[V8] Re: spiritual successor....

[rmwoodbury at downeast.net]

I have been having a lot of thoughts about the V8Q now that mine has 
gone.  I can't think of anything that I would chose to replace it, as 
nothing combines all of the elements of that car in a package that 
actually can be serviced and kept operating without great pain and 
expense.  I doubt that I will have another, and will shortly be driving 
my refurbished '91 20Valve Avant, which will have the performance of the 
V8 with the added utility of the Avant body.  But if I did want another 
V8, here is my "spin" on the economics:

I would buy a '93...forget about a '94, as there were so few, the chances 
of finding one are so long as to be nonexistent.

The ideal car would have 150,000miles or less, and have been owned by not 
more than two people...one is preferable, but then, the odds are, etc, 
etc, etc.  This car should cost (in April, 05 dollars) around $5500.00.

I would plan on a complete underpinning rebuilt, including shocks, and 
all bushings front and rear.  Budget amount:  $1200.00

Naturally, a full tune up, including timing belt, tensioner, pullys and 
assorted other things....and front engine seal, as invariably it will be 
leaking, along with a lot of other gaskets, gizzies, grommets and other 
rubber things, like hoses and belts...probably the hydraulic pump because 
we will be "there" anyway.  Maybe headgaskets if they are seeping very 
much.  I would budget something on the order of $3500.00 for this part.

Air conditioning.  Ah, yes.  Air conditioning....and hvac blower...maybe 
yes, and maybe not... but plan on another $1200 to be ready for this 
stuff.

Body.  Well, it might be good to go over the body carefully, with a 
decent, "preservation" type refinishing.  Probably not more than $2,000, 
and if the car is a one owner and has impeccable maintenance history 
(figure the odds!), maybe do a real restoration of the exterior.  That 
could easily reach $6,000.

Tires, Euro headlights, and maybe Big Reds and wheels....another $3,000.

And, Voila!  "New" V8 Quattro.

What I would have at the end of the day, would be a near perfect V8 
Quattro, for less than seventeen grand.  The advantage would be that the 
excise tax on this car would be at the very bottom of the scale in this 
state...about $160 per year, and the cost of insurance per year would be 
less than $700, even with collision and comprehensive.  

NO OTHER CAR on the road being sold as a four passenger car can be had 
for this kind of money, either before, during or after the purchase, and 
equal the performance and satisfaction of one of these.  

I am also assuming that the transmission is ok, and doens't need to be 
rebuilt yet, which isn't too much of a stretch.  But even if it does, how 
does that compare with the cost of a new A6?  And at the end of the day, 
is a new A6 V8 worth THREE TIMES what this refurbished V8 is worth?  For 
the benefit of an ego, perhaps, but I can't think of another reason.

Roger

Pondering the thought that maybe the best cars have already been
built!

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