Bob

Here's a not-so-hypothetical question for you all. I am looking to buy a 98 2.8qms (loaded, with about 10,000 miles). Assume that I found two identical cars, one being sold by a dealership, and the other by a private party.<p>As I see it, the advantage of buying from the delership is the "Audi Assurance" program. Supposedly, the car is top quality (because it goes through an 82 point inspection, and any problems are corrected). The more tangible benefit is that there is an additional 20K miles of "Audi Assurance" warranty which brings the total warranty period for the car to 5 years 75k miles. In effect, I will be getting more warranty (4 years, 65k miles) than if I were to buy a new '99.<p>Obviously, the car from the dealership is going to cost more because I'd be buying three things: physical product, extended warranty, and peace-of-mind. My questions is, how much of a premium do you think "Audi Assurance" is worth? How much of a premium would you be willing to pay for a Assured car versus a non-assured car? $1,000 (which seems reasonable to me)? $4,000 (which seems to be what the dealership thinks it's worth)?<p>I appreciate you comments.<p>Thanks,<br>Bob

Steve S.

only about $500. IMHO, of course.<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM<br>

T2

$1000 yes. Much above that no.

Josh

1. You have to question why either party is selling a virtually brand-new car so soon. Bad dealership experience? Bad car experience? Moving? Kids? It's important.<p>2. If the dealer is unloading it, it's probably a demo or a trade-up (from A4 to A6, from manual to Tiptronic, whatever). That's a better feeling that the car wasn't bad, but demos are generally not "nurtured" like a private auto is.<p>3. If the delta is still $3000 between dealer and private sale, you can pick up a 3rd party warranty (from GE or whatever) for much less, I would think. Maybe even have Audi re-certify the car. But $4000-vs-$1000 is not trivial.<p><br>-josh

gman

It depends on how long you plan to keep the car. <br>I did check out the dealers but they were charging on average 2 to 3 thousand over the Blue Book and they were not offering any incentives like an extended waranty. <br>In the end I bought mine privately. It was the exact same model that I had seen at the dealer with leather and a sport steering wheel and it cost 2 thousand less. It still had another year on the warranty. So far I haven't had any problems with the car or the servicing.<br>I did look at an extended warranty but my credit union was quoting 3000 thousand for a 6 year 100000 mile warranty.<br>I only plan to keep the car for 2 years and will probably sell it before the new A4 comes out in the summer of 2000. Audi's are quite solid cars and the main problems I see occuring with age and mileage are electrical and I do not anticipate it costing me more than 3000 thousand dollars to fix on top of regular maintainence costs. <p><p>

randall

i purchased the extended warantee for $1000 CDN. The vehicle i got from the lot was the only a4 i could find! (now they have at least half a dozen in the lot, go figure)<p>I would expect to pay more from the dealer, without extended warantee. I don't think u can get away from that. But you should not pay more than $1000 for an extended warantee.<p>I bought from the dealer because i wanted minimum hassle.<p><br>1996 a4 2.8 qm<br>

JIM H.

Remember:the car is full Advantage for 3/50k whether private or dealer!nt