Switching from an Audi

First time poster here. Figured I'd start off with a general question since I've been heavily looking at a new 2016 Civic Touring recently. Right now I have a 2013 Audi A5 with about 55,000 mi on it. My current situation (personal, not really financial, though slightly) has me seriously considering trading in the Audi for something with more practicality and better features. My Audi really doesn't have any of the bells and whistles in it that most even base trim cars have now.

I've looked at a few other options, but keep coming back to the Civic Touring. I need something with better fuel economy and something with more space than my current coupe, and the Civic seems to fit the bill, without being a complete boat. My only major concern being in PA here is the loss of the AWD.

Basically I want to trade in the Audi sooner rather than later so that it doesn't lose too much value over the next year or so here. Slightly hesitant to go with a first year model (or refresh in this case I guess). I've read and seen a lot of good reviews, and then some that sort of have me questioning whether or not to wait, etc.

Has anyone else gone from an Audi, or a similar AWD to a Civic (particularly this year)? If so, what are your thoughts? Any suggestions, or thoughts are really appreciated at this point since I'm a bit torn.

jaboop35 said:

My only major concern being in PA here is the loss of the AWD.

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If I'm not mistaken, this FWD car is the most popular vehicle in Canada. I would certainly buy winter tires/wheels before the next winter at the latest, the stock tires are pretty crap for traction.

And, if you're worried about a first-year car, you'll probably have good luck if you buy this summer (or maybe even sept. if you can handle the depreciation). They've been working out a lot of kinks in the line since the car originally came out, and I wouldn't be surprised if cars coming off the line have many problems if at all.

I agree with the previous post on winter tires. I've owned both AWD and FWD cars and found that dedicated winter tires are the way to go with either of those configurations. I had no problems with my previous FWD car (a Nissan Altima) in ice or snow when I ran a good set of winter tires on it. I was running Dunlop Winter Sport M3 tires and those seemed to work very well while still maintaining good dry handling characteristics.

My previous car before the Audi was an RSX and it did pretty well in the snow so I'm not completely against the FWD part. I guess a lot of it comes down to making sense to make the jump at this point. And if the Touring would be the best way to go. Maybe I'm slightly questioning the longevity of having it compared to the A5. Trying to start a family within the next year or two being another factor I left out in the first post.

I've only ever driven FWD cars and I lived in Minneapolis for ten years. The stock all seasons never cut it for me, though they're passable.

I swapped out for Blizzaks every winter. Those tires are godly.

I have a friend with a brand new CLA and he is jealous whenever he's in my Touring because he has a base model with literally no options. Make no mistake there are cost cutting measures you'll find compared to your Audi, but I've owned several Civic and been in my fair share of luxury cars- I'd take my Touring over most all of them based on value alone. It's also a very high end looking design.

My advice- go drive one and thoroughly examine it. You'll know whether it's better for you more than the rest of us.

I've owned a plethora of Civics.. Literally every generation.. I had a 1991 Civic LX Sedan, a 1999 Civic Si, a 2003 LX coupe, a 2009 Civic EX-L, a 2011 Civic Si, a 2012 Civic Si, 2013 Civic Si, and now a 2016 Civic Touring.

The 2016 is by far the most refined Civic Honda has made this far and being a MASSIVE Honda enthusiast (owning many other various models in the Honda line) it makes me happy Honda is really stepping up and finally being competitive again in the market..

I think you'll find the new Civic to be a really amazing value for the fit and finish they have brought to the Civic line. I've also owned fully loaded BMW 335i's (two so far) and my Civic has features my previous 2013 335i fully loaded doesn't have.. But there's also features the BMW has the Civic doesn't but I haven't missed those features .. EXCEPT for the top-down camera view for parallel parking and or getting super close to curbs is the only thing I miss the most. I hope I don't end up curbing my wheels on my Civic!

jaboop35 said:

Has anyone else gone from an Audi, or a similar AWD to a Civic (particularly this year)? If so, what are your thoughts? Any suggestions, or thoughts are really appreciated at this point since I'm a bit torn.

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I had an 2010 Audi S4 (probably the same internals as your A5) and bought a Touring. I am surprised at the similarities. The Honda is quiet and comfortable and has many of the same features my Audi did like dual zone climate, electric parking brake with hill assist, premium audio system, LED headlights (a little nicer than the Audi HID's in my opinion), leather, heated seats, auto dimming mirrors, auto wipers, etc... I have not really had any issues with my car that some others are having and love the new LCD speedometer display and the Infotainment system with Car Play and Siri support. In short I love the new car and can live with the trade off of regular unleaded and 43 MPG hwy over the extra couple hundred horses. With a 3 year old and 6 year old I didn't use the horses much anyway

I can't comment on having an Audi but my previous was a 06 BMW 530i. Put it this way, the only thing I miss about my BM is the power of the N52 motor and the truck swinging open when I pressed the trunk button. My 4yo son misses the BM too but he is starting to warm up to our Civic and believe it or not but the Civic has more leg room in the back for him!

