Audis

steezyjibber

Active member
im considering an audi to buy as a first car.

been looking at 98-01 or w/e, 4,500 and under.

are they really as unreliable as people say? are the repairs really a ton of money compared to say, toyota?

thanks

 
I wouldnt buy an audi unless you had a decent amount in the bank for repairs. Its not so much that they're unreliable but they do have problems and those problems are expensive
 
If you want reliability and cheap, get a Honda or an oldsmobile 88. I have had two 88's and never had problems with them, and my sister in law ran her honda till it had 200k miles on it, she totaled it so thats why it stopped running. All I hear are good things on hondas
 
First of all, for under 4,500 you aren't going to find a legit audi in good condition. It might seem like there is but I'm guessing there is either something wrong or really high mileage. Secondly, they aren't unreliable, but they definitely don't have the reliability of a Honda or something. They have a more performance tuned engine, things can go wrong pretty easily and when they do they will be expensive! Finally, repairs will rape you. For two reasons really, it's a performance engine, so the repairs are already going to be really expensive. Then on top of that, it's an audi so all of the parts will be way way more expensive than an average car. Expect a lot of money to go into repairs.

Personally, if you only have 4,500 and you don't have a steady job, I would say look at something else. An audi is way out of your price range.
 
repairs are gonna suck, cus with audi especially your gonna have to get something witha shit load of miles, which means most importantly your clutch will prolly be shot... that could be expensive
 
As much of a grandpa car it is, ive never, ever had problems with both of mine (knock on wood) and have never heard of anyone having problems.
 
i own a 98 civic with 320k miles and has the original engine and clutch so she must have beaten the engine if it totaled at 200k
 
are they crappy cars? yes. i was just flipping through a consumer report (which is non-biased consumer data compiled by a non-profit organization) and if you look at the reviews it's obvious but that's not what i saw in this instance. they had an article on some of the new rad cars that are coming out i.e. the new sti, etc. but anyway they had some used cars to look at in the price range of them all and among them they listed an '04 Audi S4 at a value of $22,000. kind of a drop in value? that's not a lot more than i paid for my lady's '05 subaru outback XT. the value drops like a rock with audis cause they suck. get a suby.
 
^they dont suck they just depreciate, for instance you lose about half a grand a week (or more cant rember) in a rolles Royce, does that make it a bad car, no its an amasing car, same thing with alfas.

but any way, i would go with a mark II vw gti for around 3 grand, and then get intake and exaust for it.

or a legacy out back from a few years back.
 
audis and rr's depreciate for different reasons. way different. audi's don't hold value because they are shitty cars. why else would they depreciate way faster than similar cars in the same price range that are more reliable?
 
don't even fucking think about it dude. already been through 3. My 3rd 99 a4 is now in the shop AGAIN. exhaust gasket blew, control arms need replacing, brakes need replacing, ignition issues so theres more work. Don't even consider an audi for your first, you will undoubtedly regret it. Great cars when new, so unreliable used.
 
It's a love hate relation ship for sure, because I have the same thing.

First off, you can find an Audi under 4500 that is a good car, mine is an example: it was 4K when I got it, has 197K on the engine now and still runs like a champ. You just have to know what to look for. And for the record it is a 1996 A4

Second to whoever says Audi's are crap cars, you obviously have never actually ridden in anything with any sort of quality. Audi interiors for instance are one of the best constructed and well designed interiors on the market. My cars is still solid and still looks relatively new for a 10+ year old car. Also the body has virtually no rust on it whatsoever. And the car doesn't look dated at all, the b5 platform (which is what you'd get for 4.5k is a beautiful and timeles style)

Third: Who said Audi's engine don't last long is also lying and it's a lie that everyone propagates. Here is this truth. ... ANY Engine that is properly maintained will last a while. I've owned an Audi that still ran extremely strong at 300,000miles and counting. But you also will find Audi's that engine fail at 30K due to lack of care (when some idiot doesn't change the oil ever, you'll break the engine). The lack of care is what will kill all engines.

Fourth: Whoever claimed the whole retail thing, then care to explain to me how it's still about 8K for a 94 URS4/S6? Maybe the b6 S4 is cheaper because it has a 4.2l V8 that guzzels gas like no tomorrow, and if you haven't noticed you can get a new Truck these days for almost nothing since they guzzle down gasoline too.

[/rant]

now for your question. as some have said if you don't have money laying around for repairs (i'd guess somewhere around at least 1500 a year) then pass on the Audi.

Yes I have one and yes I love it, but for instance this summer alone I've spent about 2K or maintenance that needed to be done to make sure my Audi lasts till 300K.

They are wonderful cars and yeah mine is my first car but if you do not have someway to pay for repairs then don't get one.

CLIFF NOTES:

IF you have extra cash for repairs go for it, if not, then get something else. You have to pay to play

and one more thing to add on my rant and then I'm finished ranting:

to all Subbie owners who think they are so above everyone else and that Subaru's are the best car in the World, (These people ususally go to Rally racing for proof.) I would like you to look up something for me.. please google AUDI UR Quattro and inform yourself.

