Well, I havea '92 240sx with all the usual stuff done to it (sr swap, fully adjustable suspension, etc) and I just want to sell it am move on. Most likely, I will be moving to colorado or virginia for school and need a car thats AWD. Since my s13 is all modded out and the ride is rediculously stiff and somewhat unreliable, I am in the hunt for a VERY, VERY reliable car that fairly new. I will have $10k in my pocket, but my parents said they will pay the rest off of a $18k car, or around there (dont you love generous parents, and please do not think i am spoiled!).

Well the cars I am thinking about are of course a S4 and a WRX and possibly an Evo but they are pretty pricy.

The things I am asking about are what is the difference as far a build quality in the years, or is there any? (like a weak tranny in the '01 S4 etc) and how well do these cars stay together? Can I expect a '00-02 start every time i put the key in it or do things often break when the mileage gets high.

Pretty much, if you had around $16-18k, what S4 would you buy (or car for that matter). I have NO problem doing regular maintance and I am very mechanically inclined. I just dont have the luxury of steady income to pay for a turbo blowing or transmission failure you know? I will probably keep it mostly stock with the exception of some new wheels and tires and some light suspension goodies to slightly stiffen the ride, and possibly a custom stainless exhaust.

Sorry is my question is too ambiguos, I just dont want to buy an S4 for $15k and have to do $5k a year in fixing things that commonly break/fail!

 

Answers here
https://www.audiforums.com/m_406711/tm.htm

If having a super reliable car is the most important, get a Honda.