1997 Audi A4 Quattro Base Sedan 4-door 2.8l on 2040-cars
Murphysboro, Illinois, United States
149k one-owner miles; always garaged; well-maintained
by professionals; oil changed with full synthetic every 7k miles (per factory);
service records and original manuals Pros Four-door, V6 2.8L naturally-aspirated engine,
all-wheel Quattro drivetrain, power steering, adjustable steering column and
wheel position, superb anti-lock power brakes, excellent traction/stability
control, new wheel bearings, alloy wheels, new tires, 5-speed manual
transmission, digital heat/air controls, power windows, power mirrors, power
door-locks, multi-function power trunk lock, all-way power driver seat, Audi
Delta cassette stereo, power sun/moon roof, leather, polished walnut inlays, new
high performance headlights, alarm, driver and passenger airbags, seatbelt
pre-tensioner system, four and five-star crash test ratings, U-Haul installed trailer
hitch w/electrical hookup Cons Cruise control inoperable, a few pin-light
dash lights out, left rear brake light plastic cover repaired with red tape,
interior plastic piece by moon roof came off, rear leather seating surface a
bit rough, original front license plate holder missing (replaced with angle
brackets); this was required repair after another car scraped across front bumper and left a scuff mark. The Bottom Line
Affordable European
luxury sports sedan, runs and drives great. One test drive and you’ll be sold.
Original expert review from 1998:
An appealingly affordable European.
by Ray Thursby Providing luxurious transportation in a tidy package has become a lucrative
business for many manufacturers. A wide range of choices are available, with a
price spread equally broad. European offerings in this realm are generally more
expensive, but have their own special appeal. Although Volvo threatens to break
out of its conservative mold with its new replacements for the 850 line, the
BMW 3-Series and Mercedes C-Class sedans are the major players. Audi has long contended in this niche, but none of its past entries have
combined charm, style and value as desirably as the year-old A4. And U.S.
buyers have responded to this sleek small Audi, pushing the company's sales up
to levels it hasn't enjoyed for many years. Like its German rivals, the A4 adds sporty flair to expected luxury
trimmings in an effort to appeal to driving enthusiasts. Walk-around
Few sedans can match the A4 for clean, distinctive styling. In profile, it
displays a definite but neatly rounded wedge shape, minimal front and rear
overhangs and large glass areas. Nose and tail are equally clean, dominated by
lighting and, in front, a large understated air inlet. You won't see any
extraneous trim; the designers have chosen to let a strong basic form speak for
itself. Although it's executed on a small scale, we think this is arguably the
most graceful design from Audi in decades, and a strong rival to the BMW 318i
and 328i in appearance. The Inside Story
Four adequately sized doors allow easy access to a very appealing interior.
The first thing that strikes a first-time passenger is the quality of materials
and finish: from the leather-look dashboard to the fabric seats of our test car
-- leatherette upholstery is a no-cost option -- every surface looks and feels
durable and attractive. The feeling of general solidity in the A4 cabin is
reinforced by the precision with which all controls operate. Experience with
several A4s indicates to us that careful assembly is the rule rather than the
exception. The Audi interior is attractive and, for the most part, laid out with
functionality in mind. In front of the driver, instruments monitor road and
engine speed, fuel level, coolant and oil temperature and battery state. These
readouts can be supplemented with an optional trip computer that displays fuel
economy and other information. The only element that might be seen as a debit
is the night lighting, which is a lurid red, a la BMW, but more so. Radio controls are a little fussy (some time spent reading the owner's
manual will help) but the climate control is easy to use. Both A4 models carry an impressive list of standard features. Manual front
seats have a height adjustment in addition to the expected fore/aft and
backrest movements, and are thoroughly comfortable. The steering column is
adjustable for both angle and reach. Power assists are standard for windows
(the windows offer one-touch operation up and down, a nice addition) and door
locks. A remote lock/unlock feature is optional, but we preferred using the
key-in-the-door method, which also allows the operator to raise or lower the
windows. Cruise control is standard across the board, and the rear seat has a 60/40
split folding back allowing access into the roomy trunk. The 1.8T carries
interior trim accents in aluminum (coated with an attractive "pixel"
graphic surface); the 2.8 gets polished walnut. Options are similar for both cars, though only the 2.8 can be ordered with
leather seating ($1320). The 1.8T is available with an optional Sport package
($1000) that adds larger (16-inch) alloy wheels and tires, sport seats and
steering wheel and special upholstery. Either version can be equipped with a
power sunroof ($1190), All-Weather package (including heaters for the front
seats, windshield washers and driver's door lock, $700)), a five-speed
automatic transmission ($975) and, most desirable of all for anyone who expects
to drive in less-than ideal traction conditions, the all-wheel drive
"Quattro" system, a bargain at $1600. Ride and Drive
Some people still consider the A4 a bit pricey for its class -- those who
haven't taken a close look at the stickers on the competition, anyway -- but a
few miles behind the wheel may change their minds. The A4's long suit is
refinement, mile-eating smoothness and sure-footedness that make it a genuine
pleasure to drive. Most buyers will find the V-6-powered 2.8 to their liking. It is commendably
quiet in most driving situations and delivers good fuel economy. In typical
European fashion, power delivery is biased toward sustained high speed rather
than neck-snapping stoplight performance; even so, the 0-to-60 mph sprint takes
only eight seconds or so, which isn't bad. A five-speed manual transmission is standard equipment. While not possessed
of the crispest shift linkage around, it shifts well and has gear ratios
well-suited to the engine's power delivery. Driving pleasure in the European manner is another A4 plus. There's minimal
body roll during cornering, and crisp variable-assist steering to keep the driver
in contact with what the wheels are doing. Quattro models raise the enjoyment
level a notch, increasing traction in situations where it's most needed,
whether during brisk driving or careful motoring down a snowy lane. Despite the
firm springs and shock absorbers, the A4 delivers a smooth ride. Rough pavement
doesn't faze it; nor do highway expansion strips or small potholes. Final Word
In the face of formidable opposition, the small Audis continue to impress
us. They are well-equipped, carefully-assembled cars that combine style, fine
road manners, comfort and reasonable -- if not exciting -- performance in a
reasonably priced package. If they're not the best buys in their class, either
A4 certainly comes close. |
Audi A4 for Sale
- 2001 audi a4 1.8t turbo sedan b5 5speed 1owner low miles immaculate all original(US $6,499.00)
- 06 audi a4 2.0t leather sunroof turbocharged low miles clean carfax(US $8,988.00)
- 1999 audi quatro a4
- Any question call 201 286 8101(US $4,200.00)
- 2005 audi a4 cabriolet convertible 2-door 1.8l
- Audi a4 s line s4 look low miles convertible
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Auto blog
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Mon, 28 Oct 2013If you've been driving a late model Audi S6 or S7, first of all, good for you. Secondly, you should be expecting a call from your local dealer as the Volkswagen Group and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have issued a recall.
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