I'm looking at buying a 1998 A4 2.6qm (look at me I'm learning the lingo ). The asking price is $2000. The owner says it "overheats from time to time due to a coolant leak." I am going to assume that it is the typical coolant flange problem.
So I'm wondering how much it would cost to have this repaired professionally (I am not very car savvy, yet!). Also if there is something else it could be let me know.

Also the car has 255k miles on it but has been maintained well (oil, breaks, starter, clutch all recently) so is this a good buy or no?

Thanks!

 

Run, Forrest, Run! Don't even get involved with it until the current owner gets the issue diagnosed by professionals, with a repair cost provided, and then decide. That mileage isn't exactly unheard of (I'm only 40k under that), but the difference is that I KNOW my car's history - I have every service record from the seller, back to day one, and I do all my own work. You've seen that it's had some work lately, but do you have comprehensive service histories on it? Have you got proof that the timing system was done? How many oil changes were done at the proper intervals?

Bottom line, I'd leave it - for not much more money you can find one with a hell of a lot less miles.