By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
Sasi
I have seen an A4 in Brilliant Yellow and it looks very HOT.....although it's very eye-catching......don't drive too fast now or the cops can EASILY see ya.
I just bought a 96 a4 with 35000 miles on it. It is a one owner car with all service reciepts. Leather,premium wheels,sunroof,leather wrapped steering wheel.Bose( no cd ),it's cleeeeeeean! I paid 17k. What do you guys think? Did I pay too much? I called the local dealer and they were very helpful. The service guy said the car was in to replace the ignition switch and have some brake work done. He said it should be a good car.
No other problems on record. I just hope I didn't get a lemon.
I also want to find out where to get a cd changer. Anyone know where to find one?
One more thing..Does anyone know a good warranty company? I want to get an extended warranty but I hear all kinds of horror stories about companies not wanting to approve work and leaving customers high and dry.
Thanks for any help!
This fellow, from Dallas, had had not very positive experiences at his dealership -- when I asked him how his OOODI was doing with respect to some service and warranty repair work, he replied:
"Mark:
It was great. That dealer STILL has a little bit of stuffiness about it, but I am now included in their circle of stuffiness.
Their welcome area for service is large and beautiful. I pulled in and they opened my door for me. They constantly called me sir and everyone said 'hi' to me. The advisor came out and went over everything with me.
The rental (loaner) only took about 2 mins and I was on my way. I had a Mazda 626, but it was nearly new and smelled good. I don't know if it was a coincidence or not, but they had it running, heater on, red carpet out, and the radio was on the same station that I was listening to in my car. Wow!
When I got back, the car (a 99 A4 2.8 quattro/sport) had had its new tie rods installed (recall), from what I can tell, a very good alignment, and the emission system troubles where cleared.
The car was inside and clean as can be (looked like it was detailed). I went to pay for my state inspection that I requested and when I came back to the indoor service area, my car was running and heater was on, ready to go.
About the only thing they could have done to make it better was to fill my car up with gas and/or loan me the S4 (that I WILL have someday).
I am impressed!
They said that its normal to get loaners for warranty and recall service and that the former service manager was let go because of that and other customer service
irregularities.
I finally feel like I bought a luxury car. Now I know how you feel when you take your's in. I used to loath going over there, but look forward to it now.
On another note, a saleman there told me that they are hearing that the S4 will take a 1 year break and then start again in 2003. But he also confessed that he has other rumors on the internet such as Audiworld.
Randy"
Now this is the kind of service I have bragged about in Cincinnati for some time now (from Northland Audi). It is encouraging to find that it is "catching on."
End of full report.
Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
You sort of have to ride the clutch to get better launches. I don't have to worry about that now (married) with an auto & quattro.
Performance isn't too bad off the line though it's not much of a concern for me now. With an auto I haven't noticed much difference for passing on a high way between a quattro and FWD. Wouldn't think there would be much diff between a quattro and FWD for a 5-spd either.
I used to live in Canada(MB) and never had an AWD car. Seems funny that now I'm in the southern states I can't live without it.
The quattro feels really good when you're lane changing over big tire ruts on the high way, or have to get across a slick road really quick...good winter tires will help with the slowing down part.
BMW is too expensive. I like the reliability and comfort of the Acura, but it lacks "fun to drive" feature. The Subaru is a butt kickin' performer, but is a little too light on build and comfort (and they're hard to find).
thanx for the input
jbreez1
Another thing to consider beyond the extra power, handling and interior features of the A4 v. Jetta...the reliability/warranties. VW's paltry 2/24 can't hold a candle to Audi's 4/48 program. Additionally, Edmunds points out that A4's have outstanding quality and reliability. The Jetta, at least in my area, is ubiquitous, while the A4 is more selective (nice in my opinion). Lastly, Audi ownwers are treated far better than Vdubbers.
I know that somewhere in this board is the name & model # of the ad changer that fits into the car. I can't find it on the board. Can anyone help me out?
I live in Denier and have found it to be a very good mountain (read hills and twisties) car. It has grown on me.
The reliability has been fine, although I have only 15k on the car. I had a head lamp burn out on me yesterday. It was replaced today free of charge. I don't know the long-term reliability of the car yet, though.
As I mentioned, it has grown on me. I hate driving my wife's Honda now. I think you will feel the same. Also, from a looks perspective (interior and exterior), it has the other cars on your list beat.
Good luck and let us know what you choose!
FYI:
RAMs = RPMs
Denier = Denver
Sorry.
You also have the option of adding spellings the checker does not like to your own personal dictionary - next time the checker will accept them as you typed them.
Hope this helps.
Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
Thanks,
Mike
1. Heater core replacement just after purchase (requiring dashboard removal)
2. Broken temperature gauge
3. Driver power seat malfunction--no lumbar
4. Hose leaks resulting in loss of coolant
5. Broken bearing in water pump requiring water pump replacement
6. Still awaiting fuel pump replacement which continuously makes sustained ringing noise in rear of car.
7. hesitation when beginning acceleration into 3rd and 4th gears
Not to mention when I accelerate from 70 through 75 mph there is a loud noise at the rear of the car(it sounds like a car traveling with a hole in its exhaust). Well, the exhaust system is fine and a dealer mechanic noticed this noise also in a test drive but had no answers. The noise is only within that 5 mph range but it is very annoying! Any answers?
