Sorry guys, I had an old account a while back when I had a 4000 CS Quattro, but i could not remember my screen name and password and I changed my email.

Anyways,

I just bought a 1997 A6 Avant and it is in absolutely PRISTINE condition cosmetically and mechanically, I knew it needed some work but I talked the seller down to $1400 and driving it home, I was coming out of an intersection (less than 5mph) and the timing belt broke and I did not hear any grinding or knocking around, I just lost power and had to push it to the parking lot. Anyways, I am having the absolute best shop that specializes in Audi's/VW's in the midwest changing out the belt and tensioner and pulley to see if they can manually crank it to see if the valves are bent and if so, how badly.

My question is this: With the KBB Value at $6700 and I only paid for $1000 for it, is it worthless? Help me!

 

Are you crazy? Of course it is worth it.
You can hardly find nowadays a decent running car that's below $ 1000...
Besides, the valves are not that expensive. (in the $10-12 ballpark)

Even if they charge you $ 2000 to fix, you end up with a $ 3400 decent used car in pristine condition that's valued at $ 6700. You can't lose...

 

Thats debatable!

That's what I like to hear. Thanks!

 

I second Chefro, you cant loose. Of course, it probably needs brakes, tires, hoses, control arms, cv boots, and all the other things that seem to plague our love for the four rings. I just did a head gasket replacement on my Range Rover, so I know where you are. It is frustrating, but you will end up with a car that is far more fun to drive than anything else you can buy for that money. At least you have a good place to take it.

 

I say fix it as well. If you can be all said and done for 3400.00 and have a great car with basically a new engine (top half at least), go for it.

The C4 A6's are a classic example of European elegance.

Keep it,

Jeff

 

Thanks so much for the input, I feel alot better about my purchase. To me, the Audi is the best car available and to be able to get one at such a cheap price is a great deal, even if it needed some work done.

Keep the advice coming.

 

I don't know where KBB gets their prices... $6700 for a 97 Avant is way out of line. The going price for very good ones with everything upto date is more like $4000 and you can find some for significantly less....

But $1400 or $1000 isn't bad for one needing a timing belt. (it clearly told you that on the way home) so before the failure you would had to have about $2400 in it. If you can keep the total cost in the $3-4000 range your doing OK otherwise start looking for one of the guys willing to spend $6700. If you find more than one, have him see me!!

 

Just picked up my 96 A6 with new timing belt, water pump, rad and fans, tie bars, new rotors, pads, and tires...etc etc etc....for 3k out the door. KBB had it at 5400 I believe.

 

...wow

... you, lucky dog
You don't have to worry about major stuff for a long time. Great find.

 

Well, of course you'll find bias in a group of Audi owners. . . Keep It!!

There are more things to consider than just the price of the car. What are the alternatives? Do they provide as much value for the money? If you wanted a car that never needed much of anything done to it, you'd have bought a Honda Accord wagon. But, you'd more than pay for it in the asking price of the car itself. So, I'd MUCH rather have $4k wrapped up in a beautiful old Audi than and Accord or Camry. And for your other alternatives, the BMW wagons are few and far between, and expensive both in price and maintenance, so they're a lose/lose to me. And a late 90's Mercedes? Even if you'd find a wagon, I wouldn't touch one with a 10 foot pole.

Funny how the timing belt broke on your way home though, excellent timing for the seller! It didn't have any adhesive residue on it, did it? LOL