So much (and so little) choice

[quikquak]

Guys, checked out your chat and looks like a good place for advice, albeit biased depending on who owns what! Got the chance to drive a selection of new Audis from Team European in Wgtn at a track day, and since the old Merc C280 just don't cut it. Nicer even than my old Pug 405 Mi16. Budget is only around 40k. Have driven JUC 2001 B5 S4, but the dealer had this large triangular protrusion on his back and sharp teeth, and couldn't lay his hands on the service history. Passed up a 2002 1.8T with ABT mods, again a JUC, and again just too scared to get in the water! Was going for $40k, low kms. I see a nice looking Nagaro Blue S4 avant on Trade Me, but 160km? I guess handling and being that little bit different is what I'm after....maybe a Pug 406 3litre manual coupe, but the electrics would probably kill it like the Mi16.

[djrisk]

you may be able to source a JUC B6 S4 for that if you know a dealer. Or a very nice S3, R32 Golf, new shape GTI golf (hardly different!!)
A JUC B5 S4?? sure it wasnt ex-singapore? ive never seen a jappa B5...

[quikquak]

yeah, was ex-singapore, speedo was in mph. What's with the electrics problems referred to in chat about ex-singapore - build, maintenance or humidity?

[Turbo]

humidity and possibly service.

what's JUC?

[quikquak]

Japanese Used Car aka Jap import. The 1.8tq ABT was a JUC, haven't seen anything similar in the VASK stock list - had chipped motor, body kit, Recaros, Brembo brakes and uprated suspension.

[-----]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Audi/auction-136450624.htm?key=1352145

looks good, but seems a bit steep, but with those km's i guess its why its that much

[quikquak]

Thanks, will keep looking. After all it'd be rude to join the forum without paying the entry fee. You guys go to the Playdays at Taupo?

[Teabag]

b5 > b6
turbo > n/a

[R32 Simon]

For $40k you can buy much much more than a B5 S4 2001, in real terms that car is only worth around the $20k mark. Hold onto your money (i know its hard) and be patient, i have a friend who is a car dealer (a good one) i can give you his number if you PM me, he is a car nut and lives for cars and tuning!

[Turbo]

For $40k you can buy much much more than a B5 S4 2001,

like what?

[EVLC36]

E46 M3s are starting to get close to the 40k mark....

[Turbo]

E46 M3s are starting to get close to the 40k mark....

hmm, not really.
cheapest on trademe is 55k most between 60 and 90.

maybe a 964 carrera, but a chipped S4 is quicker and has a boot.

[RS ZWEI]

hmm, not really.
cheapest on trademe is 55k most between 60 and 90.

maybe a 964 carrera, but a chipped S4 is quicker and has a boot.

Ive seen them as cheap as 45k, asking price on TM.

[Turbo]

Ive seen them as cheap as 45k, asking price on TM.

probably just a private seller who'd rather the cash than the trade in value.
always someone willing to sell below market.

[EVLC36]

Ive seen them as cheap as 45k, asking price on TM.

Yeah, I have seen those too

[R32 Simon]

like what?

M3, R32, Mk5 GTI (import), S4 B5 with 67ks was traded for $18k last week, its a hard pill to swallow and i have done it with my old S3, bought for $43k, sold for $26k a year on, my R32 is only worth 45k, and thats an 06 

[djrisk]

M3, R32, Mk5 GTI (import), S4 B5 with 67ks was traded for $18k last week, its a hard pill to swallow and i have done it with my old S3, bought for $43k, sold for $26k a year on, my R32 is only worth 45k, and thats an 06 

(with the exception of the m3) these are all better than a B5 S4?? we had a look at a mk5 GTI, mk4 R32, a BMW 325CiMsport and an Alfa 156 GTA, all paled to the older B5 S4...

[R32 Simon]

(with the exception of the m3) these are all better than a B5 S4?? we had a look at a mk5 GTI, mk4 R32, a BMW 325CiMsport and an Alfa 156 GTA, all paled to the older B5 S4...

Its all down to personal choice, the only thing with the B5 is that it is getting a bit long in the tooth (my B5 RS4 was a great car but felt old to my MK5 R32), if you love the B5 S4 buy one, it is a fantastic car and they look great!

[djrisk]

agreed it would feel old to a 1 year old car - couldnt find a mk5 R32 for under $40k though!

[Turbo]

(with the exception of the m3) these are all better than a B5 S4?? we had a look at a mk5 GTI, mk4 R32, a BMW 325CiMsport and an Alfa 156 GTA, all paled to the older B5 S4...

even then, a chipped s4 gives the e46 a run for it's money (top gear had the b6 beat it around the track - and a chipped b5 by all accounts is better than the b6.) plus you don't need chains to go up the mountain.