I'm not an Audi newbie, having owned my A6 for three years. So I have some familiarity with what cango wrong as well as the cost of ownership. [I also did a search and did not find anything pertinent to my question.]

I've been keeping my eyes open for a lower mileage A4 with a non-turbo engine for my 16 year old daughter. Came across a 2000 with 86k miles. Looks loaded (the dealer was closed - I hate being pestered by saleman) and relatively clean for it's age. It is a quattro, a 5-speed, and I prefer the 2.8l engine because I don't trust her to know how to take care of a turbo. No interest in mods. The dealer was the original seller and although it was out of state for a while, the Carfax shows regular service for the last 46k at the original dealer. He claims the TB was replaced.

Obviously I will...
1 - ask for a full service history
2 - test drive it
3 - take it to the indie who has maintained my A6 for the last 80k miles for an inspection
4 - ask about the windshield and what was replaced during the TB work

Any other thoughts or advice? Asking is $9995 and KBB excellent is $12.500. I'd grade it a little under excellent due to some dings and chips, but there is no apparent body damage and tires are new, as is the windshield.

My A6 quattro is the best winter car I've ever owned and I want similar for her. She wants the stick, which I prefer over an auto anyway. I assume this vintage A4 has ESP and ABS.

 

That price is too high, but not completely absurd. Given what you found out about maintenance history, I say go for it if the test drive goes well. But get a lower price.

 

8 out the door, imo.

 

yea 8 or below.

 

I wouldn't go higher than 8.5.

 

The offers you're suggesting are in line with what I am thinking.

I'm pretty familiar with the A6 and 2.7T. Are there any specific issues I should be aware of for an A4 of this vintage with a 2.8l engine?

 

i would be surprised you got it for 8. the car is easily worth 9. try to get 8.5 but i would pay 9 if its in very good condition w/ good service records. make sure the guy you get to care of your a6 does a compression check. it should be a reliable and very safe car for your daughter.

 

2.8>1.8t in terms of reliability.

 

Besides the timing belt, no, not really. Make sure the cruise control works though, they often don't.

 

How do you turn on the cruise? Just realized I've not used it.