Welcome to a new TTAC feature: Ask the Best and Brightest (ATBB). On an irregular, yet-to-be-determined basis, we'll post an auto-related question from a reader. You answer it. Yes (Jonny), it's a bit like Question of the Day– only a lot less philosophical. Yes (Frank), it starts with an email to frank.williams@thetruthaboutcars.com with the letters ATBB in the subject bar. Yes (y'all), we're asking you to share your hard-won automotive expertise for our financial gain. (As I told our writers back when I paid them $10 a pop, the pay sucks but the glory is infinite.) And yes, this is a stopgap measure while we wait– Camaro buyer-like– for the TTAC forums to magically appear. So… this whole deal with slowrideR's idea. And he wants your opinion. What's the best car for commuting: a 2004 Audi A4, a 2004 Infiniti G35 or a 2005 Cadillac CTS?
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Whatever you say, Robert (McNamara).
As for the question, Infiniti, all the way.
The Cadillac, of course.
It has a much smaller radar signature.
The G35. Better value than the Audi, better reliability than the Audi (and maybe the Caddy), better build quality than the Caddy, good gas mileage, good looks.
slowrideR, can you give us a little more info to narrow the field? Are we talking about a 1.8T version of the A4 or the 3.0 V6? And 2.8 or 3.6 for the CTS?
It’s a great question though. As a person with a rather lengthy commute myself, I’d go for the V6 Audi first, followed by the CTS, then the G35.
I have a G35x in my household, and I’m not wild about the throttle tip in for stop and go traffic. I also find the 5-speed auto easily confused.
Daily drivers gotta be reliable, so I vote for the Infiniti.
BTW, the ATBB feature is a great idea.
If you’re looking for the best interior to be stuck in traffic with, go for the Audi.
For all around driving experience — the A4.
A4. No question. Interior, comfort, style, all around package.
2004 A4’s with the 1.8 liter turbo suffer from sludging problems. (They need synth oil, and should not be run with dino oil.) They also have notable turbo lag, so they aren’t the speediest steeds on the roadways. The interior is class leading, though, and the general fit and finish is quite high. The cars tend to be (a) pretty reliable, (b) riddled with little niggling bugs or (c) complete, costly POS’s. Be very careful with these, but a well maintained one may be worth the risk.
G35’s of that era tend to be highly reliable, but for the brake rotors, which they burned through more quickly than a chain smoker burns through matches. And the interior is tacky. Great drivetrain that pulls off the line like a muscle car…and burns gas like one, too.
For this class of car, I’d consider the Acura TL as a possible alternative, particularly if you can live with front-wheel drive and don’t mind the feel of the Accord underpinnings.
Audi A4
-best interior
-best ride (IMO)
-great handling and grip
-quattro
-rarer than the Infiniti and Caddy
My Vote is the G35: only a 6 speed manual example. Like a 350Z only with sound dampening, HIDs, and a backseat. I can confirm the 5 speed auto version is very touchy, always wants to launch. The CTS isn’t in the same league in-terms of dynamics and the A4 has residual / reliability / front-heavy challenges.
(Full disclosure statement: I commute with a 2006 G35 6-MT Sedan)
My Vote is the G35: only a 6 speed manual example.
Good luck finding one of these. Virtually all of the sedans were configured with automatics. If a stick is a priority, it will be easier to find one in the coupe models.
Buying a used car mainly as a commuter, the G35 wins hands down. With a 2004 Audi you’ll be spending a lot more time out of the office. Unfortunately it’ll be spent at the shop or on the side of the road.
I second the Acura TL vote above.
and I also second the need for more details, about both the cars (which engines / options?), and about the commute. On a short painless commute the A4 would be a nice daily driver, but on long, rack up the miles type commute, forget it.
G35. Reliability, resale, interior, exterior, dealer experience. It’s scores 8 or 9 in every category. And that’s a VERY strong motor, so when you’re ready to start doing mods, it’ll stand up to the abuse. Decent aftermarket for that motor, too.
I’m gonna have to go with the Cadillac.
I didn’t appreciate these cars until a relative bought one. Actually two now.
Hers has the 3.6L, which I find I like just as much as the Infiniti motor. Its torquey, makes great noises, and combined with the smooth, yet extremely responsive 5 speed hydromatic auto, its a great driving machine. Add to it it is smooth and silent on the freeway (like a proper Cadillac) but still doesn’t get bent out of shape when the road curves. The interior isn’t bad, good enough. If its got XM, them i’m all set.
