I need everyones help....

[seanko04]

Ok Im a college student who got the chance of my life to own a 99.5 Audi 1.8t. Well today I was driving and I passed a used car dealership where I got my rear bumper painted and they had a 2000 S4. So I pulled over and spoke to the guy who painted my car and said he will talk to the dealership guy and get me a good price also I would trade in my car as a down payment. Now is this a good move to make right now. I will want a S4 one day but right now is it so smart. Please help me out.. TIA

[black99.5a4]

s4 is an awesome machine, but it really depends what kinda money you have a month (if you're working, etc) i love my 1.8t, but i also drive 112 miles round trip for work per day and from what i've read, s4 wouldnt be good for me in the gas department.

[ShawFM]

Ok Im a college student who got the chance of my life to own a 99.5 Audi 1.8t. Well today I was driving and I passed a used car dealership where I got my rear bumper painted and they had a 2000 S4. So I pulled over and spoke to the guy who painted my car and said he will talk to the dealership guy and get me a good price also I would trade in my car as a down payment. Now is this a good move to make right now. I will want a S4 one day but right now is it so smart. Please help me out.. TIA

Not a smart move. Trade in is take a loss. S4 is more mainenance. Paint shop is a middleman that will get a kickback from the dealership.
Oh, and college tuition. There will be better cars in the future. If you have a good A4 don't open a can of worms if you can avoid it.

[Seerlah]

If you have money to afford maintanance for the S4, then go for it. Just know when you buy a used car there will be expected maintanace charges that comes with the territory of buying any used car. Unless you actually know the previous owner well and know that they took immaculate care of thier car. Of course the 1.8t has the same rule, but when compared to the S4 mainanace prices it is fairly cheaper.

[seanko04]

^^^ True the gas was something I was thinking about since its a V6 twin turbo. And yes you do have a good point there will always be better cars out there. But how would it be more maintenance from my A4 right now?

[ShawFM]

^^^ True the gas was something I was thinking about since its a V6 twin turbo. And yes you do have a good point there will always be better cars out there. But how would it be more maintenance from my A4 right now?

2 turbos, more hoses to tear or leak, more clutches due to the launches , front brake pads and rotors cost more, 17" tires more costly, & more money on upgrades.

[seanko04]

Damn Im in a crazy position right now. I really want to do it but I do understand where your coming from.

[VTAudiA4]

Before I give you any further tips let me start off by saying do not buy on impulse.

Ok, now it all depends on your financial situation. If your parents are paying for college then why the hell not. If that is the case go to the B5 S4 section and go into details with them about maintanence and such. B5 S4 are a pain in the a** with maintanence but can be reliable if taken care of.

If you are paying for college or at least some then I would wait until you finish college and work with what you got. I too attend a college and bought an A4 on my own. I can tell you this, I do not have the money to own an S4 right now. Once you graduate you will be able fund cars easier so patience is virtue.

Here are some more reason why I would not want to own an S4 if you are paying for college and your parents are not rich.

1.) Insurance: not cheap if you are under 25 and have a bi-turbo setup
2.)Maintanence: more $$$ then an A4
3.) takes more $$$ to mod (im talking about engine mods)

But in the end its your choice.

Edit: Damn while I was writing this 3-4 people posted.

[ShawFM]

Damn Im in a crazy position right now. I really want to do it but I do understand where your coming from.

Just think have you done your timing belt yet, and all the other little things that will now have to be redone on the S4. In addition to paying more for the insurance and buying the parts and labor to get you to the point where you are right now. If daddy had a fat bank roll we wouldn't be discussing this now. You would be driving an RS4 instead. Money saved now is more fun in the future. The $$$$ you save by not buying the S4 can go into moderately priced upgrades for your current ride.

[FourBlackRings]

i would recommend keeping the a4. with gas prices the way they are you might as well keep it till you get out of college and get a job that pays you salary. in a few years they might lower the price on a tesla roadster

[seanko04]

You guys are awesome thanks a lot for the support in putting me in the right direction. Yes I do pay for school so it wouldn't be one of the smarter things to do. I should just fix up my car little by little. Thanks.

[tdn]

i'm in the same boat as you, college student, limited funds with an a4.. i think about getting an s4 all the time. i say things to try to convince myself.. like, it'll save me money by getting an s4, because I'll be satisfied with just chipping it. which i know deep down is bullshit. i look at s4 for sale ads on a normal basis, like I was doing yesterday.

I end up convincing myself I made the right choice with the a4 when it comes to saving money on parts, insurance, gas etc.. and I've already dumped a good amount of money modding my a4 but in a month from now I'll pass by a nice s4 and be tempted to buy it all over again. It's a constant battle with myself. I need therapy.

[InTTruder]

LAbor and dollar intensive, especially the B5. ANY V6 needs a complete tune by now, and you'll need dollars for food and college. PASS: If you can't pay, don't play. Too many youngsters get a hot car, and then it goes south cause they can't keep it well.

Oh, and what about the diversion from taking care of the girlfriend? 1st things 1st. Work your budget, be realistic, and beahve like you're in college, not in a bar.

[willowtreexx]

My rule is when ever i buy a new used car that i have to expect to dish out $1500 in general maintence. S4's are even more expensive and twice as much to take care of. But i too being a college student want an evo or s4 but have a 1.8t. insurance is too much along with college tuition these days and also the price of gas.

BUT...if you have the extra cash then i would totally do it. Im not going to talk you out of it by any means but just a heads up about the extra maintence cost of the S4, and buying anything used you have unknowns. and of course gas will be a bigger part of your budget now. also i never buy a car if i cant pay cash for it. that way you know you can afford it, another reason why im in an A4 and not the S4 or Evo haha

let us know what you decide and post pics of it!

[VTAudiA4]

Oh, and what about the diversion from taking care of the girlfriend? 1st things 1st.

Yup, the girlfriend. They are great companions, lovers, and friends but they sure can empty you wallet fast. Thankfully mine is all about equality and pays for half the things we do.

[BONFIRE074]

owning money is the worst feeling. keep the a4.

[djwimbo]

Yes it would be fun, No it wouldn't be the responsible thing to do.

Being a college student sucks for a lot of reasons. One of which is that your primary goal is finishing college, not having fun.
Buying an S4 during school isn't a wise decision.

If you can do your maintenance yourself it'll keep costs down, but they're still not cheap. The A4 is still a respectable car, my female friends prefer to ride in my car to other people's 2000+ vehicles. That's even with my car being a turd.

Save your pennies. After college land a good job, and buy an S4 then.... and a house, property, pay back student loans...

[Stampy]

Leave school and buy the $4. Then money won't be an issue!

Seriously, just keep the A4. Most of the people I know that have $4's didn't realize the world of hurt they were getting into as far as maintenance. If you don't have at least $2000 laying around at all times just in case, you are not ready.

[maxspeed]

with the price of gas nowadays id say be happy you have a 4 cylinder.