Anyone else have such problems? I have driven more loner Audio than my own and all Audi does is send me their magazine subscriptions in the mail! I can't trust this car anywhere. I have written many letters, but Audi truly could care less about me or my car!
thanx again
jbreez1
p.s i hope wenttopsu's experience is the exception rather than the rule. by the way, is that penn state? im a buckeye relocated to orlando. any central floridians with input about audi dealers here (i think there is only one-classic) is welcome.
out!
I've heard of people with MB's, Lexus, Audi's, BMW, Cadillac...even Chevy & Chrysler which never have problems...and some people have terrible problems with the same cars.
I don't know if it is luck of the draw or Monday/Friday manufactured date theory or what. I find that whenever I take a car in to fix something I usually have to go back and get something else fixed they messed up while fixing the first problem...maybe it's job security. (happened often with my Honda)
My A6 28K has only had sunroof motor prob. A4 65K had thermostat prob.
I'm considering buying a 1998 model with 23k. Has anyone had any experience with this model, good or bad? I currently drive a 1990 Audi 80, and although I love the car, it has had a lot of weird problems!
Thanks!
achan-- get the sports pkg. if for nothing else, the stiffer suspension. as I said in an earlier post, I didn't get it and I'm kinda regretting it now. I'm just slightly disappointed with the body roll. for $950 (retail msrp) it's more than worth it. I've been thinking of putting 16" rims and lower profile tires on mine and it's going to cost me that much for just that and I'm still stuck with the stock non-sport suspension (softer shocks and springs and thinner sway bars).
dellwell-- achan is right, here in the US (don't know if it is the same in Canada or not but I assume it is) the 2001.0 quattro with sports pkg. came with 16" rims. The 2001.5 (I think those that were made after Nov 2000) come with 17" rims. so more than likely, anything that you buy now will have the 17" rims unless it's a leftover 2001.0.
Billy-- you still out there??
Chipping.....yes I read those audiworld forums but then all of them are experts praising their own chips after the initial installation and nobody really follow up on those. I don't know if it will hurt the engine on the long run.
Oh yeah I luv the leatherette seats. It feels, touches and even sometimes smells like real leather seats. I'd say only people who own German cars know those could be leatherette.....all others thought those are real leather.
Yup I agree with scirocco22..... It's a GREAT buy considering it's a luxury German car, lots of electronic gadgets (hope they'll last), Quattro, attractive styling, just to name a few for a little more than Japanese sedans. Although I'd like to own a BMW, given the $$ I would pay right now, I'd rather have an Audi. OK it doesn't have the 50/50 weight distribution as the BMW, but heck I won't be stuck in 2 inches of snow like the BMW or MB with RWD WILL.....with all the options I'd put on a BMW it'll push it up to $40k and the Audi is still $28k. And it has one more year of free maintenance than the BMW.
I actually still like the 2001 A4's styling much better than the 2002's.....the A6 looks fine to me but a shortened A6.....mmmm.
Hey Scirocco22, are you going to the Lakes Quattro Club gathering on 4/21?? It's the Spring Drive 2001, their website is www.lrqc.org.
Loved the Passat. Incredible room, V6 had a little more oomph than expected, handled well, interior layout was excellent. Problems: 4Motion causes the loss of trunk space (from 15 cu.ft to 10 cu.ft.), in addition, 4Motion causes the loss of 60/40 fold down rear seat. Also, 2 year/24,000 mile warranty scares the heck out of me. Based on postings in the Passat boards, there's definitely some "things" going on with some Passats that draws concern.
My drive with the A4 was equally enjoyable. In fact I'd buy it tomorrow, if not for the rear leg room which is almost non-existent. Handles awsome, 1.8T is sprite, trunk is huge, fold down seats, interior layout is fun and you can't beat the 4 year/50,000 mile warranty. I feel great about it...but the damn back seat. I had to struggle to get out and I'm 6'1", not that huge.
Right now, the A4 I looked at was a 2001 1.8T Quattro, cold weather, celebration, ESP (I think). Sticker was roughly $30,700. They made an offer of $29,300...roughly $1600 over invoice. Sounds like $1200-1700 over invoice isn't that unexpected with an Audi. Never had experience with the brand before, so I'm not sure what to think.
Also, I'm aware of the 2002 coming in. Not a big fan of the look and I'm sure the price will be a little stiffer than current model. Though, sounds like it'll have more room.
Any thoughts on price and or owning experience?
JB
Good luck!
Also, interesting experience when I went to the dealership in Milwaukee (International Autos). It was Saturday, my wife and I walked the lot for 20 minutes and nobody came to offer assistance. One salesman was helping another couple on the lot he'd walk right by with the other couple going from car to car. He didn't even say "hello", "I'll be right with you" or "I'll have someone come out to help"...nothing.
When we entered the showroom we looked at an A4 for 5-10 minutes, sitting in it, mulling it over, etc, etc. A salesman sat at a desk less than 12 feet away and again, never even offered a "hello." No one ever approached us.
Now, I'm not the 40-something investment banker looking to blow $60k on a new car, but we are 20-somethings looking to possibly enter the Audi family. Geez, I'm an ad exec., marketing is my life. And frankly, we're probably poster children for the A4. I guess I just thought the service would have been a little warmer, instead, I felt the arrogance I had feared.
I finally knocked on an office door and asked if the salesman would have the time to help us with some questions and take us for a spin. Ultimately, he was friendly, courteous, etc, etc...
I guess I'm not sure if it's just their style. Laid back, let the customer look on their own, take their time. Or, was it an arrogance?
What have others experienced. I'm curious.
JB