To buy or not to buy? Help!
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1
To buy or not to buy? Help!
Hi all,
I am new to the board. I am considering buying a 1996 Audi a4 quatro. It has 160,000 (mostly highway)miles on it and the owner claims its in great running condition. It is IMMACULATE inside and out. It is a manual, leather, sun roof, great sound system, etc. A few questions for you experienced owners (as this would be my first audi).
- Am I making a mistake buying a car with such high mileage? I have heard these carsare supposed to be long lived, what do you guys think?
- Any common problems with these cars? Will it bankrupt me to fix it?
- Anything I should look for when inspecting it?
- She wants $4500, good price, or no?
Thanks so much! Haley
I am new to the board. I am considering buying a 1996 Audi a4 quatro. It has 160,000 (mostly highway)miles on it and the owner claims its in great running condition. It is IMMACULATE inside and out. It is a manual, leather, sun roof, great sound system, etc. A few questions for you experienced owners (as this would be my first audi).
- Am I making a mistake buying a car with such high mileage? I have heard these carsare supposed to be long lived, what do you guys think?
- Any common problems with these cars? Will it bankrupt me to fix it?
- Anything I should look for when inspecting it?
- She wants $4500, good price, or no?
Thanks so much! Haley
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 100
From: CT
RE: To buy or not to buy? Help!
Searching can yield good results however...
-There is no way to tell for sure, the mileage is high, but if taken care of they can last. If you are handy with a wrench, there are tons of online resources (DIY's, tutorials) which lowers maintenence costs immensly
-There are a few things that go on them (control arms, oil sludge, wheel bearings, timing belts and the labor can be pricey)
-Find out when t-belt was changed, check for oil sludge, check suspension
-The price seems high to me for the high mileage. You should be able to get a steal on it with 160k
-There is no way to tell for sure, the mileage is high, but if taken care of they can last. If you are handy with a wrench, there are tons of online resources (DIY's, tutorials) which lowers maintenence costs immensly
-There are a few things that go on them (control arms, oil sludge, wheel bearings, timing belts and the labor can be pricey)
-Find out when t-belt was changed, check for oil sludge, check suspension
-The price seems high to me for the high mileage. You should be able to get a steal on it with 160k
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 164
From:
RE: To buy or not to buy? Help!
ORIGINAL: blue2.8a4
Searching can yield good results however...
-There is no way to tell for sure, the mileage is high, but if taken care of they can last. If you are handy with a wrench, there are tons of online resources (DIY's, tutorials) which lowers maintenence costs immensly
-There are a few things that go on them (control arms, oil sludge, wheel bearings, timing belts and the labor can be pricey)
-Find out when t-belt was changed, check for oil sludge, check suspension
-The price seems high to me for the high mileage. You should be able to get a steal on it with 160k
Searching can yield good results however...
-There is no way to tell for sure, the mileage is high, but if taken care of they can last. If you are handy with a wrench, there are tons of online resources (DIY's, tutorials) which lowers maintenence costs immensly
-There are a few things that go on them (control arms, oil sludge, wheel bearings, timing belts and the labor can be pricey)
-Find out when t-belt was changed, check for oil sludge, check suspension
-The price seems high to me for the high mileage. You should be able to get a steal on it with 160k
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 337
From:
RE: To buy or not to buy? Help!
the 12v is a long lived engine if maintained. I'd look for maintenance receipts and an overall clean and apparently well maintained car.
I bought my 96 2.8 with 166k miles for 2800 but it had ALOT of known issues. i'd say if it's immaculate yo should be in the 4k even range.
Ryan
I bought my 96 2.8 with 166k miles for 2800 but it had ALOT of known issues. i'd say if it's immaculate yo should be in the 4k even range.
Ryan
1st Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 46
From: Memphis, TN
RE: To buy or not to buy? Help!
Also, in case you are not aware... the V6 became a 30V 2.8 starting in 1998. Some people swear by there 12Vs and they are solid but I prefer the increased power and responsiveness of the 30V stock over the 12V. If you are interested in serious modding... as JVal said the 1.8t is what you want.
Price does seem high.
Price does seem high.