Hey Guys,

I'm 17 years old...and my parents are finally letting me get a car. I decided on getting an A4 a long time ago, but my budget isnt very big. (Around 4500) I've been poking around and I figure I can get either a 1996 or a 1997. Should I go with the 2.8 or the 1.8T? It seems like the 1.8's have alot of engine issues, but the trade off for not getting a 1.8 is that you cant hardly mod anything on the 2.8 engine...I wanted to do some slight moding to my car but nothing too serious. Any suggestions as to what I could get?

 

well its going to be really hard to find one for that price but id go with a 1.8t and if im not mistaken you will rarely see them in 97's cuz they were only in a very few at the end of 97 production.... the 2.8 is really reliable but i would still shoot for a 98 so you can at least get a 30v cuz the 12v sucks nuts to do anything performance oriented..... The 1.8 isnt a bad motor as long as you take care of it, it will be fine, however they do have some sludge issues that you need to watch out for...... IMO keep saving and buy a better car at least a 98

 

If you are 17 with no money and this if your first car, I would say go get yourself a Honda. I love my Audi as much as the next guy on here, but I seriously wouldn't want the added maintenance costs associated with the A4 as compared to a Honda if I were 17 again. Its simply a more expensive car to own.

You are young. Get a cheaper car and save your money for a better car in a few years. Or better yet, save your money for college and treat yourself to an Audi after you graduate.

 

If something breaks, Audi repair bills can be quite expensive.

 

ya for that small of a budget i would recommend a honda. it'll cost you next to nothing to maintain while you save up for your a4. when you finally do get an a4 i would recommend a 99.5 A4 1.8TQM. the first time something breaks in the car you are going to be up **** creek without a paddle and you will be carless again. you can get a 98 2.8. those are VERY reliable, but again if somethin should break you will be screwed unless you have a little bit of money to fall back on.

 

Yeah, dont shoot your wad on one of these.

if your lucky enough to find one for 4500, its gonna be in poor shape, and you wont have any money for parts. And thats if your handy with a wrench. If not, then you're really screwed.

Find something cheap and reliable, gain some wrenching experience, save some money, and find some old lady in a year or two selling her 99 a4 with 15000 miles on it. then you'll be ready.

Youll probably be better of insurance-wise with a cheaper car as well, cause they figure you're bound to f-it up.

 

I would def agree with everyone else. You don't want a high end car for your first car due to the price it cost for parts, god forbid you also make any mistakes on the road and also for 4500 you might find a Audi the year you want but it may have some underlying issues with the car due to the low price.

 

+1 Acetrebo summed it up right...Unless your parents are gonna pay the maintenance cost then get a cheap, not too banged up honda for now.

 

An audi is like a Ducati in the motorcycle community. You never buy a Duc as a first bike, why? Because you dont deserve it yet. Save you r money for when you will really be able to appreciate what you bought. Plus, you wont feel quite as bad loading your friends in a cheaper car, nor will you be concerned about abusing it by logging a lot of mileage.

 

well if you buy it yourself with your own money you deserve it cuz you worked for it !!!