Why I drive an Audi

[gamills at ns.sympatico.ca]

My turn, my turn! There are some pretty funny stories in this thread,
and I guess it's okay to whack it one more time 'cause Dan S. started
it, an' he's jus' gonna hafta live with it.
  I was looking for a replacement for the ol' Swedish Brick, 83 245DL
variety, that was getting somewhat "brownish" around the edges (the
floor needed replacing kinda rust). I had my eye open for a couple of
months but nothing really made my list except for a Maxima that seemed
pretty solid. It was at a dealer and I made note of all the things
that would need to be fixed before I would consider buying. Dealer
said "okay...give you a call when all is shipshape." That weekend I
called a friend of mine who's into buying/selling whatever he can make
a buck on and he had the 87 5kq. I liked the look of these cars so I
asked him to bring it on down, we'll have a few beer, maybe BBQ
something. Well...the car was imaculate! Everything worked! 150k km on
the odo (~90k miles). Only problem...he wanted ~$5500 for it. "How
about the Swedish Brick? Worth something to you?" sez I. Haggle,
haggle...okay. "$3500 plus the Swedish Brick" sez he. Deal! So now I'm
driving an Audi.
  Couple days later I was tooling around enjoying the car when the
diff lock wouldn't disengage. "Scrubbed" around town going about my
business. I didn't know zip about these cars so I called up my buddy,
Mr. buy/sell anything you can make a buck on. Sez he, "I got that
looked into...there's some kinda tube thing...etc." So under the car I
go and fix that. Sticky lever. "Ah" sez I...just a simple little fix.
Luv this car! I figure I better see if there are any other fans out
there before I get in too deep. Enter the quattro list stage left.
  Since then of course I've had to fix all kind of things over four
years of ownership. Staying away from the dealer for parts that are
specific to the car is important, if possible. If your car budget is
low, you *must* find a good used replacement parts, check after-market
sources or fabricate something. Do the work yourself. Join
audifans.com.

Why I drive an 87 5kq Audi and would I commit to another:
* it's a very solid, well built, well appointed, heavy highway cruiser
that seems to be able to handle any speed with finese. I like the
sleek look and the big butt. I've never had a problem in snow, ice,
slush...except one time when I had to take two runs at a hill because
the diffs *wouldn't* lock :) My wife and oldest son drive it...and
I've been able to show them a few things to do when something doesn't
work :)
* The only other Audi I like is the S4...and if things work out I
might be able to acquire one from a lister when he tires of it and
wants to move on up the line. But I'm a bottom dweller and have to
wait for the bits to filter down through the food chain.

Best regards,
Geo