355f1

Hello Chaps,

I am interested in this car to haul kids around. I love older cars and know very well what it entitles regarding maintenance and repairs, being fifteen year old there is a good $5+K of deferred maintenance on this car.

Nevertheless, I am not familiar with this car - I had a trouble free new '87 GT Coupe - and I am afraid of making a mistake.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/191338394750?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
I need your expert advise, many of you will see wrong things by looking at the photos. Regarding mechanical/electrical condition I could ask if I can take it for a PPI. Dealer has excellent feedback as seller.

Thanks much in advance.

Best regards,

Horacio

clancy

Price seems high but looks like new. I did not see the service records. I assume the timing belt has never been done? This is a $1000-1500 service with all necessary parts. Agree with your PPI. Have it done by an indy that specializes in Audi. Preferably one who regularly services 98-04 +/- years.

Just Me

Step #1 is have pre-purchase inspection performed. It will pay you back in risk avoidance or negotiation power. I'll assume this is a 3.0L automatic, correct? Check for cam wear (lubrication), auto tranny performance, front control arms and TREs, especially upper, when was timing service (nto just the rubber belt!!!!!!) done (should be evry 75k or so, and big $$$$). Plus the usual stuff.

Grant

355f1

Talked to the salesman, he agrees to taking the car to Audi Willow Grove for a PPI, I don't know any indie shop close to the seller, and there is a $150 fee, which is not surprising.

I have to find out if they do PPIs, some dealers in my area do not accept cars for a PPI. Fee must be 2/3 hours at most.

Is anyone concerned that this car spent its entire life in the snow belt?

Kelley BB dealer price is $5.9K

Just Me

most audis were bought in the snow belts in the old days. C'est la vie

$150 is fair if comprehensive. See if you cna be present

Just Me

on any old car i'd rather pay top dollar for a good car than bargain price for a money pit

georgeb944

Price is too high. Although it's a nice looking car, I would not spend more than $6K for a 15 year old car. You might want to invest a couple of dollars in the ebay autocheck report. This ebay seller is a dealer, who probably bought the car wholesale for under $5K.

This car has the 2.8 30 valve motor with a tiptronic. You will be underwhelmed by the power and the fuel economy. I found the single piston brakes to be marginal in these cars. You will need to budget for new shocks all around and a trans fluid and filter change.

That said, most people don't listen to me, since they fall in love with cars and don't look at them with a jaundiced eye, like I have learned to do.

355f1

Agree with Tech Guru, that's why I look for well kept cars even if you have to pay more but I have not talked to the salesman yet regarding best price.

355f1

George, sure, he probably bought it at Manheim or at some other auction, but he makes a living selling cars. If he paid $5K wholesale and sells it for $6K or $7K he would have to close doors. On the other hand I am a private party and don't have access to auto auctions.

If you browse your local CL you will see that well kept, low mileage cars sold by owners are generally overpriced, sometimes higher than a dealer. Some sellers would prefer to keep the car forever than selling it for less than what they have in mind. I am tired of hearing price is firm I do not need to sell it.

For me the purpose of buying a wagon is to haul my three grandkids everywhere around town, not to make long distance trips. The third row is a great advantage, the further apart they sit the less trouble they make.

Just Me

Ho its a 2.8? Actually that's good - yea, its slow. But its robust and not powerful enough to damage the tranny.

Not clear what your issue with the brakes is. Not that i suggest it, but i had a 2.8 q (1995) on the track once, admittedly with racing fluid and racing pads. But that's the point, the calipers largely don;t matter. Press harder. The limiting factor is always tire traction and heat buildup anyway. Calipers are for bling. Rotors stop cars. Yes, they are small too :-) But this a grand-kids hauler.

I re-iterate - its a matter of rally carefully doing your homework - motor solid? Low oil use? Brake calipers move smoothly? Rotors in good nik? Suspension all tight, no play? Dampers damp? (actually, they never did)

George is very right - a sports car, thsi is not. but it will cruise at 85 on the highway indefinitely. Yea, mileage is, well, appropos for a nearly 4000 lb barge.