Hi all, Looking at an Audi A6 4F, 2004 model 3.0 TDI 95,000km.
It has a paint issue which would be a minimum $1k for a cheap fix and $5k for a whole side respray. Apart from that the car is in good condition.
It's from a wholesaler/dealer who got it from an auction place.
How much should I pay?
Thanks.
A 2004 Audi A6 might as well be worthless. That's a 13 year old car. Get a newer car.
Well, it all depends how you look at it. In 2004 this car was certainly over $100k, now when you buy it below $10k as I assume, it means you pay only 10% (or less) of its original price.
Has it lost 90% of its quality, usability and features? Certainly not.
That said, as the owner of few second hand European cars over last two decades, you need to ensure it has been properly maintained and serviced. Engines of these cars have lifespan of 250-300kkm minimum, so it'll serve you well if it's still in good condition. Also, get ready for fixing minor things yourself as doing it at dealer will be very expensive, or simply learn how to live without certain things ;)
Good luck mate, I'm sure you'll be happy with your purchase.
It's a piece of shit buddy. It was never (as with every other car in its segment) worth $100k. (And no one every pays RRP, so it was probably picked up in the 80k range). That being said, these are German commodores, it's a $50k car with a ludicrous price tag because Audi, along with BMW and Mercedes, collude on artificially high prices, because they have no competition. The ACCC should crack down on them, but they don't, in part, because it is enforced by the Australian government, who don't allow anyone other than the manufacturers to import these cars.
Have a look at this for example: Demo 2017 SL400, $125k AUD in New Zealand
http://pre-owned.mbauckland.co.nz/details/2017-mercedes-benz…
Same car, with more kms
https://www.pre-owned.mercedes-benz.com.au/details/2016-merc…
$200k
Those are examples of the price you can negotiate a new car down to here (always start with demo price).
Has it lost 90% of its quality, usability and features? Certainly not.
If it breaks down and doesn't drive, it's lost 100% of its value.
If it needs repairs that cost as much as it cost OP, it's lost 100% of its value.
So plenty of potential for it to be far less than even $10k.
Didn't put the kms in as yes I know it's a contributing factor for a consumer, dealers/ insurance etc do not take them.into consideration when over 10 years.
Anyway.
95,000kms
Thanks.
AFAIK Audi cars require a major service at 100k kms for their timing belt.
It's a massive job on those cars as the whole front end needs to be removed to get access to it, $1000+.
That particular tdi model has a timing chain, should last the life of the car.
I use "should" as it is after all an Audi.
Good to know, thanks.
Is it just the 3.0 TDI that uses a timing chain?
@c0balt: It depends on the year but it seems the bigger engines are chain and the smaller engines are belt.
Do the dealer a favour and offer to just take it off his hands.
Just to clarify, are we meant to be trying to talk you out of this?
not a nice car at all, rather a daihatsu
Looking at an Audi A6 4F, 2004 model 3.0 TDI 95,000km
nooooooo. just don't do it.
http://australiancar.reviews/reviews.php#!content=recalls&ma…
http://australiancar.reviews/reviews.php#!content=recalls&ma…
https://www.productsafety.gov.au/recalls/browse-all-recalls?…
Better forget about this car.( If u want to burn your own $$$$ ).
don't pay anymore than $10,000
Done a REVS check?
Find the redbook value and deduct $1000-5000 for the cost of repairs but repairing paint will be the least of your worries on a 10+year old audi.
I just wouldn’t pay for it, full stop :)
I'm really surprised at the asking price for similar cars on carsales. I wouldn't pay more than $6000.
I stay away from any 10+ year old European cars - especially German ones!
So the apprehension is the age of the vehicle and things deteriorating and needing replacing?
Since no one has gotten back to you, short answer YES.
European cars are fairly notorious for the expense of repairs, replacements and maintenance items. Add to that they generally have lower reliability (especially older models) than their Japanese counterparts while commanding higher prices, means that it's generally a bad proposition to buy a (very) older European used car.
Buying such an old car: you're not buying it for the prestige (correct me if I'm wrong).
Prestige car's parts don't get cheaper just because they're old: you're still paying Audi (or Merc, Beemer, etc) prices for parts. The only reason you'd drive such an old Audi would be because you got it for a song and not intending to fix anything that crops up.
Like Oblivion says, get a similar Japanese car (you'd probably save a few dollars doing to as well). They'd be easier to do your own maintenance with, parts are cheaper, secondhand parts (from wreckers) will be easier to source too. Wins all around.
The main contributing factor is how many KMs it has racked up, which you left out of your post..