At $14,900, Is This 2001 Audi S4 The Cure For Yesterday's Blues?

In its stock form, the Subaru Legacy GT Spec.B is an absolutely incredible sleeper. As far as most people can tell, it’s just a regular Subaru sedan even though it may as well be a bigger, more comfortable WRX STI. And yesterday’s Legacy Spec.B was even more of a sleeper, with engine mods boosting output to 483 horsepower at the wheels. Still, at a price of $18,950, that was too much for most of our readers to be willing to roll the dice, with 59 percent of you choosing to sleep on the modified Subaru. If we lower the price and change continents, though, will that change your minds on modified cars?

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Audi first began building the B5-generation S4 back in late 1997, but the B5 S4 didn’t make it to the U.S. until the 2000 model year. The styling was all business and typical German restraint, with few obvious changes compared to the A4 that would automatically give it away that this is a sport sedan.

Under the sheet metal, though, hid some serious performance goodies. Now, it wasn’t close to being on par with the RS4 that Audi introduced for the B5 generation, but it still came with a 250-hp twin-turbocharged V6 and a six-speed manual. It was also a way better sport sedan than many people might have expected.

Photo: Craigslist

When Car and Driver tested the 2000 Audi S4 for its September 1999 issue, the German sport sedan laid down a 5.6-second zero-to-60 time and ran a 14.2-second quarter-mile at 98 mph. It also happened to beat out the Mercedes C43 AMG, Saab 9-3 Viggen, and even the venerable BMW E36 M3 to take first place in the comparison test. The B5 S4 was awesome.

This 2001 Audi S4, however, isn’t exactly what the product planners had in mind when they were developing the S4. The owner hasn’t gone way overboard with the modifications, generally leaving the Nogaro Blue Pearl bodywork alone and the interior in better condition than you’d expect from a car that’s nearly 25 years old and has 147,000 miles on the odometer. Still, it’s far from stock. Very far.

Photo: Craigslist

The seller lists it as a “Full Stage 3 car” but insists they have “complete paperwork and records.” Those changes include giving it “RS4 K04 Turbos, Intercoolers, Stage 3 Clutch kit, Lightweight Aluminum Flywheel, Larger Fuel Pump and Injectors,” as well as two-step launch control and a vent boost gauge. It’s also allegedly had a good bit of work done to it, including getting new valve cover gaskets, seals and spark plugs.

In theory, at least, this is a great way to get an S4 that’s more special than the stock ones were. Then again, the general rule is to never buy someone’s project. Unless the price is right. So what do you say? At $14,900, is this “Stage 3″ Audi S4 worth the gamble? Or is that price still giving you the blues?

Atlanta, Georgia Craigslist