I have a friend with parents who had the G35 sedan, automatic. Really like this car too. Nice and sporty for sure. But the car had a lot of road noise, a very cheap interior, and a rather stiff ride for an everyday driver. If the Cadillac didn’t exist, I’d take this.
A4. Eh. This the 1st gen car? The pre-refresh of the 2nd? If it has the 1.8T, no thanks. Car is peppy but sounds like a cheap 4 cylinder. Gets good mileage, but is small and cramped. Interior is nice. I like them, but I’d rather have the other 2 first.
My Friend has a 2001 Audi A4 1.8 Turbo 5 sp and Quattro. He only has 45,000 miles on it.
Last year his engine suffered a “SLUDGE” attack.
I like the interior (it reminds me of my wife’s Mazda 3….).
The Stereo is awful, and the ride (even when it was brand new) was rough, not in a handling sense, but in that it was not in any way smooth. Maybe it was the all wheel drive system. The tires that came with the car were a disaster as well. He developed large bubbles in the sidewalls of 2 of them.
Excellent brakes tho.
“On an irregular, yet-to-be-determined basis…”
I assume, then, that there will be a determined irregular basis in the future?!?
I bought a 2000 A4 2.8 Quattro (5-sp & Sport Package) used in 2004 with 40,000-ish miles. While it’s never left me stranded, the combination of all the maintenance due along with all the little things going wrong have been aggravating.
Make sure you have a good independent shop, don’t go to the dealer unless you have a CPO warranty!
Some highlights include:
-Left rear window regulator -twice!
-Oil leaks, oil leaks and more oil leaks (Cam seals, lower oil pan gaskets, upper oil pan gaskets….)
-Timing Belt change was $$$
-An Alloy wheel went bad
-Cracked coolant expansion tank
-The display on the dash is going bad
-The automagically-dimming rearview mirror stopped working
-On a really hot day, I got in the car and leaned back into the seat a little too hard and Pop! went the lumbar adjustment balloon!
-Somehow something was getting weird every now and then with the exterior temp sensor. It would read -30 degrees F when it was warm outside. This would prevent the AC Compressor from running to prevent it from freezing up… My shop reset the code in the computer and it hasn’t happened since..
-Control Arms went bad and were replaced
-Replaced the rear brake rotors, calipers and pads
It’s not that I dislike the A4, I really enjoy driving it and I’ll miss it once I trade it in for a less complicated, more reliable ride…
A4 all the way (if you can afford the repair bills and can take a day off work at 7 in the morning b/c your car has “issues”). Now personal experience may not be worth much to the masses, but hear me out.
My cousin had a 2000 1.8T bought in 2004 that was nothing but trouble. It was a CPO so he had to unload it in 2006 as the CPO warranty ended. He now moved closer to work, on a subway line and takes the TTC. He sure misses that car. As do I.
The prev gen CTS did nothing for me as I find it inexcusable that a (wannabe) luxury car’s interior is worse than an entry level Mazda’s.
As for the G35. Meh. I’d rather drive a Mazda6 or Honda Accord. Seriously.
But if it must be “luxury”, TSX or TL.
I really don’t get what people see in the A4, or most Audis for that matter. It’s front-heavy, slow, not ugly but not a stunner either, I just don’t see the appeal. The interior is cleanly designed but pretty spartan.
I’d take the Caddy over the Audi simply for the fact that it has some style (although the interior is atrocious) and it’s RWD.
I’d take the G35 over the Caddy because it’s a better car in almost every aspect
A good friend of mine has an 04 A4 3.0 quattro, and I’ve had a chance to drive it once, and rather liked it, and love the interior (great supportive seats), and he’s enjoyed it greatly as a grown-up version of his previous car (02 WRX). It’s been reliable (he’s never had a service over a couple of hours), and was bought 1 year old as a CPO, and the service has been pleasant when he has had it in.
I’ve only test driven the G35 coupe (6 speed 04), but that engine is intoxicating and the chassis felt a bit more playful. A G35 sedan I rode passenger in had a decidedly worse interior than the A4, and I hear the brakes are great, but wear fast. I remember preferring the G35’s ride quality over the A4, yet the handling also felt better. Probably personal preference; I also think the 04-07 STI has a very reasonable ride for daily driving, and a stock Miata suspension is far too soft.
