Type $$ is testing me

[George Harris]

In a recent email John Casidy wrote:

>> New problem #3:  My formerly all supportive wife, (who has mostly loved her
CQ until it recently decided it too needed copious amounts of expensive
attention), asked me why we don't give up on this annoying Audi thing
and
buy just Hondas like everybody else?  The scary thing is, I considered
it,
if even for only a nanosecond...turboquattroturboquattroturboquattro...

>> I am in search of guidence in these matters from this esteemed list. Thanks
in advance!

>> JC

Unfortunately this is both a problem with old cars and with wives who
don't share the passion. If you have an old car that needs repairs
often, and you haven't developed the mechanical skills yourself, and a
wholesale account at the local parts supplier(s), then you are in for a
rough ride economically. An example is the lower front control arm on my
'87 5000CD TQ (CS in the US). The dealer price was over Can $400.
without the 2 mounting bushings. An after market price that included the
2 bushings (About $50.00 added value) cost Can $170.00 trade (mechanics)
price from my local supplier. This is a fairly easy mechanical job. 

The only thing I can say is that a new car doesn't guarantee trouble
free motoring. My local tire guy has just had his van in the shop for 2
weeks for 3 separate but related problems. Covered under warrantee, but
still a hassle. That and the fact that the van is a pig :-) It doesn't
even guarantee cost free problems. My financial advisor was relating a
problem with his Mercedes where he had to pay $4500 for an engine job
even though the problem was initially reported and investigated during
the warrantee period. 

Buy a Honda as the family car and learn to maintain the Audi for
yourself :-)

Cheers
George