[V8] Re: car shopping

Roger M. Woodbury rmwoodbury at downeast.net
Wed Jun 16 22:21:36 EDT 2004


I vote for none of the above as a general statement.

My first Quattro was an'87 5000CS, which had around 120,000 miles on it when
I bought it.  The price was very right (at that time), and I knew that for
the first sixty thousand miles the services had been prompt and thorough.
But the second 60,000 saw merely oil changes, and I had quite a few issues
with the car, until it finally left me with terminal engine syndrome at
212,000.  It was a good car considering how much I paid for it, and what it
was.  Mostly it got me hooked on Audi Quattro.

My wife's current car is a '94 100CS Quattro Avant.  It had 39,000 miles on
it when I bought it and now with around 70,000 it purrs like a kitten.
Around 20-25 miles per gallon, and very reliable.  The earlier 100 cars had
niggling problems, but this one has had none, save for a leaking oil line at
42000 miles.  Not fast, but comfy for long distance cruising, and Quattro
makes it an ultimate car in any weather.  IF the 100 that you are looking at
has ANY service history with it at all, it would probably be an outstanding
car with little helps along the way.

I currently drive a '93 V8.  It is a near perfect car mechanically, with
95000 on it righ tnow.  I have corrected ALL the oil leaks and virtually
every rubber grommet and gizzie in the engine compartment; ALL service items
are DONE and current; and the car runs wonderfully.  Around 20 miles per
gallon on premium fuel, but good only for four people with simple luggage
needs.  ANY V8 doesn't work for you as a salesman traveling over the road.

I also have a '91 200 Avant 20-valve in restoration.  That will be a really
neat car when it is done.  But all of the reservations of a V8 carry
forward, especially the part about premium fuel.  However, if I were to be
going on the road long distance (again, as I did that in a previous
lifetime), I would look carefully for a 1989-90 200 Quattro Avant that has a
good service history that is verifiable, and is in good condition, with
around 100,000 miles.  Those cars ARE out there, and a will prove sturdy
through 200,000 miles or more.

Roger



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