No direct experience with the CTS, but a boss had a CTS-V he replaced his C5 Z06 with, and commuted in both. It was much more reliable than the German sedans (530i, 745iL) that his fellow execs had. There was one extended servicing, though, which involved an SRX loaner.
With the given data, I would have to go with the infiniti. You will want reliability over the long term.
OTOH, if you are young and single the Audi might get you better luck with the ladies.
I have no real qualms with the first gen. CTS, but not only does is it trying too hard to look different(in my eyes), but the whole, “I’m driving a Cadillac” stigma seals the deal for me, so it’s out.
The Audi… it’s a lovely car with a great -if not stoic- interior, but it’s almost too subdued for me. I might forget where I parked it, it’s so bland. Furthermore, AWD is not a selling point for me, as I rather enjoy RWD snow driving.
So the Infiniti. The obvious answer to the question someone asked. Coupe or sedan, I’m not picky. The VQ is just one of those engines I could listen to all day and never grow tired. As with Goldilocks, I prefer the one that has just the right amount of style without being too hot or cold.
Something tells me that Goldilocks would have picked the Infiniti, too.
For me, the Cadillac has the most comfortable seats. They’re similar to those in the largest Volvos.
I also wouldn’t assume that the Infiniti will be the most reliable. In TrueDelta’s results older G35s and CTSs are both about average. Small sample sizes for these, though.
http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php
The dealer loaned me a new A4 2.0T for a couple of days last week while my car was in for repairs. Great looking exterior, but after all the internet hubbub about Audi interiors, a bit underwhelming (I noticed a number of parts in common with my son’s Rabbit). And one annoying design feature is the driver’s door arm rest is way off in Siberia.
More disturbing is the way the car drove. That’s one agricultural sounding powerplant. And one jerky drivetrain. And one weirdly set up, uncomfortably bouncy suspension. If this is near luxury, it’s not near enough.
Between the other two, I’d go for the CTS, if only for novelty value. At least here in SF, they’re a lot less common then anything German and anything Japanese. Plus, I’m not wild about the slightly melted looking re-style of the G35. The new Caddy has some cojones, and the interior I sat in at the auto show way outclassed the Audi and Infiniti.
I say suck it up and pay the few extra dollars for an ’05 example of the G35. MUCH better interior (aluminum or wood in place of plastic center stack) horsepower up to 280 or nearly 300 with a stick, and with the premium package you get a ton of stuff that the ’04 A6 didn’t even have. The A4 3.0 compared to the 280hp G35 is weak, weak, weak. The old 330i always felt faster than its horsepower suggests, not a trick that the A4 3.0 can pull off. Its a good second to second and a half slower than the G to 60.
This question cannot be answered like this. It all depends on a lot more variables like: how long the commute, is it highway or stop, steal the lane and go, is a big city or a small town (real rush hour or not), how many persons in the car, any kids to be delivered, picked up…etc.. where is the commute: in the southern states or in the winter heavy northeast, so many, many things to consider when making such a choice. I am always amazed how people just jump in and nominate one a car, many times not even having the chance to drive their choice.
Once again, the way the question is asked has not enough data for a proper answer.
This whole thing smells to me like TTAC needs website traffic more than a true answer to the question. This is it, I said it. I may get bumped out for that but that is what I think. For the future questions would be great if you’ll be more specific when you ask a question like that.
Here is my contribution to the needed site traffic.
If you want reliability its the Cadillac. the rest is all subjective.http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/news/releases/pressrelease.aspx?ID=2007130
JD Power reliability surveys are worthless.
incitatus:
I think you’re crazy. Since the question was asked to those of us deemed as the best and brightest(i.e. not your everyday appliance shopper), we simply do not need all the variables you pine over to make a decision. I’m sure you really don’t either.
Your second claim is unfounded as this was directed to those of us who visit this site daily so… yeah.
Now here’s a specific question:
You have 5 kids, and you live in Alert, Nunavut. There are only two cars for sale, a 1991 Mazda Miata, and a 1991 Cadillac Allanté. Which do you choose?
coupdetat
How are they more worthless than any other? Any facts to back up your statement? they all have methodology holes in them.
Jordan Tenenbaum:”incitatus I think you’re crazy”
I would refrain from calling you names. If you think you’re the “best and brightest” because you can throw an answer to any question, than that’s your problem.
