Dear Mr. Wizard....

[Kent McLean]

Tess McMillan wrote:
> he's a writer and a musician with a growing family ....)
> "She has a 2000 Audi A4 Quattro. 5-speed manual, 60,000 miles. 

It'll need a timing belt soon. Factor that into the cost. And an A4 at
that age may need control arms. Ka-Ching!

Unless the pay scales of writers and musicians have changed (assuming
they're not an Ernest Hemingway or a Paul McCartney), an Audi may not
be the best choice.  It will need more maintenance, and that maintenance
will be more expensive.  But the ride and handling will be better than
a Honda or Toyota, which may be a better choice for a write and musician
with a growing family. That said, the newer Audis (1995+, although the
1992+ 100s can be included) are much more reliable than the Type 44s.

How good a friend are they?  Will you still be friends if the Audi you
recommended dies on them or needs big bucks maintenance? If yes, then
sure, tell 'em to get the Audi. :)

-- 
Kent McLean
'99 A4 Avant, w/ quattro, V6, Tiptronic, :)
'91 200 TQA #1, backup car
gone but not forgotten:
'94 100 S Avant, "Moody", now with new owner
'91 200 TQA #2, up in smoke 2
'89 200 TQ, "Bad Puppy", up in smoke