'77 Audi Fox Turbo

[Iain Mannix]

On Wed, 3 Jan 2001 JShadzi at aol.com wrote:

> <<Buy a quattro, then do all the fun stuff to it.  Or buy a Jetta and do the 
> fun stuff to that.  For me, the only reason to put up with an Audi, 
> particularly a later Audi, is quattro - if you're going to hotrod a FWD 4 
> door sedan, Jettas are really quite nice.
> I.Mannix>>
> 
>    Ok, I for one would like to see IMO in front of a statement like that (I 
> won't hold you IMHO, I don't assume you would want the H ), especially when 
> you are basically attempting to invalidate Alex and all the heart he has put 
> into his car.

"For me, the only reason to put up with an Audi...."

That could be taken as "IMHO."  Too many letters, maybe, but I think it 
is clear - if it were not for quattro, I'd not drive an Audi.  FOR ME.  
Sigh.  I'm not trying to "invalidate" Alex, just a statement of my 
opinion.  I'm happy he likes his FWD 80.  Great!  I do think the 
brakes are overkill - like I said in a previous post, nothing 
_wrong_ with that, but I do not believe they are NEEDED.  I've owned 
a couple of cars that could be seen in a similar light - but I never 
tried to defend them on a basis of need. 

I'll try to use more abbreviations, I guess.  Could "real world impaired" 
someday replace "net impaired?"  Rad.

I like Audis, but silly problems make them difficult to justify FWD 
versions FOR ME.  Jettas are nice cars, as I stated in my opinions, 
and while not trouble free, they, IN MY EXPERIENCE(that's longhand 
for IME:) are less problematic than the equivalent Audi.   


  I feel that your statement is rude and over assuming of your 
> own opinion, and you state it more factually as if your opinon is some kind 
> of standard.  

OK!  Great.  I did not intend to be rude.  I did intend to state my 
opinion, and yes, my opinion is my standard.  Neat, huh?  So, you 
interpreted 2/3 of my statement correctly.  Silver star:).  


We all have our cars and projects here on the list, and none of 
> us really enjoy having to defend why we have built a certain car.  Whether it 
> be an old VW fox wagon, or a new S4tt, we all have our means and reasons for 
> engaging in our projects, and I for one would like my project to be 
> appreciated by those who do, and ignored by those who don't.  Ridicule and 
> pessimistic analysis have no place here IMO.

Funniest thing I've read in a while.  This list is full of pessimism and 
ridicule.  



>    I think Alex has done a great job with his car, and I for one would much 
> rather drive his modified FWD sedan than a Jetta anyday.  His car handles 
> well, and stops on a dime thanks to Porche/Coleman brakes.  I enjoy hearing 
> about his car, you may want to check out his site.  It is very informative.  

I've looked at the site.  Neat.  


> You can even read about my seemingly rediculous car there too under Audi 80 
> speed.

I've never seen you try to assert that your car's modifications are 
based on _NEED_.  I'm all for fast cars, but to claim that the stock 
brakes are inadequate is silly - they could be improved upon, sure, 
just about everything can be improved upon - but the stock brakes 
can and do work just fine for lots of people, including people 
who roadrace the cars.  I have no problem with spending money on 
cars for fun, I do it all the time - but that's what it is, FUN.  
I don't try to justify things on a basis of need - none of us 
NEED a 300hp awd car to get to and from work.  Not one.  Some of 
us might need AWD to get up snowy driveways.  Some of us might "need" 
other things that Audis have, FWD or not.   None of us NEED gargantuan 
brakes.  They can be fun, shopping for aftermarket calipers for another 
project right now, AAMOF(abbreviated for the real-world impaired;), but 
I don't need them.  I want them, they've got a purpose in this 
application - fun.

OK.  Whatever.  I picked up the Colorado equivalent of Alex on 
Christmas day - was driving up I-70, saw an 80 or 90(could not 
tell, was in the left lane) parked on the shoulder, flashers on.  
Saw a kid running up the highway.  Pulled over.  Nice guy, on his way 
to work at Vail, drove a FWD 80 with aftermarket wheels - was thinking 
that he was a lot like Alex.  We talked Audi, skiing, etc, seemed 
to be the type of person I imagine Alex to be in person.  He was 
nice, a bit over-enthusiastic about some things, but hey, that's 
fine.  

I have no problem with Alex or his brakes.  I do have a problem 
with the notion that stock brakes are inadequate for ONE 100mph-0 
stop.  C'mon.  That's my point.  

OTOH, if they want to do it, FINE!  Just like bigwing Honda guys, 
lowrider guys, bigtire truck guys - great, yay, hooray, but don't 
try to tell me that the stock tires were too small to get through 
snow, that the rear wing 5' off the trunk is needed for additonal 
downforce or that the stock brakes are inadequate for STREET 
driving.  I could not care less what YOU do with your car.  I 
actually think your car is pretty cool.  Maybe not something 
I'd do myself, but neat nonetheless.  I think the FWD 80 with 
such-and-such brakes are neat, but needed?  No.  


YITYAMWACC.


Iain Mannix

> Sincerely,
> Javad
> 80qt
> 
>    
>