The Audi A4 is a line of compact executive cars that have been produced since 1994. Before jumping into buying a car, you want to know what each generation has to offer and what your needs are. Here’s what you should consider before choosing an Audi A4.

Know Your Price Range

The best place to begin when purchasing a new car is figuring out what you can afford. If you don’t have good credit or are looking to save money, you may opt for a previous year Audi A4 rather than a brand new one. Purchasing a used, but well taken care of Audi A4 can be a great option. Used cars can be in great condition, but all cars depreciate in value, so you’ll save money. The Audi A4 is also fuel-efficient, which will help to save you money in the long-run.

Know Your Desired Features

If you don’t need features such as infotainment, heated seats, and keyless start, stop, and entry, you don’t need to buy the latest generation of the Audi A4. If you are safety conscious, you may choose a more modern generation with the latest safety technology. The 2014 Audi A4 offers front-impact, side-impact, and overhead airbags as well as pretensioners, which automatically tighten seatbelts to place occupants in the optimal positive during a collision.

The 2018 Audi A4 offers forward-collision warning and front automated emergency braking as standard features in addition to the many optional safety features including front parking sensors, rear cross-traffic monitor, and blind-spot monitor. If you’re tech savvy, you may want to spend more for a year that offers features such as Audi smartphone interface, 12.3” display screen, and MMI touch with handwriting recognition. Make a list of what you desire in your Audi A4 and see the one that best fits your needs.

Do Your Homework

If you choose to buy a used Audi A4, you want to do your homework. You might be enticed by a good price and a nice looking car, but there is more involved in your decision to purchase. The seller should be able to tell you the most recent dates of regular maintenance, such as oil changes, as well as determining if the car has needed any larger repairs or replacements. You want to ask if the car has ever been in an accident. This information could be important down the line should you ever have issues with the car. The seller should agree to have the car inspected before you purchase it to make sure nothing major is wrong.

Also be sure to take the car for a test drive whether you’re buying new or used. The goal is to make sure it’s a good fit for you and your family. You can also do research on the year you’re interested in beforehand so you know what to look for and what to ask about specifically. For example, if the year you’re looking at has issues with its electrical, you want to know if those problems have arisen yet. You should also check the Kelley Blue Book value of your chosen car to make sure you pay what it’s worth and not more.

Purchasing an Audi A4 is money well spent no matter what year you decide on. You’ll be treated to style, high performance, and safety.