:plac: finds v2.0: Moar gold on the crangslist

[D Griff]

Been watching this S4 and man... tempting https://carsandbids.com/auctions/92oVg2 ... ref=lr_1_2

Curious to see what it goes for and contemplating throwing in a bid. This would be an epic ride for $10-15K.

[max225]

October 2023 (85,135 miles): Water pump replaced, multipoint inspection performed
February 2022 (75,251 miles): 75,000-mile service performed, alignment performed, multipoint inspection performed, front driveshaft outer boot replaced, rear shocks replaced
November 2021: Clutch and flywheel kit purchased
May 2021 (44,283 miles): Rear main seal replaced, engine speed sensor replaced, multipoint inspection performed, key fob battery replaced
The attached Carfax history report indicates the following services have been completed:

October 2024 (87,075 miles): Maintenance inspection completed
January 2023 (80,926 miles): Control arm(s) replaced, CV boot(s) replaced, four-wheel alignment performed, front brake pads replaced, hood prop rod replaced, oil and filter changed
December 2021 (73,801 miles): Engine mount(s) replaced, oil and filter changed, transmission fluid changed
January 2021 (67,331 miles): front brake rotor(s) and pads replaced, rear brake pads replaced, noise checked, oil and filter changed


This history is fairly wild …

Something weird about the mileage during the rear main in seal in may

[D Griff]

October 2023 (85,135 miles): Water pump replaced, multipoint inspection performed
February 2022 (75,251 miles): 75,000-mile service performed, alignment performed, multipoint inspection performed, front driveshaft outer boot replaced, rear shocks replaced
November 2021: Clutch and flywheel kit purchased
May 2021 (44,283 miles): Rear main seal replaced, engine speed sensor replaced, multipoint inspection performed, key fob battery replaced
The attached Carfax history report indicates the following services have been completed:

October 2024 (87,075 miles): Maintenance inspection completed
January 2023 (80,926 miles): Control arm(s) replaced, CV boot(s) replaced, four-wheel alignment performed, front brake pads replaced, hood prop rod replaced, oil and filter changed
December 2021 (73,801 miles): Engine mount(s) replaced, oil and filter changed, transmission fluid changed
January 2021 (67,331 miles): front brake rotor(s) and pads replaced, rear brake pads replaced, noise checked, oil and filter changed


This history is fairly wild …

Something weird about the mileage during the rear main in seal in may

Old Audis will have old Audi problems... the mileage discrepancy is weird, seems like just a typo by a dingus though.

it's tempting to me but I think a ten year old Audi will have some problems. If bought for not much money I would be OK with dumping some in as things happen.

A newer STI is probably a better buy - far less depreciation and far less to deal with.

[max225]

October 2023 (85,135 miles): Water pump replaced, multipoint inspection performed
February 2022 (75,251 miles): 75,000-mile service performed, alignment performed, multipoint inspection performed, front driveshaft outer boot replaced, rear shocks replaced
November 2021: Clutch and flywheel kit purchased
May 2021 (44,283 miles): Rear main seal replaced, engine speed sensor replaced, multipoint inspection performed, key fob battery replaced
The attached Carfax history report indicates the following services have been completed:

October 2024 (87,075 miles): Maintenance inspection completed
January 2023 (80,926 miles): Control arm(s) replaced, CV boot(s) replaced, four-wheel alignment performed, front brake pads replaced, hood prop rod replaced, oil and filter changed
December 2021 (73,801 miles): Engine mount(s) replaced, oil and filter changed, transmission fluid changed
January 2021 (67,331 miles): front brake rotor(s) and pads replaced, rear brake pads replaced, noise checked, oil and filter changed


This history is fairly wild …

Something weird about the mileage during the rear main in seal in may

Old Audis will have old Audi problems... the mileage discrepancy is weird, seems like just a typo by a dingus though.

it's tempting to me but I think a ten year old Audi will have some problems. If bought for not much money I would be OK with dumping some in as things happen.

A newer STI is probably a better buy - far less depreciation and far less to deal with.

