Audi on a budget...?

[Dan DiBiase]

Nick, as an example of the costs involved, my A4, which I have owned since new 
and done all of the recommended
services, including 5k interval oil and filter changes with Mobil1 oil, has cost 
me over $7k in repairs/maintenance since
September of 2003, when I purchased the car. I have just over 100k on it now. 
This includes several sets of tires, a
replaced windshield due to a crack, timing belt/water pump replacement and those 
oil/filter changes. But it also includes 

coil packs, repairs due to several coolant leaks from various spots in the 
engine and a new fuel pump, and doesn't
include items replaced under warranty like the rear mufflers, several interior 
pieces and first gear in the transmission. 

So I think a lot of the comments about Hondas relate to the words 'Audi' and 
'budget' being in the same sentence! I 

don't think you can enter a relationship with an Audi (or any German car, for 
that matter) and think that you can get by 

on the cheap. Personally, the only used Audi I would buy is a CPO one with the 
longer warranty.

I am mechanically inclined, having done extensive work on my '76 and '65 MGB's, 
including engine and transmission
replacements. But I don't enjoy working on newer cars - they are too complex for 
my pea-brain. ;-)

And BTW, I still love my car....

 Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA






________________________________
From: Nick Urban <nickurban at gmail.com>
To: quattro at audifans.com
Sent: Thu, March 3, 2011 10:42:02 AM
Subject: Re: Audi on a budget...?

I can't tell whether I should take all these calls for "Honda" as
serous or in jest.

Can you recommend any non-european car that approaches the same level
of refinement and interior quality?

Likewise with the warnings about maintenance costs -- are you guys
exaggerating or is it really that bad?

I heard the same thing before I bought a Saab, and as I said, I got
one that had been well maintained and had very few problems.

Thanks,

Nick
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