Overview & Reviews

A cheaper Audi A4 1.8T debuts, featuring a 150-horsepower, 20-valve, turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine and a base price in the low 20s. The 2.8 gains a revised deck lid and expanded central locking features. All models have new cloth upholstery, and the console and armrests are trimmed with the same fabric as the seats. Three new colors debut for 1997.

• Artful bodywork, outstanding handling, luxurious interior, optional Quattro all-wheel drive system, bargain price

• Rear leg room, fussy stereo controls, suspension float

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 60.00

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  Should have sold it. - 1997 Audi A4
  By M - March 24 - 5:59 pm

  This review is cathartic because who cares about this car anymore. Up until 45-50K it was okay as far as maintenance and repairs are concerned. After that look out. Its like a bad marriage you hope and deceive yourself into believing it will get better..and it doesnt. I could have bought another car with the amount of money spent on repairs. Its not just the cost but the repeated occurrences. The dealerships are horrible and AUDI USA is even worse. I will never again own an Audi unless its given to me, because then the cost of repairs will be like I purchased it. It shouldnt cost me the price of 2 cars to own one.

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  Ill never buy an Audi again. Stay away. - 1997 Audi A4
  By Charlie - June 9 - 9:26 am

  I bought this car mainly because of the look. I still love the look. Its too bad the rest of the car doesnt hold up. These cars are finicky. If you dont use synthetic oil you are asking for trouble. My car is dead after 150k miles due to oil sludge - which is sad for a car built in the 90s. I gave it regular 3k oil changes, but I used normal oil. Thats only part of the problem. This car was in the garage every 6 months for this, that and the other. Expensive suspension failures, Cat converters going out, water pump, cracked fluid reservoirs, valve gasket leak, etc., etc., etc. Come on Audi - have some pride.

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  Poor quality car - 1997 Audi A4
  By Edwin - July 19 - 12:48 am

  Like our Audi A6, the A4 is very unreliable after 50K miles. In the last 11 months we have paid over $4K in repairs (engine 3x, ignition key). They are fun to drive, but with such an unreliable nature and high-maintenance cost, they are not very attractive cars any longer.

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  Must be Wealthy - 1997 Audi A4
  By Ammad - November 12 - 2:12 pm

  Bought my Audi A4 1.8T in 2000. The car was great, and it is so much fun to drive. It is a pleasure to drive in the snow. However, some how after 50,000 miles or so. I started hearing some rattling. The dealerhips have no customer service, and they are really rude. They charge you thousands of dollars for parts and labor charges that sometimes are more expensive than the super expensive parts. Then you get electrical problems that cost $1,500 each to fix. Be prepared to spend a lot of money in maintaining this car. And even then sometimes I think was it worth it? Right now going between a G35 or a new A4.

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  not impressed - 1997 Audi A4
  By 1997audi - March 28 - 2:00 am

  the worst 33 thousand ive ever spent on a new car. it may be fun to drive by the costs of repairs alone will burn a serious hole in your wallet.

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  Buy it if you know how to fix it.... - 1997 Audi A4
  By maliguinem - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Audi is a very fun car to have. I love my Audi but be prepared to pay big$$$ once you hit over 50K. I am spending about $2000 /year on repairs and I will be selling it as soon as it gets fixed again... hope it helps.

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  Control Arms - 1997 Audi A4
  By jdoezema - August 19 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle was okay until 90,000 miles when it started to have front end problems. The control arms of which there are 8 cost around $3200 to fix. Also, the suspension is costly to get fixed.

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  Ouch! - 1997 Audi A4
  By SM - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Talk about everything going wrong... Too numerous to tell - Lets just say my wallet is considerably lighter now! I bought this car because it was supposed to be reliable - many years ago at least. It turned out completely unreliable.

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  Lease a new Audi not a new one - 1997 Audi A4
  By cjhaar - May 28 - 2:00 am

  I was very excited to get this car at first. For the first year and a half I loved it then things went horribly wrong. Even though the car was "Audi Assured" the oil pump went out because it was not maintained properly before I got it. Thus causing the oil pump, turbo (twice), cam, and head to fail totalling $7K in repairs. Plus the dealer I took it to, Jordan Motors in Des Moines Iowa took over a month to fix it. Then I got in to a small collision and it was over $6K just to fix it. Dont buy this car or any car from them unless you can get it fixed for free. Even then dont buy anything from them.

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  Beware of Timing Belt Nightmare!!! - 1997 Audi A4
  By badaudi - May 27 - 2:00 am

  I was so excited to purchase my Audi. Now, I cant wait to sell it ASAP. I have had very expensive repairs, extensive headaches, and extraordinary POOR customer service. I specifically asked if timing belt should be changed at 60,000 miles. I was told "NO, manual states 90,000." I was driving 70mph and my timing belt completely blew at 61,000 miles and I almost lost my life when the car stopped suddenly. Audi refuses to assist in any way (or show concern), even though the part was found to be, essentially, defective. Very expensive repair. Buyer Beware! I have been contacted about a pending class action lawsuit for this.