Dilemma Time

mac911rs4

Member
Hi All, hope this post finds all safe and well during these sad and also mad times.....

Dilemma and thought I'd ask for comments prior to making a decision.

Purchased a fantastic 2001 (AUA) A2 1.4SE a good few years back and joined the forum immediately. Sold the basic alloys and purchased 17" 'RS Style'" alloys from Jeremy to lift it's look. It was a gift for our son for when he passed his driving test........So, said son has had no interest in driving after his lessons, not even bothering to take a test, so it's been my wife and I little runaround since it's purchase in 2017. Think it's mileage is now around 88k with full service history, albeit specialists from two garages in it's life, so very well maintained. It's silver, has working OSS (although Timmus said it should open slightly further than it does), Timmus fitted us RNSE so we had full sat Nav and upgraded music etc (sounds superb), managed to source factory Audi Bluetooth and Parking sensors which Timmus kindly fitted along with comfort lighting function. Car has factory front and rear elec windows, fully charged air-con, none of the buttons in the car showing any wear, false floor in rear with space saver, brand new battery this year with 5 year warranty, 4 seater in light grey textured fabric (maybe called platinum) looks pretty much as new. Had new brakes, belt and pump soon as we purchased it along with a gearbox rebuild last year through VAS in Hextable, Kent, who have looked after the car since our ownership, regardless of cost. We are the 3rd owners...strange history I have to admit, or spooky.....Was purchased new at Leeds Audi for a teen for when they passed their test....They didn't pass and was sold back to Audi Leeds. Purchased by a lady as her daily and was with her pretty much since new, then us. Contacted the garage who'd maintained the car whilst in her ownership and they confirmed it has been maintained with no expense spared, so I guess we got lucky, but maybe just not right for our son?...and have continued this ourselves hoping our son may change his mind. Now at Uni, he's still no interest in driving which we understand, but we're just not making enough use of the car as we have cars of our own. I know it's cheap to run etc, having multi car policy, it only costs me £125 a year full comp, but is it really worth keeping? I'd love to say yes, but honestly think I'd be better off trying to sell privately instead of wasting it and maybe using it when the next scrapple scheme comes in, which is a total con, more so as the cars perfect in every way...although, not wishing to Jinx anything, our daughter may take to driving in another 2 years time.

So, should I sell or keep, knowing it's just not getting enough use? It is in seriously superb condition .... .if it does go up, anyone know of anyone who would may have some interest? Part of me does say keep, as it's a stunning little car......

Any comments appreciated, thanks in advance, Mark.
 

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Selling it or keeping it is a very personal choice. If you thinking of selling it I'd try here first, as selling a car privately these days can be quite a miserable experience as recently discussed here.
More photos, interior included, would help determine if your asking price is fair.
 
Mac, the 'sell or keep' dilemma is a valid question but I've edited to remove the 'what's it worth' aspect, as we can't support any fishing for offers, even if that's not what you intended. Thanks for your understanding.

In your shoes I'd keep it at least for your daughter to have the option on, if you have the space and don't need the money urgently, and use it from time to time to keep it alive. With the market the way it is at the moment, a known good one with a good history will likely be worth more to you than you could sell it for, even to a fellow enthusiast. But if you do decide to sell we'd be happy to see it in the Market when you decide on a price.
 
If you love the little car why not keep it as a Sunday run around. A2 prices appear to be on the rise at the moment so maybe a good investment and a worthwhile hobby.
 
This thread has been approved again - but please could we keep any valuation figures for this particular car out of the discussion, thank you ladies and gents ?
 
Hi All, hope this post finds all safe and well during these sad and also mad times.....

Dilemma and thought I'd ask for comments prior to making a decision.

