What car to replace my '87 4kq? (long)

[Cody Forbes]

And on that note about cleaning the window switches: doing so before there is an issue will go a long way to avoiding an issue.

-Cody Forbes (mobile)

On Feb 24, 2014, at 5:12 AM, Ti Kan <ti at amb.org> wrote:

> On Sun, Feb 23, 2014 at 08:20:36PM -0800, Andrew Buc wrote:
>> I've had my 4kq for slightly over 14 years, and my fondness for it
>> is undiminished, but owning it is becoming less practical. I'm
>> dividing this post into 4 sections: the Reader's Digest version of
>> my sitch, the War and Peace version, my criteria for the next car,
>> and my thoughts on what the replacement car might be.
>> 
>> ...
> 
> If I were you and must have only one car, then I'd keep the 4Kq.
> You have already fixed many things that would wear out/go bad, so you
> _know_ your car.  The "unknowns" that might strand you are probably
> few and far between.  If you buy a used car, you'll have a lot more
> unknowns, even if there is service history, because you may not know
> whether the repairs were done properly and with quality parts.  Each car
> model has its own set of issues, so there are more unknowns that you'd
> have to contend with.
> 
> It's true that the 4K series is old and certain parts are becoming hard
> to find, particularly body or interior parts.  But those parts that are
> needed to keep the car running (engine, brakes, drivetrain, suspension,
> etc) are still available.  You just need to look for them a bit harder.
> 
> You said:
>> I don't think in terms of "This repair is $X, and the resale
>> value of the car is $Y." I do think in terms of, "If I do this repair,
>> what kind of service will the car give me for the foreseeable future?"
> 
> Bingo.  I don't think of repairs/service as unwanted expense, I consider
> them investments to increase the life of the car.
> 
> You know you like the car, so don't get rid of it and regret the decision
> later...
> 
> My 2 cents.
> 
> Btw, Audi power window switches of that era usually can be disassembled
> and cleaned (oxidation of the contacts).
> 
> -Ti
> 
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