1.8T, 3:12 PM 6/19/2002]

[AJChenMPH]

Another vote for the TL Type S. Actually had a previous-gen TL as a loaner car when my mom's 1990 MBZ was being worked on, and despite being wicked nose-heavy, it was still a very good car to drive. Honda reliability with a bit more soul.

[b5-turbonium]

I dont like acura TL, it is slooooooooooooooooooooow. It has no torque in low rpms what so ever. The tip takes forever to shift, and in auto the hesitation is almost dangerous when you try to make a left turn at a stop light. My best friend just got one and he hates it.

<![CDATA[I dont like acura TL, it is slooooooooooooooooooooow. It has no torque in low rpms what so ever. The tip takes forever to shift, and in auto the hesitation is almost dangerous when you try to make a left turn at a stop light. My best friend just got one and he hates it.

[Modified by b5-turbonium, 4:04 PM 6/19/2002]

[a4passata6]

Are you talking about TL or TL Type S?

The Type S has 260 HP 232 lb ft.

[VWGUY4EVER]

A C240 ??? http://images.zeroforum.com/smile/emhammer.gif http://images.zeroforum.com/smile/emhammer.gif http://images.zeroforum.com/smile/emhammer.gif http://images.zeroforum.com/smile/emhammer.gif Please don't if you love your mother....

[Elias]

Audi A4 Quattro: Put mom in a safe & reliable car. http://images.zeroforum.com/smile/emlove.gif http://images.zeroforum.com/smile/emthup.gif http://www.clubb5.com/images_forum/biggrin.gif

Mercedes & Cadillac: Not my mom! http://images.zeroforum.com/smile/emhammer.gif http://www.clubb5.com/images_forum/eek.gif http://www.clubb5.com/images_forum/xyxnervous.gif http://www.clubb5.com/images_forum/cry.gif

Acura: Why pay extra money for a Honda? http://www.clubb5.com/images_forum/wink.gif http://www.clubb5.com/images_forum/rolleyes.gif http://images.zeroforum.com/smile/emhammer.gif

[JimDog]

quote:
--------------------------------
Acura: Why pay extra money for a Honda?
--------------------------------

Then why pay more for a Passat (the A4)? Personally I think it's a bad idea to buy something so "big/expensive" for someone as a surprise. You'd really better know their taste. For all you know she might be dreaming of an SUV or something that your dad has not thought of.

I think it would be better to perhaps make her a b-day card with a special home made coupon in it that says: "This coupon good for one car up to $NNN"...then take her with you and let her pick

Just my opinion. http://www.clubb5.com/images_forum/biggrin.gif

[Honda_to_VW]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>quote:
--------------------------------
Acura: Why pay extra money for a Honda?
--------------------------------

Then why pay more for a Passat (the A4)? Personally I think it's a bad idea to buy something so "big/expensive" for someone as a surprise. You'd really better know their taste. For all you know she might be dreaming of an SUV or something that your dad has not thought of.

I think it would be better to perhaps make her a b-day card with a special home made coupon in it that says: "This coupon good for one car up to $NNN"...then take her with you and let her pick

Just my opinion. http://www.clubb5.com/images_forum/biggrin.gif <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Beautifull idea.

But if you have to choose, type-s it is.

[a4passata6]

JimDog,

Normally I would agree with you but my mom is one of those people who does not take a huge interest in cars and would just freak because it was a new car. My dad surprised her with her current Jetta Wolfsburg and I thought she was going to have a coronary from excitement. As a matter of fact, I think the last THREE cars have been surprises for her! So I think any of these would be good.

Anyone have any thoughts on an S60?

I think he is leaning toward A4 or Acura after I gave him the skinny about all four cars.

[mutcth]

S60 = very nice car, very safe car. Extremely comfortable. I love the interior styling, although the "waterfall" console is definitely a matter of taste.

On the minus side, you need a 2.4T to get anything near decent power (I rented the base version for a week), reliability of newer Volvos has been sub-par, and you pay a lot for what you get it seems.

