Last night my wife and I visited the local Audi dealer to look at year 2000 A4's. We test drove a 1999 model and like the car. But, both my wife and I refuse the leather seat option, for whatever reason, it's personal. We then found out the local dealer has already sold his initial shipment
of A4 Avant's (six total). Furthermore, I believe the dealer expected me to pay MSRP for the car, if he could find one (without leather). The dealer had four remaining 1999 models, built with more options than we care for. Will the dealer be more inclined to give a realistic price for last year models, or should I go buy an Outback?

I ordered my 98.5 Avant with options I wanted (sport seats were just coming out, weren't on any cars in dealers yet). Took 5 months to come in and still got significant discount.

I owuld think he would be more willing to offer discounts on wjhat is in his lot than an order. Unfortunately, he probably knows he can eventually get a sucker in to pay sticker price (that is probably his experience) Just don't be that sucker.

Recommendation - try another dealer. Ask the forum for recommendations in your area.

MSRP... DO NOT PAY MSRP. Go in with the invoice prices and work up from there (you can get them at www.kbb.com). I got about 6.65% over invoice. That's about right for an avant, since they are harder to come by.
Good luck, and when in doubt, threaten to leave the dealership--that's what I did, and got a few hundred taken off.

Ok, without slamming dealers, I live in Portland, Oregon and we have only _ONE_ dealer.
What about the Seattle area, I see they have three dealerships there?

...treated me very well. I bought my '98 from dealer stock last October, just as the '99s were coming in, and was able to knock almost $4000 off a loaded 2.8 QMS Avant (in the color I wanted, no less). I had originally wanted to buy a '99 1.8 Avant, but the price I could get on the '98 2.8 was practically the same as the '99 1.8. I was at Barrier about two months ago and they had several Avants on their lot - maybe they still do. Their number is (425)643-3000. Good luck.

I think there's a $1250 rebate on 99 models from Audi. Check edmunds.com