Hey all - former E36 M3 owner here (ducking)... decided to stop freaking out in inclement weather and to buy an Audi. Found 2000 S4 with only 25,300 mi - car fax no problems. Seller wants $22,000 for it ... although we've talked about some "room" in that price.
I've spent the past several days reading posts, and understand that there are some differences in 01.5 and beyond that make more reliable (right?). But this 2000 seems pristine from pics and description --- haven't driven yet, will do this wknd. If everything looks/feels great as I anticipate, I'm probably going to buy it on the spot.

If I understand correctly, the 00 models do not have ESP. Wondering what my experience will be in snow/rain/sleet etc. without the ESP, but with quattro. Expecting it to be signficantly superior to an M3 with blizzaks, but wondering if I'd prefer car with ESP.
I'm fairly moderate driver - won't be heading to track, or trying for any "kills". Although, 90% of the time it will be driven as a means to get from A to B, I obviously like a little style and performance, hence I'm looking at Audis and not Accords.

The car is chipped and has tiptronic, and I've seen the caution on these boards about those two items potentially needing to be addressed IF car is driven hard. I'll rarely do that.

So my questions (finally)
1. Is this good deal?
2. If i'm being honest about my driving preferences (occassionally spirited, but not hard), do you really see me needing to dish out $6K for new turbos any time soon. If so, I'm saying F it and just buying a newer A4 ultra sport.

thank you in advance for your input!

 

... what is this "tiptronic" you speak of?

 

are you serious?

 

he cant be serious
btw thats a real good price that is REAL low miles esp for a 2000

 

Thanks for the input. I thought it was good price too. I'm bummed about the lack of ESP --- but I don't know if I'm just obsessing about that, or if its really a key feature I'll wish that I have. I think I'm moving forward with the purchase though. Should have it this Saturday and will post the obligatory "just got my s4" post/pics.
thanks again.

 

I do believe that the All wheel drive is enough. I have only felt my esp working twice since I have owned my car and once was today the other time was on a dirt road when I was really getting on it. So no esp is not that big of a deal. I do think that the tiptronc takes away from the driveability of thecarbut to each there own. Ad as far as the price I think you can worm the guy out of a few more grand, the only reason I say that is becaue I paid 22,000 for my 2001 with 27,000 miles on it. so a year older thats worth t least a grand to me.

 

Sarcasim, meaning he should look for a 6-speed IMO. But that is a damn good deal.

 

Had manuals most my life ... lots of fun, and if I wasn't planning on being in substantial traffic on regular basis, would prob do it again. That said - when you find a car that seems to be a heck of a deal (other than this car, i haven't seen a 2000 S4 with 25K miles since 2002!!!), sometimes you just have to go with it.

Also, there will be times when my wife will drive the vehicle, and she has not preferred manual transmission since she was driving my M3 a few years ago and pulled out in front of an SUV which T-boned her at about 55mph! So... you play the cards you have, right?

thanks for the sarcasm though... That's so much more helpful than an actual real answer. (ooh..now i'm being sarcastic!! oops)

 

Heh, touche. I understand your reasoning, I would be a fool not to and kind of figured that's what the situation was. But that sucks about the M3, I love that car (it's true, I love BMW's as well). If I were you and in the position you are in, the S4 sounds like a perfect deal. Just check out some of the usual problems associated with the 2000 model before purchasing.

EDIT: was your wife ok?

 

LOL no problem... didn't mean to blow you any %#@.

My wife was relatively fine - thank you for asking. She got pretty banged up and was obviously scared S-less. And she felt horrible about my car because i babied it so much. The police/paramedics said the side airbags were the difference between her being banged up and seriously injured. also, the car just spun 360's ... due to the wide and low stance i think. our other car was chevy blazer ... that thing would have been toast - no side airbags, and probably would have tipped. So, i was glad she was in my car. but nwo she won't drive manuals because she said she was pulling out and concentrating on the smooth shift too much and didn't see the truck coming.


SO --- I think i have the seller of the S4 talked down to 21,000. This feels like the right deal. hopefully by Saturday afternoon I will be driving my new car. keep your fingers crossed.