A5 or G37?

6323 Views 44 Replies 24 Participants Last post by jerryM, Mar 15, 2009

jerryM

Discussion Starter · Feb 5, 2009

I am trying to decide between these two and am leaning toward the Audi. It will be my wife's car except when I can pry it away from her. Two questions for the forum. Is the reliability getting better or will I be spending a lot of time at the dealer? Since we live in a hot climate, does the sun screen keep the heat out or just the sunlight? Thanks

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RGBArgee

· #2 · Feb 5, 2009

My initial reaction was ... 'is this a serious question' but I am told tastes are different in the US.

Personally I wouldn't even seek to compare a great piece of German engineering (A5) with a Japanese car.. Folks will know I don't rate MANY current BMW's but I have to say from what I have seen and read the G37 is not a good choice..

Opinions... You asked... I gave .... and it's mine... so feel free to take it or leave it!

jerryM

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 5, 2009

Thanks, I would agree that German engineering may be superior, but having had 4 Nissans that haven't needed much extra attention has eased my mind. My main concern with Audi had been the poor repair record on the US models. I know it has been getting better but they are both new and without much historical data.

SAJ_1982

· #4 · Feb 5, 2009

A5

Stratdan

· #5 · Feb 5, 2009

I looked at this same option since my last vehicle was an Infiniti FX 35 for 5 years with zero problems and basically one hell of a fun car to drive for a SUV.

I bought the A5.

With the deals you can get on the G37 right now I don't think it is a comparison. The A5 is the much better car, but you do pay for it. I'll bet it's $15k more. Keep in mind, your definition of "better" may not be the same as mine.

A5AFTERB5

· #6 · Feb 5, 2009

I have to say Audi.

I put this in somewhat of a perspective:

VW equivalent to Nissan
Audi equivalent to Infinity

Unless the car you're looking at is a Toyota or Honda, Nissan is further down the list as is Audi. But Audi has the stigma of a VW quality sedan by virtue of association. I think that's a bit unfair but that's the American perception I suppose.

My comparison was my 98' VW Passat 1.8T w/5speed. The first 5 years of ownership, even when modified a bit, had only one nagging issue: the sun roof (turned out to be an easy fix by replacing the rotary switch).
Car ran flawlessly even after chipped, suspension work, short shifter, and exhaust. After 5 years, a few things began to show up... torn CV's, trim coming off, ABS module dies, ICM dies, and finally the shifter mechanism or something related to the tranny.

I'm going to hit one year in June but so far after 7 full months, the car is running great with the exhaust and sway bar upgrade. It still turns heads and still gorgeous to look at every morning!

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jerryM

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 6, 2009

Thanks, appreciate the conversation. I would like the Audi but I think my wife feels more comfortable with the lower priced option. I think I will try to get the best deal and of course do what she asks me to do. It's her car.

Stratdan

· #8 · Feb 6, 2009

Jerry,
Have you looked at the other Audis? My wife has had two A6s over the past six years and she says she will not go back to Japanese. Prior to the A6 she drove an Acura RL. I know the A6 is more than the Infiniti, but there is still the A3 and A4.

jerryM

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 6, 2009

she has had it with four doors and wants something that will turn heads. A red coupe.

Scottacus

· #10 · Feb 6, 2009

I had pondered this as well. It's a very difficult comparison, as the G37 will be at least $10K cheaper given you can get one for near invoice, and that's no small chunk of change.

G37 advantages
- Cost (as mentioned above)
- More HP, but you'll need to work the engine harder to get it (torque doesn't really come on until like 4K RPMs)
- Compared to the '09 A5, the nav system is better, and some people may prefer a touch screen
- I think the design of the dash is nice in a way, in that it's very "organic" and flowy.

A5 advantages
- IMO the engine is smoother and feels a bit more responsive at lower RPMs despite the lower HP rating. (The Infiniti engine is a bit buzzy to me).
- Materials quality is better - the Infiniti isn't bad but some of the buttons are of questionable quality, or at least look cheap
- The torsen AWD system is probably better in the snow than the system in the Infiniti, which is still very good
- The B&O sound system sounds better than the Bose to me.
- A somewhat usable backseat - not big but OK for short trips. The one in the G37 is really cramped
- A much bigger and more usable trunk - the one in the G37 is truly pitiful in size.
- Overall a more "luxury" feeling versus the "near-luxury" feeling in the Infiniti. I think the A5 is overall more refined.
- If you want a manual and AWD, it's available on the Audi but not the Infiniti.

Both are very good cars, and I think both are good value for what you get - I think the A5 has more of a presence and refinement that makes it worth $10K more.

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jerryM

Discussion Starter · #11 · Feb 6, 2009

Yeah, I really like the A5, but the $ may do the talking if the dealer won't deal

JunkStory

· #12 · Feb 6, 2009

If reliability is your concern, then let me tell you this:

I still have my 2000 Maxima as a beater car, with almost 100k miles (155k km), and the total repair bill of that car did not exceed ~$300 (for new oxygen sensors and other parts). I have never owned an Audi but from what I hear, I don't think any 9 year-old Audi can be as reliable as a Japanese car.

jerryM

Discussion Starter · #13 · Feb 6, 2009

Our 2001 has been great. Only 63000 so lot of miles left, but need a new car while I can still enjoy it.

RGBArgee

· #14 · Feb 6, 2009

Steak or Sushi?

prhim

· #15 · Feb 6, 2009

I rented a G35 on a business trip to the States a couple of years back. The engine is great, but for me, everything else was sub-par.

In particular, I found the interior plasticky and of poor quality. In contrast the Audi interior is (IMHO) just about as good as you will get the for money.

Given that we spend far more time inside the car than admiring it from the outside (at least, I do!), I put a lot of emphasis on the quality of the interior. That said, to my eyes the G37 is no looker on the outside either!

The autobox was also terrible on the G35, but again, that's personal opinion...

Matt

jetblack

· #16 · Feb 6, 2009

jerryM said:
she has had it with four doors and wants something that will turn heads. A red coupe.

I don't think a G37 is going to turn any heads.

jetblack

· #17 · Feb 6, 2009

prhim said:
I rented a G35 on a business trip to the States a couple of years back. The engine is great, but for me, everything else was sub-par.

In particular, I found the interior plasticky and of poor quality. In contrast the Audi interior is (IMHO) just about as good as you will get the for money.

Agree. The interiors in the Audi just kill the G37. Although the G37 is better than the G35, it is still cheap inside.

The A5 exterior is also light years ahead of the G37.

I believe the G35 coupe exterior still looks better than the G37.

You will pay more for the A5, but you get a better looking car, better looking/quality interior.

jerryM

Discussion Starter · #18 · Feb 6, 2009

You are right about the interior quality. The Audi is superb and doesn't compare with the Infiniti. The G37 has a new 7 speed auto that felt smooth but still not as much fun as a manual

boom boom

· #19 · Feb 6, 2009

RGBArgee said:
Steak or Sushi?

Fish & Chips or is it Chips & Fish down south

number2jcb

· #20 · Feb 6, 2009

G37 will be more fun (RWD).
A5 will turn more heads.
A5 will hold A LOT more stuff in the trunk (you have to decide if that is a positive or a negative for your wallet)

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