RE: Intro 2/2 (buying)

[Aleksander Mierzwa <alex@matrix.com.pl>]

Mark wrote:

	>The car
	>has a few problems, though.  First, it has 136k miles, which is
a little
	>high. 

It shouldn't bother you too much. Audis are very durable cars, those are
little gizmos that break. So it's much better to buy a high mileage car
that was cared for than a car with low miles, but lot of little annoying
(and probably expensive) things to fix. Besides, 136k miles doesn't seem
'high' for a 11 years old car.

	> Second, the shifter may need some lube, because it is a little
	>stiff between throws.  

Have it checked. Maybe it just needs some lube, but maybe some parts are
worn.

	>The cruise is non-functional.

Depends on how much you need it. 

	>  Driver side seat
	>does not fold forward because of broken cable.  Brakes feel a
touch weak
	>-- not fading or pedal dropping to the floor -- just spongy and
without
	>the amount of stoption that I like.  

Again, the cause of this problem should be found before you buy the car.
Otherwise you may end up replacing many expensive parts of brake system
before it operates as it should. Don't ask how do I know that!

	>Finally, the most serious thing is that the passenger-side
front wheel
	>bearing is gone.  The car is making some SERIOUS noises from
that side.
	>Doesn't sound like CV, and a pro mechanic that I know
personally
	>(trustworthy), has assured the current owner that it is only in
need of a
	>wheel bearing job, $200 all told.

If this is only the bearing, I can't see why do you cosider this most
serious problem. Wheel bearings do fail, not very expensive to fix, not
very hard to replace (for a compenent mechanic equipped with correct
tools, of course). $200 seems high to me, although I'm not in US, so
maybe I'm wrong. Parts like wheel bearings are usually not very
expensive if you know where to get them. You may want to check parts
vendor list at the List's home page.

	>He is asking $3500 for the whole thing, possibly minus wheels
(he has the
	>original set), negotiable.  He seems to be a great guy, we
chatted for two
	>hours about miscellaneous car stuff.

I would say - go for it, but have the mentioned problems checked buy a
trustworthy mechanic. Even if they aren't serious, it will give you some
starting point to negotiating the price. Good luck!


Alex
-----------------------
Aleksander Mierzwa
mailto:alex@matrix.com.pl
87 Audi 5000CS turbo (mine)
88 Renault Medallion wagon (mom's)
91 mountain bike (just in case both cars broke at the same time :-)