sonic

i would just caution you on the repairs. I love my audi, but i also pay to drive an audi...if i wanted a cheap reliable easy to fix car i would buy a civic. For instance today cost me 1800 for 6 control arms to be changed and an alignment. But at the end of the day i am driving my audi.

As nice as it is to drive an audi and say you have one, i would NOT recomend it for a first car nor for someone who does not work full time. I would say the same thing about a BMW, Mercadies, jag....the list goes on.

Fiddy

As an owner of a 96 Audi A4 quattro with 207000km (and I've had it for a little less than a year), I've done my own repairs, and learned alot in the process.

In the last few months, I've replaced the thermostat (which is like changing the timing belt. If anyone has done it on a B5, then you'll know what I mean), the front left driveshaft due to a worn out CV boot I hadnt noticed, I've got an oil leak that I cant pin down, I've swapped the right rear spring and I think I also need to replace the control arms on the front left. I've managed to get by fairly cheaply by doing all my own labor, and finding parts at auto wreckers, Auto Value and some loaner tools. If I had to take that to the shop, it would have cost me plenty. I had a heck of a time trying to find OEM parts for this car. Took alot of legwork to get a deal. Parts are rather expensive for these cars. The right rear OEM spring was $180 for example. If you want to tune it, find ANY other year of Audi, just not a 96.

That said, if you get REALLY good service records from the owner and you dont see any leaks of any kind, and the belts have been done and water pumps and such, then I would have to say that you'll have fun driving it. Just dont be too rough on her, and she'll get you by.