New guy here, prospective buyer of a new audi. I've been lurking on several forums for a month or so, doing my homework. I really like the new A4with the Sline body. I like the 2.0 TFSI engine, and everything that goes with the car. I found out yesterday that the automatic tiptronic is basically a smart automatic with a torque converter, which is really my only problem withthe car. Ido want to go automatic as rush hour traffic can really suck in this area.

I'm just looking for some insight. I'm 21 turning 22, and I have agood full time job with the state. (also in the ANG). I want to put atleast 10k down, maybe 15 to keep my monthly payment down. As I want it, msrp stands at 35. What do you think I should be able to negotiate that down to. They had one 07 left, and they offered 30 for it, everything I wanted, except the 07 had a little less legroom, and it didnt have the sline body,but it sold pretty quick, which didnt bother me, as I really like the sline body, and the added leg room.

One of the ways I can justify in my mind getting a car as nice as this is that I plan on keeping it for the life of the car. I want it to be my daily driver - it will be very welltaken cared of. I have a clean driving record, andeven though i'm only 21, I was on allstates platinumtier, and now that I switches to geico, I'm unlta-preferred, so while I would be getting full coverage, the insurance isnt going to kill me. I drivea big truck thats on its way out. I'm ready for a nice, new car. Within the next few years my plans include buying land, and hopefully within 8 years, have started to build my house on it.

I'm not trying to boreyou guys, I'm just trying to see if this is a bad move or not. The A4 seems pretty reliable. I know about the DIS display going bad, and the ussual bad luck items that some people get. Some of my friendsagree, and say -go for it. Others say, buy a cheap car, and wait.I can afford the audi, along with all my others bills, and still save 12k a year, thats take home, right into my savings. I'm just looking for a little wisdom.

Should I buy a cheap used car (probably a jetta - hopefully would be a VR6) and drive it for a year, and give it to my SO, then buy a new car, or just go for it, and buy the car I really want. I know cars can be the worst investment, as they lose value so quickly,but the A4's seem to retain there value pretty well, especially if they are well maintained.

My buddy makes less than me, and he just baught a brand new GTI, and my other buddy, who makes less than him, just baught a brand new mini, and another buddy just got a brand new subaru legacy. I'm making more than they are, and I'm driving a truck that is falling apart - and feels like it just might explode enroute to where ever I am going. Thisisnt about showing off (well...ok....a little, the A4 is an awesome looking car thathas good personality- I got to drive one for 2 hours from the dealership). I want something that I can rely one for the next10-15 years. Thanks for whoever replies and offers some insight, I apologize for writting a book.

 

Well, you'd know better than any of us what your financial situation is. Obviously, we're all Audi fans, but I'm not really sure what kind of advice you're hoping for. It sounds like you've done the math so maybe it's time to consult your psychic.

 

Are you looking to mod your car?
If not, a 3.2L will be a better choice for you, since you are planning to keep for a LONG time.

 

Ouch. I was just looking for a little wisdom is all, sarcasm aside.I'm not sure what kind of help I was looking for, I guess I just want to be told its ok to buy a new car? Haha. Sounds bad I know. Sometimes I can be very impulsive, and I've been known to buy expensive things, without much hesitation. I'm trying to change that.

As to the engine, I really do like that 2.0. I think eventually I will be doing some light modification. The basics at first, exhaust, chip. Not sure if I really want to push the power too high with the automatic, although I've read it can take 400ish no problem, I would start to worry about longevity, and overall reliability. If I follow from what i've learned from my old man, I would just buy it, and not care, but he is also impulsive.

I'm only 21, and I dont think its the norm for 21 year olds to be buying brand new 35k cars..I just want to hear from people who have baught brand new cars young, and got their ideas about it. Did they regret it, would they do it again? Those kind of things. Moneys not a problem. Any old timer wisdom floating around?

