jjcuff1

I am a C7 2013 A6 owner and love it. My son is getting his license and of course he wants a sport car but not getting him a 2 door.

I see the 2005-2007 A4 2.0, great engine, are very affordable. $4500-$6000 can get you one well under 100k miles.

The B8 is maybe $10k for same.

I know the 2.0 has plenty of pep but safe, stock, as any other 4cyl but the interior and sportiness and features blow away civic etc that are the same price.

Anyone have feedback on higher mileage B7 are they reliable and goof doe first driver? Visibility, rain driving, easy to drive and with not finicky and lot of maint to keep going?

Any pitfalls that need to be fixed,replaced or you guys would avoid?

John535is

I had pretty much the same reasoning.
I purchased an early B7 quattro for my son. In Australia the 2005.5 ones still had the 1.8 turbo engine.
I factored in a full belt replacement, included water pump, tensioners etc. The 2.0 engine you need to do the cam follower as well. I should have done the thermostat at the same time, but have done it since, and I did the oil cooler and one of the hoses, the coolant bleed screw as well. Essentially the cooling system has been replaced and it looked like corrosion which probably means someone was using the wrong coolant or none for a while.

Check the headlights for scratching, after 11 years I replaced the bulbs.

I also replaced the divertor and the waste gate controller. Figured after so long these plastic parts have done their job. He wanted to do a turbo upgrade but really just getting it back to running as Audi intended gave it enough power to be a fun car.

Otherwise just the usual checks you would do buying a 10+ year old car, check CV boots, noise from CV's, no silly gear changes or noises, no vibrations etc.

His mum is happy, he goes off in a car with reasonable power, 6 speed, quattro drive, with all the good brakes, ABS, ESP etc and full air bags. Laughs that his friends don't get a full leather interior, electric seats etc.

The only real down side is the radio in the older models. The 'young ones' like their phone and device connections which the earlier Audi's didn't have. I like to keep as much standard as possible, figure a bunch of german engineers know more about car design than I do, but a sound system upgrade path for these would be good.

Once I did the 'full service' the car has been maintenance free (better than my Allroad), which is lucky because he is never home now. (oh to be young again!)

jjcuff1

You answered my question perfectly. Thank you. I assume the regular tune up items but good call on the turbo items.

I agree on the stereo and no backup camera but it's a trade off. Every kid will have Hyundai with loaded 32" touchscreen and all sorts of connection but driving a painted milk crate. ;-)

I prefer the Audi and add a nice touch screen and camera on his own dime for a few hundred bucks!!

jjcuff1

How many miles? I am seeing 2005-2007 in the 90k range for $6k and maybe 2009 at 100-120k for $7k

Rather do under 100k since he won't put more then 10-20k within the first few years then he is on his own anyway lol