Purchased a fantastic 2001 (AUA) A2 1.4SE a good few years back and joined the forum immediately. Sold the basic alloys and purchased 17" 'RS Style'" alloys from Jeremy to lift it's look. It was a gift for our son for when he passed his driving test........So, said son has had no interest in driving after his lessons, not even bothering to take a test, so it's been my wife and I little runaround since it's purchase in 2017. Think it's mileage is now around 88k with full service history, albeit specialists from two garages in it's life, so very well maintained. It's silver, has working OSS (although Timmus said it should open slightly further than it does), Timmus fitted us RNSE so we had full sat Nav and upgraded music etc (sounds superb), managed to source factory Audi Bluetooth and Parking sensors which Timmus kindly fitted along with comfort lighting function. Car has factory front and rear elec windows, fully charged air-con, none of the buttons in the car showing any wear, false floor in rear with space saver, brand new battery this year with 5 year warranty, 4 seater in light grey textured fabric (maybe called platinum) looks pretty much as new. Had new brakes, belt and pump soon as we purchased it along with a gearbox rebuild last year through VAS in Hextable, Kent, who have looked after the car since our ownership, regardless of cost. We are the 3rd owners...strange history I have to admit, or spooky.....Was purchased new at Leeds Audi for a teen for when they passed their test....They didn't pass and was sold back to Audi Leeds. Purchased by a lady as her daily and was with her pretty much since new, then us. Contacted the garage who'd maintained the car whilst in her ownership and they confirmed it has been maintained with no expense spared, so I guess we got lucky, but maybe just not right for our son?...and have continued this ourselves hoping our son may change his mind. Now at Uni, he's still no interest in driving which we understand, but we're just not making enough use of the car as we have cars of our own. I know it's cheap to run etc, having multi car policy, it only costs me £125 a year full comp, but is it really worth keeping? I'd love to say yes, but honestly think I'd be better off trying to sell privately for around £3.5k instead of wasting it and maybe using it when the next scrapple scheme comes in, which is a total con, more so as the cars perfect in every way...although, not wishing to Jinx anything, our daughter may take to driving in another 2 years time.

So, should I sell or keep, knowing it's just not getting enough use? am I expecting too much value wise (it is in seriously superb condition).....if it does go up, anyone know of anyone who would may have some interest? Part of me does say keep, as it's a stunning little car......

Any comments appreciated, thanks in advance, Mark.
Looks a lovely car Mark!
Some of the more experienced buyers of A2 on here will give you their valued opinion on whether to keep or sell!
 
Ian, Murdo, Proghound, apologies for crossing the lines of the rules, not my intention...and thanks for revising accordingly.

Special edition, I know where you're coming from, but having purchased this for our son, I treated myself to a Boxster, so as for the weekend car, I'm sorted, although, I do love driving this when taking shorter journeys very now and again. I did look to getting it wrapped, again, just lifting it from the silver colour, but long term, thought it more of a downside for the upkeep and potential grief if anyone wanted to remove it, at the time, our son was happy with silver. As for a hobby car...not for me, I'm uselsss when it comes to anything practical, I prefer to pay to have done things right the first time knowing theres a warranty if an issue...I really am useless when it comes to cars...apart from driving of course....

TYP 8Z, not 'yet' for sale, wanted the forum comments helping me decide what's best for it, keep or sell....appreciate that these 'may' rise in value....to enthusiast only I'd have thought, If money were of no value at all, I'd deffo keep the car and not have posted for thoughts, I'm thinking of long term part availability, not really after making a profit to sell as such, nice to get money back, but would it be better in someone else hands who's going to use it and enjoy....as we have?

Again, sorry for posting incorrectly to begin with and thanks for comments so far....
Cheers, M
 
Does your daughter like it? If shes two years away from taking her test guessing shes 15, a good age to find a quiet spot (sundays after 4 at any large supermarket carpark are often useful) for her to begin to learn the controls, this would see if it also spikes her interest in the car too!
An aspect of driving i think should always be the first step is learning the fundamentals of what a clutch actually does and how it works, an hours classroom lesson i feel would be most beneficial to any learner driver....
 
Ian, Murdo, Proghound, apologies for crossing the lines of the rules, not my intention...and thanks for revising accordingly.

Special edition, I know where you're coming from, but having purchased this for our son, I treated myself to a Boxster, so as for the weekend car, I'm sorted, although, I do love driving this when taking shorter journeys very now and again. I did look to getting it wrapped, again, just lifting it from the silver colour, but long term, thought it more of a downside for the upkeep and potential grief if anyone wanted to remove it, at the time, our son was happy with silver. As for a hobby car...not for me, I'm uselsss when it comes to anything practical, I prefer to pay to have done things right the first time knowing theres a warranty if an issue...I really am useless when it comes to cars...apart from driving of course....

TYP 8Z, not 'yet' for sale, wanted the forum comments helping me decide what's best for it, keep or sell....appreciate that these 'may' rise in value....to enthusiast only I'd have thought, If money were of no value at all, I'd deffo keep the car and not have posted for thoughts, I'm thinking of long term part availability, not really after making a profit to sell as such, nice to get money back, but would it be better in someone else hands who's going to use it and enjoy....as we have?

