hi guys, i am rather new to the audi scene, and got pretty interested in the b5 s4 after a friend bought one, i currently own a dodge dakota because of the weather we get up here in minnesota,and i have a few questions,

i am paying about 1100 every 6 months for insurance right now; what do you think my insurance will be around(18,no accidents,good student)?

i am not the most knowledgable about audis and imports in gen., is daily maintenance hard for these cars?

i am moving to a larger city with my brother, he is attending wyotech and learning alot about mainly american cars and engines in gen. do you think his education will help me out or is it that much different?

i have around 18 grand available, and thinking about getting a car for around 13, will i be able to keep it running off of 5 grand for a while or will this car break me on maintenance?

this will be my year round daily driver, will it last the fargo winters?

thanks guys, love the forum and the s4, i appreciate any help

 

Hey man let me just start off and say welcome and I usually do not post much but its 5:50 and im bored and got up to early and cant fall asleep. I couldn't tell you how much insurance is my parents pay for mine (the only thing they pay for). Daily maintance i would say is minimal ya know the normal stuff with the car. I like to wash mine a lot and go to a carwash every other week in the winter(I live in NH) to get some wax and spray the undercaraige to keep the salt away (evil rusting salt). I would say if your borther is learning about engines in general and american cars or whatever yah he could appply a lot of what he is learning to the audi, but that does not go as far as do everythign on the car without seekeing outside help (like a guide book). I have personally with friends taken apart 2 sr20 motors and rebuild the top end, and with my dad rebuilt a 68 corvette motor. Most motors are put together the same, but you shouldn't have much problem with the motor, it's the little things like cv-boots that will get you in the end. A lot of being a mechanic is just getting the tools and the knowledge of cars and not being afraid and being able to look at somethign and able to figure it out. Getting an s4 for 13 grand is possible jsut make sure it is clean and that no major maintance is due or that 5 grand wont last you long. Im sure your bro can change the oil so that wont be bad. And for the lastquestion yes the s4 will get you through the Fargo winter just put some blizzaks on there and you'll be good. Here in NH we've had a real bad winter and I have to say I am most impressed with the s4's ability in the snow plus it's fun in clear parking lots after work.

 

ins will be the same or more.. it matters if your a good student in Fargoville?? wow... anyways.. its good that you'll have extra $$ for maintenance that you will need for the s4. for 13K it most likely will have a lot of miles or not the cleanest... but you couild get lucky! read a lot on here and search the forums with your ?'s first. I dont know if your bro will have the best idea what to do with the audi components, but good in general..
btw its great in snow.. its snowing in Mass right now, and drivings is a lot better than a fwd car imo. the turns, if you slide, is a contolled slide because of the AWD.. gl

 

tm and sweeds are right, they pretty much covered it all, there is no problem in the snow, however do try to get an 2001 at least because they have eletronic stability control. Man will you be in for a shock going from a dakota to a S4! 13g's is about the right price range and try to make sure you get the service records or at least find out if the timing belt has been done!!! That's an expensive part along with little suspension stuff. Good luck.

 

Yeah, t-belt is about a grand, so make sure thats done. The s4 motor is fairly different from say the motor of a vette so a bentley manual wouldn't hurt. Especially in Minn, get winter tires. I agree blizzaks are a good choice. The only issue is if the car is lowered you might be snowplowing a bit. Good luck and let us know what you do.