Investing in a 200TQW

[David Ritter]

Barry Lampke writes:
 > I recently bought a 1990 200 Quattro Wagon with 175K mi. for $2,300. 
 > 
snip
 > My question is this:  When is it time to stop investing in a car
like this?

My $.02,
I have been maintaining a 200Q for about 8 years and I will probably
continue for a good while.
My current is a 90 200TQW also, with only about 101K on it. It has
been expensive mainly due to the clutch and A/C work I've been
through lately. 
The sticking point for me is the cost to replace it. If you are like
me and blessed with a wife that hates slushboxes and minivans (in that 
order), you are limited. I want AWD, we have about 200 inches of snow
and ice every winter.
I also have a family large enough to make a wagon the only good
choice. Just finished a 1500 mile trip with the whole gang on board
and all the luggage in Thule ski boxes on top. Only problem was not
sighting a single type 44 or quattro list decal. ;-)
The only vehicle that fits my demands and is newer than the 200QW is
the 95.5 S6 Avant. These are 5 years old, have plenty of miles on
already and still cost about $30,000. These cars are leaving the "golden
years" and will start eating parts soon (expensive ones).
I can buy LOTS of 200Q parts before my costs equal the price of a needy 
S6 and its parts bills. 
It isn't going to be easy, and reliablity will be difficult to come
by. Still, for my dollar, best manual shift AWD wagon deal around.

David