Replacing my 87 5ktq

[Doyt W. Echelberger]

For the past year I have been looking at replacements for my 1987 5ktq,
which is past 300k miles. And it still runs smooth and quiet and only uses
a quart a month. Also, it is paid for.

So, what have I found out....bottom line is that lots of cars have many of
the excellent characteristics of my Audi, but nothing else has all of them.
And those other cars are NOT paid for. So, it is a question of what do I
want to give up.....functional characteristics, or money.

A _long_ list of new parts already decorates my check book. I would never
drive the car unless it was safe and reliable, so it always got anything it
needed. Major and minor stuff....new radiator, clutch, alternator, rack,
bomb, windshield, wheel bearings, bushings, suspension parts, brakes,
tires, door parts, etc. The body is almost perfect and totally rust free,
of course.

My conclusion is that the only acceptable replacement will be another Audi
with similar characteristics. But, it won't be paid for. So, I'm going to
keep driving this 300k mile car. There is nothing wrong with it except it
has passed 300k miles.

That conclusion scares and surprises me, but it is the rational result of
my experience. And if this car gets trashed in an accident, I'll probably
replace it with a similar one.....maybe an S6. Maybe a nice sensible A6.
I'd like to know more about the A6's, from people who own them. Off-list
would probably be good.

I seem to have discovered a benchmark.

Doyt Echelberger
Ohio   USA