2005 Audi A4 from North America - Comments

- Throttle body had to be replaced at 54,000 miles.

- Transmission control module had to be replaced at 60,000 miles.

- Coolant leak at 60,000 miles.

- Gasket leak at 72,000 miles.

- Fuel pump replaced at 72,000 miles.

- Timing belt replaced at 80,000 miles.

That is a grand total of $6,000 (approx.) in random repairs to this car!

I fell in love with this car when I bought it. It was cute, and according to Consumer Reports it was a reliable car. Wrong! After I realized something was wrong with the car I started reading forum posts and realized I had made a mistake. They were all about transmission issues and timing belt replacements. I guess that is what I get for not doing my research beforehand.

The car is still in perfect condition to the average eye. I have a small dent on the back passenger side fender, but other than that it looks new on the outside. Inside it still smells new! I have people comment on that all the time. The black leather is something Audi actually got right. It stays in great condition and is beautiful. I kept up with regular maintenance and had a tune up done at 70,000, which is when I found out about the gasket leak.

Now I just want to get out from under this problem car and into something more reliable. One problem, I am upside down and out of cash... thanks to my A4. I'll definitely go for a Honda or Toyota... great reputation and low maintenance costs, if something does go wrong.

So if you enjoy driving a rental or going without your car, and you would rather spend your savings on repairing your car, rather than a vacation... Go with Audi!! I have been contemplating hanging out at the Audi dealership and telling their innocent potential customers not to buy an Audi!

Even Hondas & Toyotas cost way too much to fix when they break (and being machines, they do sometimes break).

On the average, it is reliable. I've had five Audis, and save for some minor problems (they were all second hand), never gave me a headache. You will always find the odd few which drive the averages down.

Have you done a bit of research lately? Check on transmissions for V6 Hondas and Acuras, sludging problems on Toyota Siennas, among others. The age of the modern car has dawned: all too complicated, very, very expensive to fix.