I did a bit of a cost analysis on keeping the A5 vs going with the Touring. It was a ridiculous comparison as I would've been throwing money into premium gas (something I won't miss) and the extra on insurance. I got an insurance quote of about $200 less a year with the Civic, so that would also help. My dad just got a new ILX as well (2015 I believe) and I was shocked at the comparison of the Civic and the ILX, especially in terms of size. For the three to four times a year that the AWD really seems to matter in the Audi around here, I'm starting to really believe I won't miss having it all that much, especially after what some of you have said. I think I'm definitely going to go drive one in about a week or so, so that'll help make the decision too. Just afraid of some of the bugs at this point that have been mentioned, but I guess not everyone has had them? (Particularly with the bluetooth and infotainment systems).

Like I said, not sure I'd want to wait too much longer to get one if this is the choice I'm making. Anyone see the Touring dropping in price or anything else of importance over the next 2-3 months?

jaboop35 said:

I did a bit of a cost analysis on keeping the A5 vs going with the Touring. It was a ridiculous comparison as I would've been throwing money into premium gas (something I won't miss) and the extra on insurance. I got an insurance quote of about $200 less a year with the Civic, so that would also help. My dad just got a new ILX as well (2015 I believe) and I was shocked at the comparison of the Civic and the ILX, especially in terms of size. For the three to four times a year that the AWD really seems to matter in the Audi around here, I'm starting to really believe I won't miss having it all that much, especially after what some of you have said. I think I'm definitely going to go drive one in about a week or so, so that'll help make the decision too. Just afraid of some of the bugs at this point that have been mentioned, but I guess not everyone has had them? (Particularly with the bluetooth and infotainment systems).

Like I said, not sure I'd want to wait too much longer to get one if this is the choice I'm making. Anyone see the Touring dropping in price or anything else of importance over the next 2-3 months?

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The gas savings is crazy on the new Civic.. I drive spiritedly mostly and still somehow managing 30+ mpg. To have the power of last year's Civic Si and still netting 30+ mpg.. What is this sorcery, Honda?

Get the Civic. If you must have AWD- WRX. It's great on gas considering the power and awd. CVT if you don't wanna row your own gears. 2016 WRXs have android + apple connectivity and a backup camera now.

jaboop35 said:

I did a bit of a cost analysis on keeping the A5 vs going with the Touring. It was a ridiculous comparison as I would've been throwing money into premium gas (something I won't miss) and the extra on insurance. I got an insurance quote of about $200 less a year with the Civic, so that would also help. My dad just got a new ILX as well (2015 I believe) and I was shocked at the comparison of the Civic and the ILX, especially in terms of size. For the three to four times a year that the AWD really seems to matter in the Audi around here, I'm starting to really believe I won't miss having it all that much, especially after what some of you have said. I think I'm definitely going to go drive one in about a week or so, so that'll help make the decision too. Just afraid of some of the bugs at this point that have been mentioned, but I guess not everyone has had them? (Particularly with the bluetooth and infotainment systems).

Like I said, not sure I'd want to wait too much longer to get one if this is the choice I'm making. Anyone see the Touring dropping in price or anything else of importance over the next 2-3 months?

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I was sort of in the same boat as you. I had an AWD Rav4 before (and a long commute) and was looking at getting something with AWD. I test drove some subarus and just didn't love them. Then I found out about the CivicX, test drove and was ready to buy one. I also did some reading on bad weather handling and apparently Civics historically have handled very well in snow compared to some other FWD cars. I also realized I would need snow tires anyways if I'm serious since AWD isn't going to help you stop or turn, which are both fairly important driving activities.

For me personally I've had my EX-T about 2 weeks now (and put about 600 miles on it) and have had one hiccup with the infotainment system. It really DOES seem to help if you disable AA and Carplay in the diag menus (that's in another thread on here), and since I did that I've had no problems.

Thanks for the replies. Starting realize that the AWD isn't as important to me as features and affordability. I've looked into the WRX a bit, and it just doesn't seem to be as practical as the Touring is looking. Slightly cheaper I suppose, but seemingly with not as many features. Also nice to know that the Civic does well in snow compared to some other FWD.

I guess the issues with the infotainment system seem to be sporadic too, but I guess it's like that with any car.

jaboop35 said:

Thanks for the replies. Starting realize that the AWD isn't as important to me as features and affordability. I've looked into the WRX a bit, and it just doesn't seem to be as practical as the Touring is looking. Slightly cheaper I suppose, but seemingly with not as many features. Also nice to know that the Civic does well in snow compared to some other FWD.

I guess the issues with the infotainment system seem to be sporadic too, but I guess it's like that with any car.

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I actually haven't had a single issue with my infotainment.. Maybe I have a newer update since my car is only a month old.. Seems like more people who bought their Civics back when they first came out may be on an older firmware.. I think Honda has an update that can be performed to correct some issues. I have an iPhone and Carplay has been perfect.. from using the Radio.. to XM, and bluetooth audio streaming.. Not a single hiccup so far.

Diversion said:

Not a single hiccup so far

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Good to know. Seems like that is a common thing with newer cars anyway. Anyone think the MSRP on the touring will go down in the next few months? Particularly once the R or Si are released?