I love too, to visit this site on a daily basis. It’s refreshing. But sometimes, like this question today, it makes no sense to me (my bad, maybe I should not look for logic and sense in everything I do).
As far as your question goes: Take the bus. Or the moose/raindeer whatever. You’re waisting your money buying either of those two.
I’d go for the Caddy because resale values will be below the Audi and G35. Better value.
I’ve got chutzpah and I get things wrong, but I wouldn’t make shit up on a site called The Truth About Cars. That would be a worse brand violation than the Cadillac BLS. I swear by all that is Holy (and the Ford GT) that this was a real question asked by a real reader. The body of the email below… Have you ever thought about adding an “Ask the Peanut Gallery” section? It seems that the regular commenters on this site are rather knowledgable. For a guy like me who isn’t an enthusiast, but likes to research the best I can – I would like to lob a question out there about the pros and cons of buying say a 2004 A4 vs. 2004 G35 vs. 2005 CTS as a commuter car. I know a lot of it is just personal preference but I’ve already learned from the site that the Audi with the 2.0 engine has sludge problems and would love to draw on experiences of others on what to look for on other cars.
RF, fair enough.
Still, my opinion, if that was a genuine question, the guy cannot be helped by answers like:
“definetly CTS cause I think it’s better…”
or
“infinity ’cause I heard audi is unreliable and the other one is… what was the other one? ohh.. CTS, this a GM car, right?
That’s why I think there has to be more specific info in order to provide an educated answer. Without it, everything is just caddy BlS.
Just my 2 and a half cents.
incitatus : Fair enough back atcha. As Lyndon Johnson used to say, a decision is only as good as the information it's based on. I was hoping the slowrideR was going to engage in a dialogue with TTAC's B&B, but alas, not yet. Maybe the next questioner will be a bit more engaged.
Easy, pick the BMW 330i.
Audi.
They are fun to drive. They have the reliablility, this isn’t 1993. The handling in the Audi is understated IMO.
Second would be the G35. It’s very nice, but it’s not a true sporty car, it’s too heavy, and you’ll feel that in the ride quality. Interior quality is above a 2004 Audi however, albeit it is all brushed aluminim and reminiscient of a Lincoln in some aspects.
Can’t say anything about the CTS since i haven’t driven one.
Incitatus;
Miata. Let kids them stay home or all trudge. Or, think Subcontinental Indian with family of 5 on a scooter (Tata Nano business plan) and pack them into an on the Miata.
Robert:
Define best.
…1.8t sludge problems are like wife-face-bruise-problems. Live a clean life and do what is right and you are in the clear. Unless you are buying used here in America (or Canada). Then open the oil cap and peer inside first. It is correctable with after market additives and clean living.
I do find Audi miscellaneous irritations are reminescent of GM to tell the truth not to mentions audi dealer incompetencies. Dealers are dealers.
If I didn’t need the 4 doors I would get a G35 coupe with the manual, I’m no really fond of the sedan though. But really I would need the 4 doors to easily cram the kids in so I would probably take the Audi A4 3.0 with quattro and the 6 speed, real iffy reliability though.
I’ve already learned from the site that the Audi with the 2.0 engine has sludge problems
It doesn’t. The 1.8 liter had well documented sludge problems, but those are not common to the 2.0 liter. The 2.0 liter motor replaced the 1.8 liter during a 2005 model year refresh.
I should have also pointed out that the G35 brake problems were common to the 2003 and 2004 models, but seem to have been resolved by 2005. In the case of both cars, you may be better off shopping for vehicles that are just a bit newer.
One risk of the A4 is that tuners are drawn to them (turbos lend themselves to chipping), so they are prone to abuse. I’d inspect these carefully, lest you end up at the wrong end of somebody’s weekend track time experiment.
If you’re going to get an automatic A4, DO NOT get the front wheel drive one. The FWD A4 has a CVT, which causes the jerky drivetrain someone else mentioned. The quattro version has a regular 6-speed automatic, which is a lot smoother.
2004 Audi…Spend 50+ 1 hour driving lessons in two examples. Nice car to drive and a nice car to spend your time in while stuck in traffic.
For commuting? Just get a Golf or Mazda3. Those cars are safe, comfortable, have more than enough grunt for any and all commuting duties, use far less fuel, and will leave you enough for 3 nice dinners with the person of your choice, every month.
