'88 5000S Auto FS; Any Buyer Beware?

[John Cody Forbes]

Alex Kowalski wrote:
> cobram wrote:
>
>> The 5000's are known as "type 44" Audi's.  Long story short, there is
>> absolutely NOTHING that justifies the costs of keeping a normally
>> aspirated automatic FWD  type 44 up and running.
>
> Wow, that's harsh.  But it's true.  I wouldn't even pay that much for
> a Turbo non-Q automatic.
>

Among my collection of Audi 5000's two of them are non-turbo cars, and they
are both 5 speeds. These cars are *barely* quick enough to navigate traffic,
which put the 3 speed auto-box below the mark. I am not trying to say I'm
dissapointed in the power at all, for what they are they do great, but
trying to get up to highway speed on an uphill on-ramp is......well it's an
uphill battle ;-).

I'd also like to point out that the auto-tranny is very fragile. The turbo
cars with the auto tranny can destroy the transmission easily by driving
hard. The non-turbo cars are easier on the tranny because of the obvious
lack of power, but still it's a weak transmission.

Bottom line? I would (and I am) advise against buying this particular car.
If it's in like new condition with the paper tag from the original dealer
still on it then it may be worth sealing away like Alex wrote, other then
that it's a pretty low value car.

If you (or she) aren't ready for the clutch learning experiance then go with
either a newer Audi (a V6 100 model would do great, heck even a 4cyl Audi 80
would be fine) or look arround for deals in another brand. If you are
feeling brave then borrow a friends car and teach the gal how to drive a
real transmission, then after she ruins your buddies clutch go buy her a
manual tranny Audi ;-).

-Cody Forbes
http://www.5000tq.com
'86 5k noT noQ
'86 5k noT noQ - Parting Out
'87 5ktq
'87 5ktq - Fast. Really Fast.