Someone offered me an audi today and I'm wondering what to look for/expect from this car. I'm also wondering if it's worth it for me. Any advice you can lend would be great.
It's a 1996 a4 quattro 2.8 automatic. 156k miles. Asked me for 1500 I could probably get it for less. 156k seems like a lot for an audi. I've never owned one before, though.

Problems..
Needs new shocks and brakes
needs new corner light, work done on quarter panel, bondo needed on bumper, speedometer works 3/4 of the time.
front drivers fender needs to be painted.
The seats are in crappy shape

looks like he swiped the guard rails or something. I'm not sure, really.

Here's a couple pictures:

edit: see next post

and two different rims wtf ?

anyway what do u guys think?

:cheers: [8D]

 

 

Depends on what your plans are man. I cant tell you what to do, but if your thinking about fixing it and using it, and worry about how long its going to last. Well, look at the car, you think someone who treats a car like that has taken care of it? NO, i think what is seen on the outside could be reflected on the inside, or the engine, if his car looks like that, what makes you think he got oil changes done at the right intervals, etc etc. Id have to say, one big headache.

 

IMO, I suggest you spend a little more money to look for a better one. Unless you don't mind how the car looks.

It costs a decent amount of money to fix things on an Audi. It seems like there are many things to fix on that 96 B5.

Is it just me or the rear left wheel looks misallinged?

 

For that price, get it. 12V's are probably the most reliable engine Audi has ever made. I see them with 200k+ a lot and running fine. It doesnt seem like its been taken care of well cosmetically, which would make me concerned about how well the engine has been taken care of, as in oil changes. But if it runs smooth and shifts well (You dont want a $1500 car with a $3k tranny problem [:'(]) Id say go for it if youre just looking for a small fixer upper with tlc requirements.

 

im not so sure about this one. 1500 is cheap, yes. But it needs new shocks and brakes? speedometer doesn't work? its mismatched as hell. seems like a moneypit. GL with that one, id probably let it pass.

 

$1500 "or less" he said?

If you DIY, you can do it fairly cheap

The stock shocks should last a long time, are you sure it isnt control arm related?
If shocks, there are normally people selling their stock shocks/springs because they upgrade you could pick them up for cheap, maybe $200.
Brakes are simple. Go to www.getcoolparts.com or www.ecstuning.com or www.purems.com Could probably get front/rear pads and rotors for under $200.
New paint job/body work. If you know someone or a small shop that does a decent paint job for cheap that helps. I know someone who would do that car for $700ish. The speedometer could be a simple solution, or not. So $1500ish+ about $1000ish = a $2500ish car..... If you DIY. It would be fun to bring it back from the dead. Of course the seats would need to addressed at some point too [8D]

 

I guess he fell asleep at the wheel going 35 and swiped the guard rails. Probably explains the mismatched rims and obviously the drivers' side damages. The doors are new. Looks like the body work would be fairly simple then have someone paint. I do all my own work, yes (except for painting).

Are there any typical engine maintenance that I should inquire about him having done? I think I'm considering it, even though it is a fixer-upper for sure. I'm thinking I could probably flip it after I do the work and re-sell it. I'm not sure what I'd do about the seats. Maybe try to find a wrecked one and salvage them. It's an auto which is pretty rare but a bummer for me =/

I'm a little skeptical about how well it was maintained as well,based solely on the condition it's in. I'm thinking I might just throw out a low-ball number and see what he says. If i could steal it for <1000 i think it'd be worth a shot. hehe

thanks for all the replies!

 

i would offer him 700 and see what he says... it would be nice if a 1.8 came along with the same circumstances, id buy it for a parts car in a heartbeat. especially since i am without a license for a long damn time, it would be nice to have the donor so i could do all the little things that i want to replace.

 

that sucks dude, sorry to hear. i can't imagine not having my license. i'd go insane

i was thikning 700 too. i could totally justify that. hell i could turn around and sell it for more without much work ^_^