100 vs. 200 vs. 80 vs. 90

[Ken Bell <kenbell@panix.com>]

Many thanks to all who responded to my previous questions about a 1987
4k that I was considering buying.  It was tempting both because of the
handling and the price, but AUDIDUDI's comment about why I was looking
at such a car (with many preexisting mechanical and electrical
problems) if I was so concerned about safety, was right on target.
Also, the car was being advertised as a 4kcs, but it was an automatic,
thus definitely not a quattro (hence, according to the experts here,
not a CS either) so I got to wondering, y'know, and let it pass by.

So, now a simple question, and then some not so straightforward ones :-)

Are there any differences between the 100 and the 200 besides the
turbo?  Similarly for the 80 and 90?  (I'm looking at '89 100/200 and
'88 or '89 80/90, if that matters.)

So much for the simple question.  Now for the subjective ones.

I drove a (non-quattro) 200 today, and was a bit less than astounded by
it's handling.  It was very nice, mind you, but I guess that I
"expected more".  The rear end seemed a bit too willing to slide out on
turns, and it seemed that the ride was just a touch stiff.  The tires
were Goodyear Eagles, FWIW.  Is this handling typical for the 100/200?
Would the 80/90 handle/ride better (I haven't yet driven one)?  Please,
don't get me wrong, I like the 200 ;-)

Those solid head restraints, while promoting a definite sense of
security, were quite prominent in the rearview mirror.  Do they
obstruct the necessary view out the back, or will I have no problem
with this feature after the first 50 miles?

Does that crazy zigzag shift selector (this is an automatic) soon
become second nature?

Finally, are there any "gotchas" on the 200?  I noticed a buzzing noise
in the front (passenger side) under the hood, and about 1 minute after
the engine was started there began what I can only describe as a steady
"click-click" sound, sort of like a relay working about once or twice
per second, coming from the same area; without a Bentley (yet), I have
no idea what I was listening to or if it's normal.  Worse, I did my usual
brainless thing and arrived after dark (5 PM) to see the car.