First off I just want to say hello to everyone. I just found this website today and I have been reading non stop. I just recently sold my Jeep (gas prices) and now I am looking to find a car. I am rather tall (6'6) and I have to say I was shocked when I sat in my friends A4. I used to own a WRX so I am a big fan of AWD. Anyways, I am 90% I will be buying a A4 as soon as I can find one that I like. Any suggestions from anyone on what to stay away from or to look for would be greatly appreciated. It seems like most people on here like the 1.8 over the 2.8 or is that just my first impression? I think I will be looking for a b5 in the price range of 10k or below. I am willing to spend a bit more if I really like the car. I have found one locally that seems like a real good deal. It is a 1996 and has the older 2.8 and has 178k on it. Plus, its a bright *** red that does not fit that car IMO. The car is in fantastic shape and the guy wants 3500 for it. Normally I wouldnt consider this car because of the miles and the color, but it is near perfect shape and has such a low price. Any insights or suggestions would be welcomed.

Thanks,

James


Here is a pic of the car I am talking about

[IMG]local://upfiles/54754/54DFB81074404D818BA4B2D4689499AB.jpg[/IMG]

 

welcome, if you want the slowest (but most BAMF) Audi in the world with no chance to mod the performance of it then get the 96. the engine in that car is a tank and as long as it was taken care of it will last well into the 250K range.


I have that car in dark blue with 197K on it and it still runs strong.

My opinion would be to get a newer 98-01 1.8t and go from there. And yeah I'm 6'3" and fit my car fine.

my suggestion on what to look for would be the Timing Belt if the car has over 70K on it or it should be replaced ~every 70K or so so do the math if the car has 140K then it should be due for another TB job.
Also there are a few other things to look for like the ABS sensor, but overall look at it like you would any other car.

 

Thanks for your suggestions. You have to understand I have been driving a heavily moded Jeep that drove like a tank. 0-60 some where around 15 if I pushed it. So a anything will seem like a rocket for a bit. Of course I like to Mod everything so I will take your suggestion in mind. What makes this model the most BAMF in your opinion? Seriously is there nothing you can do to the engine? Would NOS be my only option?

 

It's the most BAMF because I own one and everyone else thinks we are kinda a joke so we have this little thing going on where all the 12v'ers tell everyone the 12v is the best. In all honesty I would love to have a 99-01 1.8t Avant with a 6speed swapped in (the b5 only comes with a 5spd) and quattro. And that is what I truly suggest, get a 1.8t, don't get the V6 if you like making things faster.


NOS would be about your only cost effective option but it wont net you serious gains. Some have done custom Turbo's on the 12v but they usually require a rear mount turbo and a custom ECU because you can't mess with the stock one, and a bunch of other custom work, so it is more of a to show others it can be done kinda mod because you can't push serious boost (only around 7-10PSI i think)

 

after reading your comments you sound like a modding kind of guy so i'm gonna say stay away from that one in the pic. idk if you read the newbie guide but it has a lot of good info on it for people who are new. and yes i know what you mean by the size of these beautiful things. i'm only 5'6" but i still fit lol. i will have to go against part of CAB's advice for going with 99.5+. get a 1.8 with an AEB engine in it. there's more mods for it and more experimented with so you'll have a lot of support. there are some 1.8t guys on here who go pretty much all out, cincytt for example lol.

 

wow dude that car looks mint and since it has the 2.8 in it then it should last you some good milage. also its going to be alot faster then ur jeep trust me my brother had a jeep and i smoked him everything...i could of been eating a fricken taco and talkin on the fone while smoking him haha. Ne ways i have a 2.8 too and im happy with it.

 

I have a 01 A4 with the sunroof. I'm a little under 6'2". My hair is always rubbing on the roof and its freakin' annoying. I didn't really notice it the first week of having the car. It's not like I have a fro either, my hair is cut pretty short. Maybe the trunk of my body is just freakishly long. I'd really test for that before you buy.

 

Ah good call. My friends did not have a sunroof!!! Normally I am aware of this because I dont fit in any cars with a sunroof. I havent driven this car yet. I have only seen it up close. However, its not a big deal because I have already ruled out that car. I cant get over the color and I think I would rather have the 1.8t or the 2.8 30v. Now I just have to go out tomorrow and drive as many A4's I can possibly find.