Greetings, all.
My wife and I are looking at an 05 A4 Cabriolet, and would like to get some thoughts from the members here. We haven't owned an Audi before, but a friend of mine owned an 04 and liked it a lot.
This is a one owner car, and very well taken care of. The price is very good, and the car is a 2.0T with the CVT transmission. Mileage is right at 50000. We are looking at this car at a dealer that we have bought from before with very good results.
I am pretty handy with cars, but have not owned a foreign car of any type.
Looking for any thoughts regarding things to look for, common issues with the cars, etc, etc.
Oh, one question in particular is, does the 2.0T have a timing belt that requires replacing, or is it a chain?
Thanks in advance!
Paul and Diane.

 

I believe the 2.0T has the same timing belt as the 1.8T in which they need to be replaced every so often.

I don't think the TB has been replaced at 50,000 but it should be due pretty soon. TB jobs can vary when it comes to cost as dealers would probably charge somewhere around $800+ but there are also local mechanics who can probably do the job for less than what the dealer is charging.

But as you mentioned, since you have some experience with cars, DIY timing belt job would probably take you about a day and $200-300 for parts!

 

I have heard less than satisfactory reports on here about CVT transmissions. While incredibly sweet (keep the engine in the sweet spot while accelerating), they seem to have some lag (press pedal>>>accelerate), and can be costly.

I have heard more about the lag, so make sure you test drive it and accelerate it hard, make sure you are comfortable with it. As far as reliability, it's an Audi. It may break, and subsequently break bank, but ask anyone here, it's worth it (coming from someone who had to do a $5000 transmission job 2 months into ownership on a $15000 car, it IS worth it, I LOVE my car). I owe $18,000 on it still, book is $9,000-11,000, so it is fortunate that I am "stuck" with a car I love. Not to mention the fiance who tries to save money by making me give things up, I mention it will add almost $10,000 on to any new car I want to buy if she makes me get rid of it. I figure, if it can make it until I tie the knot with her, it'll make it through the long haul.

+1 on the timing belt, but didn't AoA put out a thing on a free timing belt inspection? Or was that free part only for 1.8T cars...

 

Hopefully I didn't scare you away, they are truly the most amazing cars ever (though, I have mixed feelings on a 4 seat convertible, I shalt not question thine carmaker =P ).

Bottom line is, keep $2000-$3000 socked away. You probably won't need it, and you probably won't need that much, but boy I wish someone warned me to do that