Should I Buy This 2014 Audi S4 Cabriolet?

pformag on 02/01/2021 - 08:23
Last edited 02/01/2021 - 12:49 by 1 other user

My parents in law are wanting to downsize their car. They drive an 2014 Audi S4 Cabriolet. Car has very low kms and serviced regularly at Audi dealerships since new. Its never had any issues to date.

They offered me the car for trade in value. I love the car, but since it's an Audi and from 2014, I am worried about the ongoing cost moving forward, even if I get the car at a good price.

What should I look at for with buying a 2nd hand Audi?

What should I expect the trade in value - $20k to $30k?

Any thoughts.

Automotive Audi Car

Comments

  • TheNewBargainer on 02/01/2021 - 08:27
    +5

    Just looked it up. Yes, yes you should buy it.

    • bloom on 02/01/2021 - 09:05
      +4

      I concur, looks like a steal

    • spychiatrist on 02/01/2021 - 15:37
      -2

      Why buy when they can just give it, being in-laws

  • modsec802 on 02/01/2021 - 08:29
    +1

    Go to Carsales.com.au and get a free “instant offer” - there is no obligation on that site and screenshot that and use that as the price. I reckon given the service history and condition it would be a good buy.

  • websterp on 02/01/2021 - 08:33
    +4

    How good is your relationship with the in-laws?
    Buying a used car from family also falls into the same category as getting family members involved in business, loaning money to family, etc., etc., no matter how good the current condition of the car is. It would be a totally different matter if the car was passed on to you but here you are buying it for market value.

    • serpserpserp on 02/01/2021 - 09:10
      +5

      but here you are buying it for market value.

      Not sure trade in value is the same as market value.

    • pformag on 02/01/2021 - 09:39
      +4

      Good relationship. It's on me once I take they keys, no need to blame them for a car once I've taken it.

  • Melb69 on 02/01/2021 - 08:36
    +1

    If it's well serviced and low kms sounds ok. If your still concerned get it checked out by a mechanic to flag any current or future likely maintenance issues. I would check if all belts were replaced back in 2018. That would be a thing that needs replacing at least every 4years ish. Also water pump.

  • Edsanwong on 02/01/2021 - 08:39
    +1

    Yes

  • Brucet on 02/01/2021 - 08:46
    +1

    yes

  • serpserpserp on 02/01/2021 - 09:11
    +1

    OP: What is low KMs exactly? For some people that is 20k for 4 years, for others it is 150k for 4 years.

  • SF3 on 02/01/2021 - 09:11
    +1

    I love the car

    You already answered, you own question. As you have done so previously, with other “in love” decisions.

  • serpserpserp on 02/01/2021 - 09:13
    +1

    Just looked up the car online, wow the red sedan version looks just like a Skoda Octavia, expect you are paying much more. I guess the engine, cabin etc will be better

  • branners on 02/01/2021 - 09:49
    +3

    You answered your own question; you love the car already.
    Yep, there is a cost of ownership with an Audi, like most premium brands. But this one has a full service history, and you know that it has never been bent or mistreated, and your entry price is lower than it would be otherwise.
    If it was me and I passed on it, I would probably kick myself.

  • djones145 on 02/01/2021 - 09:53
    +1

    European cars usually have 10 years before everything craps out
    u have 4 years to go!
    oops its 2021, 3!
    then it goes BOOOM

  • Muzeeb on 02/01/2021 - 10:00
    +1

    If it was an RS4 sedan I would say go for it.

    After you get the car can you keep it under cover most days? Cabrios are great until the roof mechanism gives out $$$$

  • thatonethere on 02/01/2021 - 11:16
    +2

    With European cars there can be expensive services as time goes on. Get the VIN from the car and ring the Audi dealer or better a decent third party service place and get the scheduled cost of the next five years of services.

    Timing belt replacement is a common big service.

