Question about selling an S4

[lil_beth67]

Assuming that my baby is repaired good as new (tech assures me clutch repair does not hurt resale or residual value), I need to unload my 16k miles, 2004 Imola Yellow S4, in pristine shape (once new clutch is installed and all else checked out clean).

I have it listed with ClassyAuto.com and with AutoTrader.com (of course, before the clutch blew up!)

What I'm wondering is this. Is it possible to just transfer the premier purchase to someone for them to take over the payments? I have no equity in the car (to speak of) and just want to rid myself of the $800 per month payment. Would be HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY to just hand it off to someone who could take the payments!

Any suggestions or thoughts? Is there something I'm missing about this? With no equity, it doesn't seem like I would be losing anything.

[Erock1500]

That might be a tough sale, since Audi is advertising S4 leases for $500/change with $3.5K down.

[Erock1500]

Actually there is an ad in the paper today. 2005 Audi A4 1.8T, Quattro Special Edition, $3,173 down, $299/month, 24 months or a 2005 S4 quattro, $4,469 down, $499/month, 36 months.

[lil_beth67]

So I'm just hosed?

[Erock1500]

maybe, it is tough. Audi is running the programs now, so they sell most of the dealer stock on the B6 before the B7 comes out. So, maybe if you can hold off until the B7 comes out. That way, the lease deal won't be around anymore. But, $800 is a lot of cash. Good luck.

[foofighter]

yah that's a tough sell...best bet is to try and sell it out right. You're going to be upside down and may have to fork over some $$$ to audi credit

btw: seems the clutch thing was handled? Did they cover it? Please update us.

[cj-S4]

$800 a month,, wow. What were you thinking? Do you have any idea how much the pay off on your loan is? It will be next to imposible to get someone to take the $800 payment on a car with 16k miles. They can get one of those at the dealer for alot less. Just hope you don't owe much more than its worth. Sell it outright on ebay, or autotrader or where ever. And you'll probably need to put some towards the payoff on top off what you get.

[EC Motorwerks]

Havent' you posted some threads over on AW that seem like total BS? I believe this one is another one along those lines. Don't make me do a search to find those lovely threads [:D]

[lil_beth67]

Euro Addict - yes I did post on AW, and I think, if you read all my posts (there and here) and follow the URL's links to my car sites on car domain, you should be convinced that I'm not BS'ing anybody (are there really people that bored?!?)

I've gotten lots of good advice from both sites, and am starting the fight with AoA on the coverage of the clutch. They, of course, are saying "no warranty, final decision." I've found evidence on both sites of similar failures that WERE NOT "outside influence" and where Audi did cover the repair under warranty. Also, I found an article where a journalist said a similar thing happened to him when testing out an S4 Avant. From the advice I've gotten, they need to PROVE that it was "abuse" and I'm not going to just roll-over and take it, as I know that nothing was done wrong (I happen to believe my boyfriend's story, though many didn't).

The good news is that the transmission is fine, so the amount being haggled over is now $3,000. I'm just going to leave the car at the dealer until I get it resolved, as I don't really need to drive it now anyway. My next step is going to be a letter to Audi with all my evidence, and a request for a formal review of the damaged with their tech and an outside expert of my choosing. I imagine this is going to take some time, so I'm settling in for the long haul on this one.

If anyone comes across another post about a shattered clutch, fly wheel, and pressure plate similar to mine, please forward it to me as I probably won't be checking on these boards daily.

Thanks to you all, you've been great (and you doubters have given me interesting insights into human nature!)

PS. As I said before, I love my S4, and am upset that this happened. But even the most well-made vehicles CAN have mechanical defects!

[lil_beth67]

CJ-S4 - thanks for the advice on selling. You're helping me get resolved to what has to happen here (my shelling out some cash). So, I'll go from there. It IS currently listed on AutoTrader and with ClassyAuto.Com (they post on Ebay for me). I did both on the "forever" plan, so I don't have to keep paying. I'll just hang tough and see how I do. I have had some nibbles, but I'm guessing I'll need to drop the price tag a bit to get it to move.

On the other hand, I do love the car, so I won't part with it for too little. Just need to figure out where that optimization curve goes on making the $800 pmt vs shelling out the cash now to get out of the pmt. My MBA might actually come in handy! (OK, no cracks about how an MBA took on an $800 pmt in the first place!)
[;)] [headbang]

[EC Motorwerks]

Yes I am that bored [:D][:D]

[S4audi_SD]

How much is your asking price?

[A4 - Oh Snap]

Found it. It's definitely competitively priced at $45,000.

AutoTrader Link (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=176343765&dealer_id=55791679&car_year=2004&search_type=used&make=AUDI&model=S4&transmission=&distance=0&address=92618&make2=&only_price=1&advanced=y&certified=&max_mileage=&max_price=&min_price=&end_year=2006&color=Yellow&start_year=2004&drive=&color2=&isp=y&engine=&body_style=SEDAN&doors=&fuel=&lang=en&cardist=1709)

lilbeth, at least you were smart enough not to put any equity in the car. If you're leasing through Audi Financial, you can buy the car outright at any point in time.

Just calculated the Kelly Blue Book trade in value of your car with your zip code. This is what the dealer would give you to buy the car back from you if you were to trade in for another model. What they can do is to take the amount that you are upside down and finance that into a new lease, but I'm sure you don't want to realize that hit at all considering it is over $10K.

$34,850

Illinois • January 28, 2005
2004 Audi S4 Sedan 4D

Engine: V8 4.2 Liter
Trans: 6 Speed Manual
Drive: Quattro AWD
Mileage: 16,000

Equipment
Air Conditioning
Power Steering
Power Windows
Power Door Locks
Telescoping Wheel
Cruise Control
AM/FM Stereo
Cassette
Multi Compact Disc
Premium Sound
Dual Front Air Bags
Front Side Air Bags
ABS (4-Wheel)
Leather
Dual Power Seats
Moon Roof
Rear Spoiler
Alloy Wheels

Consumer Rated Condition: Excellent

You'd get $35,550 if you were in Southern California.

[A4 - Oh Snap]

one more thing, if you are single, you can carry over a capital loss as ataxable deduction indefinitely at $3,000/year.

[lil_beth67]

Oh Snap - thanks for the tax tip! I did get that trade-in figure already as the first place we took it was back to the dealership, and was appalled at the $35k offer.

I ran some numbers with my boss and we concluded that it is better to sell the S4 (even at a cash payout on my part) up to about a $10k hit, vs selling the TT (since I owe so much less on it).

What do you all think I should realistically expect to sell the S4 for? I need to start lowering my prices but don't want to go too low. I'm also going to do some looking around on my own, but am really finding all the advice from you guys valuable.

Thanks much!

[SBGirl]

I bought my 2004 S4, 6speed, competely loaded with every option from a dealer for 42k. That was with 18k miles.

[A4 - Oh Snap]

I'll have to say it is interesting that Audi slashed their own prices on the S4 from the lot. The Audi dealer local to me has two demo 2004 hard top S4s going at $43,000, and I'm sure even that is negotiable. I'd say drop your price to $40K and you should expect a healthy # of calls.

[lil_beth67]

thanks pretty much what I was thinking...about $40k, though there are quite a few listed on autotrader with the same mileage for around $45k...

[yellowstinger]

any update on the sale?

[crew219]

My local audi dealer has a new S4 with 200 miles on it starting at $42k . . . . I went in and talked prices and they were willing to do $40k easily.

[ESfour]

Why are you selling it?