Is this the one? Help me pull the trigger!

[FacePalm]

I've been searching autotrader and craigslist religiously these days looking for a good beast to call my own. I came along this one:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=306280717&dealer_id=66611043&car_year=2003&systime=&doors=&useImpressions=true&listingCounter=0&model=RS6&adModel=RS6&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=100&min_price=&drive=&rdm=1315866435146&marketZipError=false&advanced=&fuel=&listingPriority=30&flip=a&keywords_display=&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2012&showZipError=y&make2=&certified=&engine=&dma=SEATTLE-TACOMA_SO&adBodyStyle=&page_location=findacar::ispsearchform&body_code=0&transmission=&isFlashPlugin=true&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&useBIRF=true&color=&address=98057&sort_type=priceDESC&adMake=AUDI&max_price=&adClassSeries=&make=AUDI&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=13&ref=srl

Talked to the owner for a few minutes yesterday and seemed like a legit guy. He's owned it for about four years and sounds like he's been pretty good on the maintenance. Said all the recalls (except the gas tank) have been done. Assuming there aren't any major things wrong, it sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

I would obviously need some sort of aftermarket warranty. Anybody know if fidelity will still warranty these beasts? I think there's a member here who had the hook up? Safe4Now??

What do yall think? :addict:

[ben916]

78k miles = timing belt time... make sure that is either performed or cut the price a little for that service.

Mileage will be the killer for the aftermarket warranty since that is the governing factor.
Fidelity will more than likely be the most expensive...

I have Protective (Prizm) Supreme and have yet to use it but the recalled DRC is leaking and thunking all over the place...

If you have to have that exact one (only due to proximity) then get it... with that stated, a 6,808 mile example was just purchased for $42k about 3 weeks ago.... so others are out there...

[FacePalm]

Thanks, ben. Ill find out about the timing belt. I think the owner has since dropped the price to 23750. Maybe some fellow PNW members can chime in. Vitalian? Chung? It seems like a pretty good deal for the area...

[Elevens]

For a few Thousand more I would seriously consider Covertw12's example. It has all the Mods, much less mileage and a plat Fidelity Warranty. Truly a great deal in my opinion. I saw the car at Coral Springs Audi while it was in Florida. And it looked Immaculate at that time. Just food for your thought.....

[hahnmgh63]

As Ben said, check the service records and it's not perfect but a Carfax is a must. Maybe Ben could also chime as the keeper of the VIN database and see if it comes up with any history?
WUAPV64B63N905755

[speedtrapped]

^^^^ what elevens said. He modded it perfect, took very good care of the car, low mileage and solid warranty. Trust me, once u buy the 78k mile version, sensors and such start go bad, it can get to $30k in no time. Brakes are not cheap, and if timing belt needs to be changed, another $2k, oh yeah about now is when EGT and O2 go. Again, covert12 has pit some serious dough into his car, it is fast. And I think all work done at USP.

[DonS]

There's one on eBay with 66,000 miles, but listed at $28000. I'm 2 hours away and can scan for codes...

[FacePalm]

Thanks for the tips guys. In an ideal world, I would have jumped on covert's in a heartbeat. We're looking at close to 10k more than the local one though when factoring in shipping costs. There are a couple local beasts for sale which I'll take a look at first then prob expand if they dont work out.

[skribe]

Always better buying from a private seller... wait for the original owner with perfect records... Too many dealers buy these things at auction, realize they have expensive problems, clear codes, and resell.


Look at this crime on the daytona grey ebay car in IL... yeesh

http://4-photos.ebizautos.com/8961/7486362/7486362_16.jpg

[ben916]

Always better buying from a private seller... wait for the original owner with perfect records... Too many dealers buy these things at auction, realize they have expensive problems, clear codes, and resell.


Look at this crime on the daytona grey ebay car in IL... yeesh

http://4-photos.ebizautos.com/8961/7486362/7486362_16.jpg

I just threw up in my mouth a little...

[kismetcapitan]

well, the DRC's been done; you can see the rear sitting high. If I could have had my absolute pick, I'd have chosen the white interior and the pearl black exterior. Since I had to choose, I went with the interior as that's what I'm seeing all the time.

But what really counts is a documented history. I bought my car largely based on the enormous bulging folder of service receipts spanning eight years - not just Carfax, but actual receipts.

[ben916]

As Ben said, check the service records and it's not perfect but a Carfax is a must. Maybe Ben could also chime as the keeper of the VIN database and see if it comes up with any history?
WUAPV64B63N905755

VIN was on the list - just noted that it was on Ebay @ 78k miles and in Washington - it must be recent as I just started to keep the location(s) of each...

