YanYan

I am looking at trading in my 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi for an A4 Avant. I have always loved the A4's and would now like to reduce my carbon footprint (and monthly fuel bill) and pick one up.

I have a few options and would like to pick your brains about which one you think may be the best option. They are as follows:

1. 2004 1.8T with 198,000 on it for $9,000
2. 2003 1.8T with 137,000 on it for $13,750
3. 2003 3.0 with 150,000 on it for $14,500

Assuming that mechanically they are all in excellent shape, which would you go with?

Also, does anyone know if you can fit 3 child car seats across the back seat?

Thanks

a4audi4fun

Are they manual or automatic? Drive them as the 3.0 will feel different from the 1.8T. Unlikely that you will be able to fit 3 car seats in the back seat. The A4 isn't a mid-size vehicle.

Good luck.

Just checked - my Avant has 3 of those child seat locking tabs on the rear seat so I guess 3 can fit - just need to make sure they are of the slimmer variety then I guess.

YanYan

They are all manual. Should I shy away from a high mileage car if it is a good deal? This is going to be our family wagon for our trips to Belleville (500km round trip).

a4audi4fun

I'd suggest the 3.0 then - my B6 is a 3.0 6MT and it is a great cruising vehicle.

JAudi

With respect to the car seat question, no way will you fit three seats in the back of a 2004 A4. Even if you could, they would not be secured properly, wouldn't pass inspection, and you risk the safety of your children

I have a forward facing 20-80lb child seat on the rear passenger spot for my 3 yr old son, and a bottom booster only for my 7 year old daughter behind the driver.
The rear middle arm rest is just barely able to go down, with both seats there.

The attached photo shows my rear seat. Sorry my blackberry wide angle is limited and I had to take that looking in through the sunroof. The booster on the right could shift over a little bit more, but still no room for another full car seat in the middle.

tml

wow the prices for the 2003's sound a bit high.
I have a 2003 3.0 with 120km & it's in fantastic shape. I don;t even think I could get 11500 for my car.

tml

maybe I'm wrong!!!

Tim$2

When I bought my '05 avant last year I ended up buying the highest mileage example available for a couple of reasons. The interior was in the best shape of all the ones I looked at and it had the most complete service history of any out there. Keep those in mind when shopping for sure. As for the car seats, I'm betting it can be done if you have the right seats. 3 infant seats? No way for sure but see the thread linked and decide for yourself.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread...ht=child+seats

YanYan

Thanks for the responses. I guess my idea of having an A4 and fitting all the kiddies in is a little far-fetched.

Any ideas on another vehicle (other than a mini van) that will work? Maybe I can get rid of the truck, buy a Tahoe, get rid of the other 4Runner and buy a older S4.

Hmmmm.

Axis

Thats what I thought too, my 2003 had 89000km when I bought it last year for less then 10k, keep shopping mate!