[V8] car shopping

[Buchholz, Steven]

... it seems to me that if an '89 200 isn't big enough a V8 will have the
same issue.  I don't know whether or not the newer cars are as plagued by
auto tranny issues as the type 44 variants were, you may want to do some
research there.  I wouldn't be too worried about the FWD either.  My BiL
bought a similar sedan for his kids to take to college ... it seems as
though there may be some niggling issues with the V6, so you may want to dig
a bit deeper there too.  While I'm sure you are up to speed on the sorts of
issues a T44 can dish out, but unless the '87 was well sorted out you might
want to pass ... you're going to need a car you can depend on, is it
reasonable to expect that from any car that is pushing 20 years old?

While I'm a T44 fan, and LOVE the V8, practically speaking the 100 Avant is
probably the best choice ...

Steve B
San Jose, CA (USA)

... BTW, congrats on the job ... I hope it works out well for you!
> 
> I'm taking a job as a traveling sales person. My '89 200,
> with 237K miles on her, isn't big enough to hold all the
> samples, so I need a wagon.  Since it's a commission-only
> job, and I won't see a paycheck for 3 months, I'm bottom
> feeding. I was shopping for a mid-90s Passat wagon, but
> here's what I found:
> 
> 1 - 1994 Audi 100 Avant, V6, auto, FWD, 138K miles, needs minor
> work. Will probably trade for my Miata for it. Good: newer Audi,
> clean.  Bad: FWD. Questionable: the automatic.
> 
> 2 - 1987 Audi 5K Avant. Quattro, 5-speed, MC-1. 128K miles.
> Good: Dirt cheap. Fairly low miles. I keep my 200 as a parts
> car (the Eur lights fit). Bad: Older than my '89, mechanical
> condition unknown.
> 
> 3 - The dark horse: 1992 Audi V8, Pearl and black. 173K miles.
> Needs some work. Good: it's my lust car. Bad: not a wagon, high
> miles, and poor gas mileage.
> 
> I'm leaning towards the '94 100 as it's newer and without
> the complication of quattro. The 5K avant would work, and
> if it broke, I could walk away from it.  The V8 is a crazy
> idea that I could be talked in to.
> 
> So, start talking.  Should I go for the "reliability" of
> the '94 100?  Take a chance on an old 5K Avant?  Or be
> stupid and pop for the V8, space-for-samples be damned?
> I'm looking for opinions as to "what would you do" given
> a) the need for a reliable vehicle, b) that can put a lot
> of miles on it, c) with gas at $2.50/gallon, and d) the
> need for samples space.
> 
> Kent
> '89 200 TQ, "Bad Puppy"
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