So I'm planning on getting my first car soon and I've negotiated a price for a 1998 A4 for $3400.00 Canadian dollars with certification and e tests included. However, the mileage is currently sitting at 204,000! The car itself looks sleek and has been stored indoors but I'm wondering, is this a good buy? Keep in mind I only need the car for the next 2-3 years and don't plan on having it last for several years.

Also, the owner has told me that there is a small oil leak and the ABS system is down.

Here is the link: 1998 Audi A4 2,8 Quattro Sedan - Mississauga / Peel Region Cars For Sale - Kijiji Mississauga / Peel Region Canada..

Should I buy this car?

 

That mileage is nothing! Only 126000 miles. Plenty of guys here have run that car past 200000 miles (320000 km) and many are still going strong.

The ABS issue is quite common, generally the ABS module needs to be rebuilt which can be done for $100 or less in some cases.

I think a typical source of leaks on the 2.8 is from the valve cover gaskets, which shouldn't be too difficult to change.

 

Agreed. Mine is over 206k miles and running strong. Valve cover gaskets are a common oil leak source but if it's a leak that leaves oil on the driveway it's likely elsewhere. Check the oil pan gasket, and grab the oil filter and see if you can get it to move by pulling, shaking, or twisting. If it (and more specifically, the oil cooler, which is what the filter is screwed onto) moves at all, it's a loose locking nut that holds the cooler tight against its oil seal. You can lose every drop of oil in the engine in seconds if it gets too loose, if you don't remove the filter and tighten the nut. You'd do well to order an oil cooler o-ring and install it soon if that's the case.