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My search for a car seems never ending, but I think things are coming to a close soon as my finances are now pretty much sorted and I'm actually in a position to buy.

It is clearly not a good time to sell right now, what with Christmas coming up and from previous experience selling, this is a slump which lasts through to the spring. It just happens to be particularly bad at this very moment, cars seem to have been sitting on Autotrader for weeks.

Now my budget is flexible based on the final spec of the car, the key factor is that the price is right, soI don't mind if I buy an older car as long as it is reflected in the price.

A few forum members have already offered me their cars and on Autotrader there is some wheat amongst the chaff. Given the flexibility I am allowing myself over age and spec I think I have found around 7-8 cars to choose from.

What are your experiences of buying second hand and how much have you found you have been able to negotiate off the asking prices. I think private buyers would have more flexibility because they don't have a set margin they need to make, but do you think there would be much room to maneouvre at a dealer?

Hello Tricky, I've just bought an S4 (on 13th Dec) and you're damn right with the wheat and the chaff theory, even more so on such a hard to get hold of kind of motor. Mine is on an S plate (1999) standard, I'm the 3rd owner (would have preferred to have been the second), low miles (57k) full Audi service history with all receipts and extras like leather, BOSE and heated seats.

The car was up for £11k which to be honest was cheap in it's own right as I've seen some 90k motors up at the £12,500+ mark. Anyway, a bit of too'ing and fro'ing and I took it away for £10,250 which I'm more than happy about. I've always bought second hand cars from a private vendor as personally I prefer to look at the bloke who's selling, see what his house is like, see if he knows his stuff etc and then knock down the price. Don't be scared to offer a daft amount at first - you can always increase the offer. Nor should you be worried about buying this kind of car from a private vendor, I've had M3 Evo's all privately (maybe I'm just lucky?) and never with any hiccups (watch the sump fall off the S4 this weekend now!)

There does seem to be one car that stands out on Autotrader. The chap is up in the Lake District, one owner, 59k, azure blue (i think?) with a few extras up at £10,250. I was supposed to go and have a look at it but apparently he'd sold it (this was some weeks back). He must have not completed the deal as it's back on. It had all the ticks in all the boxes, Audi serv hist etc... Surely he'd snap your hand off for £10k??

Better buying 2000 on due to the extensive mods and better dash. Stick to low milers cos cambelt change looming at 70000,best get water pump changed for modded version along with the tensioner and all rollers.
Seen lots go ping, change it early if poss. Big bucks, but not as much as new engine when they pop.
Sold mine for just over 13000 in the end.

Hmmm, I was going to go and check this car out, but you're putting me off it...

what are the differences in the dash and the other mods?