to buy or not to buy...

[Mike Arman]

>From: "Kris Reijonen" <tukris at home.com>

(snipped)

>First post...so be gentle


Hi Kris, and welcome to the list!

We're always gentle to first posters - we generally sucker 'em in until
they're comfortable, THEN we slam them!

Well not really . . . in fact, this is one of the most civilized lists I've
seen in a long time. Probably because people who are interested in Audis
are a little more mature and somewhat more discerning (how's that for
self-serving logic?).



>Yes, the 914 can be a rusty can, but there are many good ones still =
>around (I'm selling my '73 so I can buy a quattro)....sorry you view it =
>as the worst car you've ever had...maybe a ride in a good one would =
>alter your opinion.


My opinion of the vileness of the 914 extends ONLY to the one example I
had. In it's defense, I will say that it had the lightest, most precise
steering of any car I've ever owned, bar none. Unfortunately, the many,
many problems this example had far outweighed the two virtues - (the
steering and it was a convertible).

Problems specific to THIS car were rust everywhere - if there is such a
thing as automotive leprosy, this car had it. Front fenders, door sills,
battery box, floor pan, around the tail lights, gawd, everywhere. On
looking back, this MAY have been a flood car (or a submarine), but I cannot
confirm or deny that. It also had a strange electrical problem. Every so
often (about two or three times a week), the car would just . . . stop. No
amount of persuasion, either mechanical or verbal, would make it run again
until it had sat for about half an hour, whereupon it would start right up
and run fine. Until the next time. (Suspect was computer, no one had any
except new, $$$$$$$$. This was pre-internet, so there were no owners groups
like this one to help - I was at the mercy of the local dealers and
mechanics, a known cadre of thieves and morons.)

Problems specific to the genre were also interesting. Shifting was awful -
the shifter mechanism was made of some poor grade of bubblegum, plus
string. Frozen rear calipers ($$$$$$ again). Rain leaks everywhere - but to
be fair, I had an otherwise rather nice 280SL which was worse. Miserable
service access. You needed to be a contortionist to change the spark plugs.
It also had no fewer than six locks (two doors, ignition, glove box, front
trunk, rear trunk), all of which were different until I re-keyed them
myself after being quoted $25 each at the locksmith - for re-keying the
removed locks! (Did I forget the locks on the engine service lid and fuel
cap, or does my memory fail me - this was in the early 80's)

The one thing I found most annoying was this: The rubber weatherstripping
left big, black marks on ANYTHING that brushed against it, even
feather-light. It was simply impossible to stay clean in that car. One time
I lightly brushed against the edge of the top, and instantly ruined a brand
new white shirt, JUST before I was to enter an important business meeting.
Another time, a lady I was dating did the same, ruined an expensive dress
even though I paid to have it cleaned. Henceforth she refused to ride in
the car unless she was wearing old clothes, and she didn't like wearing old
clothes. Every piece of rubber on the car did this - door gaskets, pop-top
edge, even the bumpers. You flat out couldn't get near the car without
getting dirty.



>Money in pocket can be a key...I bought a 1953 MGTD in excellent shape =
>for $400 at a poker game (his rent money to stop eviction). Also bought =
>a 1960 150S Jaguar Drophead w/D Jag racing engine from factory...triple =
>Webers and for $400. Wife was mad at her husband who'd gone to Alaska =
>looking for work a year previous and never returned...she just wanted it =
>gone like him. Bought a 1929 Pontiac Opera Coupe and a 1951 Pontiac =
>Chieftain (both excellent...towed the 29 w/the 51 after a battery =
>switch) for $100 and an afternoon's conversation with the old lady that =
>owned them. Deals are always there for those who look...the guys that =
>bought the above from me probably feel they got great deals, as I sold =
>them too cheap (in retrospect) and wish I had all of them now...


Me too - when I think about the cars I've had and sold for what is now real
cheap, I'm sick. Unfortunately, we can't keep all our old cars around for
30 to 40 years hoping they'll all appreciate. They deteriorate just from
sitting, and if they are not inside a WW-2 vintage aircraft hangar (big
enough to hold them all), the neighbors and the city zoning people start to
complain . . .


Best Regards,

Mike Arman