[OSI]

Originally Posted by Tea 1000

Was thinking the exact same thing! That's a disaster. What a mess. And what does it all do other than temperature, volume, air direction and radio channel? "Why have a display when 50 buttons will do"!!

Well a decent chunk of them are for the phone controls.

[ShadowHearth]

Originally Posted by Limerick man

The cream leather was only a contrast, i think the Audi looks better and will age better. Also more than likely hold a better residual value.

That said, looks are purely subjective.

i walked pass by a 11 audi a4 and i have to say it looked really..... bland... it was really meh for amount of money someone payed for it. inside it looks very tight too.

i admit, you cant argue about looks, but audi is way overpriced for what it is.

[positron]

I think A4 is too plain and too boring - it's the poorer cousin to the good looking A5 which is a good looking car.

Previous version (03-08) Honda Accord still looks fresh IMHO, so I don't know if you need to worry about 08+ model looking bad in another 5 years.

[Tea 1000]

Originally Posted by OSI

Well a decent chunk of them are for the phone controls.

Too complicated. All you need is a pick up/hang up button on the steering wheel, and a mute/volume button. An LCD display for everything else apart from the regularly used ones. Lets face it, after you paired your phone, how often do you do anything other than pick up/hang up? All those buttons used once and clutter the dash for ever.

[mad m]

Have an 07 Accord S-type and its a pleasure to drive, have it from new and not an ounce of trouble with it since day one. Was thinking of changing a while back but (mad I was).It can be heavy on petrol (2litre) but over long journeys its very economical. You can't beat the Japanese.

[walus]

Originally Posted by mad m

Have an 07 Accord S-type and its a pleasure to drive, have it from new and not an ounce of trouble with it since day one. Was thinking of changing a while back but (mad I was).It can be heavy on petrol (2litre) but over long journeys its very economical. You can't beat the Japanese.

How heavy on petron can it actually be? I always wanted 07/08 2.0l petrol model, I think it is one of the best looking saloons out there, but was not sure what's the mpg on short trips around town. Cheers.

[Limerick man]

Originally Posted by positron

I think A4 is too plain and too boring - it's the poorer cousin to the good looking A5 which is a good looking car.

Previous version (03-08) Honda Accord still looks fresh IMHO, so I don't know if you need to worry about 08+ model looking bad in another 5 years.

I think the previous gen Accord is a much nicer looking than the current. If they hadn't 2.3 tax for the diesel would have bought one.

[mad m]

Originally Posted by walus

How heavy on petron can it actually be? I always wanted 07/08 2.0l petrol model, I think it is one of the best looking saloons out there, but was not sure what's the mpg on short trips around town. Cheers.

Well on short trips like any other 2.0L its not going to be good...But wifey drives it around for lets say Sunday to Sunday and I put 60euro in it and it gets around 340klm...Now long journeys its totally different, up n down to Galway and you would have over half tank left if not a bit more. Couple years back I was in Uk and did mainly motorway with some mixed town driving. I think I got near to 1000klm before I had to fill it up.

[TJJP]

Tax and VRT issues are interesting:

Audi
http://www.usedcarsni.com/85968658

CO2 Emission: 139 Roadtax €225 vrt rate 14% or €3687 (based on OMSP)

Honda
http://www.usedcarsni.com/85593788

CO2 Emission: 145? Roadtax €330 vrt rate 20% or €3,000 (based on OMSP)

Road tax on the honda could (could!, do your own calculations) be higher but ofset by lower VRT and overall purchase price so it really is 50/50 on the two cars.

[staker]

Originally Posted by Delboy5

Audi
http://www.usedcarsni.com/85968658

Honda
http://www.usedcarsni.com/85593788

Actually viewed the Honda myself 3 weeks ago,surprised it's still there.
I chose the Honda over the Audi,having previously owned an A4 just wanted a change.
As another poster alluded to,the centre console is a tad clustered and busy,with a lot of buttons doubling up on the console and tripling on the MFSW.
The 6 speed box takes a bit of getting used to,1st being way too short and 6th being too long,plenty of poke mid box over 1800rpm.
One other gripe I'd have is the bluetooth phone is voice activated,and phonebooks need to be vocally entered.No incoming calls carry any ID (not too sure of the limited phonebook in mine)which is a pain in the arse.
It's averaging 46mpg and that's not driving according to the onboard gearchange prompt.
Apart from that,cracking car.

[positron]

Originally Posted by Limerick man

I think the previous gen Accord is a much nicer looking than the current. If they hadn't 2.3 tax for the diesel would have bought one.

I thought the newer ones look a step up from the older ones. I remember a lot of people commented on the older design as crap back in 2003-2004 when they first came out, but since then most of the German models have gone way too ugly, last model Accord now looks fresh and decent in comparison! So extending that logic, in about 5 years time current crop of Passats, Avensises, A4s and 3/5 series would have become dead boring and soul-crushingly common, chunky and quirky Accord design would hold strong - again it's all subjective, but just saying.

[Delboy5]

Originally Posted by staker

Actually viewed the Honda myself 3 weeks ago,surprised it's still there...

What turned you off it in de end? You see any issues with it?

[staker]

Originally Posted by Delboy5

What turned you off it in de end? You see any issues with it?

It looked straight as a die and spotless from the outside,didn't look at it too much as I had an '08 in mind.
I started this thread if it helps. Found the forum very helpful as I'd been thinking about it a while.
I actually dealt with AC Motors so if you need any specific details PM me.

[bazz26]

I drove my cousin's A4 a few weeks back. It was exactly the same as the one the OP is looking at. Wasn't that impressed with it to be honest, I didn't like the gear change, the steering was vague and the handling was average. Some of the interior switchgear like the climate control buttons felt a bit cheap and out of place compared to other bits of trim. The engine was the best part of the car, lively enough and very quiet compared to typical TDi engines. Definately would not swap it for my 3 Series though.

OP, have you looked at the Passat CC, should be able to buy one of similar vintage, alot better equipped than the A4 and they have the added bonus of being a rare sight on the road.