I would appreciate some thoughts on what I am considering doing.
I am the owner of a 1991 Honda Prelude and have been told by my mechanic that it is just too rusty. The "Red Rocket" is now "Rusty the Red Rocket" and is in palliative care driving his last 1,000 kms or so.

I have $5,000 to buy a replacement car. I have narrowed the field to:
2001 Audi A4 with 200,000 kms ($5,500)
2002 Honda Accord EX with 180,000 kms ($4,500)

I view the Accord as a "safe purchase" and the A4 as a "risky but much more fun purchase". Plus the A4 is Quattro and I really like having all wheel drive for our prairie winters. (spring and fall too!)

The price of the A4 includes my cost of getting a new TimingBelt, WaterPump, Tensioners and Brake pads as soon as I purchase it.

My question is about the "risky" part. Repairs to the A4 seem to be, in some cases, much more expensive than with the Accord.

While I will have a brand new timing belt, water pump, brake pads and fairly new alternator and battery, is it really just too big a risk to purchase a 14 year old Audi with 200,000 kms on it?

Is it just too likely that big stuff will happen soon, the cost of repairs of which will exceed the value of the car?

Your thoughts in either direction would be appreciated.

Thanks
Archie

 

Archie Archie Archie...
Here's my 2 cents from a die hard Audi enthusiast!

I would strongly recommend you that you stick with the Accord!
My brother has a 2002 Accord so i know the car very well. Ride does not even compare it is a very comfortable ride but no handling whatsover. Very good omn gas, reliable and barely any work besides oil and brakes lol
You see with your limited budget you are considering a B5 A5 since the B6 started in 2002...
B5 were not extremely reliable and even the next generation B6 had some issues mainly electrical including the very well documented ''Oil Sludge'' which was partially resolved with the use of a larger filter...Hvaing said that even the 2010+ still consume oil abnormally and Audi still says it is within specs. I am sorry this is not acceptable to add 1l of oil every month LOL

Even with all of the ''maintenance'' done to it anything can go wrong. Parts are expensive as well as labor. Working on Audi requires more time even with an independent Audi specialist

As an example my alarm ''Chrip'' stopped working, the alarm module in the trunk had to be replaced since the battery inside died and corroded the module. OEM was my only option was something like $325 + Labor...

With your limited budget you are taking a HUGE gamble on the Audi, it is already old and maintenance costs and surprises are destined to increase
Stick with the Accord and have some good winter tires

My Audi is a 2005 with barely 50,000KM and let me tell you i had my shares of small but annoying and expensive repairs (Lights bulbs galore, windshield wipers motor died/replaced, Anti Freeze gasket Leak...etc)
For a 2nd car we considered the Q5 but went with an Infiniti and never looked back what a ride!
If i am leasing i would definitely go with Audi otherwise I will stick with Japanese...to me Luxury is NOT having to waist my time & money @ the garage!