Considering 96 A6 wagon purchase

[Doyt W. Echelberger]

I'm going to be extra skeptical and wet-blanket oriented, because you asked
for 'things to look for,' which implies that you want skepticism. The car
may actually be a real gem. But you are probably already biased in that
direction.

OK.....assuming the odo is correct and not the result of a disconnect or
rollback or swap.....creeping up on 7  years old if he bought it in late
'95 or early '96, very low miles, 6,000 miles a year, possibly short trips,
sitting around not being run, or not run hard enough, never run hot for
long periods of time. The engine is probably barely broken in, may have
been broken in slow, might have potential for oil usage. This
designed-for-autobahn car may have seen the hardest kind of
service.....short trips around town. Look for at least two oil changes a
year, and three would be better.

It might need alignment, having possibly slammed a curb sideways or
something. Look at the wheels for evidence, check for steering wheel being
centered, plan on test driving. Look over the underside for damage from
hitting obstacles in the road.

Consider changing anything made of rubber (all belts including timing belt,
hoses, tubes, seals, wiper blades.)

Coolant fluid, (may have been changed several times already.)

Exhaust hangers, sections of exhaust boxes and pipes, oxygen sensor.

Filters....all, fuel, air.

Fuel system components, for varnish. Probablyneeds a few courses of Techron.

Ignition system components at least need to be examined.

All the light bulbs are probably nearer the end than the beginning of their
product life, as well as all the ground points on the entire car.

Make sure it isn't a repaired wreck or an odo rollback/disconnect/swap.
Assume nothing, expect the worst, and get a professional mechanic's survey.
$15,000 is worth being careful and skeptical, 'cause this car is outside
the middle part of the standard deviation curve. Make sure you find out
why. See if you can talk to the former owner, if it is on a dealer lot.

Doyt Echelberger
wearing his most skeptical game face in Ohio   USA
 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
At 08:54 AM 12/12/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>I'm looking at a 96 A6 V6 auto quattro wagon with 35,000 miles..........