Buying a second hand car

[joker08]

My wife needs a car, until now we only had one car and I was driving her to and from work. She wants an automatic car, so choices are limited. My first choice was a corolla quest 2 year old and 35000 on the odometer for 170000. Then I came accross this Audi. Its within our budget but I know nothing about these luxury cars and I always thought we can never afford one.
Is it worth buying it ? I am just worried about costs that might follow after the purchase (fuel economy, replacement of consumable parts etc).
2011 Audi A4 1.8t Attraction Multi b8

 

[Areola Grande]

As a general rule, if you are concerned about if you can afford an Audi, you can't afford an Audi.

Do a quick comparison on pricing for tyres, services and general maintenance. It's on 97k so the next service is 100k, then 115.

https://www.audiusa.com/content/dam/audiusa/Documents/maintenance-schedules/Audi-Maintenance-Schedule-Model-Year-2011.pdf

 

[SubLoaded]

Get a B8.5 (facelift) A4 if you must go the Audi route. The older ones (such as the example provided) have issues with oil consumption.

I'm on about 120k KMs on my A4 and other than the usual wearable parts - I've had to do the PCV valve and the Throttle Body (Motorplan).

Great cars, light on fuel and enough torque to tickle your pickle. The CVT box can be a bit cumbersome at times though.

 

[Rickster]

Not a Ford with the word "PowerShift" in it.

AKA PowerShit in the industry.

 

[Spectaitor]

I second @UrBaN 's response, If you are ever worried that you cannot afford a luxury car, then you cannot. Same reason I didn't get a dbl cab bakkie. I can make the instalments work but wouldn't be able to afford any sort of repairs, but if anything goes wrong with the sandero or i10 I have then fixing it is no bother at all.

 

[joker08]

thanks everyone for your replies. I think I am better off buying a 2 year old corolla quest.

 

[PandaAttack1]

If nothing ever goes wrong, its all fine and well. But when things start going wrong its a hefty fee compared to when things start to go wrong on cheaper cars...

I am currently in a Ford frot, and if things go wrong I can afford the repairs. It was always a massive headache when things went wrong with the BMWs I owned. Everything is ford price x2.

The general rule applies, if you are concerned about the price of ownership don't own it.

 

[Famous Last Words!]

I second @UrBaN 's response, If you are ever worried that you cannot afford a luxury car, then you cannot. Same reason I didn't get a dbl cab bakkie. I can make the instalments work but wouldn't be able to afford any sort of repairs, but if anything goes wrong with the sandero or i10 I have then fixing it is no bother at all.

I do not agree i bought a 2015 bmw 320 last year December and if you look at what things cost these days it about the same even if you drive a smart car, ford or vw.

Honestly the dealership hands you a 3 year plan which covers any major parts, it only the service you need to cover once a year and your wheels bro thats it when 3 years come reassess your current situation, buy an new one or continue on.

there is no such thing as a cheap maintainable car in my opinion.

 

[Areola Grande]

I do not agree i bought a 2015 bmw 320 last year December and if you look at what things cost these days it about the same even if you drive a smart car, ford or vw.

Honestly the dealership hands you a 3 year plan which covers any major parts, it only the service you need to cover once a year and your wheels bro thats it when 3 years come reassess your current situation, buy an new one or continue on.

there is no such thing as a cheap maintainable car in my opinion.

Well that's obviously not true, there are tons of cheap maintainable cars. Also, you're talking about a 2015 model, he's talking about a 2011 model - that's a decent difference.

3rd-party maintenance plans are also touch-and-go. There are some decent ones, but there are others which cover you for X amount, however, it's only R10k towards gearbox, R15k towards engine, etc. R15k towards an engine repair can be woefully little depending on what's wrong with the engine and the car.

If you're on a position where you're stretching the budget, or it's a little tight, to make payments and the insurance, then an unforeseen issue with a BMW, Audi etc can be way out of budget.

 

[Famous Last Words!]

Well that's obviously not true, there are tons of cheap maintainable cars. Also, you're talking about a 2015 model, he's talking about a 2011 model - that's a decent difference.

3rd-party maintenance plans are also touch-and-go. There are some decent ones, but there are others which cover you for X amount, however, it's only R10k towards gearbox, R15k towards engine, etc. R15k towards an engine repair can be woefully little depending on what's wrong with the engine and the car.

If you're on a position where you're stretching the budget, or it's a little tight, to make payments and the insurance, then an unforeseen issue with a BMW, Audi etc can be way out of budget.

