Keep forever vs sell at 100k (a bit long)

[Motor Sport Visions Photography]

In a message dated 2/19/2002 josh Wyte writes:

<< I'm firmly in the camp of sell before it hits 100k
miles.  I've kept several cars past 150k miles and the
maintenance I've had to do once I passed 100k was very
expensive.  (And yes, I maintain my cars very well) >>

Ahhh, I love people like you ;-) Makes the high miles used car market
such a pleasure (I mean this in a good way...read on). In fact, I just
bought my wife a "new" car last Fall in the form of a 1994 ovloV 850
turbo wagon with 131k miles thanks to this belief. No way we could have
afforded to get her a new wagon (allroad would have been our first
choice were we flush with cash).

<< If you have the time, space and knowledge to fix the
car yourself, it may be worth it to keep the car. >>

Absolutely worth it. But, if you are not in that position it becomes not
worth it real fast. Cost per mile to buy an older fully deprecated, but
well maintained car (*if* you do most of your own work and have good
resources--like this list) is by far the lowest cost way to go. You may
not be able to drive the latest greatest, but as time goes on you'll
recognize those "latest greatest" from the past and realize they can
still be pretty darned good. I would sooner buy an Ur-S4  for $15k than
a new one for $40k, for example.

<< I do admit to being a bit antsy in owning cars though, I
cast covetous eyes towards the latest, fastest model
in the line.  Currently I'm lusting after a neu S4
Avant.  :-) >>

BTDT in my younger days as well...something like 30 vehicles in 20 years
;-) Never stopped lusting, but with a wife, three children, other
interests, car-lust has taken a back seat for me :( (sniff).

<< Having driven a '87 Type 44 quattro, I can honestly
say that IMO it didn't hold a candle to my '97 A4.  My
just flat out performs better. >>

Cough. I wouldn't be so hasty. A 5ktq in good condition with boost mods,
fresh suspension components, and good tires will give a stock '97 A4 a
very serious run for the money. When I bought my present 1987 5ktq in
1997 I paid less ($2950.00) than the deprecation would have been just to
drive a new A4 off the showroom floor. I have put around 55k miles on it
with many road trips and at near 200k miles still running strong (and it
is still definitely faster than a stock '97 A4 in a straight line).

<< Obviously it's a smaller car and a better comparison would be to a
new
A8, which is significantly more expensive. >>

Smaller yes, but not lighter. The A4q and 5ktq weigh in about the same.
A 5ktq with mods makes more power and torque and isn't that bad in the
twisties if properly setup and well maintained. After 7 Audis to date I
still find myself lusting most for a good clean Ur-Q which is one
elusive quattro I have not had yet. Sure, I would love to get something
new, but it ain't gonna happen. The current model that I see best
matches the model positioning of the 5ktq 15 years ago (dang, was it
really that many years ago now?) is the A6 2.7t, not the A8. BTW, used
A8s are quite a bargain right now too ;-).

Mike Veglia
Motor Sport Visions Photography
http://www.motorsportvisions.com