Hello,

Thank You for choosing Just Answer for your query. Yes, I can help you.

As for the price go to KBB.com and check the "private party" price this should be pretty close to a fair price. If the model suits you it's a nice car. The only thing I didn't like about them is they are not available in "quattro" and I live in snow country.

I strongly suggest before buying any car be it VW, Audi, Honda, Ford, that you take the vehicle to a repair shop that specializes in that brand vehicle and have them perform a "buyer's check" BEFORE buying a used car, be it one year or 10 years old.

A repair shop that specializes pretty much knows what things go wrong with that particular vehicle and dependent on what it is can advise you accordingly, as well as advise you of any upcoming servicing in the future. The used car market is often a "dumping ground" for problem cars.

I was amassed the other day when another employee of my company had purchased an apparently beautiful 2003 A4 from a used car lot and asked me to check it out AFTER he had purchased it. It had the 1.8T motor and about 90,000 miles on it. After inspection I had mainly two pieces of bad news for him. The vehicle had not had the timing belt replaced yet and should be done ASAP as the water pump is starting to leak, and these motors MUST have the timing belt serviced every 75,000 miles or so. If not, it is common for a belt or belt tensioner to fail and cause damage to the motor requiring cylinder head removal and replacement of 4 intake valves (read $$$). The 1.8T motor is also subject to the "oil sludging issue". This vehicle was badly sludged and should be THE FIRST THING INSPECTED before buying any 1.8T be it Audi or VW.

The motor in the Cabriolet is a very reliable engine and a bit cheaper to maintain than the later 30 valve engines.

I also recommend you ask the owner to see ALL the service records. Don't blindly except "Oh, I don't keep them", do you know any one that does not? Then call the shop that has been working on the vehicle and ask then to inspect it and if they are aware of any other issues with this particular vehicle.

BotXXXXX XXXXXne is have the vehicle checked out by a shop that specializes in Audis or the dealer and ask them about these things I have mentioned.

I hope I have answered your questions and addressed your concerns, should you have any more questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to ask. I want you to be 100% satisfied with this answer.

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Thank You!
Jake “The Audi Doctor”

We call those "pattern failures", and no they were pretty good. The engines and transmissions are pretty much "bullet proof". Just keep them maintained.

Change the oil with a quality oil meeting Audi's specifications as per recommended intervals for your area/type of driving. "cheap" oils while a bargain at the time can lead to catalytic converter failures that most people don't link to the cause as the damage is done gradually over a long period of time. Use a "top tier" fuel (see toptiergas.com) of the proper grade. This engine is designed to run on premium fuel with mid grade as an option with reduced performance. My analogy of both the oil and the gas quality is like eating beacon cheese burgers. You can eat one once in a while so long as you typically eat a healthy well balanced diet. But, if you ate one for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day you would pay the long term effects.

This was built before the days of when electronic technologies snowballed and manufacturers (including Audi) went nuts with electronics. I recommend these newer models ONLY go to a specialty Audi shop or the dealer. If you have a mechanic that you like that has been servicing your past vehicles, I see no problem in him maintaining this one. Though I would recommend an Audi specialty shop checking this one out before you buy it.

AT 93K and 14 years the timing belt service should be performed if it has not already been done. The engine should be tuned every 30 to 40k miles, the air filter about every 15 to 20k miles, and the oil depend on what oil you use and how/where you drive (typically between 3 and 7.5k miles). Other than that it's just typical things that wear out and crack over time. Reliability wise, I would rate it pretty high.

That said, not being able to inspect the car puts me at a significant disadvantage. Lately I have been looking at getting another late model low mileage Allroad. I find various "percef"t looking examples in the various want adds and when I check them out in person, I find all sorts of things wrong with them. So again, the most important thing is have it checked out FIRST.

Thank You!
Jake