Why I [still] drive an [older] Audi (long)

[Larry C Leung]

Mine started as a journey through VAG products.

After a number of 'murican products, thanks to Consumer Reports, my
parents decided to buy an Rabbit L Champagne Edition (Golf A1), 2 dr 3 sp
Auto. Had no grunt off line, but otherwise was fun and frisky. Poor
little car, went through a number of different accidents, such that the
only untouched panel of the car was the roof (hood was sat on and dented,
hatch scraped on the garage door), but a fun little ride.

The next car I chose (important word) was a Saab 99LE. Really wanted an
EMS, but this was what I could "afford" in college. Drove very much like
the Rabbit, but had more power due to the 2 liter 4 and the 4 sp (my
first clutch car!). Some of the notables, when doing some body work (like
all college kid cars on a budget) the strength of the body roof rails
(which makes a ring around the entire greenhouse and door sill area) was
incredibly well designed. What a safe looking car. The door impact beams
were actually closed square tubing of thick wall, so far the strongest
looking I've seen). 2nd, incredible traction, even for FWD. Used it to
chase 4WD pick-ups through the woods. 

This led me back to VAG, I was trying to duplicate the Saab, but couldn't
afford a new one after graduation. (Besides, the Ur900 series had no
steering feedback, uck!) So, I bought an A2 GTi, a car I still own and
race (Solo2) today. It was this car that got me to meet a friend whom was
an A1 GTi owner. He wanted a bigger car to complement his GTi, and he
bought a used 85 4KQ. What a sweet, well balanced nicely appointed car!
We missed it one time when we were caught in an ice storm in our GTi's,
barely could move due to lack of traction. Snow tires kept us on the
road, and kept us turning when the road turned, but couldn't get up hill
at all. 

When I was faced with 1 hr commute through the snow belt, I too sought a
4KQ. Missed the gorgeous '85 4KQ in silver, but ended up with my '84 with
UrQ exhaust tail section. Had the car for 7 yrs, and not only was it
unstoppable in the winter, but it's wonderful stability probably helped
keep me and my camping companion alive on a wet road in August in Maine.
Went to pass a slower car that suddenly turned left right into me, they
managed not to hit me, but I got into a 70+ MPH fishtail that could have
been disasterous in a FWD vehicle (there were walls of trees on both
sides!). I was sold on quattro, first with snow, now without.

After a few disabling electrical mishaps (fuel pump relay, others), when
my friend (same GTi friend) mentioned a 200Q in the paper, i figured, why
not look. It turned out to be Pearl, gorgeous and with the BBS rims. And,
(compared to the 4KQ) there was POWER. And LUXURY (leather, seat heaters,
real wood, QUIET, Bose stereo (hey, it's better than anything I've had
the time to hook up). I was hooked. 

No incredible stories for the 200 though, I guess that's due to being
older. Since joining the list, I've learned the true potential of the 200
(to be repaired), as well as what performance upgrades it could have,
which I've been slooowly doing, between repairs. I have added 16" A4
rims, Bilsteins and H+Rs, and I'm planning on a chip + spring, stress bar
and rear sway bar. And Euros. I'd like to get the 3300 lb 200 to be like
the 2700 lb 4KQ with more "cojones", though I'm sure it'll never quite
get there for the $$ I'd like to spend. Gotta save $$ for the GTi Solo
effort. So, as for the STILL and OLDER part? Well, in order to get the
performance of my 200 in a newer one, I'd have to go for an '98 or so
A4TQ or Impreza WRX, and I don't have those kind of bucks. I DO have
another life you know, though the 200s "maintenance" sure seems to want a
part of it.

Finally, to convince me that perhaps the reason that the 200 has been
drama free, I was driving my friend's CR-V the other day, and for some
reason (plenty of tread on the tires, reasonable speed) it started to
hydroplane, ALL 4 wheels. Though I managed to recover it (basically by
not panicing and doing essentially nothing), it felt VERY unstable and
tippy, something I've never felt in my Q's, even with marginal tread. I
can't even say that about the GTi, a car in which I am VERY comfortable
with pushing. As  I said, (or meant to) Quattro rules! (and so does the
list!).

LL - NY (still waiting to find a place for a 911 and a Corrado)