Did you consider an Infiniti I35 or its cheaper counterpart, a loaded Nissan Maxima?

Tom

[a4passata6]

He looked at the Infiniti and it does not match his or her tastes, styling wise. Same with the Max although it used to be my favorite car (Pre-B5 phase.) http://www.clubb5.com/images_forum/biggrin.gif

Mutcth,

Is there enough power with the 2.4T in an auto without getting the T5 option?

[mutcth]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Is there enough power with the 2.4T in an auto without getting the T5 option?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I only drove a normally aspirated car (I should be renting a 2.4T later this summer.) From what I've read though, the 2.4T "low-pressure" turbo is quick (about 7.4 to 60 with AWD) and is less peaky than the T5. I recently drove an old-body-style T5 and the power delivery wasn't smooth. It was much more lag-prone than the 1.8T, but once the revs were up - wow.

Tom

[ronaldmcdonald]

I also agree with the coupon idea. Otherwise, I think a Infinity G35 sedan would perhaps be the most appropriate choice. However, I'd highly urge you to check out the Altima 3.5l, IS300, a BMW 328, and perhaps even a WRX.

Perhaps the most useful advice on the pricing, is NOT to buy a 'loaded' car! Check out what option packages are available for a given car, and buy only what your mom really needs (i.e-she probably won't notice or appreciate the 18" wheel package, bose 10k watt stereo, etc). Besides, if you get a $25k+ car, the standard options shouldn't be too shabby anyhow. For the most case, 'stripped' down cars are usually the best deals around imo.

[a4passata6]

Well, today was her birthday and they were out driving in her Jetta and my dad said, "Hey let's stop in here and start looking for a new car." They pulled into the Mercedes dealership and there was a new, white C320 loaded sitting out front with a bow and roses on the hood. My mom said, "Wow that looks great, I wonder if someone is getting that as a surprise." My dad said, "Well, go look in the driver's seat." In there was one of those cards saying, "This car prepared for (my mom's name)."

She almost had a coronary. They picked up the car and took off and just called me on the cell and she was soooooooo excited. It was very funny.

I spoke with my dad and he said he went to Mercedes and test drove the C240 and found it lacked balls, so the salesman showed him a C320 and said give this one a try. So he drove it and loved it and he says he paid a very good price for it. He usually goes in with Edmunds.com paperwork and blows his cigarette smoke all over the salesman so he probably did get a good deal. http://www.clubb5.com/images_forum/biggrin.gif

[The Blue Blur]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>...he went to Mercedes and test drove the C240 and found it lacked balls...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
LOL http://www.clubb5.com/images_forum/biglaugh.gif

That's a really cute story actually. I like the approach. Very original. My hat is off to your dad for that one. Congrats to your mom on the new car.

[Ricardo]

I would recomemd:
1.Passat W8
2.Acura TL Type S
3. Audi 4

[Soul Hunter]

Given your choices, I would say the TL Type S. It's not as nice inside as the Audi is, but it's got the power, and if auto is a must, I think it wins hands down. I thought hard about getting one, but the lack of a stick (didn't want two doors or I would have considered CL Type S) makes it a no-no. It also has more space inside than the rest of the cars you've mentioned.

The C-class, overpriced
The CTS, too wedgy IMO

I may be trading in my car on a 3.0 Quattro manual soon, and only went that way because of Quattro and the availability of a manual. I still dislike the interior space of the A4, but then again I'm 5'10" on a good day. Now if the size of the car doesn't matter to your Moms, then the availability of Quattro may justify walking away from the more powerful TL. But for a Moms who wants no hassle and a car she can drive and not have to worry about the quirky German things that can happen on Audi's and VW's, go for the TL.

[VWGUY4EVER]

Congrats to your mom but I have to quote my favorite movie line: "I just want to take this oppurtunity to wish you good luck. We're all counting on you" .....I hope that C320 proves me wrong...But....... http://www.clubb5.com/images_forum/angel.gif