[V8] 2007

[Roger M. Woodbury]

Happy New Year, List.  Congratulations to all of us as we have managed to
live through the vagaries of the Audi fixations to survive into yet another
year.  

I have decided to sell The Black Mariah.  

I may have come to a decision about my "next" daily driver, and it might
well be not pretty.  I have reluctantly come to the decision that it is
probably not going to be another V8.  I just received pictures from someone
selling a 1991 20Valve Avant not terribly far from me, and as much as I
would like to, I don't think I will pursue it at all.  At least right now
that's what it seems like the most reasonable course of action will be.

Yesterday, I went to visit my parents and to go further to my daughter's
house to finish a little painting project.  The total round trip was just
about 100 miles.  I took my wife's 100CS Avant Quattro as The Black Mariah
is sitting at the quarry and I have the big Chebbie truck here for other
duties.  

The 100CS has just had new front brakes and struts and strut mounts.  A
month ago, I replaced the spark plugs and wires.  118,000 miles, and I have
to say that the car is very pleasant to drive.  We had about two inches of
snow the night before, and Route 1 was wet with slush along the edges, and
the secondary road was snow and slush covered.  Perfect Audi Quattro
conditions, and I was impressed again, (as I am usually, after not driving
the car for some time) with how "civilized" the car is.  Especially
considering that it is a 1994 with mileage.  

Recently, I have been following eBay auctions for A6 Avants.  In New Jersey
as we speak is a 1999 Avant Quattro that has failed once at auction, and
really should sell.  It appears to be a true, one owner car with 80k and the
pics make it look immaculate.  Low retail is in the low seven thousand
range, and it didn't make even that last time through the auction.  The
seller is offering the car with a "Buy It Now" price just under nine grand,
which is ALL THE MONEY for this car in this market, but this is a nice one.

I am watching this auction, because this could be the "right" car, although
I am not going to buy this one.  

As disgusting as it seemed to me a few months ago, I am thinking about an A6
Avant as the replacement for The Black Mariah.  The Black Mariah has had a
LOT of stuff done mechanically, and will need a few more things in order to
pass Maine inspection next summer.  So, either she will be sold to an
enthusiast or will go to the transportation museum next spring as a donation
at whatever the government now allows for a donation without appraisal...I
think it is still $5,000.  

Too bad.  The car is worthy of more work, and there is no reason why it
won't go another hundred thousand miles right now, but it is time for me to
move along.  I don't want another project car at this point, because we are
planning to build a new house as early as next early fall, and cars must
take a lower prominence....or face the wrath of my wife, which NO ONE wants
to do.  

I think I may list The Black Mariah on the Audifans list for now, and I
might put it up on eBay as a flier, although it will be difficult getting
pictures now that we have winter here.  

I guess this is a sort of New Year's resolution....

Roger