Also, if you get that one - get rid of those horrid mats...
Have you driven this one?

Make sure you can find a place to do about 80 and then swerve back/forth - testing the DRC for flatness
Also look at the rotors - not looking so great

oh and the transmission/tq - the test that the expert do - get to 40mph in tiptronic in 5th gear - accelerate to 80/90 - if slipping - codes/CEL pops = you need to run away and fast...

[vitalian]

FacePalm, this looks like a decent deal to me, with several caveats.

1) As others have noted, the timing belt service is due. Actually, it's overdue (supposed to be done at 75K), and it seems like the seller would have mentioned it if it had been done. This service costs about $6K at Barrier Audi (i.e., the most overpriced Audi dealership on planet Earth), FYI. If this service has not yet been performed, then the car is overpriced, even in our notoriously overpriced market (Seattle).

2) You can get a warranty on the car because it is under 100K miles, but it will likely run you about $3500 for the one you need (i.e., as comprehensive as possible). Safe4Now is the guy to contact for the skinny on warranties.

3) Don't necessarily reject the car because it is a little higher in mileage than some others. Mine had 81K on the clock when I bought it, and other than the starter crapping out on me 4 days after I bought it, I have had zero problems with it and it runs like a top. HOWEVER, the reason I ultimately wasn't afraid to buy mine with higher mileage is that it had had only one owner, every single maintainance record was available, and after pouring over those records in detail I determined that all scheduled maintainance and recall work had been meticulously performed AND there were no scary issues (e.g., transmission). If you can get your hands on the maintainance records for this car and you can verify these things, then I would feel a lot better about buying it if I were you.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

[ntrcptr]

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=73366496&listingRecNum=5&criteria=sf1Dir%3DDESC%26mkId%3D20049%26stkTyp%3DU %26mdId%3D21835%26rd%3D100000%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTyp Id-feedSegId-mkId-mdId%26zc%3D60634%26rn%3D0%26PMmt%3D1-1-0%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26sf1Nm%3Dpric e%26sf2Nm%3Dmiles%26isDealerGrouping%3Dfalse%26rpp %3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=national

[ntrcptr]

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=71472716&listingRecNum=4&criteria=sf1Dir%3DDESC%26mkId%3D20049%26stkTyp%3DU %26mdId%3D21835%26rd%3D100000%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTyp Id-feedSegId-mkId-mdId%26zc%3D60634%26rn%3D0%26PMmt%3D1-1-0%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26sf1Nm%3Dpric e%26sf2Nm%3Dmiles%26isDealerGrouping%3Dfalse%26rpp %3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=national

[vitalian]

Oh, yeah, and I agree with Ben -- those floor mats are HIDEOUS.

[ben916]

ask and you shall receive...
http://www.rs6.com/showthread.php/23210-Time-to-reclaim-the-garage-space...my-RS6-is-for-sale!-Just-37K-miles (http://www.rs6.com/showthread.php/23210-Time-to-reclaim-the-garage-space...my-RS6-is-for-sale%21-Just-37K-miles)

[vitalian]

^^Just saw that as well! FacePalm, you should seriously consider this car. Still a west coast-er, one owner, and low miles. And it's my favorite exterior color (*wink*).

[ben916]

^^Just saw that as well! FacePalm, you should seriously consider this car. Still a west coast-er, one owner, and low miles. And it's my favorite exterior color (*wink*).

And you get to drive it up the I-5-obahn!
"Someone" around here used painter's tape to protect his Avus beast on a trip from WI to AZ and back...

[DHall1]

MN to AZ

I have pictures.


And you get to drive it up the I-5-obahn!
"Someone" around here used painter's tape to protect his Avus beast on a trip from WI to AZ and back...

[FacePalm]

Thanks for all the replies and tips, guys (and gals). I haven't driven either of the two I'm looking at (locally) yet, but Ill make sure to test the DRC and TC/transmission slippage. That one from California seems to be a nice example. I guess they are out there. I just don't want to be one of those horror stories. Like some of you have said, I think service history is key.

[covertw12]

Let Me know if you're still in the hunt and interested in more info - My car is perhaps one of the best sorted out there, and super clean - with only 48k on it currently. It's been well built, fully serviced ( short of an upcoming brake service - I was debating the JHM lightwieght version BTW)) and most importantly has almost 30k left on the Fidletity Plat warranty.

It also has full service history, built records and all the other fun stuff.....

Shipping runs about 800 - I had my old car shipped to Chicago when I picked this up.

Regards,

E