I agree with buying a slightly used car in your case for a couple of reasons. For starters, depreciation, I wish I hadnt bought my car new. Also, I dont know how often you drive from school/home, but your going to put a lot of miles on the car which kinda negates the investment aspect since your 07 may end up with more miles on it then the next persons 07 when you decide to sell it.
But of course, its your mom buying the car and its nice that you are respectful of her wishes. Just test drive all the cars that interest you in your price range and see what suits you best.
As far as reliability goes, its hard to really say which is going to be more reliable or not. Not all Audi A4s will be the EXACT same, so the problems I had, someone else might not have run in too, maybe one of the robots was having a bad day when it built my car LOL Also, I have always been skeptical of surveys, etc because it could be that only those WITH problems complain and those WITHOUT, remain silent.
Good luck in your hunt!
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2001 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro 5spd
1963 Chevy NovaSS 415hp 355ci V8

"Live as if your were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."
-Mahatma Gandhi
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