Investing in a 200TQW

[George Tur]

Barry Lampke wrote:

> I recently bought a 1990 200 Quattro Wagon with 175K mi. for $2,300.  I love the car!  I have now put about $700 more into it.  In the next year it will need all struts (quotes of $250 front; $350 back) and tires (around $320)  That's about $4,000 so far.  It will likely need other typical maintenance items, which on the Audi cost a bit more than other cars.
>
> My question is this:  When is it time to stop investing in a car like this?  I am not a mechanic so doing my own repairs is not an option.  I understand people pay $400/mo. for new car payments and I've never done it, but I'm beginning to wonder where the buy/sell points are that make sense.

Based on personal experience it comes down to when the repair cash flow gets to be greater than paying for a new car loan and the driving pleasure has degenerated to that of a toyota corolla or whatever other econo box you like. This is a very subjective judgment. I think what pushes you over the edge is the unpredictability of the repairs. The break downs
always occur at the worst moments. Like hard starting when trying to make that fast getaway after the bank heist. (Forced to do the bank heist because of the car repair bills)

> Barry (tired of paying...)
> (I guess I shouldn't mention that my 84 Jag XJ6 w/Corvette motor needs fewer repairs than the Audi...)

Would love to see how much it cost to get it into this configuration. My wife's boss used to have a late 80's Jag and that thing was constantly being dragged into the garage. Wasn't the motor but the electrical system that was killing him.

George