NG with blown head gasket...how long can it run like that?

[TooManyAudis at aol.com]

In a message dated 1/17/2007 2:33:08 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
aamarks at cox.net writes:

One important piece of missing info is how much the seller wants for  it. I 
don't know what it's worth to an Audifan, but blue book has the car's  value as 
less than it would cost to fix it. The guy should practically be  giving it 
away. Then if you can fix it yourself you've got a  bargain.
 
We're assuming the car falls under the $250 limit for the BABE Rally.
 
Figure on $400 to $500 in parts and shop fees (with our hero doing all the  
grunt work except the actual head refurbishing) and you've got the start of a  
decent car with a refurbished head, new timing belt, water pump, etc..
 
The book value on these cars must be ridiculously low by now (say $800 to  
$1300).  But, if you want a dependable ride that will go anywhere and is  
relatively easy to maintain, then the 80q is a pretty good option.
 
-- Tom