Buying a €4 grand car .. am technical, but no expert. Advice sought

antiskeptic

So, my shabby but loved 03' A4 1.8T got nicked and I've the unwelcome task of finding a replacement on a budget. I've been reading around the forum a bit and some questions spring to mind. Much appreciated if anyone can assist in illuminating me in any of the areas below

1. Relevant needs

- budget stands ca. €4k (which assumes I can bargain down from advertised-at-higher-priced cars).

- I don't need much poke but did like the bit of grunt the Audi had if you felt lazy and just wanted to push the pedal. 1.6 might be a bit too little?. 2 litre be on a par with the 1.8T I guess?

- Although I don't need the car to maintain my image, I have an aesthetic side (and just loved the A4's lines) so would want to avoid ugly, but otherwise pragmatic choices).

- Gotta be 4 door

- prefer reliable over age on the number plate. I'd be planning on hanging onto it for a few years (probably until it drops/starts to cost me money to repair)

- I'm doing small mileage, less than 10K/km a year.


Questions:

2. Private vs. garage? Sure, I'd bring a mechanic along to have a look but is there any value to be had getting say a 3 month warranty? It'd at least cover the worst of attempts to cover up problems. I was thinking of a dealer somewhere between main dealer and behind-a-chicken-wire fence type dealer

3. Is one of these motorchecks worth the money? Do they have access to NCT data to check mileage history?

4. I've never liked diesels much (even though tending towards older cars). Nowadays I seem to hear a lot about particulate filters and dual mass flywheels - which seems to nobble the whole high mileage benefit of a diesel. Simply stay clear from this option?

5. The KIA Ce'ed loaned to me by my insurance, although brand new, was a plasticky / thinny / guttless thing compared to the A4. What other options are there besides the A4 which I should be looking at, if a bit of comfort is considered desirable?

6. The Audi proved very reliable in the 6 years I had it - it cost me virtually nothing bar the consumables/timing belt. I understand reliability can change even between versions of the same model, so it's not even that getting a more modern A4 brings the same level of reliability. Accords seem to get the nod in this direction but don't seem to go past 07 in petrol. Any other good candidates (not keen on the Skoda Oct)

7. I understand road tax went from CC to emissions ca. 2008. What's the story with this? Was there some cut off point before which the old way and after which the new way?

Thanks in advance

Auntie..

James Bond Junior

Another audi A4?

antiskeptic

James Bond Junior wrote: »

Another audi A4?

Am keeping an eye out for them alright

It seems 2nd hand cars have gotten far more expensive since I bought my (now departed) '03 A4 in 2011. The same money (€3500) spent 6 years ago on that A4 would prob only get me to a 100k miles 06 A4 these days.

Given I can't hang around too long, I'm looking to see where else the net can be spread - I ain't got time to wander all over the country (and the banger my sister loaned me has no heating working).


-

Are later 1.8T's the same basic car as the 03 model? They look almost identical inside to my yoke - facelifting than anything else took place for quite a while?

The Audi was nigh on my first car after years of motorcycling. It kind of ruined me for plasticky cars.

Cee-Jay-Cee

If I had €4K to spend on a petrol car I’d be looking at 07/08 Legacy 2.0i saloon. 168bhp and decently quick despite the AWD and will still do 32mpg and up to 40 on long runs. The petrol engine is ultra reliable and will rarely give any problems. I love the lines of the Legacy and they still look modern compared to some of the muck being produced today. The only downside is the €710 tax but you’d have been paying €630 on your Audi and so it’s not a huge amount more.

This one is particularly nice with low miles

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/17415316

Or this one if you wanted auto

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/17227511

bazz26

Most of the cars that you are looking at in petrol form will not come with cheap motor tax on the new co2 tax system. It's the main reason you won't seem too many of them post 2008.

bazz26

1.4 TSi Passat is worth having a look at if you want something with cheap tax. They are turbocharged with 122bhp but make sure the timing chain isn't stretching as it's a common problem on those engines:



https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/vw-passat-2009-1-4-petrol-as-new/16506648

antiskeptic

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

If I had €4K to spend on a petrol car I’d be looking at 07/08 Legacy 2.0i saloon. 168bhp and decently quick despite the AWD and will still do 32mpg and up to 40 on long runs. The petrol engine is ultra reliable and will rarely give any problems. I love the lines of the Legacy and they still look modern compared to some of the muck being produced today. The only downside is the €710 tax but you’d have been paying €630 on your Audi and so it’s not a huge amount more.

