Overview & Reviews

All new, the A4 replaces the compact 90. This car performs better than the lackluster 90, and features a full load of standard features. Plus, it's drop-dead gorgeous. For the first time, a five-speed automatic transmission is available with the optional Quattro all-wheel-drive system.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 43.00

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  Worth It - 1996 Audi A4
  By kyley1 - December 26 - 9:43 pm

  Ive had my 1996 A4 Quattro for about a year and a half now, and i love this car. Its very entertaining to drive, the 5spd shifts so smoothly and the all wheel drive makes the car feel solid and stable no matter what conditions youre driving in. My car has been very reliable lately, but when things break, youre gonna feel it. I shelled out 700 dollars to fix an oil leak, just because of the awkward design of the engine. If you find a well maintained one, go for it because you wont regret it. But be very strict on your initial inspection of the vehicle.

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  Repairs! Repairs! Repairs! - 1996 Audi A4
  By lovesit22 - April 24 - 11:22 pm

  I dont know if the prior owner just ran the car down, but Ive had to replace the heater core, two oil pans, and $3000 of other repairs I couldnt even remember. I love how the car looks and drives, the interior is so nice, but dumb things break. Like the sunroof went out and the vents broke, just little things but they add up. Im hoping to get a newer Audi and not have as many problems! But its great in the snow!

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  Love my Audi - 1996 Audi A4
  By jteen55 - March 31 - 12:02 am

  I bought my A4 at 201,000 and it runs like a dream. After a few simple maintenance repairs (oil change and new battery) it quickly became the car of my dreams. Every now and then it likes to act up, but I chalk that up to its quirky personality. I wouldnt trade my 96 A4 for my friends 95 A6 if you paid me. For me my car is absolutely perfect and amazing. I cannot sing higher praises to my car. I love it.

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  Great Car but Expensive to Maintain - 1996 Audi A4
  By mthomaslawrence - October 22 - 4:47 pm

  I do appreciate the bulletproof reliability of Honda (Acura) and Toyota (Lexus), but the driving experience does not even come close to that of a good German sedan such as Audi or BMW. If you are looking for strictly gas mileage and reliability, those cars are the way to go. But when you compare the feel of a Acura TL, for example, to an Audi A4 of the same year and price, the Audi is more solid and refined. In other words, the car has character. The Audi is the older, more mature brother, solid and stable without trying to be. Just like all the finer things in life though, it comes at a price. That price is maintenance costs that would most likely triple that of your average Japanese car.

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  Good, if you can find a maintained one - 1996 Audi A4
  By J Wood - May 21 - 1:53 am

  I bought this from a good friend of mine. There were all the service records from new until 89k when I got it. Now at 107k I have replaced the cat converters ($100 - I got universal ones - they work FINE!), the alternator ($165), and the plugs and wires ($130). Thats it as far as maintenance. Now, if you want to keep this car affordable do the easy stuff yourself! Taking it to the dealer is a horrible idea - theres nothing magical about an Audi. I have spent hundreds more in extra modifications, but they werent necessary -) If I could do it over again though I would get a 1.8t or the 30v 2.8 (98 and up). The 12v in the 96 and 97, while reliable, is pretty slow.

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  Awesome car - 1996 Audi A4
  By whtbowtie - February 4 - 11:45 pm

  If youre reading this you were in my shoes, I bought my Audi with 107k and it was awesome from day one, precision turning car felt secure to the road. All parts are expensive, I put 15000 miles on my car in the last year and I would recommend this car to everyone. But be sure to test everything before you decide to buy-> ALL ELECTRICAL, lights, wipers, windows, climate control and watch for the air bag lights. My only problem with the car was the brakes, Audi/VW has a problem with air in the ABS pump, if you get air in there you end up with locked up brakes only when you go into antilock. Something to test when you test drive the car. Quattro = never getting stuck.

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  OVER 160K AND THE CAR JUST WONT DIE - 1996 Audi A4
  By Tom Cannone - April 16 - 11:05 am

  I loved the style of the A4, smaller then the A6, its a little more nimble then the bigger Audi cars in the line up. I have a limited GOLD package that was offered in 3 different colors only, black, green, and white. This car has just about every option available, heated leather seats, sunroof, BOSE audio, QUATTRO, ski bag, heated washer nozzles, alloy rims, everything! Plus a nice slick shifting 5spd to add to the fun. The car has 166k and the damn thing just wont give up, the engine hums and the famed AWD is near flawless in any weather condition, luxury, style, and class appeal are very noticable in this car, not to mention its made for all year round weather. Id buy another 10 audi/vws

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  Automobile Work of Heart - 1996 Audi A4
  By ryancp85 - June 10 - 3:03 pm

  This Audi is a gem to look at from every angle. Looks better than the 96 3 series and the 02 A4. Quattro gives snow days a blast and you can do all sorts of tricks in the snow. Before purchasing this, I would find a friendly mechanic who can work on Audis. Dont bother taking it to a dealer and only bring it there for only changes and minor work.

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  Fun & Style - 1996 Audi A4
  By Ryan - February 14 - 12:21 am

  Lead: Never Follow. Thats truly what Audi is all about. My lil yellow rocket has so much in such a compact car. The 172HP V6 has plenty of get-up and go and has excellent handling and still a very smooth ride. Of course there is the fear of german cars, but I myself have not had many problems with mine. Other than basic maintenance, Ive never had a problem. With 124,000 miles, this engine has plenty left too. And with the 1996 worth a measly $5-$6k, you can get style, comfort, and performance at a great price. And with Quattro, you cant co wrong. It adds versatility to the list as well. Overall, I would highly recommend this car to anyone, young or old.

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  Fun to Drive but maintainance high - 1996 Audi A4
  By lawoody - October 27 - 2:00 am

  My car is the FWD 2.8 with 5 spd. auto. The car is very smooth to drive and steers nicely. Strong brakes but the engine isnt the strongest. Great for long drives. Maintanance is costly compared to a honda/toyota/nissan but not out of line. Engine consumes zero oil at 65K. MPG is 23 mix or 27 highway. Some electrical glitches but nothing major.