 

Everything you wanna do sounds great!.............But dont do a TIP you will regret it i have a 2.0 to and loving it. I got a stick best decsion ever but i decided not to go quattro which was a mistake but the FWD is still amazing!

 

i think u should buy it. as far as monthly payments go, i think the interest rate is lower if u go longer? correct me if im wrong though. but get like a 5 year lein and u can always finish the payment early without paying the extra interest to the bank. as far as which car u want, yes the tip is very good for heavy traffic. the manual will kill ur left leg lol. i've experienced it. as far as engine goes. u can get the 2.0 and still modded if u wanted to but the 2.0's life span is not as long as the 3.0 or is it 3.2? since money is not a problem ur in great shape. and always always negotiate price even though u got money lol. they will always lower the price on new cars but used cars are a diff story.

 

I'm 22 and just bought a brand new 2007 A4 2.0T. I went for the '07 because of the major discount they gave me being the end of the model year. If you have the cash, get what you want and negotiate the best you can. Since the 2008's just came out you wont get too much off the sticker price. There is nothing wrong with a new car if you want a new car.

FYI: The 2008 A4 doesn't have any more leg room (front or rear) than the 2007. The B8 coming out next year will though.

Get what you want, search edmunds.com and online forums to see what other people are paying for the same car. Use that as your tool to negotiate.

Let us know what you find out! If you want more specific advise, email or PM me.

Mitch G

 

I was 24 when I bought my Audi... there is nothing wrong buying a new A4 when you are young.. as long as you are able to afford it
I got mine $500 below invoice for 07 model back in 06 Nov...
Go for it... 2.0T is a great car!

 

Thanks for the replies. I thaught the newer 08 (not the new new one) had a tad bit more leg room for the driver by slimming down the center console, maybe I just wanted there to be more leg room? I found some well maintained used audis at the dealership, so now I have to consider those (out of getting a better deal). I also foud a really nice TT, its a 2001, 1.8t, 48k miles, for 17,980...which leads me to another questions. TT's a sporty little sucker, 6 sp manny , how would a tt be for a daily driver? probably no where near as comfortable as the A4, should tell me the tt is a bad idea, and to shut up, and buy the damn a4. Its between the 08, if I can find an 07, I know i'll save wicked money off the price because they are really trying to push them off the lot, and maybe a 2001-2004ish A4 somewhere between 12-18k (somethine with enough life in it for me to enjoy - I think I would feel less guilty about modding an older audi). I think I go back and for every thirty seconds, new one, used one, new one, used one. GAH! I also say a nice used subaru impreza, but driving an impreza is like driving a washing machine. I really think my truck is going to commit hari kari. It has all sorts of fun vibrations, almost like getting a back massage at 65 miles per hour....she nears death. So this transaction is gonna have to be sooner than later, which means I wont have the 15k I wanted to drop at the dealer and still feal comfy. Ok, so I think i'm gonna go to my bank tomorrow and get preapproved for a loan, so I know what I have to work with, since I will not finance a car through the dealer, and I know my bank will give me a good rate (I have awesome credit for being young - 742 score). Anything I need to look for in a used audi. I know about the timing belts every 60-70k miles, I kinda want a post 2001 so if I do get a 1.8t, it will have the updated engine internals. Engine sludge, whats the easiest way to tell if the engine has this problem? I've got that nevous excitement one gets before spending lots of money on a new toy.

 

im another young guy(20)that has bought new cars (2 actually), I had a really good job and money saved up out of high school and bought a 2005 F150 Crew cab. I drove it for about a year and sold it to buy a 2006 Trailblazer SS. The sticker on the TBSS was 41k and i got it out the door for 26,500$ put 10k down on it and my payments are 326/month. I think the tbss was a smart move for me mainly b/c ive driven it for 27k miles since last december and book value is still more than i paid for it. If you plan on keeping it for a while get what you really want, if you plan on buying a new car every year or 2 get somthing that will retain its value well, or even lease it.