smyth1

has anyone looked at or know anything about the 89 s4 on ebay with 144k?says there is a title issue on autocheck but mileage checks out and owner states he has a clear title.got about 10 k burning a hole and summer is here.

mickster

I am the king of almost deals here...patience is well worth it. That car might be a good risk-but get a PPI. It's been on auction 2 times in 2 years-typically it means it has a lot of deferred maintenance (add $5000-7000 to the final price over the first year).

Marine Blue

What years are you focusing on? IMHO you won't find a really nice S4 for $10K unless it has deferred maintenance or questionable history. There are a few that have been lucky but you have to be patient to get the good deals and you have to be ready to move fast.

auzivision

This is the wrong time of year to get a good deal. Demand increases in the summer and so do the prices.

There were some crazy good deals back in November and a few decent deals a recent as April.

I've seen plenty of S4 with fewer than a 100K miles with decent pedigrees sell for less than $10K… automatics that is.

This one might be worth a look:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/cto/1790481346.html

danglerb

Good deal and nice car, will take both patience and luck. Finding it on ebay, only if the seller messes up so that people don't bid, and the car happens to be nicer than assumed, which is maybe double luck.

Forgetting about a good deal, focusing on a nice car at a fair price, and you have a much better chance of getting something sooner rather than later.

auzivision

+1... well said.

Following is another honorable mention. If I were in the market, I'd buy this car if the paint checks out to be good just because it's a rare color. However, it appears to at least been rear ended (wrong bumper cover).

http://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/1762134292.html

To me DIY mechanicals are easier (and cheaper) than DIY cosmetics. Most cars that need paint or interiors aren’t worth the hassle… because they usually also need mechanical work too. I’d rather have a pristine car that needs an engine swap over a reasonably mechanically sound car that needs painted.


Bottom line, probably can't stress enough to buy a good quality example over a low priced needs help car.

Mike Frye

OTOH, if your budget is 10k, you may want to look for a nicer example of an earlier year car.

I agree with pretty much all of the above, but that's allowing for the fact that you've mentioned an S4. If you have $10k 'burning a hole in your pocket', you may do better to look at a nice 86.5. An earlier car in nicer shape right now may be better than a later car that will require that you are either a) very fortunate or b) in for some work to get it up to 100%.

Want to be

Great find Kurt! Wow....i don't want to look anymore after purchasing mine.

jeff spahn

Yep. I got a crazy good deal in November. You'll find yours. Just take your time and get what you want.

jeff spahn

BTW, that one on craigslist doesn't look too bad. If you can live with a car that appears to have been hit in the rear, it could be a good car if the PPI checks out.

Jerry Feather

Based just on what Kurt has shown you in the Chicago area and Southern Arizona, I would suggest that if you don't have a real nice 928 S4 by about next monday, you are probably making a mistake. You can go at either one of these cars with a fine tooth comb and you will miss out on both of them in the process because they are not going to be around long at either asking price, in this market. If it were me, I would take my cash to Arizona in person and get in this guy's face and see what I thought of the car and what kind of deal I could make for the car. Then, I would either drive it home, or if there is an issue with the timing belt, I would arrange from there to ship it home. Or, I woud go there with my truck and trailer and haul it home. How far away from there are you?

Jerry

Landseer

Gotta be a happy medium somewhere regarding risk-taking.

jeff spahn

You nailed it Jerry

danglerb

Once you have bought two or three you do get better at it.

rixter

didn't you just buy the S4 near me?
don't tell me you bailed on it