What's up german auto lovers...I have a very serious decision to make and I need similar advice. Some of you might have seen that I'm tryin to sell my 2001.5 Santorin S4. Here is the link with the car details and pics: https://www.audiforums.com/m_311808/tm.htm
Unfortunately I'm really in need of some cash and would like to have the car sold by end of Aug. An exotic car dealer has offered me $15.5k for it/book value is $17.5k now that i hit 75k miles. Would you sell?

Things to keep in mind. I have not replaced the timing belt yet. The car will need two front tires within the month (don't ask). And my front brakes should be replaced, as well as the calipers I think. Everything else is perfect on the car. Does anyone off the top of their head know what the total fee would be for those services? I'm thinkin somewhere around $1500 total. SOOO...do you take the lowball offer?

sorry for the long post...just trust your opinions as most of you, if not all, seem to have a head on your shoulders...after all, you bought Audi.

 

That's a hard question. You are in a tight place due to your timeline, but if you cannot do the work yourself and can't find some good friends to help you with the job, then the work will be expensive. Especially if a dealer does it. If you are hell-bent on selling the car and need to get it off your hands, then a dealer offer of $15,500 isn't too bad. I imagine most other dealerships are offering $12k or less. The private market for luxury-sports cars is really finicky. Try getting a free estimate on the work from a couple of places within the next day or two and then see what to go with. I'd consider the offer.

 

i wouldnt say tahts a bad offer from a dealer.. yeah you could probably get more from a private party.. but in the same sense..you will probably be needing to replace those things on your own. the timing belt will cost you.. so you are saving by dumping it now... it aint so bad.. and i dont think dealerships are unloading at 12. my buddy just got an offer for his..an 01 silver with 60-65k for 14,5 so there ya go.

 

i would consider the offer unless you bring it to a dealership to trade it in at.. that will be the only way to get more out of the car, since you would be leaving with one of the dealerships.. as for the cost.. you are looking at $2,000 or there abouts.. for everything you said..

 

I told the guy $16k and its his, but $15.5 was the best he could do. So maybe its worth taking the offer just to alleviate the stress of having to shell out $2k in repairs that won't necessarily up the sellable value of the car. Not to mention I'd feel bad selling it privately and the timing belt goes or something.

I appreciate the well thought out advice so far, but I still need some more suggestions...(maybe i just don't wanna let the S4 go since I'll be downgrading considerably)
Any other thoughts from anyone?

 

If your gonna keep the car, then by all means fix her up and keep her for a long time to come. But if u are set on selling the car then you will be better off selling as is to the dealer for $15.5K.

 

Timing Belt: $350 parts, $300-400 labor
Tires (should replace all four): $600-800
Brakes: $300-$500

So total: $1550-$2050

Unless you are going to do the work yourself it may be better to sell it to the dealership if you are looking for the quick sale. The dealership would probably just put some new tires on it and sell it for $18k-$20K

Its a pitty though to see it go for so cheap, a 01.5 Santorin is rare..... its what I wanted when I was looking for mine and couldn't find one.

 

anyone else?

 

Here is my two cents. My buddy traded his pearl S4 in. it was a 01 with 89k tiptronic. They only gave him 8! and it was in decent shape. Thats a good deal they are giving you. My a4 had a timing belt problem and it cost me 650 for it so i cant imagine the cost for the S4 probably round 800 bucks just for that. You are definately gonna be in the 2k range for service.
Im surprised they are giving you that much for it! That car is flippin sweet though!

 

Cool, thanks all for the advice. Since I don't have enough $$ to really keep the S4 I've decided to let it go to this dealer. Now, question is, has anyone ever sold to a dealer across state? the dealer is sending an auto transport to pick up my car probably this weekend. Has anyone dealt with this situation? Should they give me a check or something at the time of pick up, or do they try to scam you by picking up the car and taking it, then sending a check? I'm just tryin to figure out how to handle the ssituation without getting scammed...I would hate to have to break some legs.