Dustin A4

I am talking about the "Trade-In" value. Not dealer retail that is 5K higher. A used 2001 with 20K can be had for around 26K. I see them all the time. Yes the dealer sells them for 30-31K after they put 2K in fixing them (tires, etc.)

Take your car to the dealer and ask him what he will give you for it. Just to flat out buy it. Not a a trade in or anything else. Dealers are very happy to buy S4's. My guess is you will get an offer around the 26,000 mark or less.

I know what I am talking about. Do you remember the last batch of 2001-2002 S4 that had a factory to dealer cash? Most of they sold at near or under invoice. That is why the market is not paying top dollar for used S4's. Watch the bids on Ebay - that is a good indication of wholesale. Many smaller dealers buy off of Ebay but they stop at wholesale prices.

Maybe you know something I don't about the CA market. But if you can sell them for 32K we need to seriourly talk. I will buy them for wholesale $26 you can pay me a $3K finders fee and you profit selling the car for $32+.<ul><li><a href="http://www.edmunds.com/used/2001/audi/s4/100000527/prices.html?tid=edmunds.u.mipmake.pricetable..1.Au di*">Click for Edmunds Pricing of a 2001 S4</a></li></ul>

Dustin A4

I have priced the cars the past few months and I am just passing along what I am seeing. The S4 does hold it's value better then an A4 I agree with that!

O.W. Kenobi

But don't make the blanket statement that B5 S4s can be had for the prices that you're stating, because that's just not the case.

And, if they're so cheap, why don't you have one by now?

Dustin A4

I don't think 26K for a used S4 is cheap. In fact it is one of the most expensive cars to fix. (Excluding Ferrari/Porsche/Etc) Plus if it is out of warranty and the turbos are bad (very likely in this car) I am looking at some serious coin to get it fixed.

And we all know that people who buy S4 don't drive them slowly on Sunday afternoon. They usually beat them up and push them hard. So as a used car they are not cream puffs. But it is a fun car - so I guess what I was looking for was an idea from current S4 owners about what be a good deal and what they would buy.

I also understand your point of view. No one likes to hear the '01 car they paid 43K for a few years ago is worth 26K wholesale - it just isn't fun. But I also have to watch my Audi lose 33% of it's value in less time! What would you pay for an '02 1.8T 5-speed?

O.W. Kenobi

which are still over $30k for an S4 in good condition. Perhaps your close proximity to the wholesale market is clouding your judgment of what is reasonable for the car. Dealers pay wholesale prices so that they can mark them up and make a profit. Private buyers pay retail because they don't intend to turn around and resell them for profit.

Buying wholesale insulates you from the seller, and AFAIK, you can't take the car for a test drive to see whether it runs fine. In a private sale for a higher dollar amount, you can meet the seller, drive the car, have a mechanic check it out, etc.

Bottom line - good luck on the search.