It looks looks to be $3000 a year in maintenance... starting in 2021... possibly 5000-6000 if you don't have a good indie. That's not insignificant and shockingly consistent.

[Johnny_P]

October 2023 (85,135 miles): Water pump replaced, multipoint inspection performed
February 2022 (75,251 miles): 75,000-mile service performed, alignment performed, multipoint inspection performed, front driveshaft outer boot replaced, rear shocks replaced
November 2021: Clutch and flywheel kit purchased
May 2021 (44,283 miles): Rear main seal replaced, engine speed sensor replaced, multipoint inspection performed, key fob battery replaced
The attached Carfax history report indicates the following services have been completed:

October 2024 (87,075 miles): Maintenance inspection completed
January 2023 (80,926 miles): Control arm(s) replaced, CV boot(s) replaced, four-wheel alignment performed, front brake pads replaced, hood prop rod replaced, oil and filter changed
December 2021 (73,801 miles): Engine mount(s) replaced, oil and filter changed, transmission fluid changed
January 2021 (67,331 miles): front brake rotor(s) and pads replaced, rear brake pads replaced, noise checked, oil and filter changed


This history is fairly wild …

Something weird about the mileage during the rear main in seal in may

Id say this is consistent with about 75% of Audis I’ve seen. Although around me you’ll also see a lot of damaged/repaired wheels, premature tire replacements, etc.

[D Griff]

Old Audis will have old Audi problems... the mileage discrepancy is weird, seems like just a typo by a dingus though.

it's tempting to me but I think a ten year old Audi will have some problems. If bought for not much money I would be OK with dumping some in as things happen.

A newer STI is probably a better buy - far less depreciation and far less to deal with.

It looks looks to be $3000 a year in maintenance... starting in 2021... possibly 5000-6000 if you don't have a good indie. That's not insignificant and shockingly consistent.

Yeah, the cost of ownershit is high, especially when you consider the value floor is like $2500.

I think from a perspective, Civic Si is pretty epic. Reliable, cheap to buy new, used with 25K miles is still worth MSRP apparently. I could buy one and own it until 2030 for next to nothing.

[Gberg2119]

It looks looks to be $3000 a year in maintenance... starting in 2021... possibly 5000-6000 if you don't have a good indie. That's not insignificant and shockingly consistent.

Yeah, the cost of ownershit is high, especially when you consider the value floor is like $2500.

I think from a perspective, Civic Si is pretty epic. Reliable, cheap to buy new, used with 25K miles is still worth MSRP apparently. I could buy one and own it until 2030 for next to nothing.

BUT is a 1.5T really that exciting?

[max225]

It looks looks to be $3000 a year in maintenance... starting in 2021... possibly 5000-6000 if you don't have a good indie. That's not insignificant and shockingly consistent.

Yeah, the cost of ownershit is high, especially when you consider the value floor is like $2500.

I think from a perspective, Civic Si is pretty epic. Reliable, cheap to buy new, used with 25K miles is still worth MSRP apparently. I could buy one and own it until 2030 for next to nothing.

Yep. That’s right. If you’re ok with that motor there is almost nothing that comes close to the value prop.

Elantra N and GTI are 30% faster but that comes at the cost of depreciation

[max225]

Yeah, the cost of ownershit is high, especially when you consider the value floor is like $2500.

I think from a perspective, Civic Si is pretty epic. Reliable, cheap to buy new, used with 25K miles is still worth MSRP apparently. I could buy one and own it until 2030 for next to nothing.

BUT is a 1.5T really that exciting?

Yea that 1.5T is pretty atrocious… from that perspective. You’d peg it at redline to be outrun by the average van

[Johnny_P]

I dunno a close ratio manual and scoots to 60 under 7 seconds seems dece to me. I never felt my MK6 GTI was slow or needed more power - this is similar. Actually kind of fun because you can rip through 3 gears without going to jail.

The 1.5T with the CVT combo was pretty off putting though.

[D Griff]

Yeah, the cost of ownershit is high, especially when you consider the value floor is like $2500.

