Upgrade time?

[Tom Donohue]

Kent...in my old age, I went through the same pangs.  Last August I found a
willing buyer for my '89 TQA with 350k (miles) on it and purchased a 91 200q20v
avant, with 140k on it.  Cons:  Glacier blue color (paint only fair) w/dark blue
interior...not my first or even second or third choice, but liveable.  Little
rust on one rear fender and a small ding on the corner of the rear hatch.
Fixable.  Pros:  runs like the hammers of hell compared to the 10v, smooth,
quiet, tight and fun (and not even modified yet).  Bottom line:  I'm happy as a
pig in sh**!!  I don't think I could live with a v6 automatic after this car.
Go for the gold!  Tom


Kent McLean wrote:

> OK, listers. Seeing all those nicer-than-mine Audis at dinner last
> night has me in a shopping mood. Here's something for us to argue
> over. I'm thinking of "upgrading" my '89 200 TQ.  I (irrationally)
> want an Avant. Part of me wants a '91 200 20V TQ Avant, and part
> of me wants a newer, trouble-free, pay-the-bank 95-96 A6 Avant.
> Here's what I'm thinking:
>
> Option 1: Fix My '89 200TQ
> -------------------------------------
> Pros:  It's paid for. Lot's of new parts. Runs good. Cheap to
>           "put right." For ~$2,000, I get a car in "excellent" condition.
> Cons: cracked windshield, dead bomb, leaking crank seal, flakey
>           radio, rust on RF fender, dead RF power window.
> Net:   A known quantity with an interior color I don't like.
>
> Option 2: Trade up to a '91 200 20V TQA
> ------------------------------------------------------
> Pros:  It's in excellent condition. (I'll wait to find the right one.)
>           20-valve turbo I-5. What more can I say?
> Cons: It'll cost $4,000-$8,000 to upgrade from my '89.
> Net:    An Avant with b*lls. Quells "S6 envy".
>
> Option 3: Trade up to a 95-96 A6 Avant
> --------------------------------------------------
> Pros:  Newer body style. Newer parts. Easier to find. Easier to
>           work on? Fewer problem areas? Bank loan. More civilized.
>          V6 v. I-5 20v turbo?
> Cons: Automatic. More civilized. V6 v. I-5 20v turbo?  Does
>           nothing for the "S6 envy". It'll cost $10,000 to $14,000 to
>           upgrade from my '89.
> Net:    A newer, hopefully more reliable car.
>
> Question. What would you do?
>
> I was leaning towards Option 3 until I saw Richard Berlin's '91 200 20v TQA
> last night. In my mellow old age, I'd be happy with the V-6 Auto. I think
> I'd
> get myself into trouble with the 20v Turbo. But it tugs at my heart strings.
>
> Let the arguments begin.
>
> Regards,
> Kent McLean, thinking