a6...2.7t, 2.8, or v8?

[Britt Crowell]

> I have a friend looking for a new(ish) car and he thinks an A6 might fit 
> the bill. I've always been a fan of the 2.8v6(and the newer versions), but 
> what are the downfalls of the the 2.7tt and the 4.2v8? Is it the number of 
> engine specific parts, the extra labor to work on the rarer versions? He's 
> looking in the $10-$15k range, but he doesn't need alot of power. He's a 
> realtor and just needs something nice and reliable to haul around clients 
> in our always changing Iowa weather. I've also been pushing him to get a 
> Passat 4Motion, but he only like the newer body styles(2006+) and they 
> don't fit his price range.
>
> Thanks,
> Steve

Well for that kind of money I would be looking a an A8 or A8L and getting an 
extended warranty with it.
Cant beat the looks and room in the back of the A8L and they can be had 
rather cheap with the 325hp 4.2L 40v V8.
We get about 25-26 MPG on the HWY and 20-22 with mixed driving.
Stay with the D2 platform and look at the '01-'03s.
Bruce M over on the Quattroworld.com A8 D2 list would be a good place to 
start.
The V8 is very reliable and the power is nice in lower elevations.

We got my wife a '01 A8L last Dec. with 80K miles for $9500
http://www.brittcrowell.com/A8L_AL_Snow.jpg

Britt