This one is particularly nice with low miles

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/17415316

Or this one if you wanted auto

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/17227511

Thanks for the pointer. It is indeed a nicely 'lined' car.

I could live with the tax I suppose (although that auto one is showing 1200 tax :eek:)

What would Subaru's be like from a cost-of-repairs point of view generally? And if an Audi a 10 in terms of cabin comfort (my wife has a say in this), what would a Subaru rate ball park?

Am I correct in supposing the '03' 1.8T had 163bhp (that's what I'm gleaning from boards anyway)

antiskeptic

bazz26 wrote: »

Most of the cars that you are looking at in petrol form will not come with cheap motor tax on the new co2 tax system. It's the main reason you won't seem too many of them post 2008.

What is the cut off point. Was it 2008? 2009? Or some other line in the sand?

JohnBoy26

antiskeptic wrote: »

What is the cut off point. Was it 2008? 2009? Or some other line in the sand?

The 1st of july 2008 afaik.

antiskeptic

bazz26 wrote: »

1.4 TSi Passat is worth having a look at if you want something with cheap tax. They are turbocharged with 122bhp but make sure the timing chain isn't stretching as it's a common problem on those engines:



https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/vw-passat-2009-1-4-petrol-as-new/16506648

Thanks bazz.

A turbocharged 1.4!.

I recall getting my first 1000cc motorbike, stepping up from a 600cc. Now the 600cc could do 140mph or some such, the 1000cc only 15mph more. But it was the ease of the thou I noticed when I had a go back on the 600 after a few weeks absence. There was no having to work the engine to get the bike to move. Just about any gear on the thou, wind the throttle and off she'd go.

The A4 was similar, an easy kind of ride.

I've no detailed idea of cars generally and all of them (even a mates 911 and Cayman S) feel underwhelming compared to the bike, but I wouldn't want to be working it to keep it moving.

Would a 1.4T have to be worked in car this size?


An aside: how would all you experienced motorists read this on a 100K miles car? A reason to worry about how the car'd been treated. Or a good thing?

"NEW CLUTCH KIT JUST FITTED"

Oops!

Just spotted this on donedeal... Might be of some interest to you...

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a4-1-8t/17413623

antiskeptic

Hoping I don't have a mad moment, figure I can offset the higher tax 'gainst the lower purchase price and buy something like this from the bangeromics thread. My annual mileage is on the low side afterall.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2008-audi-a6-petrol-2-4-v6-automatic-2150-euros/17255932

Thank God it's in Kerry

Oops!

That link does'nt work antiskeptic... Did you have a look at the one i posted above?

kravmaga

antiskeptic wrote: »

Thanks bazz.

An aside: how would all you experienced motorists read this on a 100K miles car? A reason to worry about how the car'd been treated. Or a good thing?

"NEW CLUTCH KIT JUST FITTED"

In my 29 years of driving on a full licence I would not go near a car with that comment after 100k on the clock.

Ive had Ford Focus and Skoda Octavia with more than 100k on the clock over the years and that comment would be a red flag issue.

Just my 2 cents worth

kravmaga

Oops! wrote: »

Just spotted this on donedeal... Might be of some interest to you...

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a4-1-8t/17413623

Terrible alloy wheels, other than that car looks in good condition for a 2006

antiskeptic

Oops! wrote: »

Just spotted this on donedeal... Might be of some interest to you...

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a4-1-8t/17413623

The wheels would have to go (I'm a tad too old for the drive-by look) and the wife would have to declare on the leather. But that mileage is to die for!

It's a long way to go for a look: costs me a day and the mechanic I'd need to bring with me the guts of a day (I'm in Bray), which adds to the cost.

But it raises a question. How does one sift through things via the ad and the initial phone call. In other words: how does one go about efficiently buying a car?

What are the top 5 things to find out?

antiskeptic

kravmaga wrote: »

In my 29 years of driving on a full licence I would not go near a car with that comment after 100k on the clock.

Ive had Ford Focus and Skoda Octavia with more than 100k on the clock over the years and that comment would be a red flag issue.

Just my 2 cents worth

My *much* preferred car is one that's never been spannered on. Sparklingly clean factory's are the place for assembling mechanical componants. Not your typical workshop.

"Steer clear of the blue gasket sealant squeezed from engine covers" was my motto when buying motorbikes. Suppose the same applies here.

