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What to Do? 98' Audi Keeps Breaking
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andy25
New User
Mar 13, 2013, 5:31 PM
Post #1 of 5
(1749 views)
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What to Do? 98' Audi Keeps Breaking
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Hey everyone. I bought a used 1998 Audi Quattro 2.8L as my first car - I was a bit naive when buying it and let the guy selling it basically talk me into it, even though I initially walked away from the deal (literally) he said he'd sell it for less, and me being a novice car buyer I took the bait and bought the car for about $4,000.
That was 3 years ago and I've spent about an additional $7,000-$8,000 fixing things and I still have a LOT left I could fix. Basically, the car is a total nightmare. Here's the problem though, I have invested so much into the car I don't know what to do. Should I sell it? Try to trade it in? I'm also a student right now and on a very limited budget, so I don't even think I could afford a down payment on a new/used car from a reputable dealer with a warranty.
Does anyone have any advice on what to do? Right now the car has a bunch of problems and in all honesty doesn't seem like the safest thing to be driving, so I rarely take it on the highway/go fast in it. I mostly take it to/from school. Should I just keep driving it into the ground and hope for the best until it bites the dust or I have enough $ to get a different car?
It's been a great learning experience buying this car and fixing it, even though extremely financially & emotionally frustrating, but I'm looking for advice for what to do next since it's kind of a tricky situation. Thanks for any advice!
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 13, 2013, 6:12 PM
Post #2 of 5
(1735 views)
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Re: What to Do? 98' Audi Keeps Breaking
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What are the other things that are wrong with it? If they are safety problems, you really shouldn't be driving it until those are resolved.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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andy25
New User
Mar 13, 2013, 6:18 PM
Post #3 of 5
(1731 views)
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Re: What to Do? 98' Audi Keeps Breaking
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It's a bit ambiguous - for example the air bag light is on and the brake light (but these have been explained by the dealer as being an ABS module problem, and not necessarily an urgent issue - so I'm told) - same with the air bag. That's about all I know, I would just say in general the car doesn't FEEL safe, if that makes sense? Even though I've been reassured that it is by dealer/mechanics.
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nickwarner
Veteran
/ Moderator
Mar 13, 2013, 6:27 PM
Post #4 of 5
(1725 views)
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Re: What to Do? 98' Audi Keeps Breaking
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The experts you have taken your car to and paid good money to, who do this for a living and have for years, told you this car is not unsafe to operate down the road. But your "feeling" overrides them because a couple light bulbs are on? Your ABS module is bad, so the ABS doesn't work. People drove cars for over 70 years before ABS was ever invented. Something is wrong in the airbag system, so they won't deploy. Personally I'd call that a good thing. We also drove most of a century before those showed up in cars. Just don't crash the thing and you'll be fine. Seat belts still working?
If they looked it over because you were worried it wasn't safe, they looked over the brakes, steering, suspension, everything needed to be safe. They found nothing but the causes of the two lights. I'd say your car is safe. If things were worn out that would make you in danger, the shop would've told you. After all, finding and fixing broken unsafe parts is how they make a living and they would't want to turn away income.
You're worrying too much. You can't afford a new car. The one you have is paid for and you know what repairs have been done with it. If you buy something else you won't have that repair history and could end up dumping a ton of money into it like you have with this car.
Vehicles wear. Parts break. Cars will always continue to cost you money even after you're done making payments. Its just the cost of ownership.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 13, 2013, 6:38 PM
Post #5 of 5
(1724 views)
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Re: What to Do? 98' Audi Keeps Breaking
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You can drive the vehicle without the SRS system operational, but understand while that light is being turned on by the SRS controller, the air bags won't deploy in an accident.
The red brake warning lamp (RBWL) should be separate of the ABS system. The RBWL usually means you have the hand brake engaged or the brake fluid level is low. As long as the brake fluid isn't low and your brake system checks out, you should be able to drive it, but realize if the fluid level goes low or there is a hydraulic failure, you won't have any warning. If you have the ASR, RBWL, and ABS warning lamps on at the same time, you shouldn't drive the vehicle because the dynamic proportioning valve system is disabled. Without the dynamic proportioning system active, the vehicle can skid out under heavy braking.
As for the feeling, what you do mean? Are there symptoms your experiencing while driving such as loose steering, noises, etc.?
You could sell the vehicle, but you probably won't get what you put into it. You can't look at a vehicle as an investment unless it is desirable or you bought it at an insanely low price and fixed it up to sell for a profit.
It is really up to you and your financial situation if you want to get rid of it and buy another or hold onto it and fix it. Either way there is going to be a loss. That is unless you find a someone that wants it for a decent price and you ride the bus or get rides to save up what you lost.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Mar 13, 2013, 6:52 PM)
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