[V8] The end of the Black Mariah?

[Roger M. Woodbury]

Actually, probably not at least right now.  But sometime between now and
next year at this time, I expect The Black Mariah to be replaced.  The
reason is that I think I need to draw a line beyond which I simply won't go
with this car interms of repairs and restoration.  Here's the deal:

Sometime between now and next year at this time, I will probably roll past
200,000 miles.  Tomorrow morning it will roll over 170,000, and thirty
thousand over the next twelve months is a real possibility.  

Between now and then, Mariah will have to have new front UFO's and pads.
She will also have to have new or rebuilt rear half shafts and ABS sensors
and something will have to be done about the airbag warning light which is
on continuously.  The latter two items are mandatory in order to pass state
inspection next August.  She will also have to be reshod between now and
summer of next year...probably in the Spring.  Those are the mandatory
maintenance items that will need to be done, and I am not sure that I want
to put that much more money into this car, although it runs GREAT now.  

So, I have been thinking about the options available as a replacement for me
as a daily driver.  Here is a sort of short list.  Bear in mind, that I am
limiting my choices to station wagons or suv type vehicles that I think I
might be able to live with.  

Number one on the short list is another '91 20 Valve Avant.  The ideal car
will be one with around 115,000 miles or less and most importantly, no
damage history.  I have seen a couple this past few months, and just missed
one that looked very good in Massachusetts.  Right now is not the time...but
next year will be.  This is a great choice for me, as I LOVE the Type 44
Avant.  Lousy choice for my wife who can't manage a clutch if her life
depended on it.  (And trust me:  teaching a 62 year old woman who is clutch
challenged, makes YOUR life depend on NOT doing it!).

Number 2 on the short list might be a 1999-2002 A6 Avant...maybe even a 3
litre.  Mileage around 50,000.  They are around and pretty plentiful
actually.  But they simply don't warm me up at all.  VERY nice cars, and if
it were for my wife, it would be perfect.  But her 100CS AVant Quattro is
perfect for her and will go another 100,000 miles without question, although
we will do a light exterior restoration.

Number 3 on the short list.  Well, this is hard, because I would LOVE a 2002
S6 Avant. However, I know that the downstream maintenance costs will be very
high, as will be the cost of tires.  Also, the car sits quite a bit lower
than the A6 and I will still be going over  some of Maine's less than
perfect secondary and dirt roads for the foreseeable future.  Not sure the
S6 would really work, AND they are still pretty pricey.

Number 4.  Well, occasionally I fantasize about the Porsche Cayenne S.  I
read recently that Porsche will not have a Cayenne in model year 2007
because they are doing a refurbishing of t he "old" model.  Also Cayenne
sales are down more than 25% this year, and I think that the bloom is off
the rose for these things.  Still and all, with the trick air suspension,
the Cayenne S might work for me.  Might be too pricey, too.

Number 5:  Taureq V10 turbodiesel.  Lovely in theory. Still very pricey and
in order for it to make sense in Maine it would have to get about forty
miles per gallon due to the very high cost of diesel fuel here.  

Number 6:  Lexus somethingorothernewSUVthatisn'tgigantic....interesting
looking car. About the right size, and about the right everything. Still
looks a tad too Japanesee for me and too new to be attractive because the
price will be high, but interesting nonetheless.

Number 7:  The new GMC SUV.  Acadia, I think it is?  Service will be local
to where I will be living in another year and a half...not sure about
anything else.  Also, a GM SUV?  PuhLEEEEZE!

Number 8:  And rising fast.  2002, 03, 04 Volkswagen W8 Wagon.  Interesting
cars.  Seem to have good power and a nice wagon environment.  Audi Quatro
under the name 4-Motion.  I am watching these cars closely.  

Roger

P.S. Then there is the venerable '93-'94 V8.  Well, it isn't a station wagon
is it?  But then, it might not make any difference since I will be moving
further "Downeast" and will have a truck-truck for hauling
stuff....hmmmmmmmmmmm.