-
@golgol @paininthe @BrickMan @kboy : have started looking at audi A2s just because. Any specific problems to look for in them? Currently have a couple of 1.4 petrol ones with cruise control lined up for closer inspection. They seem very inexpensive for what they are (were?).
russmeyer-
I keep looking at A2 too. Being all ally means that any repairs to the body work need to be done by someone who knows what they are doing. Have been looking at a few cat c/d cars that need swapping panels for second hand ones as new are astronomical.
http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?4309-Buying-and-owning-an-A2
-
General consensus seemed to be go diesel if longer journeys, go petrol if shorter journeys. They are surprisingly practical - the rear seats can be completely removed which creates quite a big load space. Think I remember reading of someone fitting four 18in alloys with tyres on them in the back. 1-2 bikes should be easily doable.
I've got a 1.4 diesel as most of my driving in it is 40-60 mile trips to clients offices with work. There were a couple specific things I looked out for but in general it was just typical used car stuff - good service history, evidence previous owner didn't scrimp on upkeep (premium matching tyres, advisory items on MOT sorted etc).
Mine is an absolute dog cosmetically - it spent a good majority of its life in London and you can tell - its been keyed, terrible kerbing on the alloys etc. but mechanically its been fine (bar one hiccup I mentioned earlier in this thread).
Specific A2 things that worth thinking about but nothing you won't find on the A2 forum:
- I avoided cars with sunroof (Opensky) as they all tend to go wrong
- Optional bose stereo a nice to have, standard one is terrible especially with the loud diesel lump
- Electric window switches tend to go (my passenger side is intermittent)
- Worth getting a car with all four windows electronically controlled - with just the fronts open it creates quite a thwump, thwump thwump effect and its a hassle opening the rears a smidge to stop this is they are manual winders
- A lot of the soft touch controls rub off - someone in my cars history replaced the climate control with harder wearing buttons
- I wish I'd found a car with adjustable lumbar support. I've got the leather sports seats but they are lacking in this department
Mine only cost £1k but its got mega miles. For what it is I don't think you'd do much better if you are looking for a practical car to get about it at that price point.
- I avoided cars with sunroof (Opensky) as they all tend to go wrong
lynx
golgol
I really like the A2
For petrol get the 1.4, the 1.6 fsi is a pain unless you like taking the head off just to clean the gunk out of the inlet manifold.
The diesel is very good*, just watch for camshaft wear (manifests itself in high oil consumption, just ask the seller how often they put oil in it in a matter of fact way, will get you the answer your looking for bluntly).
*though if a small super economical diesel is what you want, you need the fiat group 1.3 16v JTDm, prob in a panda or an alfa mito (Corsa)