Hi, everyone, I just went to go test drive an Audi from a private seller. It's a '97 A4 Turbo, with 148K on it for $3000. It's got a window that's off the track and stuck up and there's an exhaust leak that the seller got welded about 8 months ago, but would need to be replaced eventually. AC cold, interior solid and nothing else seemed irregular. It was driven regularly apparently to work and such...

I have to drive this car back from Phoenix to LA for school and I just want to know if you guys know of anything I should look out for so I don't end up stranded on the I-10.

 

Read the newbie guide and get your mind blown man. It's good stuff.

 

Took a look at it and lots of good information.

For a used vehicle, with this mileage, though, does this deal seem sound? I'm probably going to have everything checked out by a mechanic afterward anyway, but my dad's purchasing it and he's not available to see the car himself (like all of you) so he wants to be sure that it isn't something that looks like a bust.

I've looked at it and it seems like it's just fine apart for the exhaust needs.

 

How about you take it to a mechanic before you buy it? I bought a new a4 a few months ago and had a mechanic look at it on the test drive. He took it around the block, checked fluids, put it up on the lift etc. and told me everything he saw as being a potential issue. It's definitely the best way to go to make sure you're getting a good deal. For pricing, they might not be able to help but at least they can tell you if the car is going to have any major problems.

 

With that many miles you'll want to make sure the timing belt has been done a second time. That and suspension components such as the control arms and tie rod ends can be common issues. Good luck.

 

I checked the Carfax, and transmission was serviced at 120K (28K ago). I'm really considering buying it because it seems to be in really good condition and these fixes look reasonable and I feel like I'll be able to drive it for a while.