keep it or sell it? Help!

[Dave K.]

Hey Aaron - how are you?

I think your car is quite valuable to someone who wants a nice 4kq.  The
problem is there aren't that many folks around that want one.  I recommend
maybe putting it in the Patriot News and on Audifans at a higher price.  Not
out of reach but enough that you won't feel like you gave it away.
If it sells, great!  You got the money out of the car.  If you don't sell it
then keep it instead of giving it away cheap.
I hope they are more desirable than the '88-'89 Quattro's as they go real
cheap ($1500-$2500, more if real nice).  Even though your car is nice, it
does require some expensive maintenance.  If someone took that car to the
garage for the tb and suspension work, the bill would easily be $2k.  I
know, I just did complete suspension rebuilds on two CQ's.  BTW, you need to
replace all the bits.  Just doing control arm bushings and struts is
worthless unless you do the strut bearings and tie rod ends.  It may need a
ball joint or two also.  After the work is done you'll need a $100 Quattro
alignment done at a Audi shop.
So...that is my 2 cents that I can back up with receipts.  If you have a
place to do work on the car, I would be happy to give you a hand on the
suspension and tb.  You can save a ton of $ if you DIY.  DIY also gives you
the opportunity to buy the parts right.  Most  garages charge retail pride
for Audi parts.  That would put you in the poor house quick.
Anyway, contact me off the list if you want to talk about your options.  Oh
yeah - I work best with a cold beer in my right hand...

Dave Kase
'90 CQ
Elizabethtown, PA


----- Original Message -----
From: "Aaron Sherrick" <aaron at eurekalubricants.com>
To: "Quattro List" <quattro at audifans.com>
Sent: Friday, February 28, 2003 8:01 PM
Subject: 4kq: keep it or sell it? Help!


> Q-list, I need some advice.  It's time for me to purchase a new car, and
I'm
> trying to decide what I should do with my beloved '86 4000 CS Quattro.  I
> had planned to keep the car and eventually do a turbo conversion.  At this
> point in my life having recently graduated college and starting my own
> business, I'm not sure that I want the extra expense of two cars, let
alone
> devoting the time necessary for a turbo project (especially given the low
> level of my mechanical skills).  I think if I wanted to keep it I could,
but
> I have this fear that the car will just sit unused in a garage and
> deteriorate.  On the other hand, if I sell it, I'll probably kick myself
for
> getting rid of one of the nicest 4000's around.
>
> So, I would love some advice, biased as it may be.  :-)  I'm also curious
> what my car is worth should I decide to sell it.  Here's what I have:
>
> '86 4000 CS Quattro
> - Zermatt Silver, Grey cloth interior
> - 85k miles
> - MC cam w/new lifters
> - Stebro exhaust
> - Blauplunkt CD player w/Infinity Kappa 6-speaker system
>
> Condition:
> - interior is flawless with the exception of a hole in the driver's seat
> side bolster
> - paint is in great condition with the following exceptions: ding on hood,
> cracked paint on bumper at one spot, clearcoating gone on spoiler, and the
> occasional minor artifacts on a 17 year old car.
> - mechanically the car is in good shape with the following exceptions:
> suspension rattles (probably control arm bushings as usual. It could use
new
> struts, too), windshield washers don't work (it's something with the
switch,
> and I haven't gotten around to fixing it), team door handle is acting up
on
> my driver's side door, the timing belt should be replaced, and the car
will
> probably need front rotors soon.
>
> Thanks in advance, everyone!
>
> Aaron
>