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Re: Thinking about buying a 2000 S4
A4s have their share of gripes and it's the same thing it is with all 10 year old cars: some have fit and finish issues (peeling trim/switches, pixelated instrument clusters, aged/abused stereo, worn seats, etc). So what you're dealing with is entirely representative of the owner. Deferred maintenance = >$$$ in the end. And if something does go wrong, with the S4 it costs twice as much cause you have two to replace (IE. inline-4 vs v6).
If you're serious about it I'd look around and also focus on the States. For example, some stg3 cars are going for $10k-$11k down there so it's not hard to find a decent price -- even with duty/exchange/transit -- on a lower mileage stocker. Possibly consider an Avant (wagon) as you're looking for a crusier car to hit the mountains, etc. They also hold their value better as far fewer were produced.
Check the timing belt history, and have it measured in the PPI. Also look at the control arms and ball joints. Codes of course. Boost leak test. Evidence of paint work. Stock clutch engages firmly near to the floor. This may seem silly but check everything like the lighter, the cupholder, the wheel caps, the owner's manual(s), the sunroof, the arm rest, the 12v outlets, the card tray (dashboard), the AC, the cruise and heated seats; hate to nickel and dime later when you've got so much potential at hand. If you're getting green lights, CarProof and you should be hunting red lights and Mustangs.
2001.5 and 2002 had the sport pack which included chrome mirror caps and the new style badge (best place to look is in the instrument gauge. If it's the new one there and the spedo is legit it's a new style. These models also came with ESP.
Good luck & welcome!
PS
^^^ Above isn't to say every car has all those and more but those things do go as wear and tear, just that it's nice to find one that's cleaner than average in respect to those issues for obvious reasons.
A4s have their share of gripes and it's the same thing it is with all 10 year old cars: some have fit and finish issues (peeling trim/switches, pixelated instrument clusters, aged/abused stereo, worn seats, etc). So what you're dealing with is entirely representative of the owner. Deferred maintenance = >$$$ in the end. And if something does go wrong, with the S4 it costs twice as much cause you have two to replace (IE. inline-4 vs v6).
If you're serious about it I'd look around and also focus on the States. For example, some stg3 cars are going for $10k-$11k down there so it's not hard to find a decent price -- even with duty/exchange/transit -- on a lower mileage stocker. Possibly consider an Avant (wagon) as you're looking for a crusier car to hit the mountains, etc. They also hold their value better as far fewer were produced.
Check the timing belt history, and have it measured in the PPI. Also look at the control arms and ball joints. Codes of course. Boost leak test. Evidence of paint work. Stock clutch engages firmly near to the floor. This may seem silly but check everything like the lighter, the cupholder, the wheel caps, the owner's manual(s), the sunroof, the arm rest, the 12v outlets, the card tray (dashboard), the AC, the cruise and heated seats; hate to nickel and dime later when you've got so much potential at hand. If you're getting green lights, CarProof and you should be hunting red lights and Mustangs.
2001.5 and 2002 had the sport pack which included chrome mirror caps and the new style badge (best place to look is in the instrument gauge. If it's the new one there and the spedo is legit it's a new style. These models also came with ESP.
Good luck & welcome!
PS
^^^ Above isn't to say every car has all those and more but those things do go as wear and tear, just that it's nice to find one that's cleaner than average in respect to those issues for obvious reasons.
If you're curious about my swap, there's a 56 page thread there detailing my project from start to... well.. not finish, but now. 
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