A3 1.9 tdi for driving school?

[Adriang]

Hi guys,

I am thinking about getting an audi a3 1.9 tdi 105ps for a driving school.

I am between that and leasing something like a new fiesta etc (where all the maintenance is included in the lease).

Now if it`s gonna be audi i would want to buy it outright , i would be looking at something like 2004-2005 with about 60 k miles.
I know those cars are quite reliable and they can easilly do high mileages, but i am thinking about the long term repair bills etc. I would want to keep it over 2-3 years.

Would that kind of car be expensive in maintenance ?

What do you guys think about buying that age of a car for driving school ? Obviously when it breaks down, then i won`t be making money...

[kenney]

Would that kind of car be expensive in maintenance (YES)

[Mike Foster]

I would not recommend teaching anyone to drive in a turbo diesel car.

Acceleration, whilst predictable to the experienced driver, is very varied and when the turbo kicks in, it's off ! (even the 1.9 to a learner )

Added to the fact that an Audi is an expensive car to maintain (and repair !! ) and at the age you are suggesting may start to require some major surgery, which is all unpredictable.

You are much better with the Fiesta idea, both from a fixed outgoings point of view and a more sedate and predictable car for a learner to drive.

[kodkod.84]

How does insurance work for a driving school/instructor?

I only ask because I rarely see premium sector cars used for learners and more corsas, fiestas, clios etc.

Like Mike said the characteristics of a TDI are very different to petrols. Even when I move from the Audi to my 2.0TDI Golf I can feel the difference in low end torque and you can coast just using the clutch a lot more easier.
Stalling is very abrupt and sudden as well on the TDI which would scare me if I was learning to drive.

[Adriang]

Most of the driving school cars are diesel now.

Focus 1.6 tdci - 109 ps, very popular car

Diesel doesn`t stall as easy as petrol does as well...

As long as you can teach, you can teach in anything...

[Mike Foster]

Most of the driving school cars are diesel now.

Focus 1.6 tdci - 109 ps, very popular car

Diesel doesn`t stall as easy as petrol does as well...

As long as you can teach, you can teach in anything...

Sorry - I must have mis-understood the question !

I thought you were asking for advice.

Seems like you know all the answers so go ahead with whatever you fancy.

In future just don't ask the question if you might not like the answer

Like you said, and most teachers have always thought, you can teach anything !!!!!!!!!

Judging by the current driving standards that I see, most instructors are in it just for the money and getting passes, and don't give a monkeys about actual driving standards.

Mind you, I am 66 and passed my test in 1963 and have only driven to the moon and back twice with a clean driving licence and no accidents.

Sorry mate - rant over - but don't buy an Audi tdi to teach youngsters please. It's bad enough with boy racers in A3's please not learners as well !!

[tlionhart]

Wouldn't recommend it. Quite a powerful car for a learner. Its also expensive to maintain or repair. I would recommend a VW polo or SEAT if you want a reliable car, again they have good robust engines. If they are too expensive for a budget you have outlined, then the fiesta would also be ideal.

[JON76]

I would think about the clutch as well, the power puts strain on the clutch and coupled with the extra wear it will take from the learners and the mileage it already has, you might find you quickly need a new one

[alankru]

I would think about the clutch as well, the power puts strain on the clutch and coupled with the extra wear it will take from the learners and the mileage it already has, you might find you quickly need a new one

Very true, from what I have read on Honest John the clutch/dual mass flywheel seems to be known to fail quite early. On my 1.9 TDI the clutch/dual mass flywheel was done by the previous owner at ~56k (if I remember right). I've seen what appears to be an A3 '06 automatic being used by an independent driving instructor.

[Adriang]

The reason why i thought about the a3 1.9 tdi is that the repairs are quite easy and should be cheap.

1.9 tdi is a easy engine to get into.

And i do expect that doing 30 k miles a year i will have to replace clutch, flywheel, cambelt etc eventually.

If i was buying one i would have bought one that just had cambelt and waterpump done.


Also there is two of them. 1.9 that has been used for years, and is one of the best diesels (i had a octavia with 150 k miles and was driving better than some 2-3 years old cars...)

And the 2.0 tdi that is know as the powerful one that could cost a bit of a hassle...

But things like clutch on that car is max 300 to replace. And if it get one changed i don`t need to do it for another 40-50 000 miles...

I know that if i buy a new car i`ve got that peace of mind. But then things like clutch, cambelt etc will need to be changed eventually and they cost money as well...

Which is why i am thinking about that or a new one on lease...