Type 44: The Sickness was What Do I Look For...

[Joseph Rae]

Yep I see that I'm not the only one that makes preemptive strikes on the
Wrecking yard for stuff that may break, or would be nice to have a spare of.
I think I have 2 spare fuel pump relays in my car, one in the trunk and one
in the glove box.

Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gregory J. Wolters" <GJWArch at 95959.com>
To: "Steve Jensen" <sjensen at mindspring.com>; "Audi List"
<quattro at audifans.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2001 10:58 PM
Subject: Re: Type 44: The Sickness was What Do I Look For...


> Right on!
>
> Steve Jensen wrote:
>
> > I have to laugh because I understand both sides of the ongoing argument
> > (spirited discussion?).  The guy's innocent question was what to look
for on
> > a 5000, and the answers IMHO are:
> >
> > 1) buy the best possible example you can find, a maintenance deferred
> > example will bleed you dry.
> >
> > 2) yes, they are wonderful great/fun/exciting cars HOWEVER they are NOT
for
> > those who:
> >
> > - have limited inherent mechanical skills and can't/won't turn a wrench.
> >
> > - have limited funds for the exciting times when something unique and
> > expensive breaks (steering racks, afterrun coolant pumps, bombs, etc.).
> >
> > - want to drive an appliance.  Type 44s are an adventure!
> >
> > I now view trips to the junkyard as a necessary evil and now happily
look
> > upon them as scavenger hunts.  I stock up on things I know the cars will
end
> > up needing, and I accept that with a smile on my face.  I make it a
point to
> > tell my wife "hey, you know that nearly new fuel pump relay I bought at
the
> > junkyard for $4.00, well the old one failed and I just saved us $40.00
by
> > not going to the dealers!".
> >
> > I love both my Type 44s.  Any car that can look that good after 14
years,
> > have engines and drivetrains that are extremely robust, can cruise at 80
mph
> > without breaking a sweat, and feel as comfortable as your favorite pair
of
> > jeans when you get in, well, I'm hooked.  Yeah, they have their
weaknesses
> > (as some have pointed out) but for me the pros outweigh the cons.
> >
> > I think DeWitt said it the best "You need to have a lot of Love to
withstand
> > the pain."
> >
> > I'm sick, but the key is I acknowledge it, I accept it, and no twelve
step
> > program is going to put me in a mindnumbingly dull H*nda with a car
payment!
> >
> > -Steve Jensen
> > (currently planning his next trip to the junkyard)
> > 87 5kcstq
> > 87 5kcstqw
>
>