Not sure if this should be here or not, but I thought it was pretty funny.

I've been contemplating getting a turbo car for a while, and I've liked the Audi S4. I can't find any around here at all, so I started looking at some A4s. The local Audi dealer had a 2002 A4 5 speed with 90K miles for less than $10K.

I go to check it out, and its not in bad shape. A little curb rash on the wheels, some hazing on the headlights and some drivers seat wear. It was on factory 19s so it looked really good.

I was talking to the salesman and I told him I was used to Honda/Acuras and know that Audis are a bit more tempermental and not as reliable. He scoffed and said, "They are the most reliable luxury car," and "what have you heard isn't reliable?" I said I know they have electrical problems, turbos, window regulators, the minor stuff. He told me I must have heard wrong because they are EXTREMELY reliable. He says the car was a local trade and was carfax certified.

I go in and sit down and look at the carfax. It says in bold MILEAGE DISCREPANCY - THIS CAR DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE CARFAX BUYBACK GUARANTEE. I mentioned it to him and he said, "its got a clean carfax, see it's never been wrecked."

Anyways.... I look at the detailed service records on the carfax. What a list!

3,000 miles - instrument cluster replaced

16000 miles - fog lights replaced, ebrake replaced, ignition coils replaced

20000 miles - ac condensor replaced, a/c recharged, computer replaced

24000 miles - ac evaporator replaced, instrument panel replaced (again!)

28000 miles - body electrical harness replaced

?? mileage - transmission replaced

The worst part was that the salesman still said that Audi's, and THIS Audi was a reliable car!!

So much for the Audi....maybe an STI?

 

There called salesmen for a reason.

 

He must be a former bimmer salesman. In truth, THAT Audi looks pretty reliable for an Audi . A friend picked up a S Line Q7 a while back (what a beast, not in a good way, but like a bloated cow elephant going through menopause). He's gonna dump it as soon as the warranty expires.

 

So every 4,000 miles after 16K miles that car needed a major repair??! :shakehead

I don't feel so bad now not changing the oil in my cars after 5K miles, although the maintenance minders do say 30% oil life left.

 

Stay away.............

 

Far away......

 

What a lemon.

 

How could you even consider getting this pos? You should stay away from this and find something else..

 

I swear.... if I ran the world... automatic swift-kick-in-the-ass would be allowed when it's appropriate (the salesman, that is)

 

If you want an Audi turbo... look at 2005.5 and up A4 or A3's.

The 1.8T is hit or miss. I know people who have put over 125,000 miles on them with little to no problems, and I know people who have had cars like the one you looked at.

We had a 2.0T and it had less problems then any Acura I've owned. So you should be safe with a 2005.5 or newer...

 

i love Audi's, but stories like this scare me

 

Go to the Subaru Legacy thread...Read and look there. You might like it and these are much more reliable....

<---------Need I say more

 

Eh, i whored up the Audi forums for years. I seen a few reliability stories but most owners didnt have major issues.

Seems like from that carfax the dealer couldnt fix the AC or that instrument cluster. All makers have lemons.

But yea, i wouldnt buy an 02 A4 in general, that was the first model year for the B6. If you want the 1.8t then get a 04+ model.

 

^ plus 04+ is a 6 speed.

I've seen a couple A4s with blown turbo's as well.....I'd go with something else.

And not all salesmen are uneducated and incompetent like the guy you dealt with.