Well, after reading that the engine on the S4 gets 15-22 mpg, i can see why there is a tax. I was thinking about getting this sweet 2004 A4 s-line ultrasport 3.0liter to save gas, but id much rather have the 100+ hp that the S4 puts out, and the other options of course.

MAIN QUESTION: If i buy from a dealership, I'll have to pay the 1,700$ fee, right? If i buy from a private seller, then I dont have to pay the fee b/c they did? I guess im just confused. this gas tax only gets paid once through a transaction? what's the best way, if any, to get around pay 1,700 dollars more on a S4. I could really use the help seeing as i gots five kids to feed!

p.s. just kidding about the kids. (I've got graduate loans coming out my urethra!)

 

No...the gas guzzler tax is only paid upon the purchase of a NEW vehicle...you dont pay it again on resale.. the initial buyer pays it.

That said, youd be lucky to get 15-22...from what i hear its more like 10-18...

The USP is a very nice looking machine...im also considering one of them... Id look at the 1.8t though vs the 3.0l. Its cheaper and much more moddable.

 

This is off-topic but I gotta ask,

Sooks, why are you selling your B5 Stage 3 S4 for a B6 1.8 A4? Just curious

 

thanks sooks? If im not going to mod the engine ( might upgrade intake and exhust system) then It's more practicle that I go with the 3.0l 220hp over the 1.8t 170-180 hp? I'm not going to do any mods considering ill be going to medical school soon and then after I'll sell and buy an s4 or rs-4 in 5 years. I really like the USP package on the 3.0l and I know nothing about engine mods or turbos so i was thinking og going stock on an 3.0l.

thanks for the thought bud!

 

Well its not for sure gonna be a b6 a4... thats just one car i like at the moment... albeit it has to be a usp..or one with nice mods...

also looking at an a3, tl, tsx, altima etc etc...list goes on and on..lol

But really, i love my car, and dotn want to sell it, but I want to buy a house and realistically wont be able to afford a house and the payment on it...

 

Well id still honestly go for the 1.8t... even if you dont really mod it..but just put a chip and exhaust in..or even just a chip, your power will basiclaly be the same as the 3.0l and youll be getting better gas mileage..

And the USP package is the same on the 1.8t as the 3.0... wheels, suspension, body kit..

 

I've got a 1.8T car (my Avant) and my S4. I had a 3.0 A4 before my Avant. They're all awesome cars with their own personalities and quirks. The 1.8T cars have a lot of potential if you want to go the mod route. The 3.0 really doesn't allow for much, but that motor is a great engine in stock form with gobs of torque and very smooth power. The S4 is just brutal yet elegant at the same time.

It comes down to your bank account and what flavor you like...

 

well Ive found some USP a4 2004 3.0l for about 25k$. then there is a A4 2.0t 2006 for 25k$ that has been chipped with some mods, looks sexier then the 3.0l (both have about 32K miles). Also, there are some S4's for about 25K$ with about 40-45K miles. im still debating whether i need the extra hourses and high gas payments. Seems like a lot of people on here would choose the S4 if they were all the same price. ohhhhh boi, what do I do. hahahah

 

25k??

ive seen plenty of USP's for under or around 20k... granted i was just looking for the 2.0t.

but i think there were some 3.0's in that range too i think... even if not, is the 3.0 worth that extra 5 grand? take that 5 grand, put in a chip and exhaust and youre just as fast/powerful with money to spare.

 

Especially if you live above sea level. I don't know about you all, but the forced air induction of a turbo makes a HUGE difference over NA engines in Denver at 5k ft. With that in mind, the B5 S4s are preferred over the B6/B7 models, 2.0T preferred over the 3.0, etc...