On the Hunt
#1
04-20-2011 | 03:08 PM
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1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2
From: Sun Prairie, WI
On the Hunt
Hey all,
I'm looking for my first Audi, coming from a VW TDI (which I still own), and I'd like some advice on the car I'm looking at.
It's a '96 A4 Quattro with 145000 miles on it. Black heated leather, 5 speed, and moonroof. First the bad. From what I saw looking at it and on the test drive, it is very low on power and has what sounds like lifter knock for 2-3 seconds after starting but it goes away once it's warmed up. The drivers side rear "ball joint" (his words) needs replacing as it makes a lot of noise, and the climate control face works intermittently. The speedometer doesn't work but when I hooked up my VCDS while driving, I got a speed reading and a CEL for Implausible Speedometer Sensor Signal. He has no records on it at all.
The good things are that the body is practically flawless, windows and moonroof all seem to work fine, everything electrical inside and out works great aside from the climate control face, and it shifts well.
My plans are to get the TB done ASAP, speedometer sensor or wheel (whichever is bad) replaced, and at least fix the bad joint in the rear--possibly just do a full suspension refresh. I'll be doing all the work myself except for the TB.
The guy wanted $2K for it but I talked him down to $1200. So what are some opinions? Should I buy it and fix it? Or are there too many red flags on this one?
I'm looking for my first Audi, coming from a VW TDI (which I still own), and I'd like some advice on the car I'm looking at.
It's a '96 A4 Quattro with 145000 miles on it. Black heated leather, 5 speed, and moonroof. First the bad. From what I saw looking at it and on the test drive, it is very low on power and has what sounds like lifter knock for 2-3 seconds after starting but it goes away once it's warmed up. The drivers side rear "ball joint" (his words) needs replacing as it makes a lot of noise, and the climate control face works intermittently. The speedometer doesn't work but when I hooked up my VCDS while driving, I got a speed reading and a CEL for Implausible Speedometer Sensor Signal. He has no records on it at all.
The good things are that the body is practically flawless, windows and moonroof all seem to work fine, everything electrical inside and out works great aside from the climate control face, and it shifts well.
My plans are to get the TB done ASAP, speedometer sensor or wheel (whichever is bad) replaced, and at least fix the bad joint in the rear--possibly just do a full suspension refresh. I'll be doing all the work myself except for the TB.
The guy wanted $2K for it but I talked him down to $1200. So what are some opinions? Should I buy it and fix it? Or are there too many red flags on this one?
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