1998 Audi A8?

[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

Looking at purchasing a new(for me) car, and I came across what I think is a good deal on an Audi A8.

Looks to be in great physical condition. 4.2L V8, Quattro 113,000 miles for $8k including a 4yr warranty.

Been trying to do as much research as possible and I know of the gear-hunting issues that some have with these. I printed out a 100-some point checklist from audipages.com and know mostly what to look for as far as normal issues. Going to get full service records and a Carfax report before I buy, make sure any recalls have been addressed.

Anyone with experience with this Gen A8, please chime in. Let me know if there is anything specific I should look out for, and how your experience with the car was.

Thanks guys,

Aaron

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[crunktimes.com 5,000+ posts]

Never had one but I love Audis (Had one back in the day) and would buy another. I would actually get an A8 if they came stick but they don't so I am proabbly going to go with a 5 series around the same year, millage and price you are looking at.

 

[Injected54 10+ year member]

Never had one, it's a smooth looken car though.

 

[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

I really don't think I should have any problems. German cars last forever if you take care of them. I've only come across one problem that seems to have affected more than one person (****** has trouble finding the right gear in certain situations). That should be easy to identify, and shouldn't be an issue if the car has been decently maintained (and at an original price of $70k, I would assume the owner would keep it up well).

Plus, the car looks great. Quattro AWD will be great in the winter. And 300hp with 25-30 mpg on the highway will be nice (especially since my rwd s10 with a v6 is only getting 18 on the highway and 240 hp).

Oh, and big trunk for teh audioz

 

[Brassler07 10+ year member]

i would get something newer, jmo.

 

[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

i would get something newer, jmo.

OK, find me something with a 3-5yr warranty, at least a good 75,000 miles left in it, awd or 4wd, that gets 25+mpg for $8k

I'll be waiting.

 

[Jmac 10+ year member]

How the hell does a 10-year-old car come w/ a 4-year warranty ?

 

[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

How the hell does a 10-year-old car come w/ a 4-year warranty ?

extended warranty from the dealer (Car is $6k, warranty is $900-2k depending on length)

 

[Steven206Seattl 10+ year member]

Never had one but I love Audis (Had one back in the day) and would buy another. I would actually get an A8 if they came stick but they don't so I am proabbly going to go with a 5 series around the same year, millage and price you are looking at.

I hate how manuals are getting so hard to find

 

[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

Meh, this was their luxury flagship sedan. Not made for performance really (although it should still have a good bit of grunt). Never really learned to drive a manual, so I don't want one as my only means of transportation until I get more time to learn

 

[mikey7182 10+ year member]

Not sure if it is because of the mileage or the age, but that warranty seems a bit pricey (based on my experience with warranties). Dealer cost on that is going to be a lot less, unless you've already talked them down and that's where they're at. Audis are sweet cars for sure. I'm wondering if a Subaru would be around that price range? Just a regular Impreza I think still comes AWD and should get great gas mileage. Here's a WRX I found doing a local Auto Trader search. Not sure if you'd like them or not, but it's a suggestion:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=242022575&dealer_id=62353027&car_year=2002&model=IMPREZ&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=1997&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=500&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=SUB&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=1&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=85204&advanced=&end_year=2006&doors=&transmission=&max_price=9000&cardist=311

Has 91k on the clock and is an '02, plus it's private party, so you should be able to A) Talk them down, B) Get a private party loan through your bank or credit union, and C) get an aftermarket warranty for it online for cheaper than the dealer is charging you. If a car has under 100k, the warranties are usually quite a bit less...

 

[Steven206Seattl 10+ year member]

Meh, this was their luxury flagship sedan. Not made for performance really (although it should still have a good bit of grunt). Never really learned to drive a manual, so I don't want one as my only means of transportation until I get more time to learn

I know what you mean. I burned the hell out of the clutch on my dads old truck learning to drive a stick but it doesn't take long to get decent at it.

 

[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

Not sure if it is because of the mileage or the age, but that warranty seems a bit pricey (based on my experience with warranties). Dealer cost on that is going to be a lot less, unless you've already talked them down and that's where they're at. Audis are sweet cars for sure. I'm wondering if a Subaru would be around that price range? Just a regular Impreza I think still comes AWD and should get great gas mileage. Here's a WRX I found doing a local Auto Trader search. Not sure if you'd like them or not, but it's a suggestion:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=242022575&dealer_id=62353027&car_year=2002&model=IMPREZ&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=1997&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=500&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=SUB&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=1&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=85204&advanced=&end_year=2006&doors=&transmission=&max_price=9000&cardist=311

Has 91k on the clock and is an '02, plus it's private party, so you should be able to A) Talk them down, B) Get a private party loan through your bank or credit union, and C) get an aftermarket warranty for it online for cheaper than the dealer is charging you. If a car has under 100k, the warranties are usually quite a bit less...

I would love one of those, but I couldn't find any near me last time I looked.

I normally wouldn't consider spending so much on a warranty, but the car is already fairly well below KBB value, and repairs on an Audi are going to be costly.

I will look again for those subarus though.

 

[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

Bump

 

[bumpin buick 5,000+ posts]

I miss my A6, there great cars and that quattro system works wonders in Wisconsin assuming its anything like my A6, and im sure its even better.