Well, It's a private party sale. When I met up with the seller he was more than happy to work out something with me. However, I don't have the time to work on the car anytime soon this summer so I don't want to buy a car to work on. I doubt he will have the car worked on and fixed because he just bought another car for his family.

 

have a mechanic look at it. that's the only way to know what you are getting yourself into. ask him about the timing belt and what other service has been done. otherwise hold off. but i wouldn't advise buying any car without doing the above.

 

Air bag might be something simple - mine came on when I jumpstarted her one cold morning. The airbags will also still work if the light is on. If the light were blinking then you would have serious problems. TB is going to be your only worry at that mileage - maybe offer to pay for it and have it taken out of what you pay the guy for the car. as for he display - nothing much can be said about that except DAM audi and their cheap supplier. I say get the car if you can work something out with the seller to pay for the TB.

 

What would you ask for?
He's very eager to sell it because of a now larger family and a new car to fit them. He said he'll work with me to make it worth while (I told him that I was going to check out another car and he started to hesitate a bit.).

 

Well,

Does he have service records? Is t-belt done?

If no t-belt done, broken display, and no airbag, I'd offer him 5k or walk.

Between airbag, and t-belt, you are looking at 1500 or so in repairs. And the display is broken.

The display is just fine in my 97.

And, if he has no service records, Id run away, because I doubt this guy took care of it. When these cars are neglected, bad things happen my friend, bad, badthings..........

 

Oh, I forgot that part. He does have records for oil changes, carfax is clean except an accident in '04 but he has the Allstate insurance guarantee paper and the itemized list of all the parts and materials used on the car from the auto shop. Driver side door was hit by taxi and they replaced practically the whole door and I think worked on the brake and rotor.

 

What about t-belt? Has he done that?

 

I just called him and told him thatI was worried about the timing belt so would want to know if he could change it. He said that we would get together and talk about it. Sounds like maybe a break on the price of the car or something. Not sure.

 

just be totally straight with the guy (if he's willing to work with you) tell him you are going to buy a car soon and you like his the most but, the airbag light, the TB, and the display are the only things holding you back. Ask him if you can bring it to a mechanic and have it looked at. If he's good with that then do it and let us know what the mechanic says. then if all checks out tell him that you got some prices and it will cost XXX amount to get those things fixed or replaced. then ask him if he willing to take that amount off the price. if not see if you can split the bill or something. just tell him that the most you will pay is XXX amount (depending on the bill of health from the mechanic) lets say $6000 for arguments sake. show him the cash if you have the means to do so. I dont know anyone who would walk away from 60 nice crisp benji's!then see how he reactsand if he says no then tell him youroffer standswalk away and let him sit on it. then you will see if he really needs to sell the car or not. he may not have anyone else interested and after two days he might call you up and say $6000 and its yours...

but in the back of his mind over those two days he will be thinking about those benji's

 

He knows that I'm ready to buy but it's just a few things stand in the way so he's ready to talk it over before any decision is made. So i'm not too worried about losing this one it's just a matter of price and longevity ofa proper working car.