

Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 Brand Reputation: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 211hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Audi now rivals Mercedes and Porsche for brand image. see full Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 211hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
great brand see full Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 review |
2007 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual AWD |
I focused on the A4 Avant in part due to many reviews of this model vs other "comparable" vehicles. see full Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Audi-for people who can park themselves, right? this is the brand for people who know better. quattro baby! see full Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Overall I like the styles, though they need to work on interior design. Here again, the TT designers did great on interior, A4 less so but ok. Audi brand reputation and image to me is one of style plus excellent handling. see full Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Audi is a high-class brand. see full Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan 340-horsepower 4.2L V8 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Audi is competent without being flashy. Confident without being cocky. see full Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 review |
2005 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Love German Cars see full Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 review |
2005 | 4dr Wagon 340-horsepower 4.2L V8 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
I am an avid Audi fan. I have always followed their racing efforts as well as their production cars. see full Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 review |
2003 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4 5-speed manual AWD |
Audi is a luxury brand. It is clearly the vehicle I would like to be associated with. see full Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 review |
Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 Brand Reputation: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2002 | 4dr Sedan 220-horsepower 3.0L V6 6-speed manual AWD |
Not as well regarded as mercedes or bmw see full Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 review |
2002 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
This car was taken to the dealership during the initial free maint period of 50,000 miles. I always provided my own synthetic oil as the dealership wouldn't use synthetic if they provided the oil. After 50K, I did attempt to use the dealership on a couple of occasions only to be shocked at the high dollar quotes for the most simple of repairs. They wanted $900 to replace the cam shaft seals. $1800 for timing belt kit install. The dealer attitude is that owner repairs are only done by fools at their own peril. My experience with this car has led me to understand that Audi vehicles do require more maintenance and attention than your average Japanese brands. It is a German car and there are engineering qualities that I admire. But it ain't a spaceship requiring a highly skilled scientist to work on it. Given this snooty attitude I experienced at the dealeship, I wish Audi (Service Reps) would be less about making a buck and more about pleasing the customer. Audi cars are fine vehicles. However, if you want to own one, try to do some of your own maint and repairs. I see too many negative comments in other review forums related to the high cost of ownership due to repairs at dealerships. I understand that some folks can't or won't work on their own vehicles. If this is your situation, I would not recommend an Audi. see full Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 review |
Kia Sedona Brand Reputation: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
2006 | There aren't any strong reasons not to buy the Sedona. Yet when a friend recently bought a minivan his wife wouldn't even look at the Kia. Why not? Because it's a Kia. Some bases for this prejudice remain. Past Sedonas haven't been nearly as reliable as a Sienna or an Odyssey. Plus many Kia dealers have been with the company since its less illustrious days. Their showrooms can be small and shabby (though some newer ones are anything but), and they developed a culture that focused on buyers most other auto makers would not loan money to. I recently stopped into a Kia dealer to research how the seats operate in a lower level Sedona--and was kicked out. I'd folded and unfolded the seats a couple of times, and was in the driver seat when the sales manager informed me: "We're going to be showing this van soon, and can't have you slamming stuff around in here. So I'm going to have to ask you to leave." I've been visiting car dealers to gather information for my reviews for over 15 years. The great majority have been very helpful. This is the first time I've been bounced from one. Maybe the manager didn't have faith that the seat mechanisms could withstand a couple of folding and unfolding cycles? Whatever the manager's motivation--I still can't believe it happened--that dealer isn't doing much to improve Kia's image. see full Kia Sedona review |
Kia Sedona Brand Reputation: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Minivan, ext. 250-horsepower 3.8L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
It says "Kia" on it, and people still think that Kia means "unreliable" - Wife and I love driving the thing. see full Kia Sedona review |
2006 | 4dr Minivan, ext. 244-horsepower 3.8L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Sedona and Kia have a reputation for low cost but also low brand image for quality. I think they have made great strides on the quality side and in improving the overall designs in the latest models see full Kia Sedona review |