Hi everyone. I just found this forum and am so happy to be posting here. Right now I’m driving a Saab 9000 Aero but want to buy an A4. I just read all the posts in the A4 section, so I will try not to ask the same questions others have. I see that the 99.5 and up is the best model to get. I was wondering if the 97 and 98 are ok? I only have around 13 grand to spend, maybe 15 grand if I push it. With these funds, what do you suggest? As of now I defiantly want a 1.8T Quattro, 5-speed, or would the 2.8 be better off with these funds. Also, I have head that the transmit ions are only so-so. Is there any truth to this rumor? I admit I am an 18 year old, and might have a tendency to drive the car a touch harder then some more refined drivers would. But I know this going in, b/c I am driving a manual right now. I really appreciate your input, and another of facts, and/or suggestions are more then welcomed.

 

Stay away from 12v V6s ('96 and '97), they are prone to oil leaks. I think a '97 1.8T would be fine. The pros of a V6 are: more horsepower, V6 will last longer, service intervals are farther apart. Cons: less tuneable, more expensive initially, prob more expensive when something breaks(6 cyl as opposed to 4). </P>


What is a transmit ion?</P>

 

[Deleted by Admins]

 

Sorry about that, i ment the transmission. I have heard they are prone to problems, but i was wondering everyone thoughts on that. This is just what i have heard. Also i forgot to ask about the changes in the different body styles. What year was the major body style change. Thanks again.



Brian

 

i am in the same boat as you gooseguy. i have decided to put my 93 Mazda RX7 twin turbo up for sale because i cannot keep up with it financially. i think an audi a4 would be a good practical car to drive to work and school every day, and i plan to get a bike to fulfill my speed cravings i will also have around $13k to spend, and i am contemplating whether to get the 1.8t or the 6 cylinder. </P>


forum veterans: is there anywhere we can look that shows things to look out for in particular when shopping for a used audi?</P>

 

if you plan it to be your daily driver and not mod it too much go for the 2.8...if you plan to mod it go for the 1.8</P>

 

If you can chose between a 97 or a 98 you should take the 98 because in that year quite some differences were made to the A4 (know it because we bought one then)</P>


It were things like a third stoplight, bodycoloured rearviewmirrors and dooropeners, some changes in the interior( new steeringwheels)...</P>


Think it's best to take one of the 98's</P>


Greetings...</P>


steve</P>


(sorry if I made some mistakes... am from Belgium<img border="0" src= smileys/smiley1.gif>)</P>


</P>

 

You can get 'em cheaper if you take your time. Just got mine for not much more than you've got to spend. It's a 99.5 sport. Check out www.autosourcemotorcar.com. Dan Badagliacca is the guy that we dealt with and he really knew his stuff. May want to check them out.</P>


Hope that helps! Get a sport if you can. Mine is much tighter/lower than the non-sport that we drove. I went for the 2.8 cuz I didn't want to modify the engine much.</P>


Bryan</P>

 

You guys say to tryto finda 98+ model because there were major changes done that year...</P>


Besides the aesthetic changes Avantus pointed out, were there any major mechanical changes in the 98+ model line? I take it from BoostedA4's post that the v6 engines went from a 12 valve system to an 18 valve injection system? Were the transmissions designed any differently between different model year Quattros? Were there any other mechanical differences between model years? </P>


If you guys would be kind enough to share your knowledge with us newbies, you might end up seeing a few good additions to your board I really would like to know because I have narrowed down my choices to a 2.8 Quattro Sport Package (does the sport package really make THAT much difference if I plan to add aftermarket suspension components anyway?) with the 5-speed manual tranny. I am trying to decide if it is really worth spending the extra money on a 98-99, when 96-97's can be had for quite a bit cheaper with around the same mileage (~$15.5k vs. ~$12.5k, respectively, with around 60k miles). </P>


If it is just aesthetic differences between the two semi-generations, the older models could be updated for relatively inexpensive with their newer counterparts' third stoplight, bodycoloured rearviewmirrors and dooropeners, some changes in the interior( new steeringwheels), etc. But if there weresignificant mechanical differences that I should know about before diving into an older model (96-97), I would like to know. I want to make a smart purchase, and I promise I will give back to the forum with everything new that I learn from the car. </P>


Basically, I am asking for everything you guys wish you had known before buying your cars that you feel could havehelped you make a wiser decision atpocket-emptying time.</P>


Thanks in advance for any advice you great guys give Gooseguy and me. It will not go un-appreciated </P>

 

oh, and tiggerjeep...</P>


If you don't mind me asking, exactly how much more did you spend for your 99.5 2.8 quattro sport? That would be a kickass car for me if I could just find a deal on one that is in my price range.</P>


Email me if you would rather say it away from the public eye.<img border="0" src= smileys/smiley9.gif></P>


rotorgasm@hotmail.com</P>