I would go with the one most comin in your area, as finding parts would be less of a headache and cheaper. I think the 98-2001 is the smart choice, I would go with v6, just cause the turbo could add more problems if something goes wrong, unless you want the turbo for the power then for sure go for it. lol

 

No matter what car you by, get a PPI (pre-purchase inspection). The 1.8T's are no less reliable than an NA car. Yes, turbos do go out, but so do entire engines on other cars.

How about a nice B7 S4? Yes, it's mine.

 

I like my Saab 9 3, I let my wife drive it or I wouldn't be able to afford the tickets.
My buddy works at the dealership as their best mechanic, so the extended warranty comes in handy even though I haven't had any problems over the last 5 years.

 

Wow thats a sexy B7 you got there.

Im not planning on buying one for a few months but I went and looked at a 99 1.8 manual today at a dealer. they wanted 5k for it and it had 175k miles on it with no maintenance records, if i were to ever think about getting that i would make them change the water pump and timing belt. Or talk them down to 4500 (which is what KBB is) and do it myself.

 

Thank you! Good idea. For VAG engines (Volkswagen Audi Gruppe), which includes VW and Audi, the 1.8T's are recommended to change the timing belt about every 80K miles. When I had my 2002 Jetta GLS 1.8t, I did it at 70K. They are an interference engine, which means if the timing belt goes south, the engine goes boom. So with 175K, it should've been done very recently. If they don't know that, insist that it gets done.

 

i just got a 1996 Audi A4 2.8 5-speed quattro for $1,400 just need to put a trans in that the owner inclued, the seats are pretty beat but ill find others, timing belt was done 15k miles ago. i think i made out on the deal

 

dam man fwd? I bet its a ***** to put that trans in ...

I never done those kind of trans before

 

So if the timing belt and water pump were new and a minimal amount of sludge in the engine would you trust it with that many miles on it? I just dont know what i should trust lol. I know i wouldnt have a problem trusting my truck at that mileage, heck i would still trust it at 300k

And that does sound like a good deal. there was a $500 2001 A4 on craigs and supposedly it only had water damage to the electrical system. i highly doubt that... body was clean tho. it would be an alright project.

And Gio- Its a 4wd. So it should be a little easier

 

PPI - have a trusted Audi tech inspect it. I can't tell you if I'd trust it without seeing it or driving it. If you lived near Minneapolis, I could hook you up with a few guys who are Audi techs.

 

the mechanic in me is saying dont do it. never buy anything older and foreign. parts are had to find and when you do they are expensive. and if its a major repair you have to find someone that knows how to fix these things and you will end up paying crazy amounts for everything you do fix.

friend of mine is the same way. he loves saabs. bought one thats like 5 years old, brought it into your regular old mechanic shop about a week ago to get the rack and pinion changed and they f'ed it up. all sorts of lights are on, and when he brought it back they are saying they dont have the computer ability to scan those lights due to it being foreign