Just in case you haven't, I would definitely pop into WHSmiths and leaf through the little book they have there on used cars. Its in the magazine section of most WHSmiths (the one at Liverpool St station has it for example - not sure on Balham itself), sort of B5 sized booklet. Its not Glasses guide, but something similar.
It gives you the market price, for a private and dealer sale, adjusted by mileage and condition, for cars back to 1997/8, so ought to have that Audi in it. It also gives the top 3 pro's and con's for each car, and if there is a particalar "thing" to watch out for when buying (again, based on year and model, so quite specific).
Are you having a AA/RAC/Green Flag "pre buy" check done? I think they cost about £100 or so, but if they find anything I think its a bit like a house survey - you can then use it to negotiate (and it makes sure its not a stolen car, a cut and shunt, or anything similar).
2.4 is quite a big engine - if it was just for town, it might be overkill, but at altitude a bigger engine is quite useful. Personally, I thik Audi Avants are pretty nifty.
I have no real idea what to look for on used cars :-/ Touched up paint can spell trouble they say. And a badly biting clutch can be a major hassle - especially on a 4WD. For mountains, the handbrake could be more important than usual (I mention it as my, now Aldric's, Rover had 4 handbrake cables whilst in my care).
I know this is ovbious, but whilst I'm here, you might want to get it "winterised" as well. I'm basing stuff on Colorado here, which is a good deal colder than Alps. You need a different grade oil for lower temps, screenwash obviously needs to be stronger concentrations and good down to lower temps. With a 4WD, you might not need snow chains - not sure what the regs are in France? Again, in CO they do stuff to the carburettor because of the rarefied atmosphere, but that's probably overkill for where you're off to. Oh, check the electric windows all work and seal properly - getting one of those stuck at -10 would not be fun. Plus, major cause of driver fatigue is noise, and badly sealing windows contribute to that a lot (thinking the drive down there).
It gives you the market price, for a private and dealer sale, adjusted by mileage and condition, for cars back to 1997/8, so ought to have that Audi in it. It also gives the top 3 pro's and con's for each car, and if there is a particalar "thing" to watch out for when buying (again, based on year and model, so quite specific).
Are you having a AA/RAC/Green Flag "pre buy" check done? I think they cost about £100 or so, but if they find anything I think its a bit like a house survey - you can then use it to negotiate (and it makes sure its not a stolen car, a cut and shunt, or anything similar).
2.4 is quite a big engine - if it was just for town, it might be overkill, but at altitude a bigger engine is quite useful. Personally, I thik Audi Avants are pretty nifty.
I have no real idea what to look for on used cars :-/ Touched up paint can spell trouble they say. And a badly biting clutch can be a major hassle - especially on a 4WD. For mountains, the handbrake could be more important than usual (I mention it as my, now Aldric's, Rover had 4 handbrake cables whilst in my care).
I know this is ovbious, but whilst I'm here, you might want to get it "winterised" as well. I'm basing stuff on Colorado here, which is a good deal colder than Alps. You need a different grade oil for lower temps, screenwash obviously needs to be stronger concentrations and good down to lower temps. With a 4WD, you might not need snow chains - not sure what the regs are in France? Again, in CO they do stuff to the carburettor because of the rarefied atmosphere, but that's probably overkill for where you're off to. Oh, check the electric windows all work and seal properly - getting one of those stuck at -10 would not be fun. Plus, major cause of driver fatigue is noise, and badly sealing windows contribute to that a lot (thinking the drive down there).
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