'88 5KCSTQ, Worth the hassle?

[Larry C Leung]

On Sun, 13 Jan 2002 17:07:15 -0800 "Craig Lebakken"
<lebakken at cdicadwa.com> writes:
>Hi Larry,
>
>The response to Spencer's post was partly out of humor and
>partly out of practical......uhhhhhh.........can't think of

I knew that, but was worried that Spencer would not.

>makes a formidable car somewhat practical. I have a feeling
>that, in ten or so years, the true engineering achievements
>that the 44 (Audi in general, for that matter) put forth
>into autodom will be recognized. My only hope is that this

Somehow, Audi still resides in the shadow of Mercedes, BMW, and lately
even VW, though mostly people fhink of VW as cheap Germanic fun, and Audi
as luxury, which is not quite how VAG envisioned it. Drove a new A4 3.0Q
6 sp yesterday, a definite threat to BMW (and it wasn't sport suspended)
but the higher content interior (and features) will probably win over the
non-Fangio types rather than the driving dynamics. Heck, most probably
don't even notice the driving dynamics of the BMW either (witness the
numbers of them around here with slushboxes). In many respects, VW
drivers are probably the most pure at this point, they generally (IMHO
the sidesaddle motored ones anyway) are fun, well contented, but not
bought for prestige (I pity VW trying to move the W engined Passats
around the US, I just don't think they'll catch on. I may be fun, it may
be luxurious, and it may have more content than the $$$ suggest, but to
the average American, it'll still be a VW.


>the original 5000 was voted "Car of the Year", but it
>deserved it. That car was SO far ahead of the GMFORD
>conglomerate that they have not caught up to this day. It is
>sad that in 10 - 20 years there will be no USA classics.

C4 Corvette, Camaro/Firebird/Mustang, Taurus SHO, Lightning, and even the
Seville STS?

>
>You are right though in warning Spencer in the possible
>problems in owning an old Audi. It is not for the masses
>(lemmings). And, as a mechanical engineer who has driven
>Audi/VW/Porsche exclusively, I admit, my opinion is somewhat
>biased.
>
>But I would buy a 44 over 75% of the new cars out there
>(cost weighting acknowledged).


Though I liked the new A4, it just didn't have the power for it's
chassis, and seemed a bit slower than my chipped 200TQ 10V. So, not in
any hurries yet to buy new, but it will most likely be an Audi, maybe an
A6 2.7T 6 sp....


>
>Pulse: ooooh. 75. Better cut down on the salt.
>
>Regards,
>
>Craig
>
>PS: Your remark to buy the right car when the time is right
>is right on the mark.
>
Don't want any disgruntled new used Audi owners. The type 44 could really
sour someone on Audi. Heck, it's even managed to get me mad more than a
few times. Still sorry I sold the 4KQ, though not (too) sorry that I have
the 44. (+ I still have the GTi for real tossable fun at the track, now
if I could only get the time to rid of the evidence of the tree that fell
on it....)