I wasn't happy with my insurance company's offer, so I decided to go directly to the other driver's insurance, which is Allstate. Adjuster/appraiser was there today. Let's see what they decide to do.
I visited the car just before they were coming and started her up to see if there was a check engine light. She started right up. No lights except for the expected Airbag light. Everything else sounded great. No fluids appear to be lost.
Can't make any concrete decisions until I get their report.
Well, Allstate came in with a little higher amount of $5K. Strangely enough though, their buy back amount was $630. Almost twice the amount my insurance company was offering it for. So I think I'm going to take the money and run.
Anyway, I was curious what I could find for $5K and 2002 and newer. I found a 2002 Audi A6 with 109K on it and in very nice condition for $4981.00 about 20 miles from me. It's the Passat but better, or at least I'm hoping it is. It may be too good to be true. Will definitely be doing a pre-inspection. Hoping it had the timing belt done at 105K.
Used VAG cars especially those priced near blue book excellent condition MUST have service history. If not, don't bother paying for a PPI. Only consider and PPI a car after you have gone through its service history, otherwise it will get expensive PPIing cars you will never buy -- usually the seller won't reduce the price by as much as the shop quote.
Paying for an oil pressure test is almost essential on these cars. Its not part of the PPI.
If you are a DIYer you can can buy whatever you like, mechanics special, etc. If you know the platform a curbside PPI is easy. But no DIYer who knows the platform would ever pay full price for a no history car, no matter how great it looks.
Basically, it comes down to this. Don't start having feelings for a car before you've seen its paperwork.
I agree with Newman, pass. In theory 178K is nothing on a B5 serviced properly. Its been in the lot for 2 years because the dealer won't let it go for the price of what it really is, a wildcard because it has no history.
Audi A6 is a different car than your Passat. It will use more gas and prices for Audi are a lot higher than VW. I know most parts cross over, but for those you can't buy at VW dealer (pretty much any body/interior part), expect to pay through the nose. DO NOT BUY A FWD AUDI unless you have a few CVT transmissions in your garage that you don't want to sell and you know for sure they are working fine. 02 A6 has the 3.0 engine, not found in VW cars. Or the V8 and 2.7 TT, again not found (with a few rare exceptions ) in VW cars.
Audi A6 is a different car than your Passat. It will use more gas and prices for Audi are a lot higher than VW. I know most parts cross over, but for those you can't buy at VW dealer (pretty much any body/interior part), expect to pay through the nose. DO NOT BUY A FWD AUDI unless you have a few CVT transmissions in your garage that you don't want to sell and you know for sure they are working fine. 02 A6 has the 3.0 engine, not found in VW cars. Or the V8 and 2.7 TT, again not found (with a few rare exceptions
Exactly. That's why you need to know the platform. I don't think 02s came with CVTs ($7000 part, nowhere to find), but some of these cars have tons of TSBs on them, and an RMS leak inside of 60K is something to think about.
The Audi is a 3.0 and just found out it has a salvage title. Not surprised because of price. Supposedly right fender and door were damaged. Dealer says the frame is good, but how do we know?
I have the VIN but service records, for the car from the dealership the dealer said it was serviced by, don't exist. They said that they toss them after 2 yrs. But I was able to get service records for my Passat from the NJ dealership that serviced it after 5 years. So I'm thinking that the A6 may have been serviced by another dealership. So this may not work out.
I did find an 2003 A6 3.0 wagon 45 miles from me. They want $5900 for it, has 149K on it, but is "AUTOCHECK CERTIFIED WITH ONLY 2 PREVIOUS LOCAL OWNERS", has service records, and has had the timing belt/water pump replaced.
I would def get a mechanic to go over the car before purchase... Carfax, Autocheck, both good but also meaningless when it come to determining current condition of the car. I'm a car nut, and wrench head, but it's a *VERY* good idea to have that 2nd opinion before purchase.
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