Hello everyone!
This is my first post here - currently I own an '01 Ford Focus, but I would like to upgrade to something AWD and a little sportier this year. Audi has always been a favorite brand of mine, and recently I stumbled across this A4 Avant: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/5395559035.html
Everything looks clean, and I've run into enough trouble with my Focus that I feel somewhat confident in my ability to wrench through small maintenance issues. Is there any advice you guys could give me on this particular car or on B5 A4's in general? Thanks in advance so much!

 

I bought nearly the exact same car a few years ago. With nearly the exact mileage. Great car, but I get the feeling that at about 150-175k miles is when they start to break. Not permanently, but when things finally give out and you'll be replacing 1 thing a month. Be it control arm, oxygen sensor, heater core, whathaveyou.
If you can work on your own car (or, like me, can't but want to learn) and have a bit of money that can go to it AFTER the purchase, I'd say go for it.
That being said, I've only had one and tons of people here have had multiple so I'd wait for a second opinion.

 

Thank you for the reply! I've heard about some of the maintenence issues you brought up; I have a steady part-time income and youtube at my disposal so it sounds like as long as nothing major breaks, those are all things I can fix in a weekend.

 

That's the exact stance I took, and in the past 3 years I've learned a TON about audis and cars in general. Only three times has something gone wrong enough that it wasn't driveable and once was my fault.
Just be sure you know the price of the items you're fixing. Look up what often breaks on cars as well as normal preventative maintenance and prices and know what you're getting into cost-wise.

 

UPDATE: I have received the Carfax maintenance logs from the seller. In addition to "scheduled" or "recommended" maintenence, it seems the car has had it's engine/powertrain computer/module checked, vacuum hoses replaced, window regulators replaced, oil and filter done recently, and battery/charging system replaced and checked. Are there any major maintenence spots that I should be on the lookout for around 150k miles? Thanks again!

 

You're definitely gonna wanna know when the timing belt and water pump were done last. Usually they're done around 70-90k and if it breaks you're out a car. Other than that, there's things to go around and check when you see it in person. I think there's a post around here that explains everything to look at.