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Audi A4 2004 and earlier

6042 messages,  Last post on Sep 20, 2011 at 4:33 PM

You are in the Audi A4 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Audi A4, Sedan

Messages Page 299 of 605

#2972 of 6042 1996 A4 by vince217

Jan 07, 2002 (2:01 pm)

Hello! Am seriously considering buying a used 1996 Audi A4 2.8 (no Quattro), automatic transmission, with many options loaded. The car has about 95,000 miles on it. Reason im considering it is because its being sold for a little less than $10k. I figure Id rather get a german car rather than a generic Japanese (ex: Accord) one.
 
Can anybody give me advice, etc. on what to look for, any trouble spots, and any parts, etc. that need to be replaced on an Audi this old and with that much mileage? Is it even worth buying at all?
 
Thanks in advance for any replies.

#2973 of 6042 1996 A4 by markcincinnati

Jan 07, 2002 (2:59 pm)

Personally, I would avoid this car. If you can pay this much for a car that has this many years and miles on it (cash I presume?) -- why not look into a much much newer or new perhaps Jetta or other VW and consider (if new or late model) a lease? A 36 month lease on a new VW product at $300/month is $10,800 (which may get you a brand new VW product at a Cap Cost of around $21 - 22,000). You would have some maint costs covered and a warranty.
 
Just a thought.
 
Oh and the reason I mention the VW family is based on my assumption that since you were OK with the front wheel drive Audi, that you you would be OK with a FWD VW.
 
Finally, one good repair bill on this car and you will know what I am talking about -- and I am an Audi and VW fan (but the warranty is your friend).

#2974 of 6042 Dilemma by black_tulip

Jan 07, 2002 (4:37 pm)

The lease on my Y2K A4 1.8T Q is about to expire in a couple of months. It has about 30K on the odo and the buyout is about 20K. I am debating whether to keep it or not. How reliable are A4s for the long haul(it has given me zero problems till date)? Will it be very expensive to keep? Will it be dependable as the miles pile up? Thoughts?

#2975 of 6042 Laukodg by joyridea4

Jan 07, 2002 (6:01 pm)

Yes, I am just North of Ithaca. I leased my new
A4 from the Ithaca dealer. I also have a leased
2001 LL Bean Subaru outback through them. So I have the all wheel drive program covered at this time.
My wife is getting first choice on driving the A4.
So I drive the subie most of the time.
Let me know when you are in the area again and we can grab lunch and compare notes.

#2976 of 6042 1996 A4 by vince217

Jan 07, 2002 (8:06 pm)

Thanks for the advice, markcincinnati. I have considered the Jetta, but found that the style of older Jettas doesnt appeal to me. I do agree though, that i could probably find a newer year VW (or other brand) for the amount of money that im willing to spend (and am currently looking for a 1999 and newer Jetta now... tough luck to me finding one at my price range though). Btw, the A4 im looking at is priced at $9000... with a little room for negotiation, i think (just to give you a better idea of my budget).
 
Hmmm... at first, i thought the price was a good deal for an Audi (KBB and Edmunds both price the car at at least $10,000), but if you say that its not worth it... maybe i will look for other options. So... is it not worth it because of the age and mileage, or because i can get a newer model car (of the same or better quality, with fewer mileage) for the same price? Because if its the price... Id still rather get an Audi than a VW, Volvo, or any other Euro Brand (unless i can find a reasonably priced BMW). On the other hand... if its because the Audi cant take high mileage and wear (and if repair costs are as high as everyone says)... then im better off looking for a newer car.
 
Sorry for this rather long post... am really eager to get more opinions on this, so that i can reach the best decision.

#2977 of 6042 1996 A4 by dmmattix

Jan 07, 2002 (8:17 pm)

I would avoid it just due to the automatic transmission. 100-110K are about all you can expect out of most automatics. I have heard the repair bills for the auto rebuild are pretty steep $4-5K... A 5spd might get a different answer.

#2980 of 6042 long distance comfort by kyone

Jan 07, 2002 (8:40 pm)

How is the A4 ride and comfort on an all day trip at freeway speeds?

#2981 of 6042 1996 A4 by vince217

Jan 07, 2002 (8:41 pm)

Hi dmmatix! Regarding your opinion on automatics, does that apply to Audis only, or to all cars with automatic transmissions? Coz the car i currently drive is a 1991 Toyota Camry automatic with over 200,000 miles on it, and to my knowledge, no transmission rebuild has been done on it.
 
Btw, thanks for the advice, dmmatix. So far, 2 neg responses. Looks like i should look for a different car. But still hoping for more opinions.

Messages Page 299 of 605

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