I am a big saab enthusiast, but am looking to pick up a 96 -97 A4 for general use/winter use etc... I have always been a big fan of Audi and can't wait to pick one up, but now that the A4 has been around for almost 10 years, what are your oppinions on this car?
Generally, gotta be quattro, cause New England winters suck... and its gotta be stick...
Being a Saab enthusiast, I naturually want to get the 1.8Turbo since I've spent the last few years tuning a turbo car, and I know the engine is tride and true... but I'm curious what the Audi guys(girls?) think about it?

 

Find one with lower miles obviously. If it has above 60k see if the belts, tensioner, water pump and thermostat have been changed. Obviously see if the brakes have been replaced recently, and if you get into even higher mileage a4's 100k+ look for the control arms to be replaced. Do a carfax, and see if any mods have been done to it, A chipped A4 will put a lotta wear on that little k03.