Car Buying Advice
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Car Buying Advice
I am looking to give up my 86 Volvo GL wagon and am trying to decide
whether I should
stick with another Volvo or if I should change makers.
I am planning on buying a used car somewhere in the 1998-2000 year
range, and would
like to spend no more than about $8500. I'd also love a manual
transmission, although,
here in Los Angeles they're a little harder to come by.
Please tell me about Audis that fall in that date/price range...are
they reliable,
what models are best, are they terribly expensive to maintain?
Thanks for your advice.
whether I should
stick with another Volvo or if I should change makers.
I am planning on buying a used car somewhere in the 1998-2000 year
range, and would
like to spend no more than about $8500. I'd also love a manual
transmission, although,
here in Los Angeles they're a little harder to come by.
Please tell me about Audis that fall in that date/price range...are
they reliable,
what models are best, are they terribly expensive to maintain?
Thanks for your advice.
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Car Buying Advice
Well, THAT'S a pretty sweeping statement, Dennis....!
I would probably phrase it more like - a well-maintained Audi would be
as reliable as any other car of the same complexity and year range.....
The GL is a fairly straightforward car with minimal electronics. Moving
to a '98 - '00 Audi will get you a car that is significantly more
advanced in terms of systems - drivetrain, computers, interior
electronics, etc.... The problem is, you probably won't be able to find
a good one in the price range that you mention.... A quick look at
Kelly Blue Book suggests that a '98 A4 with 1.8T engine, 5-speed manual
and quattro, with average mileage, would retail for over $11k in
excellent condition...
Maintenance would be no more expensive than a BMW or Mercedes of the
same vintage.
Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA
I would probably phrase it more like - a well-maintained Audi would be
as reliable as any other car of the same complexity and year range.....
The GL is a fairly straightforward car with minimal electronics. Moving
to a '98 - '00 Audi will get you a car that is significantly more
advanced in terms of systems - drivetrain, computers, interior
electronics, etc.... The problem is, you probably won't be able to find
a good one in the price range that you mention.... A quick look at
Kelly Blue Book suggests that a '98 A4 with 1.8T engine, 5-speed manual
and quattro, with average mileage, would retail for over $11k in
excellent condition...
Maintenance would be no more expensive than a BMW or Mercedes of the
same vintage.
Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Car Buying Advice
Well, THAT'S a pretty sweeping statement, Dennis....!
I would probably phrase it more like - a well-maintained Audi would be
as reliable as any other car of the same complexity and year range.....
The GL is a fairly straightforward car with minimal electronics. Moving
to a '98 - '00 Audi will get you a car that is significantly more
advanced in terms of systems - drivetrain, computers, interior
electronics, etc.... The problem is, you probably won't be able to find
a good one in the price range that you mention.... A quick look at
Kelly Blue Book suggests that a '98 A4 with 1.8T engine, 5-speed manual
and quattro, with average mileage, would retail for over $11k in
excellent condition...
Maintenance would be no more expensive than a BMW or Mercedes of the
same vintage.
Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA
I would probably phrase it more like - a well-maintained Audi would be
as reliable as any other car of the same complexity and year range.....
The GL is a fairly straightforward car with minimal electronics. Moving
to a '98 - '00 Audi will get you a car that is significantly more
advanced in terms of systems - drivetrain, computers, interior
electronics, etc.... The problem is, you probably won't be able to find
a good one in the price range that you mention.... A quick look at
Kelly Blue Book suggests that a '98 A4 with 1.8T engine, 5-speed manual
and quattro, with average mileage, would retail for over $11k in
excellent condition...
Maintenance would be no more expensive than a BMW or Mercedes of the
same vintage.
Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Car Buying Advice
Well, THAT'S a pretty sweeping statement, Dennis....!
I would probably phrase it more like - a well-maintained Audi would be
as reliable as any other car of the same complexity and year range.....
The GL is a fairly straightforward car with minimal electronics. Moving
to a '98 - '00 Audi will get you a car that is significantly more
advanced in terms of systems - drivetrain, computers, interior
electronics, etc.... The problem is, you probably won't be able to find
a good one in the price range that you mention.... A quick look at
Kelly Blue Book suggests that a '98 A4 with 1.8T engine, 5-speed manual
and quattro, with average mileage, would retail for over $11k in
excellent condition...
Maintenance would be no more expensive than a BMW or Mercedes of the
same vintage.
Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA
I would probably phrase it more like - a well-maintained Audi would be
as reliable as any other car of the same complexity and year range.....
The GL is a fairly straightforward car with minimal electronics. Moving
to a '98 - '00 Audi will get you a car that is significantly more
advanced in terms of systems - drivetrain, computers, interior
electronics, etc.... The problem is, you probably won't be able to find
a good one in the price range that you mention.... A quick look at
Kelly Blue Book suggests that a '98 A4 with 1.8T engine, 5-speed manual
and quattro, with average mileage, would retail for over $11k in
excellent condition...
Maintenance would be no more expensive than a BMW or Mercedes of the
same vintage.
Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Car Buying Advice
Sweeping, but true. Had a MB E class for over 10 years, then switched to an A4. In one year the A4 had repairs that exceeded the repair costs for 10 years of MB.
The famous Audi external lubrication system is one huge fault. Cam adjuster seals that leak oil onto the exhaust system.
A rubber cam belt that requires removal of the complete front end of car. Same for water pump-Remove bumper and front body. If the cam belt goes- so does the engine.
I could go on....but my experience is that the switch to Audi was an expensive mistake, but it's great in the snow.
The famous Audi external lubrication system is one huge fault. Cam adjuster seals that leak oil onto the exhaust system.
A rubber cam belt that requires removal of the complete front end of car. Same for water pump-Remove bumper and front body. If the cam belt goes- so does the engine.
I could go on....but my experience is that the switch to Audi was an expensive mistake, but it's great in the snow.
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Car Buying Advice
Sweeping, but true. Had a MB E class for over 10 years, then switched to an A4. In one year the A4 had repairs that exceeded the repair costs for 10 years of MB.
The famous Audi external lubrication system is one huge fault. Cam adjuster seals that leak oil onto the exhaust system.
A rubber cam belt that requires removal of the complete front end of car. Same for water pump-Remove bumper and front body. If the cam belt goes- so does the engine.
I could go on....but my experience is that the switch to Audi was an expensive mistake, but it's great in the snow.
The famous Audi external lubrication system is one huge fault. Cam adjuster seals that leak oil onto the exhaust system.
A rubber cam belt that requires removal of the complete front end of car. Same for water pump-Remove bumper and front body. If the cam belt goes- so does the engine.
I could go on....but my experience is that the switch to Audi was an expensive mistake, but it's great in the snow.
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Car Buying Advice
Sweeping, but true. Had a MB E class for over 10 years, then switched to an A4. In one year the A4 had repairs that exceeded the repair costs for 10 years of MB.
The famous Audi external lubrication system is one huge fault. Cam adjuster seals that leak oil onto the exhaust system.
A rubber cam belt that requires removal of the complete front end of car. Same for water pump-Remove bumper and front body. If the cam belt goes- so does the engine.
I could go on....but my experience is that the switch to Audi was an expensive mistake, but it's great in the snow.
The famous Audi external lubrication system is one huge fault. Cam adjuster seals that leak oil onto the exhaust system.
A rubber cam belt that requires removal of the complete front end of car. Same for water pump-Remove bumper and front body. If the cam belt goes- so does the engine.
I could go on....but my experience is that the switch to Audi was an expensive mistake, but it's great in the snow.