I found a 2002 Audi A4 1.8t quattro autostick for sale for $9k. The car has 80k miles on it though. Would this car be reliable enough for me to get through 6 years of college? Is this a good deal or should I even try to bring down the price more? Does the car have good get up and go, and how is it in the snow? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Clean Car Fax? Is the car clean and has it been kept care of (ie, regular maintenance)?

Any options like sport?

 

80k miles on an 02 isn't that high.

- Great in the snow, assuming you have good tires. Ours does aout as well in the snow with all season tires as our 02 Altima did with Blizzaks. The Quattor with snow tires is nearly unstoppable.
- Check the service history. If the car has had a recent timing belt job and has had regular oil changes then you might be ok. If not, the timing belt is due very soon and its going to cost you more than a thousand dollars to have it done. Letting it go undone is not an option...it WILL eventually slip and cost you a motor. No timing belt done recently, walk away right now.

To be honest, as much as I love my Audi, I don't think its a good car for a college student. Our has been overall a reliale car, but maintenance is expensive and you can't get away with letitng it go undone like you can with some other cars. I personally think you'd be better off finding yourself a used Subaru or a Honda for that $9k or less, let it take you through college and then reward yourself with an Audi when you graduate and get a good job.