found a beautiful avant! what to do?

[Livolsi, Stephane]

you make some good points

FWIW - I'm not sure the exact elevation of where it is, but it definitely is
not at sea level - it is up there in the mountains.

general consensus appears to be that the price is high.

> ----------
> From: 	James at ringsperformance.com[SMTP:James at ringsperformance.com]
> Sent: 	July 28, 2003 9:15 PM
> To: 	Livolsi, Stephane
> Subject: 	Re: found a beautiful avant! what to do?
>
> I can't imagine going through the sorting process _not_ on a later '89+
> car: interior virtually the same as today's OOOOs, real door handles,
> better electricals, better climate control, etc. The factory boost gauge
> is notoriously inaccurate; you may be at high elevation, running with a
> broken WOT switch or WGFV, or truly running right but with a bad gauge.
> The turbo is probably fine, likely it's a popped hose, bad gauge, busted
> WOT, or something else inexpensive. And the price sounds high.
>
> cu, James Marriott
> '87 4kq (alias "late-B2 90q") with rare ersatz NG engine, 184k, being
> restored from rear-end total loss
> '89 200q (MC1, ProconTen/no bag, 1.8 blah blah), 151k, already been
> un-totaled
> Boise, ID, USA     http://www.webpak.net/~marriott/
> www.ringsperformance.com
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Livolsi, Stephane" <Stephane.Livolsi at investorsgroup.com>
> To: "Audi Quattro List" <quattro at audifans.com>
> Sent: Monday, July 28, 2003 4:40 PM
> Subject: found a beautiful avant! what to do?
>
>
> > Ok, my daily driver is an 86 5ktq sedan that I have done a lot of work
> on.
> > Just turned over 300,000 kms and is still going strong and is more
> reliable
> > than ever.
> >
> > On my recent holiday I came across a gorgeous red 88 5ktq Avant for
> sale.
> > It was magnificent - like a beautiful woman,or a group of ugly ones -
> you
> > know the kind anyone can get, even if you're a little slow and take
> special
> > classes (those of you who play GTA: Vice City will know what I'm talking
> > about.)
> >
> > Anyway, back to the car.  Beautiful red paint, not pristine or mint, but
> > very very nice for the age. Black leather inside - seats are a bit worn,
> but
> > no torn seams or rips. Has 244000 kms.
> >
> > Now for the good stuff:
> >
> > It has Eurolights - man those are nice!
> > It is very straight and clean, in and out.
> > It comes with a Thule roof rack
> > It has a spare set of wheels with winter tires
> > The owner has all the service records, and it was usually maintained at
> an
> > Audi dealership. Oil changes at 5000 kms.
> > The hydraulic system has Pentosin, as evidenced by the bottle that the
> owner
> > dug out.  It leaks a bit, needs a top up every few months.
> > Tranny shifting is very tight and not notchy, like mine.
> > New shocks all around - ride height looks very good compared to my
> sedan.
> > 1 new rear tie rod.
> > Glass is very good.
> > Acceleration was good, no stumbles or misses. very smooth
> > has some new rad hoses.
> >
> > The not so good (but not quite bad):
> >
> > Idle was rough and low - owner sez "yeah, it always does that -
> {shrug}".
> > Only managed to get 1.2 bar on the gauge, despite trying real hard (with
> the
> > owner's permission) Considering that it was about 1,000,000 degrees
> Celsius
> > outside might have something to do with that, but can't be sure.
> > It has a steering wheel vibration that is not scary, just annoying.
> > Definitely needs some attention there.
> >
> > Price is $5400 Canadian - owner already admitted to being flexible - so
> > we're probably looking at closer to $5000.  Still, I feel this is a lot
> of
> > $$ for such a high mileage car that may have major components start to
> go
> > (pump, rack, etc)
> >
> > I have to admit that part of the attraction to this car is the color.
> It
> > stands out, especially after seeing dozens of silver A4's on the
> highway.
> > What's up with that? Don't newer Audi's come in colors other than
> silver?
> > Also, the extra room from an avant appeals to me, especially since I
> like to
> > go camping with wife and 2 kids.
> >
> > Any opinions?  I'm not making a decision right away, almost hoping
> someone
> > else buys it so that I won't be tempted anymore.  Arghh! What to do?
> >
> > Stephane
> >
>