I've read your comments and some on carpoint.com...
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I've read your comments and some on carpoint.com...
about...1998 A6 2.8 quattro...
I am getting closer to deciding NOT to buy this car. Or if I buy it I will bid a much lower price than I originally thought. carpoint.com was really helpful - the most common problems listed there somewhat agreed with you guys:
A6 2.8:
Problem #1: Way underpowered, especially low end torque - everyone agrees on this - if Audi , then 2.7t or 4.2
Problem #2: Terrible reliability. Cannot compare to Japanese.
Since I would not have warranty, all the things would cost me fortune and here comes Problem #3: Extremely long time to order parts via Dealer - one person mentioned waiting a YEAR for the part! Other people said usually SEVERAL MONTHS....
Would someone absolutely disagree with any of these?
I am getting closer to deciding NOT to buy this car. Or if I buy it I will bid a much lower price than I originally thought. carpoint.com was really helpful - the most common problems listed there somewhat agreed with you guys:
A6 2.8:
Problem #1: Way underpowered, especially low end torque - everyone agrees on this - if Audi , then 2.7t or 4.2
Problem #2: Terrible reliability. Cannot compare to Japanese.
Since I would not have warranty, all the things would cost me fortune and here comes Problem #3: Extremely long time to order parts via Dealer - one person mentioned waiting a YEAR for the part! Other people said usually SEVERAL MONTHS....
Would someone absolutely disagree with any of these?
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Sure it is not as powerful as the 2.7T or 4.2...But drive it. There are
many folks who find it very serviceable. The car is the sum of the engine, ride, interior etc....There are a few tweaks/chips that help it get going a little better.
As for the reliability. It is not a Honda. Thank god. There are things in this car that Honda hasn't dreamt of yet.
There were some growing pains, but those got dealt with. I had a 99A6 Avant put 50K on it and didn't have a problem other than the recalls.
On top of that there are extended warranties available, a quick search will give a bunch of posts.
Parts can't be an issue for a 98 if you live in civilization, at least not now.
As for the reliability. It is not a Honda. Thank god. There are things in this car that Honda hasn't dreamt of yet.
There were some growing pains, but those got dealt with. I had a 99A6 Avant put 50K on it and didn't have a problem other than the recalls.
On top of that there are extended warranties available, a quick search will give a bunch of posts.
Parts can't be an issue for a 98 if you live in civilization, at least not now.
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I have a 97 A6 and the wait for parts is nill. I imagine shortages in 1998 for 1998 cars are over.
As far as terrible reliability?? It isn't an American or Korean car, it isn't up to the Japanese levels of reliability either.
I think the acid test is people that understand cars and love them buy Audis.
I think the acid test is people that understand cars and love them buy Audis.
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I disagree with two-thirds of your points
Reliability is not terrible, it just may not be what you're used to. Do you have mostly experience with Japanese car-appliances? Then you might think a German car is a piece of sh*t. They might break more often than Japanese cars, but they have character and are more fun to drive and better-looking. That's the tradeoff bucko. If you need rock-solid reliability you may not be ready for an Audi, you really need to decide how much that matters to you.
And who on earth waited a year, and for what part? Audi has been making the 2.8 engine for years and the A6 bodystyle has changed little if at all, so I can't imagine where that remark came from.
And who on earth waited a year, and for what part? Audi has been making the 2.8 engine for years and the A6 bodystyle has changed little if at all, so I can't imagine where that remark came from.
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Phred is right - once you go European, Japanese just feels 'boring'
The European cars have nowhere near as good of reliability as the Japanese cars do, but they really do have SO much more character and driving fun than the Japanese cars - once you own one, it's all over, trust me.
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Of course, just to contradict myself
for the two (!) weeks my car has been in the body shop, I've been driving a 4-banger Mitsubishi Galant. I couldn't have created a more boring-seeming car, yet it's actually fun to drive and I guarantee I will never get stopped for any reason whatsoever, the car is totally invisible! I've actually started nosing around the Auto Trader wondering how much these things are.
Oh, and if you ever have a rentacar for any length of time, do yourself and the car a favor and check the oil. When the oil light faintly flickered one morning I pulled the dipstick and discovered ... nothing! So I put in a half-quart, still nothing. The rest of the quart, barely a tickle. ANOTHER half a quart, finally a sign of life. This poor little car was almost out of oil!
Oh, and if you ever have a rentacar for any length of time, do yourself and the car a favor and check the oil. When the oil light faintly flickered one morning I pulled the dipstick and discovered ... nothing! So I put in a half-quart, still nothing. The rest of the quart, barely a tickle. ANOTHER half a quart, finally a sign of life. This poor little car was almost out of oil!
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While you are thinking of it, phred...
my in-laws just bought one - listen to this deal!!
02 Galant (4 cyl) - 0% interest for 3 years, and NO PAYMENTS FOR ONE FULL YEAR!!!
Can you believe that?
If you want one, get one, they are practically free!
02 Galant (4 cyl) - 0% interest for 3 years, and NO PAYMENTS FOR ONE FULL YEAR!!!
Can you believe that?
If you want one, get one, they are practically free!
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I have a 98 2.8q - it may be slow from the start, but on the highway ->
I have kept up with S8's & S4's. You can only drive so fast, and above 70mph the 2.8 really comes alive - but to agree with you, the 2.8 is definitely not a redlight racer.
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Mitsubishi is not going anywhere. In japan
you ride Mitsi escalators, elevators, do your banking at Mitsi owned banks which are lit by Mitsi light bulbs and you probably insure your stuff with a Mitsi owned Insurance company. You can drink Kirin beer and take pictures with Nikons - Yep Mitsi owned. Most thing shipped to this country via boat were probably on Mitsi built boats. Did I mention TV, DVDs and blah blah blah. Actually Mitsi's (vehicles) are fairly well built . so go for it
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