Chuck Lederer

I saw in the want ads an add for an A8, 1998. It has 12,000 miles, silver with black interior, 4.2 Quattro, 17 inch wheels. It has had two fender benders, one in front and one in back but the owner says the frame did not need straightening. It looks and drives good. Price is 49,500. Could I get some input, please? Thanks.

Ali B

I am assuming that you are talking about a 4.2Q model and not a 3.7 A8. This price would be very high for a 3.7 model.

Considering that a few months ago several people at a4.org were able to buy brand new '99 A8 4.2's for about $53K (MSRP of $68K) by taking advantage of massive $7500 dealer incentives, you might be better off looking for a new unsold '99 model. My neighborhood dealer has a beautiful new '99 4.2 in Cashmere Gray siting on his lot.

Since this car has been through a couple of minor accidents, I would have it checked out by a suitable body shop to verify that the damage was indeed minor.

Chuck

Ali,
Thanks for the post. Where is the '99 A8 you referred to? Thanks.

Ali B

The new '99 A8 4.2 I was talking about is at Ogner Motor Cars in Woodland Hills, CA. The exterior is Cashmere Gray and the interior is Platinum (light gray). The MSRP sticker is something close to $69K.

One thing you should keep in mind if you are looking at a new '99 A8 is that the sticker price for '00 models was lowered by $3000. This is on top of all the improvements made to the '00 model (new 40-valve engine, SideGuard airbags, revised interior, more aluminum in suspension, revised door handles, new front grille and headlights, in-dash CD, etc.).

I think if you can find a new '99 A8, you should be able to work out a great deal and get a substantial discount off the sticker price.