Residual Values?

["Mike Hopton" <MARKDOM.MARKPO.Mike@genesis-microchip.on.ca>]

I will be very interested to see what happens to Audi resale values over the next 2-3 years. A friend of mine mentioned on the weekend that he would consider buying a '96 A4Q in the next 18 months for his wife. I asked what he reckoned he would pay for it and we both figured IRO $23K (CDN). I then mentioned that I thought the parts and service costs would be quite expensive. He figured only on loan payments.... Now I could be wrong and maybe because the 1.8TQ engine will be in VWs there will be more after market sources for parts and service but at this time I honestly couldn't recommend buying an A4 to him, kind of sad.....

Here in Toronto no one wants to touch 100CSQs, 90Qs, CQs, V8Qs and previous model A6Qs, and Audi have to offer significant Audi assured warranties to shift these cars off their lots.

Not many people seem to be in the market to buy a 5 or 6 year old quattro given that they can lease or buy a new car and KNOW what their car budget is going to be for the next 12 months. The small after market, and reputation of Audis for expensive parts and sevice does nothing to hold up their residual values and I can't, with the "possible" exception of the A4 with 1.8t engine, see that changing.

Regards, Mike