Again, sorry for posting incorrectly to begin with and thanks for comments so far....
Cheers, M
Reading this post it feels like selling us your preferred option. Lots of pros and cons. The pros being that a nice sorted A2 will always find a home. On the basis of the information provided it seems a nice car. The 1.4 has the advantage of being ULEZ compliant for environmental regulations for now. However its also the least powerful and most plentiful variant on the market. Read that as meaning plenty of cheap dogs of war available however your A2 enthusiast is still favouring the FSI and TDI with a really sorted FSI being the most likely variant to be an appreciating classic in time due to the restrictions on diesel motors. Yes the prices of A2s will appreciate at some point. However notwithstanding a select few very special cars in respect of provenance, condition, mileage and specification (or a combination of all 4) we just aren't there yet. There's the odd example changing hands between 3 and 5 grand. But they are exceptional and rare. Absolutely no offence intended here when I say that an early silver 1.4 petrol with 88k and a few choice options and upgrades just isn't in that territory. Not yet anyway. If you want strong money for the car you'd be best place garaging it and placing on moth balls for a few years. If that's not an option for you I'm afraid that at the present time the likely selling price of your car probably won't please you. You'll be pushed to attract a buyer unless your asking price starts with the number 1. If that's derisory to you. Again - your best bet is to hold onto it.
 
It is in seriously superb condition .... .if it does go up, anyone know of anyone who would may have some interest?

I feel that this post still feels far too much like an advert, and not just the brief section I've quoted above. Nobody else can make the decision to sell or not for you, so rather than hoping to find a buyer here, wouldn't it be better if you'd listed this in the market with a firm price and be done with it?
 
I feel that this post still feels far too much like an advert, and not just the brief section I've quoted above. Nobody else can make the decision to sell or not for you, so rather than hoping to find a buyer here, wouldn't it be better if you'd listed this in the market with a firm price and be done with it?
Fair point Steve. These threads are always subjectively viewed. I did initially remove Marks post and I private messaged him. Following discussion with a couple of the team we are content that Mark is undecided what to do and is looking for advice. Trust that clarifies for you ?????
 
I feel that this post still feels far too much like an advert, and not just the brief section I've quoted above. Nobody else can make the decision to sell or not for you, so rather than hoping to find a buyer here, wouldn't it be better if you'd listed this in the market with a firm price and be done with it?
Not my intention steve c, I wanted feedback from forum members on their thoughts re the car and ownership. Admin clearly and rightly so upon reading my initial text reworded accordingly which i’ve no problem with....replies so far (albeit few) make me think I’m best staying with the car, hopefully passing to our daughter should she have the interest.....still, with all you folk out there having and caring for these superb pieces of kit, I do welcome constructive comments either way, all the best, m
 
Does your daughter like it? If shes two years away from taking her test guessing shes 15, a good age to find a quiet spot (sundays after 4 at any large supermarket carpark are often useful) for her to begin to learn the controls, this would see if it also spikes her interest in the car too!
An aspect of driving i think should always be the first step is learning the fundamentals of what a clutch actually does and how it works, an hours classroom lesson i feel would be most beneficial to any learner driver....
Hi howey, hope our daughter is more of a driver than our son, think I may need a chat to see if she’d be happy with the a2 as her learners \ first car.....or more to the point from my point....that or nothing, cheers, m
 
Reading this post it feels like selling us your preferred option. Lots of pros and cons. The pros being that a nice sorted A2 will always find a home. On the basis of the information provided it seems a nice car. The 1.4 has the advantage of being ULEZ compliant for environmental regulations for now. However its also the least powerful and most plentiful variant on the market. Read that as meaning plenty of cheap dogs of war available however your A2 enthusiast is still favouring the FSI and TDI with a really sorted FSI being the most likely variant to be an appreciating classic in time due to the restrictions on diesel motors. Yes the prices of A2s will appreciate at some point. However notwithstanding a select few very special cars in respect of provenance, condition, mileage and specification (or a combination of all 4) we just aren't there yet. There's the odd example changing hands between 3 and 5 grand. But they are exceptional and rare. Absolutely no offence intended here when I say that an early silver 1.4 petrol with 88k and a few choice options and upgrades just isn't in that territory. Not yet anyway. If you want strong money for the car you'd be best place garaging it and placing on moth balls for a few years. If that's not an option for you I'm afraid that at the present time the likely selling price of your car probably won't please you. You'll be pushed to attract a buyer unless your asking price starts with the number 1. If that's derisory to you. Again - your best bet is to hold onto it.
Pros....from my point....far too many, cars ace, although my TDi of some 15 years back was far better....less options though. Wish we’d have kept that. Comments...sparse as they’ve been so far make me think...as you’ve suggested, keep it.....appreciate the thoughts though, cheers, m
 
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As a non admin member, my initial thought was to suggest that you disposed of another of your family's cars and put the A2 to use. They're excellent 'daily drivers'; mine is the newer of my two vehicles and, with over 150,000 miles on the clock, still does all I'd expect from a car. Of course, if the Boxter is coupled with another equally desirable car in your stable, perhaps the A2 will need to be sacrificed to the open market, but they're are few cars with which I'd swap mine, despite its age and the fact that it's been a Cat C write off!
 
