Greetings!

For the past few years, I've been lusting after an A8L...with the economy not being so great, I'm watching the price on these cars slide downward into my budget! I keep bouncing back and forth between the first and second generation A8's (I've got my eye on a 2001 A8L, but really like the redesigns in a 2004 A8L). So, the question is, should I hold out for a few more years and go into an '04 or newer? Should I satisfy the urge now and go for the '01 on craigslist?!

Thanks in advance....

 

I wouldn't buy a D3 if you can't afford an 05 or newer, the 04 has a lot of issues which could drain your wallet in repairs. If you are really itching to buy one go with the 01 on craigslist, thats a really hot A8. I'd buy it if i were in that area.

 

Thanks for the info! I'm curious to know what some of the big merits the D2's have over the D3's (I certainly understand issues surroudning the first model year of the D3)! I'm guessing another big reason to go with the D2 is because the systems appear to be much less complex (therefore less expensive to maintain/fix)...

So, if this itch gets the best of me on the '01, is there a list of questions I should be asking the seller (I saw the sticky about general maintenance and problems, but figured the question would be worth asking here anyway)?

Lastly, it seems like a silly question, but all I know about the MPG stats on an D2 A8 are what I've read on cosumer review websites...should I expect to stick right around Audi's published numbers for city/highway driving or are there any reports around here that talk about fuel economy?

 

Just standard maintenance questions, since he is at 78k ask him if has done the timing belt and water pump. Changed any of the plugs etc.

As for fuel mileage the consumer reports are pretty much spot on. Of course the MPG's always go down with a heavier foot, the A8 is a performace luxury sedan after all.

 

yea... i'm with auditech79 on that one. timing belt, water pump, and maybe serp belts. also ask if they've done any transmission maintenance recently. Plugs are listed to be at 80k mile maintenance, but might as well try to get em included. and yea, the gas mileage here in the city is about 16-17mpg depending on how bad traffic is... if you're on the highway without traffic, should be somewhere between 23 and 28 mpg... traveling at 65-70 mpg, i get around 28 mpg... speeding at 90-130 (only tried once on the test drive home), i get around 21-23 mpg... all depends on how fast you plan on going... i almost never speed more than 5 mph above the limit, so if you've got a little will-power, you can make pretty good mileage for a V8.

 

^^ I can't get that kinda mileage out of my A4 with a 1.8T, but im also running on 91 octane california CRAP gas.

 

yea, i checked my mileage again... yea, on the highway i usually get 23-26.5 (update) and in the city on my daily driving i get around 17-18 mpg... traffic is horrible here in the DC area so I guess that has a lot to do with it.

 

Fellas,

This is exactly the type of information I'm looking for! THANKS very much for the details...I'm emailing the guy today with questions (it'll be interesting to hear why it needs one new tire)! I'll keep you posted...

I'm pretty convinced that a D2 is the way to go...I certainly don't want to spend more than a reasonable amount on maintenance, so now it comes down to finding the right car!

 

good luck

 

Okay...Got the reply! Here's what he says:

"Just got a blow out (as to why the car needs one new tire)! Maintenance is all up to date and was completed at Prestige Audi except for most recent oil changes and brakes done about 6 mo ago. No cosmetic issues inside or outside.. On this particular model the timing belt is not scheduled until 100K-120K per audi. Nothing is wrong with the car!"


So, what do you think?

Another '01 popped up on CL...how does it stack up against the black one posted earlier (assuming the new one has the maintenance up to date)?

Also, I'm finding it quite valuable to have you guys as a sounding board...do you know where I might be able to find a local Audi club that would be able to offer advice and help?