[s-cars] Sports Wagons? Replacement for '95.5 S6: S4 Avant V8?

[yo-cello at comcast.net]

Wow, Keith.  Sorry to hear. 

Sad to lose another VT S6 avant.  There's few of us around.  I hope things work out for you!

As far as the s4 avant you're looking at, I'd think that what he means that it's the valve cover gaskets that are leaking.   The $450 sounds like what the dealer would charge to replace both.    The v8s do have a tendency to start leaking and dropping oil on the exhaust manifold or down pipe creating quite a stink.   Doesn't take much to create quite a stink and not leave drops of oil on the ground.  If that's what he describes...

If you do buy back the car, let me know.  I've been toying with the idea of swapping out my ecru with a black interior, if the car is a 95.5.  One more thing to convince my wife that I'm insane (actually wont take much anymore).  

Cello
Jericho, VT 

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-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Franchetti
To: s-car-list
Sent: May 4, 2013, 8:57 AM
Subject: [s-cars] Sports Wagons? Replacement for '95.5 S6: S4 Avant V8?

Hi Again-

So now I need to figure out what to drive.  I've been dreading this day,
since there are precious few true sports wagons out there.  Actually, I'd
settle for a decent pretender--forget about "true."

First, I'm going to look at a 2004 S4 Avant V8 today.  Guy wants $14.5k.

http://burlington.craigslist.org/cto/3761742307.html

He's the 3rd owner.  Says "head gaskets might need to be replaced" because
they are "leaking." But he says the dealership's estimate for the repair is
$450.  Can anyone translate that to something that makes sense?  And
assuming that alone isn't a huge red flag, does anyone know what else I
should be considering or worrying about with this car?

Specifications for replacement car for '95 S6 Avant:

Deal-breakers: manual transmission (with a clutch -- not paddles); wagon;
roof rack

Wants:  big enough to be family vacation car (just one daughter); kick in
the pants to drive, but with creature comforts too.

Cars I'm considering:  VW TDI Jetta; Mini Cooper (new AWDs); Audi?; BMW
(wifey has ruled these out, but I haven't)

I'd love suggestions.  Thanks in advance.

Keith
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