Name one of your maintainable car ? then we can test it out if you want ? we can check what a gearbox cost and a engine, all those parts i am telling you now i have done the test it nearly the same.
2011 Audi tha'ts well looked after is still a decent car ,man

 

[PandaAttack1]

I do not agree i bought a 2015 bmw 320 last year December and if you look at what things cost these days it about the same even if you drive a smart car, ford or vw.

Honestly the dealership hands you a 3 year plan which covers any major parts, it only the service you need to cover once a year and your wheels bro thats it when 3 years come reassess your current situation, buy an new one or continue on.

there is no such thing as a cheap maintainable car in my opinion.

My BMWs were A LOT more expensive to maintain on the short AND long term. The cost of replacing all the disks and brake pads on my Polo was about the same as a single disk on my 320d.

The oil was almost double, air filter and fuel filter is almost 4x as much. I had an issue with my radiator on my 320i, lekker daar kak R7k. My Polo was quoted R1100.00 with labour. (All from the same service center, comparing agent costs would not be fair.)

 

[MSI1104]

Avoid the 1.8t engine...

 

[Areola Grande]

Name one of your maintainable car ? then we can test it out if you want ? we can check what a gearbox cost and a engine all those parts i am telling you now i have done the test it nearly the same.
2011 Audi tha'ts well looked after is still a decent car ,man

We're not discussing the same thing here, so it's a little pointless. I never once stated it isn't a decent car. It is a good car, that's why people buy them. That said, it isn't cheap to FIX when things go wrong - and they do. My mother was a service manager at Lindsay Saker for 15 years so I'm quite aware of the frequency with which things go wrong. That's not exclusive to Audi, but it does apply to them.

Your car is 4 yrs old, barely a teenager. His is 8, with 100,000km on the clock. Shouldn't be an issue, but parts do break, electronics fail and they're expensive to replace. I'm not talking general maintenance, I'm talking part replacement due to breakage, as stated about 567875 times so far.

Tell you what, why don't you call up Audi and ask them the price for a gearbox replacement for a 2011 A4 2.0 Then call Toyota and ask them the same for the Corolla Quest and post your results.

 

[Famous Last Words!]

My BMWs were A LOT more expensive to maintain on the short AND long term. The cost of replacing all the disk and brake pads on my Polo was about the same as a single disk on my 320d.

The oil was almost double, air filter and fuel filter is almost 4x as much. I had an issue with my radiator on my BMW, lekker kak R7k. My Polo was quoted R1100.00 with labour.


Look im not gona derail this oaks tread all im saying is there is nothing like a cheap maintainable car if something happens you are going to kak en betaal.

In my opinion buy the car you want get a decent maintenance plan from the dealer and you are good to go

 

[Old_Liver]

Or buy a Honda and nothing will go wrong

Jokes aside, I've had 2 Hondas, and currently on a 2010 Civic with 155k on the clock.
So far only brakes and regular oil changes.
An oil change with filters costs about R600 - do it myself.
My rear brakes and pads cost R1200 fitted.
Front pads (Didn't do the discs) cost me R550 and did them myself.

 

[PandaAttack1]

Look im not gona derail this oaks tread all im saying is there is nothing like a cheap maintainable car if something happens you are going to kak en betaal.

In my opinion buy the car you want get a decent maintenance plan from the dealer and you are good to go

Fair enough, but stating that all the cars work out to same amount is simply incorrect.

(en ek ry die kak yt my karre, so my views is bietjie anders.)

 

[PandaAttack1]

@joker08 , what are you thinking bud?

Buy that Audi if you actually enjoy cars and you are willing to spend a little more in the long term.

 

[Spectaitor]

I do not agree i bought a 2015 bmw 320 last year December and if you look at what things cost these days it about the same even if you drive a smart car, ford or vw.

Honestly the dealership hands you a 3 year plan which covers any major parts, it only the service you need to cover once a year and your wheels bro thats it when 3 years come reassess your current situation, buy an new one or continue on.

there is no such thing as a cheap maintainable car in my opinion.

I think you have missed the point entirely and wtf buys a smart car anyways smh. My polo was super cheap to maintain compared to my friends Audi A3 in general. When he told me about some of the basic parts and what they cost I was blown away, breaks etc.

You cant compare your car to the one this dude wants to get lol. 3 year plan you talk about expired 2.5 times already lol.

 

[Spectaitor]

Snip

You were literally given an example of a cheap maintainable car, then say there is no such thing....

