kerby

So for awhile I've had the wagon itch. I have considered most options for wagons I thought about the tsx wagon and decided against the fwd and small 4 cylinder. I looked at Subaru and didn't really feel them, after owning a hawk-eye sti for a couple of years I can say I've had my fill of Subaru but knew an awd system wagon is what I wanted for poor weather and overall daily duties. With not many options for awd wagons and not wanting a subaru I thought of Audi, at first I had wanted to pick up a b5 s4 wagon but after reading up on them and hearing how unreliable they are no matter how much effort and money is put into them I ruled them out. So naturally I think to buy the next in line the b7 with an awesome 4.2 v8 most people would be sold, but the flaw for that motor is timing chain and having to replace it costing several thousands . Feeling defeated by Audi terrible engineering and flawed vehicles I came across a wagon I didn't know I was looking for that seems like the best of both worlds, a c5 s6 wagon, it looks similar to the b5 s4 but has a timing BELT over the chain driven 4.2 v8. So I guess my questions for previous Audi owners, is the timing belt 4.2 v8 as problematic as the chain one? And would it be worth trying to find this semi rare wagon: the price range seems to be between 8k-12k between 100k-150k miles. Has anyone here owned a c5 s6 that could give me some insight to it? Any advice is much appreciated by me and look forward to hearing from you guys.

windhund116

Co-worker bought and restored a 1982 Mercedes 300-TD station wagon. It cost him $2500. Think it had 75K miles on it. It needed the paint buffed out, the interior cleaned, new rugs --- only cosmetics --- drivetrain is solid. That damn thing is a tank (in the good sense)! Rock solid. Funny thing is he is in his mid 30s. Some of this generation are going back to old-school reliability.

He drives it daily to work, on long vacation trips during the summer, up to Tahoe to ski, everywhere. Very, very reliable --- though not the most sexiest car.

mosesbotbol

Buddy had an '03 A8. Just paid the car off when it hit 80K miles took the best care of his car. Transmission failed, figured since it was paid for, why not spend like 5k on a new transmission??? Installs new transmission, which a ton of it was labor and then engine blows up like 500 miles later. Car ends up being worth like 4K and is brand new looking inside and out...

Saki GT

A 2000-2004 Audi is something I would be gunshy about - it seems that Audis during this period were just generally poorly engineered for some reason, and all have a fatal flaw. After 2008? Sure, I'd buy one, but your vintage? Not so sure..

If I wanted a wagon and I was looking at older vehicles, I think I'd look at an older 5-Series BMW wagon or a good old V70. Maybe a Saab, which is probably just as much a roll of the dice as an Audi..

mosesbotbol

I've always like the Mercedes E Class wagons and they hold their value really well. Volvo and Saab if you into FWD. Acura has one in a wagon that sharp but is pretty rare and might be on the small side.

sam_spider

The older 5 and E class wagons have air ride in the rear and they're expensive when they break. Pretty much any European car that's 10+ year old is going to require maintenance, so if you can't afford (or aren't willing)to do it, look elsewhere.

Volvo V70 is a good option, especially if you can find an R variant.

mosesbotbol

One company https://www.arnottindustries.com sell a rebuild kit for Jag's that I think is around $400 a corner. Maybe they sell kits for other marques too?

kerby

Yeah I guess I was wondering if the belt driven 4.2 v8 that comes in the 02 s6 is as bad as other audi cars

mosesbotbol

Just don't buy an old Audi, no matter which model... They're good cars to lease new and that's about it...

sam_spider

I've had quite a few Audi's and they've been trouble-free. Buying an older car will require maintenance, that's just the way it is. Stay on top of it and it'll be fine.