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Mar 10, 2006 | 01:55 PM

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Burning Brakes

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 860

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From: Jacksonville Florida

Need your HELP!!!

I have the cash in hand to buy a 1998 A4 with 32,000 miles. Runs great with no noticeable leaks, creaks, or rattles. Owner wants $22,000. Has a small faded portion on top of rear bumper and glass top appears somewhat faded but he has the painted one in perfect condition. Interior is well kept with some slight fading of the Bose speaker covers.

What should I be looking for? Any common problems I can look out for in this model year? Anything to stay away from? I am looking to make a move this weekend on this vehicle and could use any input. Thanks in advance guys.....

Mar 10, 2006 | 01:59 PM

jrose7004

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 58,501

Likes: 1,828

From: Oklahoma City OK

C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019

I'd get him down a couple of grand and go for it!

Mar 10, 2006 | 02:00 PM

Evil-Twin

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 21,325

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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA

St. Jude Donor '03-'04

Is it what you want?????? A4? etc color??? milage is good, how about tires????? 32K, means it needs them or they were just done,..,..how about tire pressure sensors??? its going to need them very soon if they havent been done. 350 dollars, OEM tires 1200 dollars.

Mar 10, 2006 | 02:03 PM

FrankTank

Race Director

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 19,459

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From: Schaumburg IL

CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran

St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13

Try and get him down to 20k I think that would be a bit better on the price.
Things to look for..the top 3 I can think of are:

Ask him about the steeering Column Locking up, or if he has installed a column lock bypass or had any reacalls done.. this is probably the #1 problem with C5's.. it's not that big a deal to fix but important

Leaking rear differential is another..check on that

Ask him, or check the vehicle services history for any problems with the Fuel Gauge going out, or reading incorrectly.

Generally the C5's are pretty strong and last long if cared for properly.

Good luck with your purchase

Mar 10, 2006 | 02:04 PM

Oldvetter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 6,937

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From: Waldorf MD

The sticky at the top of this page details most trouble spots, here is the link

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...=984927&page=1

Good luck, it does seem a little overpriced.

Mar 10, 2006 | 02:11 PM

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Burning Brakes

Joined: Jun 2005

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From: Jacksonville Florida

Thanks for the replies guys... Some answers to your questions. The car sits under one of those "auto-roofs." Kind of like a big tent. Anyway the concrete underneath was clear when I backed out the car and the underside looks good (no oil or tranny fluid). I want the A4 but would rather have black than the metallic silver it is.

Evil-twin....you guessed it. Tires just changed to Falken non-runflats. Not the best tire but they are brand new.

No mods except a K&N FIPK and tints. He seemed flexible and I'm confident it can be had for $20,000 flat. Just curious if anything I should be doing on the test drive I have with my buddy tonight or any trouble spots to check for. Owner looks like a decent guy with all service records (Jiffy Lube / pennzoil synthetic).

Mar 10, 2006 | 03:36 PM

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Burning Brakes

Joined: Jun 2005

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From: Jacksonville Florida

ttt

Mar 10, 2006 | 03:39 PM

blacksedan87

Race Director

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 16,270

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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and

St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19

NCM Sinkhole Donor

Print this form out and take it with you when you go for the test drive. Put it on a clipboard or something - hand it to your buddy. It will make him look official! And try to contain your enthusiasm while in front of the salesman!