Audi A6 or A4

douglashyde

Guys I'm looking at buying a Audi A6 06 model or a Audi A4 08 model.

I'm not a very educated on Audis and was wondering does anyone with particular experience with them first, know the major differences between those two models and second, recommend either?

Thanks for the help,
D

mickdw

I would say A6 over A4 all day long. Also, new model A4 during 08. I cant see there being such a price difference between A4 & A6 that would require you to go 2 years older in the A6.

If looking on carzone etc, ignore any ads by PFA (premier fleet auto) as they are bull**** ads.

-Corkie-

A4 is a pure bog standard car. Get the A6 s-line. The se has horrible suspension and handling.

douglashyde

Thanks Mick,

Why do you think the A6 is better? I was looking at an 06, 07 model A6 however was unsure as to how much I would be paying. Sometimes the prices on carzone seem very distored. How much do you think you would end up paying for a 07 A6?

D

-Corkie-

If you were not in a panic to buy wait until the new A6 comes out. AFAIK later this year. The price of the used ones will drop. Personally I would be aiming for 08+ as they were facelifted then.

douglashyde

-Corkie- wrote: »

If you were not in a panic to buy wait until the new A6 comes out. AFAIK later this year. The price of the used ones will drop. Personally I would be aiming for 08+ as they were facelifted then.

Really? I don't mind waiting a while, my car at the moment is fine and will do me another good while. Just out of interest, how much in your opinion do you think the 08 model will drop to in price with the new model coming out.

I have a 01 Passat at the moment, great car. I was even looking at getting a newer model instead, but I've always wanted a Audi.

mickdw

Not sure what a good price would be but considering that there is a facelift model since around 09 & a new model on the way shortly, they should be relatively good value.

-Corkie-

douglashyde wrote: »

Really? I don't mind waiting a while, my car at the moment is fine and will do me another good while. Just out of interest, how much in your opinion do you think the 08 model will drop to in price with the new model coming out.

I have a 01 Passat at the moment, great car. I was even looking at getting a newer model instead, but I've always wanted a Audi.

That Passat are a good motor. The newer ones are not as good but unfortunatley the problems they give are common to the A6 aswell. I had a look around there and there is a major price difference with them. Whats your budget??

-Corkie-

Petrol or diesel. This is a nice one.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201048374239567/sort/priceasc/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/maximum-age/up_to_2_years_old/body-type/saloon/model/a6/make/audi/radius/1501/postcode/sw193rg/page/3?logcode=p

J77

I'd go with the 08- A4. Its not alot smaller than the A6 and looks much nicer.

Budget OP??

douglashyde

Diesel.

Wow - the price in the UK for this is a massive difference on the Irish price; even factoring in VRT and transport!

-Corkie-

That one is VAT qualfying so if you can give them a VAT number the car would cost minus the VAT.:)

J77

-Corkie- wrote: »

That one is VAT qualfying so if you can give them a VAT number the car would cost minus the VAT.:)

How exactly does that work? Do you have to pay Irish VAT bringing them back in then?

-Corkie-

J77 wrote: »

How exactly does that work? Do you have to pay Irish VAT bringing them back in then?

Well yes of course..;);). If the car is less than 6 months old the revenue will look for it of you. On any other car they wont. Allthough the revenue in the UK may inspect the garages accounts and see your VAT number.

douglashyde

When you say tax - I assume your talking about VRT??

-Corkie-

douglashyde wrote: »

When you say tax - I assume your talking about VRT??

No VAT. Look at the ad. The price is gross VAT qualfying. So take 20% of that if you are VAT registered here.

fm

-Corkie- wrote: »

That one is VAT qualfying so if you can give them a VAT number the car would cost minus the VAT.:)

VAT qualfying have to do with uk vat rules,you cant claim vat on a passenger vehicle here,the 6 month old rule is different

-Corkie-

fm wrote: »

VAT qualfying have to do with uk vat rules,you cant claim vat on a passenger vehicle here,the 6 month old rule is different

It is in the UK we were discussing not here.

J77

-Corkie- wrote: »

Well yes of course..;);). If the car is less than 6 months old the revenue will look for it of you. On any other car they wont. Allthough the revenue in the UK may inspect the garages accounts and see your VAT number.

You could get hit with a bill if they catch it so?? What would make the car vat qualifying?

fm

-Corkie- wrote: »

It is in the UK we were discussing not here.

yes but to import to irl?

-Corkie-

J77 wrote: »

You could get hit with a bill if they catch it so?? What would make the car vat qualifying?

It depends if the first owner was a company etc. Every ad will tell you if its qualfying or not. Anyway I am after going way off topic there.

mickdw

Just to clear up this VAT thing.

There are a couple of senarios.

If buying a car less than 6 months old, ANY person can take a car bought at dealer out of the uk VAT free. You then pay VAT & VRT here.
Some people actually pay the uk vat too but this shouldnt be needed and you would then have to go about claiming back the UK VAT on payment of Irish taxes.
A non VAT regd person buying over 6 months old has to pay vat inclusive price but then no VAT due here, Only VRT.

