I test drove the A4...exilarating ride and handling...fun to drive....loved it! I am definitely going to buy, not lease a car....the local repair shop says don't buy the audi...he's worked on many and the parts are a fortune and they break down alot....Has the reliabiltity improved with the latest models? Consumer Reports rating was better than average...Maybe I could get the extended warranty.....Help! Thank you for your comments...I really do want this car!

Ask your local repair shop what's a good car and buy it, or go straight to a honda dealer.

We went through the same arguments you're having with yourself. My local mechanic (a good friend) said that the Subarus had a better repair record in his shop, "And besides, I just don't like Audi products", he said. But we wanted a good AWD, etc etc etc and we loved the way the Audi handled. So we bought the A4 2.8Q, against our paranoid genetic type. It's a wonderous car, and we don't nearly approach its limits. If it has any. It seems to rumble in the garage late at night, waiting for someone to drive it.

So I brought it to my non-believing mechanic friend and told him to drive it. "I don't wanna", he says. I make him. I tell him to use the Tiptronic and goose it around the curves. He does. He LOVES it! His mind is changing. I feel vindicated. So will you.

Harvey

They are incredibly expensive to repair. When I bought my '98 the finance guy tried to sell me the extended warranty by showing me a list of "typical" repair costs. May have been hype but repairs were very expensive. I can't remember for sure but I think the worst was replacing the Tiptronic at many thousands of dollars (like $7000?).

I don't keep cars too long but I knew right then and there I wasn't keeping mine much past the warranty.

PS: My next car is another A4, being built this week.

you need a person who likes the car to work on it. I find that if a mechanic doesn't like the make the work will tend toward substandard.

Audi extended warranties are more than double the cost of comparable Japanese cars.

The decision to buy an A4, however, is an emotional one, not necessarily rational.

If we were all rational and just wanted transportation, we'd drive Corolla's and Civic's. The question is, what do you want for you incremental dollar? Luxury? Handling? Prestige? Driving Pleasure?

If reliability is your only concern then get an extended warranty. An extra $2000 for 7 years of good sleep may well be worth the driving pleasure.

On the other hand, the 2000 Maxima and 2000 TL offer excellent value if you want to compromise some of the handling for lower ownership costs.

Changed one sensor and oil that was about it. No turbo problems, engine, gearbox or suspension problems. Some cars will always be more expensive to maintain than others. You
can just buy a basic toyota small pickup truck - probably run forever. I would say BMW and Mercedes are the same as Audi. Usually reliable, but if stuff goes wrong - expensive

Had 96 328 for two years and no problems.

Thus far on the A4, I have had:

Two emission problems covered by warranty (check engine light came on both times and a loud suction sound developed);

Instrument cluster replaced when trip computer went out;

Sunroof switch replaced twice;

Front control arm replaced prior to recall;

Front rotors replaced due to excessive grinding sound and warp at 10K; and

small interior BS.