 
I have a audi a4 and i love it. Never had a reall problem with it other than a taillight going out. I have had it for about 2 years now and i still love it, its also a great ski car
 
yea dude absolutely, I'm just a little biased because right now with the exhaust gasket blown I don't have a car, but I own a 99 a4 (2.8Lqm) and I love it. I just drove my friends 05 accord coupe and the quality and power is just no comparison. Audis are incredible vehicles, I'll never put them down, BUT the maintenance factor if you don't have the money to replace them is a serious pain in the ass. thread maker..go to http://www.audiforums.com any possible research you have can be conducted here, along with what to look for in buying an audi and what maintenance to MAKE SURE has been done.
 
as a first car...i would not buy an audi second if u have 4500 dallors try making a deal with ur parents done buy an audi with over 100k miles its not worth teh risk cause there expensive cars in general buy like a honda or subaru or something reliable that u no will work and wont mind gettin a few dings or dents here and there cause its gunna happen
 
we leased an allroad for a while and they do require a lot of work but they're so worth it, it's the best car i've ever driven
 
my mom drives an 05 a4 but i wouldnt recomend a 99 id sya get one when you can afford like something from the past three or four years
 
i have an audi a4 either 03 or 04 i forget haha but yeah ive had some problems, but becuase i bought it certified pre-owned i havent had to pay for any of the repairs and got a BRAND NEW FREE engine out of it. word. and i look ballin.
 
RANT WARNING. (sorry i hate audis)

why mess with any of that? why not have a love love relationship? you can get a good car that you don't have to worry about shit breaking. (for the most part obviously) i just don't understand why you'd wanna get a car that's "cool" that breaks all the time when you could get a "cool" car that won't break.

you ranted a whole lot about everything and i agree that you gotta take care of your car and that will HELP. however, crap cars are gonna have problems more than better made cars no matter what. when i say crap i mean as far as what they are designed for = a transportation device. audis have nice interiors, butnobody is talking about interiors/paint and such. and ya i know quality. i've ridden/driven some nice vehicles... mclaren f1? find a more quality car for me. custom sized seats, a tag watch under the hood? custom luggage? anyways.

as far as suby owners thinking they got the best car in the world...i wouldn't go that far. what i am saying is dood, i live in utah. we have snow. my car is awd, black leather, the biggest sunroof i've ever seen, heated seats, heated mirrors, heated windshield wipers, mad cargo room, 9 inches of ground clearance, it doesn't break, and it's faster than your all your audis. say somethin

while we are informing ourselves maybe you should go and look at a consumer report. you'll be able to find audis reviews. they will be a field of black and white right next to mercedes and most american made cars. they're just not made to last.

 
the 1.8t a4's are damn reliable, so are the early 90 audi 90's and coupe quattro. its really on their bigger faster cars and engines that you have to really watch out.
though for 5 grand, get a e30 bmw 325ix, its an awesome car, awd, light, handles better than an sti, looks awesome and is very reliable. for 5 grand you could find an awesome one
 
you dont know what your talking about if you think a american car is better made then an audi, and if you think an f1 is going to be reliable.
 
well you seem able to listen and have a coherent discussion with, so I'm all for it.

As for my Subbie statement it was directed towards those who have the five stars so far up there ass, they can't have a civilized discussion.

Now I ask you why you don't like Audi's? I will admit that I like Subbie's and thought about getting one for myself, but I know myself and the Audi is what I needed.

You see I like my love hate relationship because I like to get my hands dirty, so when something goes wrong on the car, while it might be a little nuisance, I enjoy it because it gives me a reason to get under the hood.

As for being faster then all Audi's I'm not sure you want to say that, see I'm not one to make such claims as that seeing as I know some wicked fast Audi's (9 sec. 1/4 anyone?) Yes I know Subbies can do it too, don't worry.

Now for the cool statement, I don't have my car because it's the cool car to have, (I'm not that way, I'm one of those kids who if I had 20K to spend on a car would rather have an old E30 M3 or UR Quattro than a brand spanking new Scion or something. I have my Audi because since I was little I've sat in the garage with my dad around his BMW's and I've wandered through shop bays filled with Porsche's and Ferrari's.

The Subaru fits what you need in a car perfectly. My Audi Fits my needs, it is a cruiser that with the CC engaged can get over 30mpg hw, it is comfortable, and it has enough go that I don't feel like I'm gonna die, but the engine isn't moddable so that I'm not tempted to build a 600+HP beast.(That is for later on when I do a VR6-T swap after my AFC engine finally kicks the bucket)

I'm guessing due to your statements that you see a car in more of an A to B transportation device and not as something that means more. To me it's not only the destination but the journey that is part of the equation

Now see there is the difference, and what some people understand and what others will never get. The Enthusiast vs Commuter argument. I am a die hard enthusiast, you see the commuter woud tell an old rich guy that he shouldn't get a Ferrari because the engine has to be re-built to often and that any body work wil run you at least 10K. That he should get some econobox that has no soul and should be as fuel efficient as possible. An enthusiast would say to hell with the maintenace, I'll take the F40 because it has a soul which so many cars these days are lacking, When you Put the hammer down, you feel something else When that TwinTurbo V8 screams into existance, you have thatworldly feeling as you are plastered against the back seat praying you don'thit a wet spot witho the lack of traction control, stability control and ABS. it's not something that can be realy relayed easily from one person to another it is something that some understand and others don't.

So there is the real difference and why I will never see the car world as some others do. I'm an enthusiast, that fact will never change, and because of it. I will always have some cantankerous vehicle that has some soul to it, instead of the perfect maintence record, that is as boring as watching paint dry.

Audi's are not for everyone, but neither are Econobox's or McLarem's

 
^are you by any chance Jeremy Clarkson? Very well said in my opinion!

I would love to own an audi, preferably an a4 as my next car. I'm certain i'll have to get a used one, but thats alright with me. I love everything about the audis, they're fast, powerful, fairly reliable, and i think they are some of the best looking cars on the road. I've also heard that they are fantastic to drive. But I am one of those people who thoroughly enjoys driving my car. Even in the corolla that i have now, sometimes i take longer routes down curvy roads just to drive it.
 
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