Why I drive a quattro

[audi90sq at yahoo.com]

My Audi addiction started in college.  During my
senior year, my roommate got his mom’s old 88’ 90CSQ. 
I immediately fell in love with this car.  It bright
red with black leather.  I just never got over how
this thing tear around in the Ithaca snow and never
get stuck.  Not to mention many weekend road trips
through the upstate NY hills.  Needless to say, I
vowed to one as soon as could afford it.  Until then I
would have to live with my 90 Pontiac Le Mans.

2 Years later.  Now a well to do Air Force 2Lt in
Boston, I finally found my dream  Audi, a 95’ black on
black 90SQ w/ 40k on it.  My wife gave me no end of
shit for buying it, saying I was being too
extravagant.  Never mind that our “sensible” neighbors
bought  a stripped Cherokee for more money.  Needless
to say, it was not long before winter came and she
started stealing my Q for her “Longer” commute,
leaving me with her Civic.

About 2.5 years go by and my wife was T-boned in her
new Passat (finally replaced her Civic, thank god). 
Needless to say she is quite impressed with the
strength and side airbags that saved her life.  She
does decide that she was not happy with FWD and must
have a Quattro as well.  ENTER THE AUDI GODS.  We
found a brand new 2001 A41.8TQ for $26k, yes you heard
it right!  That was less than I paid for the Passat. 
The dealer was closing and dumping it’s stock.  My
wife didn’t even mind driving it back to Vegas from NY
with her mom.  Go figure!  

By this point I am very hooked on the list and lusting
after the mighty UrQ!   I spent many months searching
and finally found my project.  It was a Mars Red 83’
UrQ that was rotting away in some guys driveway.  He
sold it to me for a song and I have been re-building
it ever since.  I just love the visceral feel of this
car!  It is very interesting to see how the cars have
evolved from the UrQ to the A4.  I have a hard time
picking a favorite, as I enjoy them all for various
reasons.  They have all been very reliable and
incredibly entertaining transportation, not mention
safe!  Every time I go TDY and drive a rental , I am
reminded that Audi is one of the few companies that
makes cars to be driven, not simply rolled down the
road.  As long as I can afford to do so, I see no need
to every own anything but Audi quattro’s.  

Eric Harten

83’ UrQ
95’ 90SQ
01’ A4 1.8TQ


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