[V8] V8 vs A8

[Scott Phillips]

Dave, 

IMO there's more to consider. Assuming you care about: A. - the 10K
budget and B. that it's a Quattro; Then I wouldn't consider a V8, UrS or
a D2 car.. and here's my reasoning. 

Moving from the T44 into a V8 or UrS isn't going to get you (much) more
that you already have - fit, finish feel, ride type it'll all be very
similar and as you've already stated - you keep them; and do your own
work on them. All the cars in this group except a very select few are
now on their fouth+ owners and who know what has really been done to
them (or more importantly, what has not..). We as V8 owners all like a
certain amount of torture (being a V8 owner) but I don't know if I'd
willingly take on another given their overall lack of care.. unless
sourced from this list.. (Which John - the V8 is still motivating
nicely). 

The V8, UrS and D2 cars are all VERY similar in technology, with the D2
adding the Aluminum Space Frame - which is a mother if it was ever
tweaked to fix let alone to fix correctly.. special tools, ultra clean
working environments.. and they are now all on the downward swing of
support from Audi. If you are going to move up and force yourself to
learn the "new" technology try and get as close to current as your
budget will allow. 

If you *must* have a V8 under the hood, the 2000+ A8/S8 are fantastic
cars that have had the early A8 bugs worked out of them. Then there are
the 4.2 A6's and Allroads if you want an Avant. 

Do I love my V8 - resoundingly "yes"; will I have one forever I don't
think so - when the time comes like a few already on the list my eye is
looking at the 2002ish S8... not too old, not to new - and a logical
"what's after the V8".. 

HTH.

Scott P