Hi everyone! Newbie here, though I'm not exactly new to TTs. My 2003 180hp Roadster (meet Nyah, in my sig) was returned at lease-end. I have missed it everyday since, even on rainy days. (Keep in mind, I live in Southern CA, though.)

I'm now considering picking up a certified 2005. I certainly had problems with my 2003 (had my instrument cluster replaced twice, among other things), but I still loved it.

For 2005, are there any problems I can expect? I keep reading about the timing belt. How much would that usually cost if replaced before it breaks (and at the dealership)? My 2003 was under warranty the whole time, so I didn't mind the trips to the dealership so much. I think I pretty much know what I'm getting into, in terms of the warranty with CPOs, like any remaining New Vehicle Warranty up to 50K/4 years, then a limited warranty 100K/6 years after that with $50 deductible (from original in-service date). There's also the cost of maintenance on top of that, which I never had to worry about with my 2003.

Let's say I pick up a CPO with 30K miles and I plan to keep it for 2-3 years, driving about 15K a year. What kinds of maintenance should I anticipate to perform past 50K? And how much do they usually cost?

And finally, does anyone know what kind of credit score range I should have in order to qualify for Audi's special financing rates?

Thanks in advance for any answers, and I'm sorry for the long-ish post.

 

- Service: TB and WP, along with tensioner and T-stat, not later than 70K miles. Typical indie is US$1200 in HotLanta. Get the Diesel Geek kit.
- Cluster issues persisted, although incidence rates appear to have fallen.
- Look closely at running gear (tires, brakes, tie rod ends and suspension).
- No idea on the Audi rate.

 

If you're worried about your credit score for financing a TT, then you may not be the best future TT owner. TT's cost money, and seem to always have one thing or another going wrong--think clunks, whaps, creaks, dying, starting, snapping, stuttering, fluttering, booshting, leaking, dripping--it goes on, and on, and on, and on and on. And even though, this will probably make you determined to get one even more now, just remember this advice when you get your first suspension clunk, or your electrical gremlin...

 

Thanks for your concern, basttion, but I think I know what I'm getting into. :-)

Like I said, I've had one before (though it was a lease), and I had it for 4 years. I just want to get an idea of what to expect past those 4 years, because all I know is -- I figure setting aside about $300 a month for maintenance, plus getting a CPO means 2-3 years of manufacturer warranties (which is about as long as I intend to keep the car). Other than that, I don't know if I should expect much worse.

And the reason I'm asking about the credit score range for the special APR is because I think I'm right underneath it (low 700s).

 

Thanks for that list inTTruder!

 

CPO, tinted, 18in audi wheels, lowered, one owner, for just over $24K, Desert Audi, Las Vegas.

 

Sounds like a great deal. Thanks for sharing!