I use my father-in-law’s Infiniti when my wife needs the Golf (she usually takes the train) and although the G35 is obviously nicer and would be my choice for long rides, there is NO practical difference under 30 miles.
Definitely the Audi. I need to cut and thrust in the daily grind from central NJ to Brooklyn and Queens, NY. I need something that doesn’t gather much attention, and goes like stink when pushed hard.
Uh..thanks. I’m a real person not single and no kids. I drive a Nissan Titan now and plan on keeping it, but gas prices being gas prices I would like to have something else in the stable.
I know that an Altima or Corolla would be the “smart” choices but I would like to have a car I look forward to driving. Very little stop and go traffic as I usually commute before and after the other idiots. I’m in Texas so I deal with ice about once a year.
I used to drive a ’99 A4 that I really liked until a lady with a Lincoln Town Car ran a red light and folded it in half. Drivers area stayed intact and I walked away so I have some fuzzy feelings for Audi engineering. I rented a G35 on a vacation trip and I enjoyed it. I just like the way Caddy looks.
I’ve considered Volvo and the Acura and they don’t do much for me. As far as enginge choices and model years, I’m not looking at specific cars right now I’m just looking in general for used cars in the 20-23,000 range. If my wife would let me I would probably just buy a used boxster, but I do need to be able to get 4 people in there from time to time.
Sorry about not engaging in dialouge, but I’m a reader who looks at this site from time to time during the work day, but I almost never turn on a computer after I get home.
CTS because of it’s bold style. Or the Audi, it’s elegant and luxurious too and it’s AWD.
Anyway, why would you like something that lavish for commuting?
I don’t agree with this “choice” (if it can be named like that, ugh)… but a Toyota Corolla will do fine the commuting with mega reliability :-P, safety, fuel economy and all the $hit and giggles you want.
If you want nicer commuting… an Honda Civic Si or Subie WRX
BMW 3 series.
I went through a very similar search within the last few months, shopping these three models – and the TL. I wanted a car with a reasonable degree of performance, luxury, and utility.
The CTS looks cool, rides smooth, and has a classic American name. I have a friend who has one – his wife commutes in it (he has an old Integra) and they use it for frequent trips up to Tahoe. I have driven it, and it has plenty of power for everyday driving, and the suspension will do what you need.
I looked long at Audi – A4, A6, and the A3. The interiors were really nice, and they drove well enough for my purposes – but all those Consumer Reports black spots and previous minor problems with both a VW and Mercedes dampened the glow. I really like the way they look though.
Having owned an RSX-S, I knew what I was getting with the TL, and I thought the interior was second to the Audi, but I did not want FWD – that was one of the main reasons for selling my previous car, an I35.
I settled for an ’05 G35 with the premium package and navigation, but without the sport package. Someone upthread mentioned the improved interior and stronger engine in the ’05-’06 Gs. Yes, the interior is improved, but it still is not as good as the Acura or the Audi (orange gauges?). However, for my needs/wants – decent handling, the occasional aggressive pass, 4 doors, semi-lux interior, RWD, reliability, this car best fit the bill. I also drove the ’05 Coupe (tiny back seat and trunk) and the G37….me likee G37 (wipes drool) but no. I have a kid, and coupes are a pain with a kid – the RSX taught me that.
I agree that the Mazda3 is a good call.
I prefer the A4 in looks, but given that I have favorable experience with the Nissan dealer who is also the Infiniti dealer, I think I’m leaning towards an 05 or newer G35 with a stick if I can find it.
I won’t be getting the same gas mileage as the Audi, but compared to my truck anything around 20mpg will look good.
For me and my commute, 40 minutes each way in a mix of open interstate and bumper to bumper traffic, the 3.6 Caddy CTS wins by a mile. I like the style, the seats and the reliability. If I had to deal with snow I might go for the G35x. I like Audis, have owned one, and several of my friends are full blown Audi enthusiasts, but even they complain about how unreliable they can be. My experience suggests that despite excellent materials and structural build quality, they have earned every one of those consumer reports black marks. Mine blew a transmission at 40K. It took almost a month to repair, and the dealer was arrogant and unhelpful to the point of being rude. My friends cars always seem to be in the shop with some minor hassle or another. As the owner of five German cars, its somewhat painful for me to admit that current GM and Ford products are noticeably more reliable than anything made by BMW, MB or VAG…