Hi everyone! I'm a newbie on several accounts. This is my first post, and i am considering the purchase of an audi for the first time. Here are the specs:

98' A4
2.8L Quattro AWD
77000 miles, leather, 5 speed,
They have it listed for $7900

Here is a direct link to the shop's photos of the car in question:
http://www.autouplinkusa.com/FindVeh...;DealerId=6566

I test drove it a couple days ago. It feels real smooth. The tranny feels nice, the clutch is ok. A few minor scratches here and there, but overall VERY clean. under the hood looks nice too.

My main concern is that i have never had an Audi before, and i have heard they are expensive to fix, which is understandable because of the foriegness of the parts and such. Is this the case most of the time? You guys probably wouldnt drive these cars if they broke down all the time, but are there any classic or recurring problems with the a4's i should look out for? Overall I like this car a lot. It's about an hour away from me so its kind of a pain but i dont mind the drive if i know i will be getting a nice ride.

Previously i have owned..a lot of cars.. but in summary.. an 01 tiburon, 00 maxima, a couple of jeeps. Very different from audi's and i need some advice. What do you guys think??

Thanks so much for any help/advice/comments and suggestions you can offer !

 

gotta run to class so i can only give you a quick answer

you cant really mod it cuz its a 2.8/if you can do basic maintenance the cost of upkeep isn't that much higher than other cars/audi's are made in america, there is no "foreigness" to its parts/ price sounds good but make sure timing belt is done

others will help you out and elaborate

 

Timing belt should be changed around 90K mi. and costs
around $800 at an independent shop.

 

What are you talking about?

 

Umm, every window sticker in my dealership with the exception of a Q7 says built in Germany. Q7s are assembled in Hungary. Which one is made in America?

 

none haha

 

so you guys think Germany produces every audi in the world and all its parts? There are manufacturing plants in quite a few countries in including America, Germany, Hungary, China, and they're thinking about putting one in India. Your car was most likely made in Detroit not Germany.

 

No man **** you, German cars are made in Germany [:@]! Our Audi's are a byproduct of excessive sauerkraut, schnitzel, and Heineken-filled mornings.

Haha, in all seriousness, he's right. Every business functions in a way that's best for monetary gain. Audi's design and engineering may come from Germany, but assembly and parts are dependent on the country.

 

You're right, Audis are not exclusively constructed in Germany, but I'm fairly certain there aren't any plants in the U.S. I've heard that they are considering building one, but not for several years. My car was definitely built in Germany and I would bet that yours was, too.

Every part I've gotten from Audi was built outside of the U.S., right down to the lug nut cover.

Anyway, I don't want to argue about it...the point is, for the original poster, that parts from Audi will be expensive regardless of where they were manufactured simply because they're from Audi. That's probably the main thing that can make owning an Audi more expensive than some other brand of car. Most of the members of this forum are not rich, but, through judicious searching on eBay, junkyards, and various other websites, they have managed to maintain their cars. It also helps if you're a little bit handy under the hood.

I have a 2.8 and I love it. If the one you found was well-maintained, you'll love it too.

 

As in Audis and Audi parts sold in the U.S. were made in the U.S.? Generally, not.