Will prices drop? Looking for Audi A4

DJ5831

I'm just after turning 18 and I'm looking to buy my first car soon, but prices seem to be mental at the moment.

I'm looking for an A4 but they're making the same money today as they were 4 years ago.

I've been watching DoneDeal for a while and I've seen they actually transact, as opposed to ones listed for ages but don't sell.

I'm looking to get a 2009-2010 A4, an S-Line model specifically as they seem to be cheaper to insure and they have leather interior xenon lights etc, and they seem to be selling for between 5000-5500 euros, is this normal for a 13/14-year-old car?

My cousin was in a similar position in late 2018 and I remember going with him to look at cars. Back then a 2008 A4 (the first year they made the 08-12 model) was 3.5k ish, but today they're actually higher. It's great for people that are immigrating etc and can sell up in this market but buyers, especially ones without a trade-in, seem to be in a tough spot.

User1998

Car prices have peaked and its unlikely that they will get any higher than they are at the moment. With importing from the UK no longer an option these prices are here to stay. There will be natural depreciation like there’s always been but prices will never return to pre Brexit levels

LasersGoPewPew

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058284057/will-prices-drop-looking-for-audi-a4

Unfortunately not. These prices are the new norm and are here to stay for the foreseeable future. Were were spoiled in the past decade by cheaper high spec cars being economical to import from GB. Brexit has ruined that for us. Seeing how their economy is going, the British establishment might swallow their pride and decide to return to the bloc, but it won't happen for at least a decade or two, and they won't have the same concessions as before.

Buddy Bubs

No, prices won't drop too much too quickly in my opinion.

Have you got insurance quotes on the A4? If 5 grand is expensive for you to purchase the car you may be in for a huge shock as to insurance prices which have to be paid out every year until you get a no claims bonus built up.

Atlantic Dawn

I'd just buy it now if you can afford it, when you come to trade it in the value will hold up too.

DJ5831

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120236186#Comment_120236186

I've been getting quotes of 1500-1700ish fully comp with Axa, as an 18 year old with no driving experience to declare on a 2.0L 140hp A4.

Thanks everybody

skydish79

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120235757#Comment_120235757

Even with Brexit

Do the Irish government have the ability to lower the amount of tax to be paid on an import from the Uk back down to lower levels?

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120241364#Comment_120241364

I’d imagine thats up to the EU. These additional charges are not specific to Ireland, they are EU wide. Try import British goods to Germany or Poland and you’ll be faced with the same charges. The UK are outside of the EU now and to make an exception specifically for used cars being imported from the UK into Ireland would make no sense.

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120235757#Comment_120235757

For the sort of cars the OP is talking about, I think there will be a price beyond people won't pay so in that sense I think you're correct- but, or ...and also- supply is still absolutely dire for good second hand cars and it will still take a number of years before this all is pushed through the wash - So I think we'll still see mad prices for second hand cars for the next few years, but maybe a little less madder than recent, but 13/14 year old cars onwards won't see much more increase than has been in the past, but everything will still depreciate slower than pre-2020 levels.

@OP- if serious on buying this year, wait until there's a number of cars you're after, being advertised at the same time- price levelling will take place quite quickly when this occurs- if very few on offer right now, prices will remain higher than you may wish to pay.

PS- assume you've done homework on insurance costs?

PPS: yes I see you have- well done and safe driving when you get there.

skydish79

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120241385#Comment_120241385

Could the Irish government not reduce the VRT rate if they wanted to have the same effect ?

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120237779#Comment_120237779

Are you crazy. Get yourself something with a bit of style that is fun to drive not some dull boring thing. You are only young once.

Get yourself a Ford Fiesta or a Focus.

The only thing the Audi will do is get you in trouble going too fast on a motorway or meet an early grave on a country road.

You can get them later when you have experience driven on the roads and more sense.

Even a Polo or a Golf would be a safer bet to start of in.

An A4 is for people who are middle aged have a family or are accountants.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120241500#Comment_120241500

They could, but thats not going to happen either

DJ5831

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120241724#Comment_120241724

Not to get political in the Motors forum, but my way of looking at it is that they can't charge mad VRT, and charge motor tax each year. I know people that pay 673e a year on regular diesel skodas and volkswagens just because they're pre-2008, this blocks people from saving up to buy a newer, cheaper to run car.

DJ5831

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120241554#Comment_120241554

I've driven Audis before and they're just miles ahead of anything else imo. I know plenty of people with the standard Fiesta, Corsa, 207, Polo etc and it's great to be out on the road in something that's cheap to run but I enjoy driving and I'd like to start off in something sporty with a bit of power.

Insurance is the main thing holding people back, but you constantly see people in the likes of a 320d, lexus is200 etc because they're just added as a named driver under their parents name. I could reduce the premium I'd pay by doing it but I'd rather do it properly and build a NCB.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120241554#Comment_120241554

Ignore this advice.. Get whatever car you want. Most 18 year olds could only dream of getting an Audi for their first car. I bought a 2004 Audi A3 myself when I was 17. As long as you can afford the insurance and upkeep then go for it.

coolbeans

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120241554#Comment_120241554

Ignore this. Poster doesn't even drive and doesn't have a clue what they're talking about.

hoodie6029

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120242175#Comment_120242175

Less than a quarter of national fleet under 30 years old is in the old system, most of those are 1.0 Yaris and other cheap to tax cars. Can’t be too many ‘big’ engine cars left on the old system.

If your mates can’t afford a 15 year old car to be on the CO2 system, they are either lying or complete and utter…….

DJ5831

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120244189#Comment_120244189

The cars I was referring to were the mid-2000s Audi A4s, Skoda Octavias and VW Passats with the 1.9TDI, cost 673 euros to tax annually, or works out at 800 if you tax it every 3 months for 200. A decent B7 A4 1.9 could run you up to 3k.

DJ5831

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120242221#Comment_120242221

Not the fondest of the Audi hatchbacks but as a brand, Audi do make good cars. The insurance seems to be half what other people my age are paying so I'm more than happy to go ahead with it. But he did have a point, these cars are quick and driving with your head up your hole is an easy way to break up a car or hurt people.

Henry Ford III

Audi is dynamically similar a lot of other VAG vehicles:-

VW

SEAT

Skoda

The finish is admittedly nicer but your A4 will be the same to drive as a Skoda Octavia.

Codpeas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058284057/will-prices-drop-looking-for-audi-a4

Just as an FYI - back in those days the S-Line option came in two parts - Exterior and Interior, so not all S-Line cars will have the leather interior.

I drive a 2008 A6 S-Line that only has the Exterior pack, so car looks and drives good but inside is more basic, though it does have the S-Line 3-spoke steering wheel but without the S-Line logo on the bottom.

DJ5831

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120269805#Comment_120269805

This used to be my opinion but after driving more and more VAG cars, it's just not true. Even with the same running gear, the difference across brands is still massive. I learned to drive in a 1.6 Octavia and drove a Golf 1.6 of the same year for a while, and they're worlds apart. Calling an Audi a rebadged VW or Skoda, or vice versa is just plain wrong. I test-drove an A4 Technik and it's been cared for meticulously, and imo the interior feels more solid and nicer than a 7 year newer A6 which is admittedly not as well looked after.

DJ5831

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120270123#Comment_120270123

I ended up putting a deposit on a Technik. It's got the highest option MMI, leather interior and plenty of options and it's been serviced only by Audi garages. It's in near brand new condition. The S-Line Xenon headlights would've been a nice extra but I got a great deal on this car compared to the S-Line ones available at the moment, and the insurance on the Technik was actually cheaper despite it being the 140hp model.