 

[Areola Grande]

For reference, just called an Audi dealership and asked for a rough quote to replace the gearbox on a 2011 A4 2.0 auto. Depending what's wrong with it, it'll be R25-R40k including labour. Obviously an RMI approved dealer will be cheaper, but I think the point is made.

 

[DannyBoyOPC]

Parts prices vary from place to place.

I have a 2003 Audi A4 2,0 (non turbo) after 235k km the original clutch gave in and I had to replace it

Audi - didn’t bother calling
Alert - 11k (clutch kit complete)
Diesel electric - 4500( clutch kit complete)

Shop around and you can save itself a lot of hassle.
Also if you going the Audi route, buy itself a diagnostic tool for the car and you can scan the car and program things without having to take to a workshop.




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[Spectaitor]

Parts prices vary from place to place.

I have a 2003 Audi A4 2,0 (non turbo) after 235k km the original clutch gave in and I had to replace it

Audi - didn’t bother calling
Alert - 11k (clutch kit complete)
Diesel electric - 4500( clutch kit complete)

Shop around and you can save itself a lot of hassle.
Also if you going the Audi route, buy itself a diagnostic tool for the car and you can scan the car and program things without having to take to a workshop.




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Obviously a wise thing to do but definitely not for over 50% of people in my opinion.

 

[Dilli]

Service costs on an audi are, as far as I know, pretty steep. But most people have loved them who have owned them.

I had a Toyota for years, dirt cheap to keep running, easy to fix and was built like a tank. Defiantly nothing wrong with considering it.
I got the 2009 honda jazz manual but have spoken to someone with the AT and they really liked it. So far cost of ownership of the honda has been pretty cheap too (not Toyota cheap but it is in my opinion worth it as I really enjoy the car).

 

[Hobo Joe]

Parts prices vary from place to place.

I have a 2003 Audi A4 2,0 (non turbo) after 235k km the original clutch gave in and I had to replace it

Audi - didn’t bother calling
Alert - 11k (clutch kit complete)
Diesel electric - 4500( clutch kit complete)

Shop around and you can save itself a lot of hassle.
Also if you going the Audi route, buy itself a diagnostic tool for the car and you can scan the car and program things without having to take to a workshop.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah I still like calling Audi for the fun of it... makes me feel like i've saved a shitload of money; when all i've really done is spend money

Two examples - First was a cam belt and chain service on my S3 (Audi quoted just over 20k), got it done at another RMI workshop for under 10k including a full major service, sump service etc.

Second was front brake replacement (Audi quoted 12k for pads, discs, and labour). Sourced the parts myself, and including labour, paid 3k.

Always be willing to shop around... I know people that spend more than what I spend for maintenance on what would be considered standard/non-luxury brands by taking their vehicle to the official stealerships.

 

[SubLoaded]

There are some seriously misinformed opinions on this thread with regards to certain cars and their maintenance.

Do not view the entire brand (any brand) as a whole. Find a model that you're after - and research that car.

Pointless saying Audi is unreliable or expensive when you've owned an RS3 and OP wants an A4 (hypothetical example).

I've had various Audi's and BMWs and whilst some of them had their fair share of issues - majority of them were fine (provided you buy a good example and do things ON or BEFORE time).

I daily a BMW, which is 9 years old, and has 160k KMs. Other than the usual wearable items and services (which all cars will go through) - it has been cheap and reliable. It all depends on what you want/can spend on a car's upkeep. Negligence will cost you in the long run.

Preventative Maintenance guides are your friends.

 

[JoE]

Decide on what you want out of the vehicle, if its just a form of transport get the cheaper option but if you want a driving experience then the luxury car is the one. The pros and cons have been discussed at length.

 

[SauRoN]

That car is just outside of motorplan and due for it's cambelt at the next service which is a costly deal when doing at the dealerships.

Probably also due for brake work soon or already.

If you are "invested" in cars and don't mind putting some effort in it would be a fine runner if going to a trusted third party dealer.

So long as you took out a warranty on the car for any surprises it wouldn't be a bad deal.

 

[Skalabala]

For reference, just called an Audi dealership and asked for a rough quote to replace the gearbox on a 2011 A4 2.0 auto. Depending what's wrong with it, it'll be R25-R40k including labour. Obviously an RMI approved dealer will be cheaper, but I think the point is made.

They lied to you, its way more.

 

[MSI1104]

They lied to you, its way more.

Lol yes more like 75k. If you have a ZF Gearbox go to them directly... They charged me less than a 3rd of what Audi quoted me for a gearbox service...