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

[Harold McComas]

I would have suggested a 2004-05 VW Passat GLS 4Motion wagon, 1.8T. But in 
the manual version there were only about  516 made, so finding one will be a 
big problem. Then you would have to address the suspension and motor to make 
it "sporty". Sub 10k entry would leave money for upgrades.

Harold


> From: Keith Franchetti <skidfranc at gmail.com>
> To: "s-car-list at audifans.com" <s-car-list at audifans.com>
> Subject: [s-cars] Sports Wagons? Replacement for '95.5 S6: S4 Avant
> V8?
> Message-ID:
> <CAGfhCbGDd55gML7T-x78UMSG7obuMb-gEUOg4wAe6FJ-6==now at mail.gmail.com>
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>
> 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
>