I think from a perspective, Civic Si is pretty epic. Reliable, cheap to buy new, used with 25K miles is still worth MSRP apparently. I could buy one and own it until 2030 for next to nothing.

BUT is a 1.5T really that exciting?

Exciting? Def no, but I think JP's points are also valid, it is adequate and allows ripping through gears, similar to some of the fun an 86 offers.

[max225]

I dunno a close ratio manual and scoots to 60 under 7 seconds seems dece to me. I never felt my MK6 GTI was slow or needed more power - this is similar. Actually kind of fun because you can rip through 3 gears without going to jail.

The 1.5T with the CVT combo was pretty off putting though.

Yea the point is it’s not 1995 anymore. Which is when 0-60 in 7 seconds would have been ok. The GTI
Traps at almost 10 mph more than the shitvic and almost 2 seconds faster … The performance gap or lack of straight line speed in the civic is real

[Johnny_P]

I dunno a close ratio manual and scoots to 60 under 7 seconds seems dece to me. I never felt my MK6 GTI was slow or needed more power - this is similar. Actually kind of fun because you can rip through 3 gears without going to jail.

The 1.5T with the CVT combo was pretty off putting though.

Yea the point is it’s not 1995 anymore. Which is when 0-60 in 7 seconds would have been ok. The GTI
Traps at almost 10 mph more than the shitvic and almost 2 seconds faster … The performance gap or lack of straight line speed in the civic is real

Im not disagreeing that it’s slower than the competition. But if it’s geared right it could be more fun in normal driving than the GTI which every review has said the manual sucks and is geared way too tall.

[max225]

Yea the point is it’s not 1995 anymore. Which is when 0-60 in 7 seconds would have been ok. The GTI
Traps at almost 10 mph more than the shitvic and almost 2 seconds faster … The performance gap or lack of straight line speed in the civic is real

Im not disagreeing that it’s slower than the competition. But if it’s geared right it could be more fun in normal driving than the GTI which every review has said the manual sucks and is geared way too tall.

Link me plz. I heard the complaints mainly here not in reviews i have watched. I personally don’t find them to be valid. The while not top tear isn’t bad. Main issue is lack of rev match and manual hand brake imo

[Johnny_P]

Im not disagreeing that it’s slower than the competition. But if it’s geared right it could be more fun in normal driving than the GTI which every review has said the manual sucks and is geared way too tall.

Link me plz. I heard the complaints mainly here not in reviews i have watched. I personally don’t find them to be valid. The while not top tear isn’t bad. Main issue is lack of rev match and manual hand brake imo

Savagegeese on YouTube was pretty adamant about that in his last GTI review.

Motor trend recently admitted they don’t care that the 2025 has no manual.
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2025 ... ive-review

[D Griff]

Link me plz. I heard the complaints mainly here not in reviews i have watched. I personally don’t find them to be valid. The while not top tear isn’t bad. Main issue is lack of rev match and manual hand brake imo

Savagegeese on YouTube was pretty adamant about that in his last GTI review.

Motor trend recently admitted they don’t care that the 2025 has no manual.
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2025 ... ive-review

Also... I've driven a bunch of GTIs and Civics. I've owned both. Civics have way better manuals than GTIs, this has been true since at least the mid 90s, I haven't driven earlier ones. Also, Japanese cars in general just have better manuals than Euro cars do.

BMWs have some of the worst, VW is typically a little better IMO, but still not top notch.

[max225]

Savagegeese on YouTube was pretty adamant about that in his last GTI review.

Motor trend recently admitted they don’t care that the 2025 has no manual.
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2025 ... ive-review

Also... I've driven a bunch of GTIs and Civics. I've owned both. Civics have way better manuals than GTIs, this has been true since at least the mid 90s, I haven't driven earlier ones. Also, Japanese cars in general just have better manuals than Euro cars do.

BMWs have some of the worst, VW is typically a little better IMO, but still not top notch.

I don’t think the point of the gti having a worse manual than the civic was contested. More like the gti having a “bad one”

[Melon2.0]

Both transmissions are good, manual or DSG.
I'd lean manual just because it's going away.

