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2016 Audi A4 — pPI found $1,800 of upcoming work

CanyonOwner864Community StarterApr 26, 20262016 Audi A4 PremiumQueens
Inspection found several real maintenance items but nothing catastrophic. I still like the car. Do you treat the shop estimate as a dollar-for-dollar negotiation point or just decide whether the asking price still makes sense?
apr
3.52
location
Queens
ppi planned
term months
72
asking price
63000
dealer addons
2495
dealer doc fee
399
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22 replies

CanyonOwner864Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 26, 2026permalink
Quick update: a second 2016 Audi A4 quote made the first offer look ordinary. If they get vague again I'm shopping the deal elsewhere.
SleeperDetailerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 26, 2026permalink
I'd push back a little: If one piece looks too good on the 2016 Audi A4, hunt doc fees, accessories, and the APR next. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. Run the total, not the monthly, before you commit. Not wiring anything in the meantime.
HighwayDIYerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 26, 2026permalink
If I were shopping this, two 2016 Audi A4 quotes only help if both include tax, title, and the same options. Then the comparison gets honest. When does it actually happen? Going to compare one more dealer before I decide.
CanyonOwner864Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 26, 2026permalink
Update from me: I finally have sale price, fees, and trade on separate lines for the 2016 Audi A4. Sleeping on the number either way.
HighwayGuy68Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 26, 2026permalink
Compare apples to apples or you'll get spun. Keep sale price, trade, and financing split on the 2016 Audi A4 so a “good payment” cannot bury a worse deal. Do that before you talk monthly again. Post the numbers (or the code) and people can get more specific. This is the version I'd tell a friend.
TowGarage486Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 26, 2026permalink
If I were shopping this, i would not wire money until I've seen the 2016 Audi A4 and the title situation in person or via a trusted PPI. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. No need to make it theatrical. Doc fee is the line I'm watching.
LongMilesEnthusiastCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 26, 2026permalink
I would not stare at the monthly. Two 2016 Audi A4 quotes only help if both include tax, title, and the same options. That's the part that actually changes the decision. Learned this the expensive way on a previous car. That's coming from doing this as an owner, not a shop. Calling insurance in the morning before I reply to the desk.
HighwayCommuter400Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 26, 2026permalink
Treat this like a math problem, not a vibe. GAP, paint, and nitrogen are optional until you run the 2016 Audi A4 numbers without them. If they balk, that's your answer. I'd want that in writing, not as a promise. I'd sleep better after that step, even if it finds nothing. PPI guy I use is booked until next week, so I'm waiting.
HighwayDIYerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 26, 2026permalink
Hard-won lesson from my last deal: Ask for out-the-door on the 2016 Audi A4 with fees, add-ons, and rate on separate lines. Do that before you talk monthly again. On “ppi found $1,800 of upcoming work,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Was this after sitting overnight? Climate here is different, so treat that as a local data point. I screenshotted the quote for later.
TireHauler985Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 26, 2026permalink
The trap is a pretty payment hiding a worse car price. In Queens, insurance quotes flipped a 2016 Audi A4 comparison for me more than the sale price did. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. This is from a 2016 Audi A4 in Queens. If they can't show the line item, I assume it's hiding. This is me being the wet blanket on purpose.
PistonScout650Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 28, 2026permalink
That's a good start, but I wouldn't stop there. In Queens, insurance quotes flipped a 2016 Audi A4 comparison for me more than the sale price did. That's the part that actually changes the decision. I'd want a dollar figure or a measured spec, not 'should be fine.' Doing the boring step first on purpose.
HighwayDIYerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 27, 2026permalink
I'd slow the salesperson down here. If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2016 Audi A4 price probably got worse. That's the part that actually changes the decision. Any freeze-frame data saved? I'm keeping receipts and dates in one folder.
BatteryDetailerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 27, 2026permalink
Treat this like a math problem, not a vibe. A written buyer’s order on the 2016 Audi A4 is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
NewCarWeekend848Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 27, 2026permalink
Same neighborhood, different next step: Ask for out-the-door on the 2016 Audi A4 with fees, add-ons, and rate on separate lines. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. On “ppi found $1,800 of upcoming work,” that was the fork that mattered for me. If it doesn't change the out-the-door or the repair estimate, it's noise. This is the filter I use when the thread starts repeating itself. I'd rather look cautious in this thread than stuck later.
CanyonOwner864Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 28, 2026permalink
I asked about ppi found $1,800 of upcoming work again and they still won't put GAP/add-ons on their own lines. If the title is messy I'm out, full stop.
RotorShopper925Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 27, 2026permalink
Get the messy numbers in writing first. A written buyer’s order on the 2016 Audi A4 is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” If they balk, that's your answer. On “ppi found $1,800 of upcoming work,” that was the fork that mattered for me. This is from a 2016 Audi A4 in Queens. Keep sale price, fees, and rate as three different conversations. If they get vague again I'm shopping the deal elsewhere.
RustBeltGeek345Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 28, 2026permalink
Same neighborhood, different next step: GAP, paint, and nitrogen are optional until you run the 2016 Audi A4 numbers without them. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. That's the whole play. This is the version I'd tell a friend.
CanyonOwner864Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 27, 2026permalink
OP here. Still looking, but I'm waiting on inspection notes before I send money on the 2016 Audi A4. This is me being the wet blanket on purpose.
LongMilesEnthusiastCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 27, 2026permalink
I'd push back a little: I would not wire money until I've seen the 2016 Audi A4 and the title situation in person or via a trusted PPI. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. Had a similar mess a couple years ago and that's what finally sorted it. Make the next action something you can finish this week. If the VIN lookup is clean I'm still doing PPI.
CleanMechanicish787Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 27, 2026permalink
Insurance and tax belong in the comparison, not as a surprise. Ask for out-the-door on the 2016 Audi A4 with fees, add-ons, and rate on separate lines. If they balk, that's your answer. On “ppi found $1,800 of upcoming work,” that was the fork that mattered for me. I'd want that in writing, not as a promise. If GAP is bundled I'm making them unbundle it.
HighwayGuy68Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 27, 2026permalink
Hard-won lesson from my last deal: A written buyer’s order on the 2016 Audi A4 is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” Do that before you talk monthly again. On “ppi found $1,800 of upcoming work,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Happy to compare notes if your setup is different. If your situation is the opposite, ignore me. Wrote this up on my lunch break.
CanyonOwner864Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 27, 2026permalink
Quick update: a second 2016 Audi A4 quote made the first offer look ordinary. I asked for the buyer’s order in email, not a text.
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