[QUOTE=DaveE;8353390]You need a V8 ;)

Na my little 2.0 S3 does pretty well!


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1416002064.jpg

VERY nice, Dave ;)

I'm leaning pretty hard towards getting an Audi. The deals are good enough to cover some repairs and I think that they are DIY friendly for basic maintanance. Can't argue with the looks and performance. :)

Here's one I'm watching, let's play a game and guess where the auction ends? I say under $10k.

Audi A4 2006 5 5DR W | eBay

I agree, but I thought you wanted a stick.

I'd prefer a manual but I'm not going to turn down a low mileage automatic for thousands under book. It's not a deal-killer on an Audi, only on a wrx.

I know, not perfectly logical but MT are easy to find on WRXs.

They had this car listed with a "Buy It Now" price of $12K with no takers. I'm going to say it will close around $8500. Cars from NY and NJ seem to take a hit on price on eBay. Don't know it's because people are scared they're flood cars, or if cars up there generally lead a harder life.

As I look at the pics of this A4, I'm trying to decide if the front bumper cover has been replaced. In a couple of the shots, the color and fit/finish seems a little off. Dealer's ad says something like "No known defects" and "No evidence of prior damage." Well, I just discussed this phrasing with another NY dealer selling an A6 wagon on eBay. Carfax showed it had been in an accident. Dealer played it down as a very minor fender bender in a parking garage. He omitted this completely from his write up despite knowing about it.

Latest Consumer Reports cites Audi as the most reliable German brand. Volvo may have slightly edged out Audi as the most reliable European auto. I've had two A6's. A '99 and a '12. Both CPO's. No problems with either. Really like the '12. Supercharged engine and the 8 speed transmission are a great pair. Even with 5 people in the car and a full trunk, the car handles and accelerates well.

Throw out the book. On older cars, especially lower volume ones, it's a joke. Look at what they're really listed and selling for (completed listings). I can't see an automatic Avant in average condition from a rust belt state bringing more than $8k.

Oh trust me, I study the market only but the book is of interest if the car is new enough. Some cars, like the Wrx wagon, are book cars all day long. This assumes of course that someone knows how to book a car, which 99% of people outside the car business do not.

The book is also relevant to anyone trying to finance a used car and therefore affects price quite a bit. Lastly, there is no one "market" for common used cars such as this. As you are doubtless aware, there is the retail market, (franchise dealer's used car lots that offer financing, etc.), the private party CL market, the ebay market, (with long distance buyers willing to roll the dice for the right price, sometimes competing against local buyers or people with more info), the dealer auction market, etc.

I really like the ebay market, unlike many people, because the deals are out there and it's contoured more towards people like me who can do my own re-conditioning and maintenance to get a vehicle top-notch. I've also learned how to decipher ebay listings pretty well from years of studying the site and walking away from plenty of winning auctions when the goods were not as represented. As is any other format, I prefer private party sales of well maintained cars with records but I'll make exceptions if it's a good vehicle and price is right.

A car like this could be a steal or a pig-in-a-poke. I've bought several cars in NYC and Long Island, so I know the landscape. Deals can be had. :)

So what are you gonna do?

Buy a car. Can't promise you which one.

Wow, that looks and sounds pretty good. I should probably join that BBS if I do get one.

Denis, if you end up getting an A4 or A3 let me know. I have some spares that I don't need any longer (new rear brake pads & rotors, cabin air filter, and a Bentley manual among other things).

Good luck,

Dale

Thank you! I'll take you up on that if I do. Very nice. :)

Can't wait to see what you get!

I too am tempted to get a deal on a german car and doing my own work vs buying a more reliable/boring japanese car and paying more.

i have both sides

2012 TSX wagon
93 BMW 325i

The guy cancelled all the bids on this and pulled the auction. Either someone came along and bought it off his lot or he just got scared because it was a no reserve auction ending tomorrow and the bids so far were low. Of course you never know where it will end but I could see him getting scared. I still don't think it is a bad car.

I'm probably going to wait for this guy I talked to a while ago about his Wrx to get back in town, his car is in storage while he's away for work and hopefully he's back for Thanksgiving. It's actually identical to this one, super clean and 100% stock, just higher miles:


**2002 Subaru Impreza WRX Sedona Red Pearl Wagon 94k Miles**

Thanks. Whatever I get, I'll be DIYing all the maintenance on it that I can, which should be nearly everything. Either one would be an awesome snow car and fun the rest of the time, Wrx a little more fun and Audi a little more lux.

A buddy of mine is in England right now, he extended his trip to catch the Welsh Wrx and sent me a video today. It's all about the Ford Fiestas this year, apparently, they have short wheelbases and rip around the course like the classic Audi urQuattro coupe or other crazy short cars. Looks like amazing fun to watch. :)

I know you said you didn't want a 6, but this seems like a good deal at $3500.

02 Audi A4 quattro wagon