JohnBoy26

kravmaga wrote: »

Terrible alloy wheels, other than that car looks in good condition for a 2006

The wheels look like something out of grand theft auto.

antiskeptic

Oops! wrote: »

That link does'nt work antiskeptic... Did you have a look at the one i posted above?

Fixed it - it's an automatic A6 .. with a towbar!

Saw the one you put up and posted above on it. Was wondering how best to establish it worthwhile going to have a look (whether this or any other car)

I'm not (I hope) being overly negative or suspicious but on this I'd note:

- no mention of service history
- 3 previous owners (for a sub 60K miles car)
- new clutch (my own (earlier model but same mechanics I understand) was a 190K miles when it was nicked and was on the original clutch)
- ropey English

Dunno what the "small fridge" is either


They say that all other things being equal you'd buy an A4 (or any car) from an address in Foxrock, not Ballyfermot. Would I be right in supposing your ought look for an ad which dampens all suspicions / raises none?

antiskeptic

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

The wheels look like something out of grand theft auto.

Notwithstanding their looking horrible, you'd be far more at ease with something factory, something boring housewife - a sign of the car being put to the kind of use you'd like your second hand car to have seen

antiskeptic

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

If I had €4K to spend on a petrol car I’d be looking at 07/08 Legacy 2.0i saloon. 168bhp and decently quick despite the AWD and will still do 32mpg and up to 40 on long runs. The petrol engine is ultra reliable and will rarely give any problems. I love the lines of the Legacy and they still look modern compared to some of the muck being produced today. The only downside is the €710 tax but you’d have been paying €630 on your Audi and so it’s not a huge amount more.

This one is particularly nice with low miles

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/17415316

Or this one if you wanted auto

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/17227511

What would you make of the fact there's been 4 owners in the automatic's 88K miles. I see from motortax.ie that it changed owner a few weeks back.

Would this be some unregistered dealer flipping the car (not that that in itself is a bad thing). The photos are almost too pro for a private seller (the luxury setting / south county Dublin / all doors open, etc)

Oops!

Could be for motor tax purposes.... You can't judge a car completely by it's ad! You have a pm.

antiskeptic

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a4-low-mileage/16845394

Here's a low mileage 06 A4 1.8 with 4 previous owners. Going seemingly cheap.

The ad has been up for 61 days. Is this a case of supposing something up and leaving it be. Is it a case that if a genuine bargain, the car has to be snapped up?

Idbatterim

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a8-3-7-quattro-nct-10-18/17399983

antiskeptic

Idbatterim wrote: »

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a8-3-7-quattro-nct-10-18/17399983

That's some beast, in engine, physical size ... and road tax! A bit beyond my reach that tax rate - not to speak of the incongruity of 5' 6" me virtually invisible in it (driverless car of sorts). But it raises a relevant question.

This difficulty insuring 15 you old cars that I've heard about. Is that widespread (or something that can be expected to become widespread? As it was, my old a4 cost me 400 euro a year in car write down costs (assuming the theft insurance coughs up a grand in book value).

If I buy say, an 06 A4 for 4500 euro, am I looking at not being able to insure it in 4 years time (representing a 1000 euro+ annual write down). Or facing significant insurance hikes.

bazz26

kravmaga wrote: »

In my 29 years of driving on a full licence I would not go near a car with that comment after 100k on the clock.

Ive had Ford Focus and Skoda Octavia with more than 100k on the clock over the years and that comment would be a red flag issue.

Just my 2 cents worth

So your going to discount a nearly 10 year old second hand car because it's had a new clutch fitted? No offence but that just seems a bit daft to me. Clutches are wear and tear items and I would not see a 10 year old car with a new clutch as being a red flag. Yes some drivers are more harder on a clutch than others but I'd have to go look further into the car for other signs of abuse to come to the conclusion that the clutch was replaced due to driver abuse rather than natural failure.

Cee-Jay-Cee

antiskeptic wrote: »

What would you make of the fact there's been 4 owners in the automatic's 88K miles. I see from motortax.ie that it changed owner a few weeks back.

