Please talk some sense into me

[Michael McLaughlin]

Hello everyone. I'm having some crazy ideas (and, for once, my wife  
is behind me on these crazy ideas) and I'm hoping the list can talk  
some sense into me. Or confirm I'm not crazy. Or, probably, both.

In a nutshell, we're thinking of replacing our A4 with an older Audi  
-- probably something along the lines of a five-cylinder S6, or  
perhaps even a 90 quattro. Our A4 (a 1999.5 1.8T five-speed Avant)  
replaced a 1995 90, and after a few years of ownership we can't help  
but think in some ways the A4 was a downgrade.

The A4 has a lot going for it, but it's also been the most  
troublesome Audi of the three we've owned. Additionally -- and more  
importantly, to my wife especially -- the A4 doesn't have the old  
German car feel that it'll last forever. Our older Audis had a very  
different, more solid feel on the road, and also felt like they were  
built to survive anything short of a direct nuclear strike.

Anyway, any thoughts/input/etc. on this issue would be appreciated. I  
can't help but think that buying a car that old (even if we find one  
in spectacular condition) is a bad idea in a lot of ways, but man, I  
miss my old Audis.

Thanks,
Mike