[Gberg2119]

Im not disagreeing that it’s slower than the competition. But if it’s geared right it could be more fun in normal driving than the GTI which every review has said the manual sucks and is geared way too tall.

Link me plz. I heard the complaints mainly here not in reviews i have watched. I personally don’t find them to be valid. The while not top tear isn’t bad. Main issue is lack of rev match and manual hand brake imo

IF you end up with a GTI, buy the dieselgeek shifter too. Seriously. 10/10 mod.

I should have bought one years ago in my days and I would've transferred it to every VW after.

[CaleDeRoo]

Been watching this S4 and man... tempting https://carsandbids.com/auctions/92oVg2 ... ref=lr_1_2

Curious to see what it goes for and contemplating throwing in a bid. This would be an epic ride for $10-15K.

You really want the sport diff unless you get one so cheap you can't be choosey

[SAWCE]

Link me plz. I heard the complaints mainly here not in reviews i have watched. I personally don’t find them to be valid. The while not top tear isn’t bad. Main issue is lack of rev match and manual hand brake imo

IF you end up with a GTI, buy the dieselgeek shifter too. Seriously. 10/10 mod.

I should have bought one years ago in my days and I would've transferred it to every VW after.

100% my favorite thing I did to my GTI.

I’ve been looking at CravenSpeed’s shirt shifter for the Mini. Would love if Dieselgeek made one for this car.

[golftdibrad1]

IF you end up with a GTI, buy the dieselgeek shifter too. Seriously. 10/10 mod.

I should have bought one years ago in my days and I would've transferred it to every VW after.

100% my favorite thing I did to my GTI.

I’ve been looking at CravenSpeed’s shirt shifter for the Mini. Would love if Dieselgeek made one for this car.

I'm so OG I getting a dieselgeek short shifter for my mk4 tdi. He only sold things for diesels, and got into other makes models because the cheap ish OEM+ upgrade of using a TT shifter only shortened the up and down 1-2, 3-4, 5 throw but not side to side; felt funny and asymmetrical. So you would order the kit that was modded OEM parts to shorten everything, and send yours back as a core to be made into more.

https://web.archive.org/web/20040205004 ... 4NB_SS.htm

[SAWCE]

100% my favorite thing I did to my GTI.

I’ve been looking at CravenSpeed’s shirt shifter for the Mini. Would love if Dieselgeek made one for this car.

I'm so OG I getting a dieselgeek short shifter for my mk4 tdi. He only sold things for diesels, and got into other makes models because the cheap ish OEM+ upgrade of using a TT shifter only shortened the up and down 1-2, 3-4, 5 throw but not side to side; felt funny and asymmetrical. So you would order the kit that was modded OEM parts to shorten everything, and send yours back as a core to be made into more.

https://web.archive.org/web/20040205004 ... 4NB_SS.htm

I worked with a guy who was an old VW head and he turned me on to them when I bought mine. Helped me install it and their skid plate on my GTI as my first mods. He was a cool dude. Had an older (I think MKIV) Passat wagon that he had rebadged as a Seat or Skoda. Hope he’s doing well. I should try to find him on the facebooks and say hi.

[Gberg2119]

100% my favorite thing I did to my GTI.

I’ve been looking at CravenSpeed’s shirt shifter for the Mini. Would love if Dieselgeek made one for this car.

I'm so OG I getting a dieselgeek short shifter for my mk4 tdi. He only sold things for diesels, and got into other makes models because the cheap ish OEM+ upgrade of using a TT shifter only shortened the up and down 1-2, 3-4, 5 throw but not side to side; felt funny and asymmetrical. So you would order the kit that was modded OEM parts to shorten everything, and send yours back as a core to be made into more.

https://web.archive.org/web/20040205004 ... 4NB_SS.htm

The DAP shifter does side to side as well. Maybe the older cars needed side to side but I felt like the current sigma six is perfect.

[max225]

I diesel geek... being all the rage. I also it being kind of finicky to install with the removal of the battery tray being necessary.