Brendon1215

I found a 2000 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro at a nearby car dealership. I wrecked my first car (Dodge Intrepid), so I'm looking for something nice & decent to get me around until I'm suppose to graduate & leave for Army Basic Combat Training - which I'll hopefully leave for next summer (2014). The Audi has a 2.8 V6, and it has 172k miles on it. Clean CarFax - no accidents. Automatic. Leather. Power everything. Sunroof. Would this be a good idea to buy? I'm suppose to go test drive it around 4PM EST on Sunday (4/7). Are there any things I should look for during the visual inspection & test drive? What are some pros & cons? Thanks everyone.

4Driver4

Look for paint work, oil leaks and trouble codes.
Find out when the timing belt was last done and when the trans fluid was last changed. If they can't show proof, expect to spend at least $1k for these two jobs, probably closer to 1500.
Carfax is nearly unless.

Huskerbob

What are they asking for it?

Check under the hood to see if anyone put a sticker to indicate timing belt work.

Make sure the heater blows hot and that the transmission shifts smoothly.

Check on the passenger side floor for indications of water in the cabin, stains or dampness.

Make sure all of the "power everything" work properly.

Good luck.

Bobby Kinstle

The above plus check for oil leaks on the back wide of the heads where the valve chain tensioned is. Check that the PCV line (right behind the ignition coils) isn't cracked, Check the vacuum lines visible on the to with the engine cover removed. If you can log in with a VAG COM and check rediness. Many of these cars have failed the catalyst aging test (audi set the threshold too sensitive) and if the Check Engine Light is on the car won't pass smog. It's possible to clear the light for a demo, only to have it come on 30 miles later, but this will show a failure in the "rediness test". Lastly check for engine misfires. That's usually one of many minor problems that can be vexxing to track down.

These are great cars but they do require some maintenance. More than your typical japanese cars.

4Driver4

One in back, one in front. ;-)