I know german cars are safe but are Japanesse cars just as safe. I was in a accident and the audi only had broken headlights but the lexus was beat up badly on the front.

I was looking at safety ratings on the govt site and the 2003 nissan maxima and the 2002 audi a4 rank about the same in safety.

I am confused after what happened in the accident, that their ratings are the same.

I know that the audi a4 1.8t has 170hp and the maxima has 255 hp, I can only afford to spend 16k and get a car with 40,000 miles on it.

I am a college student and I know the upkeep is more on a german car, I think I am right on that? I take good care of my cars and I drive them well, I dont abuse them, so getting a oil change every three thousands miles is no big deal at all for me.

Is the diffrence in HP worth the safety that I get from a Audi, plus i love the audi interior.

 

Safety ratings are just that. the safety of the occupant, not the damage incurred to the exterior of the car. It is a great car, but parts and labor are epxpensive, much more so than a Japanese car. If you are in college, and have a tight budget, I'd suggest a Honda or Toyota. Even consider a late model Hundai with a 100K warranty. The reason you are going to college is to invest in your future. You are showing good judgement and that you can handle the concept of delayed gratification.

I didn't buy my first new car until I was 33, nor get a german car until I was over 40 and could afford unexpected expenses without busting my budget.

Whatever you get, don't be a slave to your car.

 

Hmm.

Like you said that parts and labor are more expensive, but its not like the tranny or any other major part is going to go bad on me.

I've had a chevy tahoe and its at 90k miles and all that has needed replacing was spark plugs a few strut bars and just some oil filters and thats about it.

Most cars wont need serious work untill they hit 100k miles right?

If I only need to buy parts worth 300 dollars every year Ill be okay.

 

The timing belt job costs $750 iif done by an independent shop. It should be done before 90K mi. A wheel bearing costs $250, and a MAF $225 .

 

How often on an average will I have to repair the Audi a4. Its not like every six months something goes bad like the wipers or the oil filter. If I get a car with 50,000 miles I can expect it to run till 100,000 without spending more than 1000 dollars on repair.

What is the diffrence between a audi a4 and a nissan maxima 03?

 

Also another question, what is the diffrence between the a4 2001 model and 2002 model. Is there a big diffrence or just superficial changes that are made.

 

2001 to 2002 a few small things but 2000 to 2001 is 20 hp

 

i would call a completely new body style more than a few small things.

96-01 - B5 body
02-05 - B6 body
05.5+ - B7

 

well small meaning cosmetic :P