A2 Phase out

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kendo

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I test drove a 1.6FSI at the weekend and was all set to order one. After some online research I read that the AG Chairman has announced that it will be phased out although no date was mentioned.
http://www.ananova.com/business/story/sm_675879.html?menu=
I noticed someone in the New A2 discussion mentioned that it may be phased out by 2005. Anyway, I'm buying a car to keep for 2 or 3 years and don't want to be in the position of trying to sell a discontinued model. Has anyone else heard anything about the A2 being phased out?
 
I've never actually seen an article stating that the A2 will be phased out. So, I guess that more or less confirms all the rumours that have been circulating in the forum over the past month or so.

2001 TDi SE | Cobalt Blue Metallic | Open Sky Roof | Kenwood Mask CD
www.Audi-A2.co.uk | www.A2Forum.net
 
The life-cycle of most modern cars is around 4 - 5 years. Even if Audi did replace the A2, chances are it wouldn't be the same as the phased out model, so the same 'discontinued model' arguments still apply. You just have to face that with any car you buy, it will be replaced, or face-lifted within the 4-5 years and that could affect the value of the car. If you keep the FSI for only 2-3 years you will have lost the majority (50%) of it's value anyway. Double wammy!

You could buy a used or ex-demo model now, and when the A2 does get phased out, part-ex yours for a bargain end-of-line special with all the extras!!

Tino
Dolphin Grey 1.4 SE
 
Tino

Thanks for the suggestions. The idea of getting a used model had crossed my mind to avoid the major losses of buying a new one.

Currently I've got a '98 A4 which I bought in 2001 and the new A4 was out by then. It didn't really bother me to buy the older mark but I don't think I would have been as keen to buy a Corrado when they were discontinued: d'you know what I mean?
 
Should have done. Corrado is a cracking car and used prices are VERY strong especially for the late 'storm' models!

icon_smile_cool.gif
 
Kendo,

Look at it this way if a model gets superseded then few people want the older style, and as a consequence the price drops like a lead brick. If on the other hand a model gets discontinued in the true sense of the word, then surely we are talking about a desirable classic ?

Regards
John Disdale
 
I'm swaying. By the way, apparently the A2 is getting a facelift this summer - according to this week's Autocar magazine.
 
Don't know about the facelift. But the last A2's are rolling off somewhere in or around 2005. No replacement planned. The car costs Audi to much, sales aren't what they expected.
But don't let that stop you to buy one. I don't expect very big bargains. By the way, the longer you wait buying one, the less you can enjoy the beauty of it!

regards,
thierry
 
Amazing really as the mercedes have just brocken even with the Aclass, hold on Audi I recon, more marketing like a tv ad would help! Reap what you sew.

A2 1.6fsi sport climate cd amulet red
 
True though. I don't think I have seen the A2 advertised anywhere (other than your local audi dealer, as the forecourts are full of them!). And other than Clarkson's comment about the windscreen wipers, I have heard or seen very little about the car in motoring press (almost nothing on TV). Yes it's a lot of money for a small car, so there are not many buyers. But, hey, I wouldn't say the new mini was value for money either!
 
I would call the new mini "A MINI" Its physicaly out grown its name, should have called it a "MAXI"

Lee,
TDI SE,
Dolphin Grey,
6 Disc Changer (Fitted by me)
 
Autocar reports that a facelift A2 is due in 2003.
When I spoke to Autocar about it they said it would be on show at the Geneva Show in March. When I spoke to Audi UK they said "They knew nothing"!!!

2002 FSi SE, Ebony Black with Red Nappa Leather, Tinted Security Glass
 
There has been a lot of speculation about this subject both on this forum and in the press.

Bosses at VAG have said that the A2 will not be replaced at the end of it's life, will be phased out soon, won't be phased out-all sorts.

At the end of the day, what they say now may well change in 6 months time when various regulations, taxes etc can make it beneficial to have a small car or not.

No manufacturer is going to promise to keep one model of car going forever, and if we all hesitated then when would you ever buy a car?. The A2 has been produced in large enough numbers to secure it's short term future at least (10+) in relation to support. Think about it-how many more A2's would be in circulation in 3/4/5 years time-and Audi won't have egg on it's face and admit that the A2 was a flop (as such) in the sales charts. Any remaining A2's will all go to owners in years to come and the support will be there.

Go and buy the A2 now if you want it-your own circumstances may change in a years time and YOU will get shot of the car. And don't worry about depreciation-all cars suffer at some point (I know!).

Rambling over.

Steve - 2002 1.4SE petrol, Silver, black/black interior, Then an identical replacement 2003 A2. Now a Toyota Corolla 1.6 T-Spirit
 
My carmagazine writes there will be an A2-facelift in april 2003. Some time ago this (and other Dutch) magazine wrote that the A2 would not be replaced by an Audi, but by a (non-aluminium) Seat.....in 2005.

JanF



2001 1.4 Petrol Exclusive - Cobalt Blue Metallic - JVC KD-SH99RB CD/MP3/Tuner
 
It doesn`t bother me if they discontinue it.I kind of like the thought that my car is quite rare on the roads and not run of the mill like a golf ( no insult intended having owned 4 of them ). All that matters to me is that it is a great looking car, economical to run ( less depreciation ), amd makes me stand out from the crowd.
I honestly believe it will be a future classic. Lets face it how many of todays production cars go straight into museums.

A2 TDi SE
 
Even if the A2 is reported to be unprofitable, most of the cost is in design, set up and tooling. Once the line is going the marginal cost of producing each car is far less than the selling price. So as long as the car continues to sell in reasonable numbers, and to meet current safety standards etc such that heavy investment in redesign is not needed, VAG is unlikely to discontinue it. So the suggestion that there are no plans to replace it may be good news for those who fear their cars could soon be superseded. And it has certainly not put me off putting in an order for one (silver, red leather) this week.
 
Very true. But I don't think dealerships make too much money out of them, hence the rubbish p/x offers from them and then the hefty mark up for used models.
 
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