200TQW Investing Quattro digest, Vol 1 #83

[Suffolk]

I think you got a great deal considering that I thought a 90 TWQ with 139K
for $4800 was good (considering the book went from $5000-$7500) last month.
I have ~400,000 on a 86 4000Q and I know they can be good durable cars,
IF YOU MAINTAIN THEM.  They are not gas and go fore-ever.
I've had (in the 30 day warranty) The Oil line rupture @ 60 MPH (-saved it-)
and the
coolant secondary pump rupture in traffic.  The gauges warned of the
condition
before it became detrimental.  The valves are in conflict with the pistons
on the
turbo so have the timing belt checked every ~60Kor pay $$$$$ to fix the
damage.
My suggestions:  Change ALL fluids. Fuel filters etc. Check all the hoses
( I had both oil lines
replaced @ $125 each)  Look for struts  SPRINGS! aftermarket like
VWparts.com and
Blaufargunegen! as well as all the club threads for resonable parts.
The car runs well on highways at 90MPH and is heavy but stable and with all
the
creature comforts of a $ 35,000 overengineered car.  Not a race car as I
just took
mine off the Watkins Glen track with the club.  My wife's Saturn was much
 faster last year:  Mildly humbling.
-Scott SuffolkD at aol.com

Cars I drive: not all mine
75 Eldo Convert (front wheel drive 8.2L)
82 F-150 Work truck
86 4000Q (thinking of Turbo or 20V), 5000S
90 200 TQ (Avant)
94 Saturn


> >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.
> >
> .You basically bought an incredibly engineered
> car for $4 grand, which cost over 30 grand new. Most new cars average
about
> $4k a year in depreciation to own and operate, not considering fuel and
> plates and insurance. That's a little over $330 a month. So do you want to
> pay $125 a month ($1,500 a year) for the car you have, or would you like
to
> triple it and drive a new atoyoT and have big chunks of the payments going
> for interest? Your car has stopped depreciating for all practical
purposes.
>