In the case of a VAT registered business, yes I believe you can supply your VAT number & take the car out VAT free if its a VAT qualifying car however this transaction should then be on your company accounts. If the car is then not a legit business VAT deductable (I believe a car is not allowable here), there will be no saving as the vat amount will be added on to year end accounts. I agree this is being done regularily but I dont believe it is proper.

J77

-Corkie- wrote: »

It depends if the first owner was a company etc. Every ad will tell you if its qualfying or not. Anyway I am after going way off topic there.

Ah I see. Apologies for pulling you off topic:D

Back to the matter at hand! The facelifted A6 s-lines are really nice.

Are you just looking for the regular 2.0tdi engine or would you go to the 2.7tdi or all the way to the 3.0tdi?

whiterebel

J77 wrote: »

I'd go with the 08- A4. Its not alot smaller than the A6 and looks much nicer.

Budget OP??

Its a lot smaller in the back, believe me. Boot is huge in the A6 too.

Stevie Dakota

Just make sure you drive a S-line before you buy, some people hate the firm set up.

douglashyde

Thanks guys - I'd probably be pushing for an A6 at this stage. However pricing seems a bit strange, different dealers seem to be charging different prices. Would anyone recommend how much can be haggled of the marked price?

-Corkie-

douglashyde wrote: »

Thanks guys - I'd probably be pushing for an A6 at this stage. However pricing seems a bit strange, different dealers seem to be charging different prices. Would anyone recommend how much can be haggled of the marked price?

If you are buying here and a straight sale expect between 1.5k-2k. If you re going to the uk expect 4-500 pounds off.

douglashyde

Guys,

After much thought I think I am going to for the 08 A4 model - the reason is I wanted something with the new Audi facelift, The A6 doesnt seem to have this on its 08 model.

I have a question about the pricing however. I have a car that is worth around 2k-2.5k now (passat, 01, 1.6 petrol). The A4 08 models are priced at around 20k-21k in carzone. First, how much could I expect to pay the dealer for one with a trade-in, I am relativally inexperienced at this sort of thing and have a feeling I'm going to end up on some programme on ITV about getting suckered.

Thanks guys,
D

opinion guy

Hmmm if it were me I would go for a high spec A4 import from UK. Or even and S4 or even an RS4 if I could find a good one. But at least an A4 Sline quattro. You simply won't find as many high spec models down south to choose from (especially if you were interested in S4's or RS4's).

In fact what I would do is contact a dealer up North and ask them what they have that you can test drive and ask them to source models.

Pming you a good dealer


Edit: Note Audi Uk & Norhern Ireland comes with 3 year warranty, Audi Ireland has a 2 year warranty - possible of relevance when buying an 08 car (if its late 08). Definitely of relevance if buying and 09 or 10 car.

Swampy

A6 is much nicer than the A4.

opinion guy

Swampy wrote: »

A6 is much nicer than the A4.

Well thats debatable. Its bigger than an A4. But if you are not that pushed about having ferry like space, personally I'd prefer to spend the extra cash on higher spec rather than space. Also the A4 looks ALOT better than the A6, which is hideous

douglashyde

opinion guy wrote: »

Well thats debatable. Its bigger than an A4. But if you are not that pushed about having ferry like space, personally I'd prefer to spend the extra cash on higher spec rather than space. Also the A4 looks ALOT better than the A6, which is hideous

Thats my thinking.

mickdw

Due to the low value of your trade in, dont even bother going to the dealer with it. Hit them for a straight sale on the A4, you will knock a significant amount of the screen price.

Option 1: screen price minus value of your trade in = amount paid

Option 2: straight sale with discount off screen price.

You will end up handing over the same amount of cash either way IMO but going straight you will still have your old car to auction/sell private.

taintabird

Mechanically the diesels are very similar sharing many components the only real difference is room inside, if you want space a6 wins hands down

douglashyde

mickdw wrote: »

Due to the low value of your trade in, dont even bother going to the dealer with it. Hit them for a straight sale on the A4, you will knock a significant amount of the screen price.

Option 1: screen price minus value of your trade in = amount paid

Option 2: straight sale with discount off screen price.

You will end up handing over the same amount of cash either way IMO but going straight you will still have your old car to auction/sell private.

Thanks Guys,

Mickdw - I think this is actually what I will do. By paying with cash straight up and the amount of used cars out there I will really have a lot of power as the buyer. My aunt just got a BMW which was advertised for 4500 for 3500. I'm wondering what kind discount I can have taken of an Audi A4 advertised at 20-25k.

gb153

Remember also to take into account the annual tax changes for 2008 cars. I know you said you prefer the look of the facelift 2008 A4 but the savings in tax for a diesel A6 may allow you to go for a 2008.

firefly08

Whichever model you go for, I strongly recommend going for a Quattro. That'll make it an incredible winter car. It'll plow through snow and mud like no one's business.

douglashyde

Mmm, interesting point on the tax for the A6.. however I think that I'd prefer to get the 08 A4 based on the new facelift - just a great looking car...... I have also decided to pay upfront cash for the car rather than bother with a trade-in.(thanks mickdw) I still however amnt sure how much I should try haggle of the dealer. At the moment the cars I am looking at are around 22k - would a 15-20% price be expected if I was paying cash upfront?