  • tomleonhart on 02/01/2021 - 11:23
    +1

    Don't buy it OP. Sell it to me instead. Trade in value ok :P

  • iNeed2Pee on 02/01/2021 - 11:27
    +1

    Just buy the car!!!

  • spackbace on 02/01/2021 - 11:52
    +1

    Trade in value on a Euro will make it quite a bit cheaper than market selling price, giving you spare cash in the budget for anything unexpected

  • flagger on 02/01/2021 - 12:15
    +1

    Buy it then flip it

  • Euphemistic on 02/01/2021 - 14:05
    +1

    Everyone should own a convertible at least once. Once you own it, you’ll probably quickly work out wether you ever want the top down after the second time. Then sell at market value if it’s not for you.

  • chickenchipsgravy on 02/01/2021 - 15:34
    +1

    too high risk, best I take the car off their hands

  • Drakesy on 02/01/2021 - 15:56

    You sure it's not an s5, Audi didn't have S4 cabriolet's in 2014.

    Just get it.
    It's an emotional purchase not a sensible one (convertibles never are).

    • modsec802 on 02/01/2021 - 16:01

      Probably S3

  • GourmetFoodie on 02/01/2021 - 20:05

    I’m surprised at all the “buy it” comments.

    Audi servicing is very expensive and fixing anything a massive rip off. Pretty much they treat their customers as people who have money to burn. I wouldn’t buy one for those reasons as I’d rather put money towards real investments.

    Yes it’s a beautiful car - a friend had one - but convertibles are also very over rated. Hello sun damage and skin cancer! Also pollution is not fun if inner city driving.

    I’d only buy a European convertible if I was mega rich and had multiple other cars already.

    • [Deactivated] on 02/01/2021 - 22:55

      You don't have to service it with Audi. Euro cars have somewhat higher maintenance costs due to complexity and/or parts cost, but if you find an independent local mechanic you won't be paying anything near what an Audi dealer would charge imo.

      • GourmetFoodie on 03/01/2021 - 13:34

        Yes but if you ever resell it people care if you’ve serviced it through the “proper” channels so this can affect the price you can achieve.

        • [Deactivated] on 03/01/2021 - 14:09

          It's already a few years old, by the time OP sells it it will probably be 6-10 years old. Personally I would be more interested in buying a car serviced at a good mechanic for a number of years, consistently, than serviced on the intervals by the dealer.

          Audi service doesn't have to work hard to ensure it gets return customers, your local does.

  • FocusRider on 02/01/2021 - 20:16

    If its an S5 then yes I'll take it off your hands if you don't want it

  • PaulfBris on 03/01/2021 - 08:24

    If you Google the phrase Audi forums you will find several, some Australian, where you can search by model or topic and get great info.

    I have a 10 year old heavily optioned Q5 ( and a convertible) and gave up on Audi service after the warranty ran out. At some point their service manager blamed a problem on the fact the car was old, at that time it had 50,000 kms and was 6 years old. Mine was the first of the Q5s and so suffered from common transmission issues due to poor design that Audi fixed in later models. So reliability is in part a function of when the car was built in the model life.

    I now use three different non genuine Audi service locations, one is great on transmission and suspension, one on electronics and a general Audi guy. All were Audi trained and like fixing things…

    btw get the convertible, life is short and you’ll enjoy it for as long as you do. If you tire at least you won’t always regret not buying it. This philosophy applies to many things… ( and being old, bald and driving a convertible is a bit iffy, small children are impressed, young ladies not so much…VOE)

  • OzHunterNSW on 03/01/2021 - 11:22

    NO…. for starters, it's a POWER GAME. A dictatorship. If you relent to this, you will forever relent to their whims.

    Stand up for yourself and show them you are every bit of the man they expected for their daughter.

    Speak assertively in a demanding, slow and calm manner… Yes I am aware this is trade in value… BUT… this is my offer (way way below trade in) and is all I am willing to pay. Take it or leave it. The offer stands for 2 hours, you can reach me at the pub.

    They will love you for making them accept a far less amount than trade in value.

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