1997 A8 w/135,000 miles - Cost of ownership?
01-08-2002, 04:34 PM
#31
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I bought an Audi Assured '94 100S back in 1997
The car was flawless except for a recurring idiot light that told me my brake pads were worn when they weren't. Truly an idiot light. ;-) Other than that the car was excellent. So much so that I felt comfortable selling it to my mother in law when I bought my 2001 S4.
I'm still gandering at used A8s, though.
I'm still gandering at used A8s, though.
01-08-2002, 08:35 PM
#32
Assured are usually nice cosmetically. Might be a little tired mechanically, but everything should
work properly. Most importantly, you have a warranty that is good nationwide at any Audi dealer.
01-09-2002, 07:53 AM
#33
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i just picked up a AA '98A8 w/41k for $31k
it is in excellent shape cosmetically. i found a few things that were missing or broken (rear shade, assist handle, first aid kit) and they agreed to fix them. There was also an issue with the tires..one brand new one and 3 with 1/2 tread..they agreed to pay for 3 new ones. they were Eagle LS's and i'm going to scrap the new one and pay for the difference to get some Michelin Pilot XGT-Z4's. I'm planning on leasing it for 2 yrs which is the length of the warranty and therefore shouldn't incur any large maintainence costs.
01-09-2002, 11:21 PM
#34
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April may want to correct me, late 2000 when I was looking Audi Assured seemed to be a 3rd party
warranty that Audi "honored" and not much more. Typical added cost on an A6 was $2000. Considering Audi wouldn't assure some cars set alarm bells off in my head as to the condition of those cars.
Compared to the Lexus program where the service history had to be verified, limits on tire wear, amount of touchup paint needed, etc., etc. the Audi didn't seem to compare very well.
I got the impression a Lexus certified car was a "cherry" used car and an Audi Assured car wasn't a disaster waiting to happen.
Compared to the Lexus program where the service history had to be verified, limits on tire wear, amount of touchup paint needed, etc., etc. the Audi didn't seem to compare very well.
I got the impression a Lexus certified car was a "cherry" used car and an Audi Assured car wasn't a disaster waiting to happen.
01-09-2002, 11:43 PM
#35
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Is the water pump driven from the timing belt on these cars? The thought of
a water pump taking out the timing belt terrifies old V6 2.8 12V owners. Most (of the car nuts) change the timing belts, water pump. etc., at 60,000 intervals.
01-10-2002, 05:27 PM
#37
Assured is issued by AoA. Someone else may underwrite the warranty, but the car must undego an
inspection at the dealership, and have a checklist faxed to AoA for approval. If the car does not sell with a few months or few thousand miles, the warranty process must be done again. It costs the dealer anywhere from $300 to $600 depending on the model. The inspection must be done by an Audi tech, and not a general tech. The service manager must approve before the car is signed off.
Much will depend on how meticulous the service dept happens to be. You can have a tired feeling car but with everything working - nothing there to disqualify that. There is pressure on the service dept to approve the car because often the car is a trade-in which the dealership has purchased. It makes the sale easier and absolves the dealership of any extra expenses should the car fail after the sale.
Much will depend on how meticulous the service dept happens to be. You can have a tired feeling car but with everything working - nothing there to disqualify that. There is pressure on the service dept to approve the car because often the car is a trade-in which the dealership has purchased. It makes the sale easier and absolves the dealership of any extra expenses should the car fail after the sale.
01-10-2002, 08:56 PM
#38
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Ebay car sold at $14,700
Luckily it closed at close to what I passed on it for -- if it stayed at $11-$12,000 in the final minutes my gut feeling was going to have a serious war with my impulse. 