Would this be some unregistered dealer flipping the car (not that that in itself is a bad thing). The photos are almost too pro for a private seller (the luxury setting / south county Dublin / all doors open, etc)

That car was for sale privately a few weeks ago so I'm guessing it is someone flipping it to make a few quid. I didn't realise the tax was so high on the auto one I linked, that would make that a very hard car to sell, in fact they'd need to drop the price by the same amount as the tax (or tax it for a year) for me to be interested in it.

antiskeptic wrote: »

What would Subaru's be like from a cost-of-repairs point of view generally? And if an Audi a 10 in terms of cabin comfort (my wife has a say in this), what would a Subaru rate ball park?

Am I correct in supposing the '03' 1.8T had 163bhp (that's what I'm gleaning from boards anyway)

I had a 2.0 Legacy for 5 years and in that time spent next to nothing on it by way of repair. I replaced front and rear drop links and roll bar bushings, discs and pads were changed once and I fitted a new O2 sensor (the top one) which cost me €86 for a Bosch unit. Other than servicing (oil, filter, plugs) and tyres, I never had any mechanical failures or problems and the car started first time every single time in the 5 years I had it. It was ultra reliable.

I found it a very very comfortable car but then comfort is a personal thing as my brother bought the car of me and he said compared to the 02 A6 he owned prior to it, he found it quite solid on the road. The seat are very comfortable IMO. Best thing is would be to test drive it and see for yourself.

antiskeptic

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

That car was for sale privately a few weeks ago so I'm guessing it is someone flipping it to make a few quid. I didn't realise the tax was so high on the auto one I linked, that would make that a very hard car to sell, in fact they'd need to drop the price by the same amount as the tax (or tax it for a year) for me to be interested in it.




I had a 2.0 Legacy for 5 years and in that time spent next to nothing on it by way of repair. I replaced front and rear drop links and roll bar bushings, discs and pads were changed once and I fitted a new O2 sensor (the top one) which cost me €86 for a Bosch unit. Other than servicing (oil, filter, plugs) and tyres, I never had any mechanical failures or problems and the car started first time every single time in the 5 years I had it. It was ultra reliable.

I found it a very very comfortable car but then comfort is a personal thing as my brother bought the car of me and he said compared to the 02 A6 he owned prior to it, he found it quite solid on the road. The seat are very comfortable IMO. Best thing is would be to test drive it and see for yourself.

The Legacy certainly has turned my head a notch. It's not at all a bad looking car - if quite Japaneezy.

I've a feeling I got away pretty lucky on the A4 when it came to repairs (or lack of them). Reading around, it seems VAG cars (and their Teutonic brethern) fall down on the reliability front. So it may be that next time, if an A4, I'm faced with multi-thousand euro repair bills just like my '09 CC Coupe Passat equipped neighbour. :eek:

antiskeptic

Could anyone explain what's going on here??


2009 A4:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-1-8-t/17193841


2008 A4

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/sell-or-swap-of-blue-audi-a4-new-model-of-b8-2008/17339379



Firstly, the 2009 Audi A4 looks like an older model (the one that came in in 2005 iirc) and the 2008 one looks like the newer model. How can that be?

Secondly, the 2009 car has a road tax of €1200 and the 2008 car has a road tax of €570. Both are 1.8T's

bazz26

The first one is the old B7 model that was probably left unsold when the tax system changed in July 2008. With tax changing to 1200 under the new tax system it was pretty much sale proof. Dealer probably registered or sold it at a huge discount in early 2009 just to get it sold.

The second one is the newer B8 model launched in early 2008, this has a totally different 1.8 litre engine to the 1.8 litre engine in the older B7 model. The 1.8 engine in new model would have been more efficient and cleaner which means lower co2 and motor tax.

antiskeptic

bazz26 wrote: »

The first one is the old B7 model that was probably left unsold when the tax system changed in July 2008. With tax changing to 1200 under the new tax system it was pretty much sale proof. Dealer probably registered or sold it at a huge discount in early 2009 just to get it sold.

The second one is the newer B8 model launched in early 2008, this has a totally different 1.8 litre engine to the 1.8 litre engine in the older B7 model. The 1.8 engine in new model would have been more efficient and cleaner which means lower co2 and motor tax.

Aha.. thanks for the insight.

antiskeptic

I'm seeing a lot of 1.6 A4's at cheapo prices. I kind of know this already, but would that be "wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding territory"?

I never drove my 1.8T all that hard - just used whatever grunt it had to be lazy in gear changing (I used to entertain myself trying to drive 30 miles to work in the morning not changing out of 5th. Mostly motorway, granted, but it took alot of foresight to negotiate the non-motorway bits without labouring the engine!)