Hi all,

I'm new to this forum, so hopefully I'm posting this in the right spot.
I'm in the market for a used car and am considering this:

1997 Audi A4 Quatro

Fairly high miles, but recently had the water pump, timing belt and pulleys replaced. I've never owned an Audi, and am on the fence for the usual reasons (fun, nice car vs expensive to maintain). I'm pretty handy mechanically, and can do almost all the work myself. I wouldn't mind spending $500-$800 annually to maintain this car. If the test drive goes well, I'm thinking of offering $2,800.

So, what do you think? Should I resist the temptation and just stick with the mundane reliability of a Japanese car? Is it just foolish to invest in such a high-miled Audi?

I'm really on the fence, so any input would be much-appreciated...

 

too expensive for what it is. I bet it has more problems then listed. It looks like the front bumper has been ripped off multiple times and is missing the valence. The only good thing is the timing belt has been done and its Bamboo. You may think 156k is high mileage but not for an Audi, if its kept up it will out live most jap cars. Id offer him no more than 2500

 

Thanks for the opinion. Yeah, I took a look at it, and it just didn't feel very solid.

This is the other consideration: 99 A4 2.8 Quattro with the same basic repairs and a new clutch. 140k miles. 3 grand firm.

1999 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro

Seems a little more promising to me. Would you consider paying his asking price?

 

You'll be spending more than 500-800 annually to maintain any B5 A4. Like a high-maintenance girlfriend, they always demand a certain amount of attention from your bank account. But some of us think they're worth it.

 

Personally I'd spend the extra to get a 30v over a 12v. There's a little more work involved in its maintenance than in a 12v due to it being a more advanced engine but it's far from a repair ***** and the extra smoothness and 18hp are well-justified.

 

Why are you not looking at 1.8t?

 

Lol because that $500-800 annual maintenance budget would be gone by April each year

To the OP, for a point of reference, many of us with 30v cars have high miles and are running fine - myself included, at 220,xxx miles and running great. That being said, if you plan to mod the car for power, go with the 1.8T. If you want a nice daily driver and are unconcerned with increasing engine output, 30v hands down.

 

Yeah that annual maintenance budget is naive I'm sure
I'm more interested in long-term reliability than modding, so no turbo for me.
If that 30v is still available in a day or two, I think I might just have to join the club...

 

I think you can find something better for 3k. At least get facelift, you will thank your self.

 

facelift? I'm pretty ignorant here. What's that? It blue books for over 4k in fair condition, and with that extra set of tires and the ski rack, seems like a good deal, no?