[V8] 1991 V8 For Sale, Seattle Area

[John Bysinger]

As much as I'd rather not, I am going to be selling my 1991 V8Q.

I'm selling for 2 reasons, I've got a business that's starting to eat up my
time, and because at 43 years old, my body's warranty has expired.  I've
developed a fairly serious lower back issue that combined with my new
business, both don't blend well with DIY auto repair.

About the car:

The good:
I got this car a few years ago from fellow lister Tom L, it is my 2nd V8.
We traded a 1990 for a 1991, and swapped wheels and a few other things.
Though Tom's had higher miles than my 1990, it was in much better shape
than mine was when I first bought it 8 years prior.  If I remember Tom
right, I think I'm owner #4, so it's been well cared for over the years.
The body is straight, the interior is fairly clean, most of the electronics
still work, including all the dash indicators and gauges, and the stock
radio (mostly.)  Oil changed 2,500 miles ago, trans had a 4 liter
drain/fill 2 years ago.  After the right front brake flex hose failed,
brakes got flushed and filled with new fluid.  Car comes with new brake
pads for front/rear, and 2 each of oil and air filters.

The bad:
When I got it from Tom, there was an issue with the rear windows rolling
down but not up.  Tom had disconnected the power to the cluster of cables
for the rear seat heaters, windows, and rear console lighter.  I rarely
ever had back seat passengers, so that is still disconnected.  Either the
left valve cover, or left distributor seal have developed an oil leak.  The
Climate Control functions perfectly, but I think AC needs a recharge
(compressor clutch cycles properly).  Power steering pump is starting to
make some noise, but all hoses are intact, possible slow leak from the
rack?  Loses fluid slowly over time.  After sitting two months, front tires
leak slowly, have two spare tires (unmounted) of same make that go with the
car.  Right front suspension has a rattle, and outside edge of tire shows
uneven wear.  Have both sets of replaceable lower suspension bushings for
right and left sides, not installed yet.  And the electric radiator fan's
bushings are starting to get noisy, but cycle perfectly fine through all 3
speeds when tested.

The ugly:
2 months ago I made a post about the trans going into neutral on the
highway.  I coasted it to the shoulder, got an AAA ride home.  Checked
fluid: level is fine, color is fine.  Cycled through the solenoid tests via
the motronic controller, fairly certain I heard everything cycle.  I
inspected underneath, and removed the rear air box, and parts over the
steering rack to see what I could see, but didn't see anything obvious.
System wasn't blinking any obvious trans failure codes.  Still won't go
into gear.  Selecting E, S, M doesn't change anything, neither does
anything on the shifter.  When blinking codes, the PRNDL123 on the dash lit
up as appropriate in the FSM.  If I were to venture a guess, there's some
stupid wire that failed somewhere that I can't see/find.

I'm at a loss as to next steps, and with my new friend lower back problems,
I can't spend more than 10 minutes at a time trying to find out.

Posting here first, then likely to craigslist and VW Vortex, or a few Audi
forums.  I'm quite motivated to get it a new home quickly as I don't have
the space to just store it.  Asking $2500, but open to negotiation,
especially for you folks who have helped me a TON over the years.

Between the 1990 and the 1991, I've been driving a V8 for 10 years, if
things change in a year or so, you might see me back... They've been such
enjoyable cars.

John Bysinger
'91 V8Q
john at bysinger.net