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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  Sure isnt a Honda or Toyota!! - 1997 Audi A4
  By cpr8 - August 15 - 6:44 am

  I bought my A4 used about a year ago, and I have fallen in love! There is no other used car out there that can match the fun to drive, reliability, build quality, or fuel economy for that matter. I can manage around 20-24 around town, and at most 28 on the highway, thats pretty good, considering its a 15 year old car with 215,000 miles on it, with a V6, and Quattro. Like I said, it has 215,000, and it still runs like a dream. The only problem I have had with it is an EGR code always popping up, I went thru the whole EGR system, and couldnt find anything. Turns out it was the filler hose on the gas tank, sense it also leaked when I filled it up.

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  A4 ......my few words........eulogy - 1997 Audi A4
  By a4fan1 - July 23 - 8:02 pm

  I would say I gave my everything to this car, The car absolutely is a blast to drive , excellent winter vehicle and is a head turner. As a loyal audi fanatic , I have poured a great deal of money into the car, but, at 120,000 miles everything just started to go one week after another, I dont think I went 1000 miles between repairs. When no maintinence is needed, its a top notch, safe car, but overall I would say if reliability was a centerpoint for you, not a good bet for a used vehicle.I finally gave in and sold mine after years of ownership. That said I still would buy another one .....want my reason?.........Test drive one :)

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  Expensive repairs - 1997 Audi A4
  By spotmaker - August 12 - 11:30 pm

  Paid about $6200. for the A4 2.8 quattro 6 cylinder. Engine seized about a year later, cost $5,500 to replace with a used 50,000 mile engine. A/C just packed it in, at the tune of $2,200 to fix. Drivers door window falls into door. LEDs on stereo are mostly burned out. Very annoying buzz from rear wheels.

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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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  Very Reliable - 1997 Audi A4
  By cshaner - May 9 - 12:00 am

  I bought this car when it had 125k miles on it and have put 30k on it in two years. The only thing that has needed replacement is the tires. I live in Idaho so I see more snow than most cars do and it handles amazing in any weather.

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  Summary - 1997 Audi A4
  By Turk - March 11 - 4:10 pm

  Here is my two cents after putting 50K on my A4 which I purchased at 120K. Very reliable engine, manual transmission (same OEM clutch at 170K), no major electrical problems. What has failed, cruise control, driver side heated seat, thermostat. I believe overall it is a very reliable car, sensors that I have replaced along the way are just the same on all cars these days, all made by BOSCH and it doesnt make a difference which brand you drive. In terms of interior/exterior design, ergonomics and build quality Audi is never any less than other Germans and maybe much better in some of these areas if not all. The up side is because of its reputation here in USA, you can get them much cheaper!!

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  I love my 1997 Audi A4 - 1997 Audi A4
  By Joy - January 19 - 6:41 pm

  I purchased my Audi in 1996 and drove it every day until I retired in 2002. Its great. Its been 100% reliable. Its a 5 speed stick shift red sedan. I use to put lots of miles on it commuting to work and visiting family 4 hours away. Now my life style has changed and my car is still thrilling to drive. It sits for days when I dont drive it and it still drives like a charm when I use it. Id buy this car again and again and again.

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  Brilliant - 1997 Audi A4
  By AudiFan - September 1 - 5:48 am

  I bought this car after its 11th birthday, It had a very hard life before I bought it. But a bit of TLC took care of that. Even though I spent a lot of money on her, What she ended up costing me in total was still a bargain. I would rather have looked at a newer model if I could afford one, But the fact is it has served me well and will continue to do so.

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  Good Car, Average Reliability - 1997 Audi A4
  By Timlars - March 7 - 9:52 am

  This car worked well, but we had a number of small issues with it. The drivers side window repeatedly slipped off the track, the transmission has been not shifting as crisp as it should. Its a good car if you get on that has been taken care of. Handles well, but there is a lack of power. AWD system works great in MN winters. Would buy this car again, but make sure the timing belt has been changed!!! If it isnt, you can bend a valve and it will be $3000 later before it will be back on the road.