First up we have a 1996 Audi A4 2.8 Quatrro automatic transmission. It has 205K miles and said he's recently replaced the belt. Also has a 500$ Aftermarket stereo and touch screen display. He's listed the price for $2600, which I think is reasonably priced, right? I know you can't really mod a 2.8 all that much, but just for now I think it'd be a really nice, reliable car.

Next we have a audi a4 Quattro with 66k miles on it. He didn't say anything else about the car, so I emailed him (he hasn't mailed back yet). He also says "aftermaand kairfilter6k hids headlights and its wired for subs". He says his price of $2800 is firm. I just don't know why he didn't put more details about the car.

And thats really all thats around me locally right now. I am 18 and I am a newbie, but whatever Audi I get I do plan on working on it where I can, and my dad can help me as he's worked on cars all his life (albeit older, muscle cars, still counts though right?). Anyways, any advice or links would be appreciated, thanks guys.

-Nick

 

If it were me, I would avoid option #1. High mileage automatic transmissions are like time bombs in my opinion. If you want a reliable car, look for a 1999 or later 2.8 5-speed. When buying a used car you should be picky and not just settle for what's available.

 

I too would avoid #1. If that transmission goes, which with 208k, could be any minute. You may as well have took it off his hands for free and spent that $2,600 towards a new transmission.

The 2nd sounds okay... but what year? What damage? Why is that the price?
If it were in good shape it should be higher.

 

Alright Option 1 is out. I did find a third option yesterday:
Audi A4 1998 2.8L Quattro with 109,000 miles on it. Automatic transmission. He only had one pic of the car on the ad, so I texted him asking for some interior pics and he sent me some. Here's what it looks like. He says it runs well. We're going to test drive either today or tomorrow. So does that one look good?

I'll keep looking though for more though...

Edit: Also, #2 never responded to text or email so I guess he's out.

Edit:Edit:
Ohh then there's this... **99 Audi A4 Quattro 1.8 T M/T $3200 is slightly above my price range though. But hey, I could get some more money some how. Is this not a great car to mod though? Looks like one of the signal lights is out. "Clean title,clean car,great gas,4wd,manual gear box, timing done 2 year ago fast and fun to drive every thing works if ad is up i still have it".

 

I said it before, but I would avoid an auto trans. They are not very robust and very expensive to repair/replace. I would guess that this newest one has not had the TB service done.

If $3200 is too much for you, you'll need to start saving your dimes to buy parts for the next time something breaks. Parts for these cars are expensive. You'll also need to be willing and able to do the work yourself to avoid the labor costs of an independent shop or God forbid, the dealer.

 

I think what you should be focusing on is what work needs to go into them? If they were both perfect you could decide on the automatic/manual transmission or the color but god knows what is really wrong with them.

109k isn't a ton of miles but have they replaced the timing belt? Is the heater core okay? Is the transmission okay?

The '99 is a year newer but turbos are another (expensive) point of failure. How many miles? Did a rock just hit is signal light or was there an accident that was covered up by a replacement bumper?

Personally I'm leaning towards the 2nd one. Mostly because of the manual trans. Go with your dad to look at them both and see what they look/drive like. Your dad (and hell, maybe you) will be able to look over the expensive parts to see what is a major fix requiring a ton of money, and what is a minor fix you don't mind doing.

 

I just bought an A4, 200k miles on it, has had timing belt and lots of other stuff done to it in the past 20k miles, its a stick and a 2.8L. I dont know if you are familiar with driving manual, but in an Audi it increases the fun experience by 2 I would consider getting a manual Audi, automatic transmissions are expensive to fix.

I drove an A4 that was 180k miles with a 1.8t auto trans and it was not nearly as enjoyable to drive as the manual 2.8, just my .02 though. Get what you want, but I would take a 2.8 stick again

 

#2 was a scam thats why he never got back to you. An Audi with 66k miles for that price... time to wake up.

I agree 205k miles is a lot I would stay under 150k personally.

 

No I email those scam ads. They reply back fast with a sob story and want you to wire money. So I don't think #2 was a scam.

That "99 Audi A4 Quattro 1.8 T M/T $3200" is an hours drive away so I don't think that will happen. I mean it might but I'm not so sure. Plus I only have about $2900 saved up.

Thank you all for helping me out. bshusted and elduderino200 you guys are both in Washington, same as me, thats awesome. I talked to my dad and he agreed, high mileage and and auto trans is a terrible combo.

And yeah I understand the work and price of these cars. I don't want something to just drive around. I want something that I can actually make mine. I've always loved fixing things, so its only right that I get a troublesome car that I absolutely love where its better to DIY repair.

Anyways, I went to test drive a Jetta today. It was hella beat up cosnmetically, but drove pretty well.. Then went to drive that "A4 1998 2.8L Quattro with 109,000 miles on it. Automatic transmission" Cleanest car I've ever seen. Aside from the cup holder, it was like proper kept interior 10/10. Drove well of course, V6 engine, gas guzzler. But I'm really being pulled two ways with this car. Its an automatic and that means possible expensive repairs, plus I'm missing out on the fun of a manual. On the other hand, after the drive he texted me and lowered his price to $2600 (he bought the car as a weekend car, but then had kids, lives in apartments, cant really handle the insurance bills, just really wants it gone now). So, there's that. His ad was pitiful and if I don't buy this car I'm gonna write him up a proper ad(He only had one pic and a short desc. Plus English isn't his 1st language sooo I just felt bad for him).

Snow_Devil, your words shall be heeded. I'll be looking for a manual Audi. I don't really think I'll be getting this '98. I mean I did JUST start looking.... So.... I'm kind of pulling for an A4 1.8 M/T.

 

When looking for a 1.8l, make sure to ask when the turbo was last rebuilt or when it was replaced, if the turbo fails the engine could fail too. The one thing with a turbo is if you drive it hard and get the car hot, you cant just pull it into the driveway and turn it right off, the turbo will still be spooling down, and by turning the car right off the turbo loses oil pressure and if it is still spooling down when this happens, it will grenade. Ive seen it happen before. Also one way you can tell if a turbo is on its way out is too just listen to it, if it's spooling really fast and is quite loud under a light load, then its dicked. If you do get the 1.8l, I would recommend running full synthetic, regardless if its a newer turbo or an old one, it will increase the life of the turbo and engine as well.