Ever since I made the decision to sell my '97 A4 I have been looking for the perfect car in the $30k range. Had to be stick (no G35C since examples w/stick start well over $30k). No fwd (rules out TSX, Mazda 6, and a lot of otherwise great cars). Must be roomy (no 2 seaters). Should have some semblance of an attractive design (no STi or EVO). The list was rather extensive. My first choice was a Used Audi S4 w/around 30,000 miles, but good examples seemed to be fetching about $35k. The out of the remaining choices the RX-8 met the most of my criteria so in March I put down a deposit for a Titanium Grey w/the sport package (I wanted Bose and Sunroof but my height kept me from doing so. The dealer was great (more on this later).

Everything changed on Monday the 18th. I was reading Autoweek when I came across an ad for a used 2001 S4 with 16k, loaded (Bose, leather, sunroof, heated seats, 6-speed, trip computer, xenon, and everything else that I wanted on the RX-8) it even has an APR 3 stage chip (Stock, Valet, and Chipped [306bhp, 366 lb/ft] and a Borla exhaust). Even the price was right. Long story short, I picked it up yesterday. I love the 8, but when your dream car comes along you have to go for it.

Anyone near southern VT should look into Scott Mazda in Bennington. They kept me informed, got me the pre-order gifts, are not price gouging the RX-8, and returned my deposit in full. See Dick Gardner Jr. for an excellent experience.

Happy motoring, and if you are being harassed by a black S4, I am just trying to get a better look at your 8 (I have still not seen one on the road) and if you are not in a rush, pull over and maybe we can swap keys for a couple miles.

Cheers,
ethan

And I'm absolutely sure the A4 was driven by a little 'ol lady and never abused. If it was "chipped", etc., I wouldn't touch it with your ten foot pole!

The seller was a complete car nut (the S4 shared the garage with a mint Datsun 240Z and a brand new M3). He was getting rid of it beacuse he had just purchased a H2 (verified by my own eyes) and no longer needed another fast car, or a winter car. One look at the paint (black) told how meticulously it had been cared for (was not re-painted, I checked the sills). All service reports were present (dealer confirmed this) and the VIN was checked through carfax. Origional warranty is still intact (chip does not void this, I checked with my dealer), and I will be buying an additional warranty for 7 years/100,000.

BTW, my old '97 A4 was a fleet car before I bought it. Sold it in May with 82,000 miles for $8,500.

Keep in touch buddy, first one with car trouble owes the other a six pack of somthing good. :D