[V8] arrival of the faster rats....

[Scott Justusson]

 Hey Roger
Interesting read of your post.  My daughter is rapidly approaching 300k on her C4 Avant (95 FWD Auto), and then decided to move from the windy city, down to Nashville, losing her mechanic/dad in the process.  Pre-emptive searches for an alternative, put me in the world of the 'others'; the non-4ringed type in the 200-2002 vintage, with a budget of ~5k, since she will be on the hook for half.  I went with the obvious choice, a lower mileage Toyota Camry wagon.  Why?  Because other than the coveted ABS/TCS, it is a bread and butter dead nuts reliable machine, that will cost little compared to the C4.  Problem:  With the budgeted dollars, Camrys were in the 300k mile range.  Hey we have that already!.  Back to the drawing board, actually back to a familiar 'ex'.  I hit the hotspot in the used car market too:  2001-2002 Toyota 4 Runner Limited or Sport.

Long story short, I did my research and found that 2001-2002 Sports and Limiteds have shift on the fly 4WD + low range + locking center diff.  And TCS/ECS and 4Channel ABS.   Add 4piston front calipers, and mileage figures at or better than the C4 level, better seats, and a ride that I claim is better than the C4, this started my 3 month quest.  What did I learn?

First, you have 4 hours to nab a good one, I stood curbside at 2 while the guy ahead of me, aced me out.  I watched the ads like a hawk for 3 months...  Getting so good at weeding ads, I could chop the pigs from the gems very quickly.  Ironically enough, I sent Ingo out to inspect the one I bought, because I knew it would be gone before I could drive the 5hours from Chicago to Detroit.

No SUV?  Damn man I have had a SUV in my stable for 20 years, because I can't imaging living without one.  They have towed many a broken v8 too.  And my 4 piston factory brakes on my Landcruiser are the original rotors at 200k (finally at min spec!).  Anyhow, I put good michilen LTX A/T tires on this 4runner (since she won't be needing true winter tires), a set of springs (4 springs for 80USD?) and some Bilsteins, and I've driven it 5000miles since I got it.  Hands down a better C4 avant, than a C4 Avant.  

Principle?  I don't get that.  Many cross-overs or light duty trucks will do everything a C4 avant will do, and likely better.  I do little regarding cars out of principle, and in this case it was strictly math and practicality vs replacement.  Principle in Audis can cost stupid money, IMO.  BTST

My .02 and Cheers

Scott J
2001 Toyota 4Runner Sport
95 A6 Avant 290k
95.5 S6 
92 V8 ABT Chipped
91 V8

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Roger M. Woodbury <rmwoodbury at fairpoint.net>
To: Dave Saad <dsaadme at me.com>
Cc: v8 <v8 at audifans.com>
Sent: Mon, Sep 21, 2015 10:58 am
Subject: Re: [V8] arrival of the faster rats....


I'm leaning more in that direction actually.  Just keeping the V8 going 
and
keeping the 100 going until something seriously breaks.

No SUV's for me though.
Just on principle alone.

R