First time poster here, hope I'm getting the right forum for this type of question. As the topic title says, I'd like to become the owner of an Audi A4. It's a German car, well engineered IMO... nice size, not too big but enough space to sit comfortably. Decent power to boot and some luxury as well.

Any advice on my first Audi purchase? Specific problems that were known with this model, if any? Any major maintenance that I should look (out) for when purchasing this car, etc? Would prefer to go for a 1.8T, Quattro not important but OK if it's available. Auto transmission (TipTronic) only. I'd like an '01 or '02 B6 model if I can, looking to spend no more than $13-15k on the car. Is that reasonable to expect? I've seen more than a few selling in this price range, though it seems to be the low end of the price range on these cars.

Most cars I've owned and maintained were Japanese, save for two American cars. I never had a problem with parts/prices. Is it safe to assume parts for the A4 in USA/Canada are reasonably priced in comparison? I don't mind to spend a little more, but I also don't expect to be doing too many repairs to the car from the get go (which is why I'm asking, is there any common problems to look out for, but either way I'll likely get it inspected at a garage before I buy) ... at least not off the bat. Regular maintenance is of course expected with any used car.

Thanks for input, suggestions, and/or advice.

edit: any benefit in the B6 over the older B5 model?

 

expect to pay twice as much for any part

 

Thanks for the heads up ... I'm not terribly concerned about the price of parts (unless the car is going to being falling apart at every nut and bolt) but it's good to know before buying ...not a deal breaker by any means as they are beautiful cars.

 

Audi cars are awesome!! I bought mine for less than $10K with90Kdrove over 10K miles on it in few months, no major problems, actually no problems at all except i did change few things just to be on a safe side. You'll love quattro handling, tip isnt my favorite but its still fun to drive and shifting from your steering wheel. Tons of comfortable and usefull things inside, except cup holders. Personally I think its a very reliable car(atleast my B6).

IMO - Buy B6 1.8T quattro sport package brilliant blackwith bose and all 4 heated seats(just like mine)

 

Spasiba VORON

Incidentally, I'm actually looking at an Quattro 1.8T with heated seats and Bose system, but it's an '01 so B5

I've never had a car with paddle shifters before so it'll be a different experience for sure. I'd go for a stick shift, but I'm not the only one who'll be driving the car so... have to be considerate of others, yada yada. I don't think I want to be chauferring for groceries everytime

However there's also an '02 1.8T which caught my eye (I believe it also has heated seats and the likes), it still has 2.5 years extended warranty, 35k on factory warranty ... nice way to top off a used car purchase, as I wasn't expecting to get any warranty on a car this old.

 

if you're planning on modding this car/having fun with it. get a manual. people can learn to drive stick.. let me rephrase ANYONE can learn to drive stick

 

It's convenient for those of us who like road head and manumatic transmissions.

 

The price range is correct. Just any car your looking at just post the link up in the A4 section and we will give you questions to ask.

 

I knw it was already mentioned about parts being expensive, but something else you should know it that the car takes special fluids (power steering, coolant, atf, etc) It can be a PITA sometimes.

Common failure is timing belts, start thinking about having it replaced at 60K miles and be sure to have it completed before 90K miles. If you plan on having the car past 100K miles be sure you have deep pockets. The car will get expenisve after that.

Definately get a warranty.

 

Yea, I know anyone can drive stick. Someone actually did learn to drive stick very fast but doesn't wanna deal with it, and I don't wanna deal with someone not wanting to deal with it later down the road, so I'm just looking for an auto/TipTronic to avoid a big mess.

I don't plan on doing any mods to the car, at least not in the forseeable future. Right now, I just need something to drive, but not just some beater... a nice car for the next year is what I'm thinking, I probably won't be able to bother with another car till at least '09 spring.

Special fluids I can handle... any specific problems with the cars past 100k? I assume you just mean the regular work, belts, struts, joints, etc. I found this maintenance schedule and it looks pretty standard. I don't want to buy a car and get shafted with a whole slat of work from the top. Had that happen with a recent car, luckily it was easily done out of a garage and only $500 in parts. Two shops quoted $3k and $3.5k for the work (struts, joints, and the whole bit). Not really sure how easy it is to work on the Audi's.

http://www.bentleypublishers.com/tech/audi

I'll post a couple links of cars I'm looking at. I'm in Toronto area but haven't a problem crossing the border for the right car... so far I'm just checking locally because I haven't seen much of a price advantage on this model in the south.

http://tinyurl.com/yur74x
http://tinyurl.com/25pry9
http://toronto.craigslist.ca/car/452716445.html
http://tinyurl.com/yo6ch9
http://autogd.ca/fr/usedcars/listing...spy?id=1428312

Though I'm a bit skeptical of that last one there (last two links are the same car) ... I've heard and seen first hand about the skilled Quebecers who reset the mileage on vehicles and then resell them outside of Quebec. Just plug a computer in from a little suitcase and bam, mileage reset from 150k to a nice 60k, easily resellable. There's a couple rides I saw on eBay but not sure how I'd go about getting those cars checked out. Is it better to avoid eBay? Never bought a car through eBay before.

As for getting a car with a warranty, does that pretty much limit me to shopping at dealerships? I guess a recertified car is a good idea in any case.