G'day everyone, I have narrowed my A4 search down to two vehicles: a silver 2005 1.8T, black interior, 16" wheels with 12000 miles (originally $22995, approx. $19K after trade-in) or a red certified pre-owned 3.0L , platinum interior, 17" wheels with 33000 miles (originally $25995, approx. $20K after trade in). The reason for the disparity is because the dealer selling the 1.8 will only give me $4K for my 2001 Jetta while the other bloke will give me $6K). To be fair neither of them have seen the VW yet as it's at the mechanic so those trades are estimates.

I'm leaning towards the 1.8T at the moment because of the mileage (crazy low), the better agility and handling (very important as I used to drive an Alfa Romeo GTV), and the fact that I can chip/mod it, but on the other hand the 3.0L has more stock power, more linear acceleration and has the extra 2-yr, 50000 mile warranty on top of the existing factory warranty (so warranty period is effectively 6yrs or 100000 miles from date of in service). Plus I think the red is pretty cool!

I realise driving cars is subjective and dependent on individual taste (i.e. cruiser vs handler, modder vs stock, etc), but I'm curious to hear some opinions as to how you guys would go. As I said I'm leaning towards the 1.8T for some strange reason, even though I know it's the lower trim level - also, I'm planning to trade it in for an S5 in about 3 or so years, so the lower mileage might help. I've also already made a tentative booking with an APR shop to do a Stage 1+ ECU upgrade (+ injectors). But driving the 3.0 today complicated my purchase decision...

2005 1.8T - $19K



Year: 2005
Mileage: 12000 mi approx.
Exterior: Silver
Interior: Black leather
Pros: Can mod turbo, full logbooks, low mileage, newer model year, still 2 yrs/38000 miles factory warranty, more agile/better handling, "feels" better to drive
Cons: Turbo lag, silver (seems kind of common), non-power passenger seat

2004 3.0L - $20K



Year: 2004
Mileage: 33000 mi approx
Exterior: Red
Interior: Platinum
Pros: good stock power, more linear acceleration, (slightly) more luxurious interior, certified pre owned so has additional 2yr/50000 mi warranty, red
, 17" wheels
Cons: more mileage, older model year, doesn't seem as agile as the 1.8T (weight distribution maybe uneven?), can't really mod aside from s/charger, platinum interior (not my taste)

So how would you guys go?

 

2005 1.8T and let the modding begin!

 

1.8. Most definitely. Better performance, mileage, and easier to work with.

 

that red one has a flat tire........... but yeah, go for the 1.8t. low mileage, and it is cheaper. The color imo is better then the 3.0

 

The turbo is so small that you wont notice any turbo lag. Go with the 1.8T!!!

 

my 2005 is pretty sick

 

I'd guess that most of the folks on this forum either have or are in the process of getting to modified cars. Nothing wrong with that. I already have a sports car (I had two, actually, and used one for the trade to the surprise of some of my friends) and wanted a more civil car for the wife and I. Just to offer you another view, I traded for a 2003 3L 6 speed. It had very low mileage (it was a lease) and all the service was done at the local dealership. I still have four months on the original warranty and it was sold to me with another two years to follow those. As a new member of the Audi world, I really love the looks of the A4 over the larger cars and this particular model has a surprising amount of pep for its weight. I did not drive the smaller engined car so I cannot offer a comparison but I actually DID like the handling. The car has a nice feel on turn-in and takes a set real well. Count this as one vote for the 3L.

 

Being somewhat like the previous poster, I too vote for the 3.0, although I'm not a fan of red. My wife and I just picked up an '04 Quattro Cabriolet with the 3.0 (AND 12,400 miles, AND certified) and are loving it, but we aren't in to the modding either. For that stuff I have my Miata and even there I'm quite conservative. I HAVE driven the 1.8T in my brother-in-laws Passat and as a stock engine I was quite impressed with the performance. When I was looking for the Audi i read some issues about the oil distribution in the 1.8 and decided that although they might be resolved, I'd rather stay away from them for a long term car

Whatever your decision, good luck. I'm sure you'll love it.

 

Bump for the 3.0 its a nicer car all around interior and handling, idk what they are talking about my car got power and control i can take turns at 65 that most ppl can only do at 40

 

1.8t if you want to mod...