looking at buying an A4 quattro

[MK2 GTI]

oh k, sorry mate, knew it was something in the front end that goes.

[tassie_euro_mk1]

Are you looking for a Quattro or FWD ?

Im after a Quattro. I like the idea of AWD.

So i should look for 1997 onwards model for the aftermarket chip then?

lower control arm

Around what milage would the lower control arm tend to give way?

[vinderliker]

Tassie_euro_mk1,
There is a 1.8t quattro here in Canberra which has beewith this dealer for a long time.
http://vehicles.dmotorworks.com.au/m...2&make_id=AUDI

I feel that there are asking to much for the car, and when I went to look at it for something to do, the salesman was real pushy, saying that it was going to be wholesaled the next day.Suprise, suprise, as I said it is still there today.
I checked the Red Book prices for it and they are selling it for 5 to 7k over the recommended price. Armed with this info you maybe can give them a big sqeeze on the price. They also reckon it has got 7k worth of extras, but not knowing a great deal about them, I am not sure. The car itself is in excellent condtion, well worth a look if you haggle them down.I would like to hear that because the salesman was quite rude as well.

Hey everyone.

The time is coming to look at buying a new used car.
Ive been looking at 1996 - 97 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro.

Not really interested in the basic A4s as the golf is a very fun car to drive. I want something that wont leave me dissapointed. Auto is not an option as the electronic gearbox is apparently a nightmare.

So that leaves me with the 1.8T, 2.6 and the 2.6 Quattro. (that i know of)

Which one would be the best car? What are the faults with the early A4s?

Any info on these cars would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Eric

[h100vw]

7 Grand on extras makes it worth no more than a grand over a poverty spec one IMO.

Sounds like they have had it for eons and paid too much in the first place and then through greediness hung on for top dollar while it goes down in value.

Go and knock a big lump off it.

Gavin

[tassie_euro_mk1]

Tassie_euro_mk1,
There is a 1.8t quattro here in Canberra which has beewith this dealer for a long time.
http://vehicles.dmotorworks.com.au/m...2&make_id=AUDI

I feel that there are asking to much for the car, and when I went to look at it for something to do, the salesman was real pushy, saying that it was going to be wholesaled the next day.Suprise, suprise, as I said it is still there today.
I checked the Red Book prices for it and they are selling it for 5 to 7k over the recommended price. Armed with this info you maybe can give them a big sqeeze on the price. They also reckon it has got 7k worth of extras, but not knowing a great deal about them, I am not sure. The car itself is in excellent condtion, well worth a look if you haggle them down.I would like to hear that because the salesman was quite rude as well.

Thankyou vinderliker.

But unfortunatly 30,000+ is way out of my budget. Thats why im looking at 97 98 model.
The otional extras listed dont seem to be optional. One would think the cd stacker, xenon headlights etc would be standard.

My fathers the forman at a automotive workshop/dealer here in Devonport and sees the incerdible marked up prices on used cars all the time. A few months ago the dealership bought a used 97ish Audi A4 1.8 auto for 7g and sold it in 1 week at 14g!!!
Thats amazing. Thats why i want to buy private.

[sukebe]

A few months ago the dealership bought a used 97ish Audi A4 1.8 auto for 7g and sold it in 1 week at 14g!!!
Thats amazing. Thats why i want to buy private.

Buying private wont mean you will find one for 7g. Dealers always offer bugger all for trade-ins, but the 14g sale price won't vary too much wether its dealer or private. Normally private would be ~10% cheaper than dealer, but with the current shocking used car market, great prices can be found (if you look) with dealers simply trying to move stock.

Closest thing to a dealer trade price would be eBay or auction houses (Pickles, Fowles etc). eBay is very limited in what you could inspect, test drive etc; and the auction houses only allow you to look at them and start them up.

[evorobin]

Trade in prices are funny because they are under market. Still keep an eye on the auctions.

[tassie_euro_mk1]

How do i get in contacted with auction houses? Do they have a website where you can see what vehicles they are offering?

Im located in the NW of Tassie so does that mean i have to go somewhere more populated to participate in auction houses? ie, Hobart, Melb etc...

[Bug_racer]

www.pickles.com.au and www.fowles.com.au .

I wouldnt be buying from an auction unless you know the cars really well or are prepared to spend a fair bit on repairs .

I just know a FWD A4T with KO4 thats run a 14.9 (with me driving) thats up for sale cause he bought himself a new a3 TQ . I dont know how much he wants for it but if your interested I can ask . Its got around 80k km on it

[Golf Loon]

Pickles has interactive online bidding in real time. You dont need to be there, you just need a credit card and to register 30mins before the sale starts.

I have found Pickles to be a lot better to deal with than Fowles, with fewer hidden charges. They can also arrange onward freight to Melbourne and probably Tassie, although not always at the cheapest price.