Be prepared to spend $1500 a year on repairs at an independent shop.

 

An Audi is only as good as how well it was maintained. Since this one has been taken care of, it should be a good car. The price is too high. Keep in mind that Audis sell under KBB. If he tries to tell you what KBB says its worth, just know that no one gets book value on an Audi that old (at least if they search around). I got my 98 for $2k under book. Anyway, if you can't find another well maintained Audi with less miles, get this guy as low as you can and buy it.

 

While the car will keep running, you will be continually replacing "consumable" parts. This includes, motor mounts, strut mounts, oxygen sensors, wheel bearings, and if not done recently, it is getting time for a timing belt.

I'm now at 175K miles, and the car is running like a champ, although now my cat converter is wearing out.

 

all of the parts were replaced with in the last 2k miles (said to be as preventable maitinence). So i should be fine with "consumable" part for awhile. which is another bonus in my opinion.

 

you seem to be happy with the audi that you are wanting to get but, just know that you should NOT pay more than 4200 for this car, esp. since he is asking for 4800 and a basic rule of thumb is that the owner knows that he wont get the 4800 asking price, (thats why its an asking price). i'd try to get down to the 4200 or 4000 range. Try to wait him out a bit too, he might know down the price for you.

 

has the re-calls even been done on this car? has the 2006ignition switch re-call been taken care of?

again, the first thing that WILL need work on is the lower control arms and sway bar links!! if they've never been changed then it already needs new ones!
A4 B5's are prone to f*cking up control arms all the time!

 

I say look for a 99.5 1.8T, you'll thank me later when your able to chip it and get some real hp. Don't get stuck with a slow V6, especially a 12V.