As a non admin member, my initial thought was to suggest that you disposed of another of your family's cars and put the A2 to use. They're excellent 'daily drivers'; mine is the newer of my two vehicles and, with over 150,000 miles on the clock, still does all I'd expect from a car. Of course, if the Boxter is coupled with another equally desirable car in your stable, perhaps the A2 will need to be sacrificed to the open market, but they're are few cars with which I'd swap mine, despite its age and the fact that it's been a Cat C write off!
Jeff, wife’s car...merc ml class for when we drive as a family fully loaded to cornwall, mine, the boxster to Re live my youth.....fighting as it seems, and daughter now walks to school, hence the dilemma as such......
 
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Despite this threads tricky gestation (personally I'm utterly relaxed about it: go on a Porsche forum, it's all about values etc), I think it's a really interesting discussion point. I go through this all the time: a car I very much like but if I'm honest with myself, don't 'really' have a use for. It's not worth storing, but equally I might not get much for it so why sell. But then I don't use it, something seizes, battery dies and I remember why I was going to sell but never quite did.

Anyway, if I may:

The fact that you've asked the question at all probably is giving you the answer: if it was a keeper you'd absolutely know it.

From what you've said, the only realistic prospect of use is for your daughter at some time in the future, and that assumes she'll learn to drive straight away AND wants to drive the A2. I'd think there's a very, very high chance most youngsters will ultimately prefer a nearly new Up (Mii / Citigo) or C1 (Aygo /107) or whatever new Vauxhall (etc etc) might have to offer. They'll be cheaper to run, have the connectivity young people apparently want (I assume so they can live-stream Youtube driving lessons) and have the latest safety gear. Probably a nice long warranty too. PCP's on these are just bonkers cheap as well.

A modern city-car will be lower insurance and actually, not that different in performance to a 1.4MPi A2. I had a 2010 Aygo last year: a genuine brim to brim of 73MPG on my Norfolk run, £20 tax, I'd guess E10 safe, really good fun, handled well but was a very predictable and safe chassis, beautifully balanced controls (could even heel and toe) nice engine sound. A really, really great little car. £20 tax as well and the lowest insurance group.

A nearly new car will be more reliable and doesn't require a specialist to work on it: lets face it, people are baffled just trying to get the bonnet off an A2.

Here's a major factor: from next year E10 petrol is being phased in: the more modern cars are fully compatible, are A2's? Yes, 98RON will continue to be E5 (or less) for another four years, but now you've got a car that's not free (or nearly free) to tax AND needs Super to be safe (I'm assuming that given the age of our cars E10 might be an issue? Worth checking anyway).

Car's hate, hate, hate not being used: you'll create more issues by not using it than ever you will using it. Either that or it needs to be in a garage on anti-tyre flat pads, tyres kept topped up, battery always on a smart charger. Even then the fuel goes off, so ideally you'd brim the tank and add a fuel preserver (ask in your local mower centre if you can't find it). This assumes nothing falls on it, floods it or tries to eat bits of it or move into it. Don't forget timing belts have a life not just in miles but years. That'll be ticking away regardless of use.

I'd say there's zero chance of an A2 increasing so much in value it'll pay for any storage costs (even if that cost is merely the loss of space).

Therefore I'd sell. Ask yourself (or your daughter) if you sold it, would you honestly go and buy her an A2 when she's ready to drive? Politeness aside, I suspect she'd rather have a three or four year old car, just like her chums will be driving. I'd love to be corrected on this, and I think I fly the A2 flag pretty high normally, but this is one time where is sounds as though it's time to say you've enjoyed having an A2, was a nice thing to have but it's time to release it into the wild and let someone else cherish and enjoy it.
 
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BTW, the market at this particular moment is extremely buoyant in general terms: there's a rush of pent up demand that will surely tail off as the realities of our likely U.K. economic dual challenges become clear to the wider public. I'm selling anything I'm not 100% committed to at the moment as suspect that by the late autumn we'll be in a second wave with that and Brexit dominating the headlines.

Looking at just how lovely the car appears, I'd say actually the biggest risk of keeping it is damage: imagine if it gets scratched or worse.

Also, personally, whilst clearly we're not valuing it here, I would say really lovely A2's are hard to find and priced firmly. Whilst not the top of the pile, the 1.4MPi has its fans: it's the lightest variant, has a gorgeous gear-change and is fun to drive. Warms up really fast without extra devices (Webasto / heater element) and is the simplest engine. I really rated my 1.4.

Why not do this: put it up at a strong money as per my humble suggestions Here If it goes at a good price, brilliant! Problem solved. I'd certainly advertise it on here as well, but frankly the wider you cast the net the better.

I think it's so very striking you'd do well.
 
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