If it WASN'T a Quattro - would you buy one?

[Mike Arman <armanmik@n-jcenter.com>]

Mine isn't a quattro (86 5KS), and yeah, I think I'd buy another. In fact, I
don't really NEED a quattro - (Heresy!) - no mountains and no snow here in
Florida. Actually, rather undemanding road conditions. Biggest problem is
boredom on the interstate (and other drivers).

What does my Audi do for me? It's a quiet, sophisticated, (even elegant)
reasonably well-made car, and I don't see myself coming and going every
second. It handles well, it is easy to drive, goes straight and goes around
corners when _I_ want it to, carries whatever I need to carry, does it
without fuss or complaint, and doesn't attract the attention of car thieves,
police or drag racers. It's comfortable, and equally at home in the city or
on the interstate. I understand it mechanically, and can fix most of it.

What would I like? More horsepower, but not enough to compromise reliability
or driveability. Better lights, but I'll just drive a little slower until I
figure out exactly how to do this. Better visibility out of the back -
answers - don't look back (pass everything!) and don't back up! ;-)
Convertible top - get the hacksaw! Right.

What do I do for my Audi? (Now that I'm done with all the big stuff -
remember this was a KIT car when I got it!) Keep it full of Pentosin, change
fluids as needed, fix fiddly little electrical gremlins now and then, and
wash it off every couple of weeks. Read the digest regularly.

I don't want a M-B, I wouldn't consider a 4 wheel Bimmer, of any size, shape
or flavor (I _JUST DON'T LIKE 'EM_ : personal thing), no Saab dealers in
Florida - them things are just TOO weird (had six - I'm cured!), Ovlovs bore
me, and am left completely cold by Japanese cars, some of which are very
good, but they just do nothing for me. American cars? Naah. Thanks anyway -
I travel on business and often rent cars - ugh. ugh. ugh. ugh. Example of
all the "right specs stuff" that doesn't work - 97 Mitsubishi Mirage - FWD,
disc brakes, all sorts of goodies, lots of toys - and the most uncomfortable
seats I've ever sat in. Another "neato" car - Neon - booming exhaust, and on
one '95 model with 4,500 miles, the most incredible brake howl I've ever
heard - Dealer: "They all do that." Not for MY $14,000, they don't! 1996
LeBaron convertible, 2,500 miles - suspension made of Jello - this car was
REALLY SCARY! 

Audi resale value - not much - but have you checked the resale value of a
1986 ANYTHING? Doesn't matter - Many banks won't even finance a 10 year old
car! - and my credit is too good to deal with a buy-here-pay-here weekly
junk dealer.

Yes, I'd buy another Audi. I refuse to spend big bucks on automobiles any
more - it just isn't worth it - at one time I had a 67 Dodge Duster worth
maybe $300, and a 1968 280SL worth about $15,000. Sure, the 280SL was lots
nicer, but I honestly couldn't see $14,700 worth of nicer! Both cars had
their own special problems, except on the 280SL, you HAD to fix 'em - you've
got 15 grand in the car, buddy! When the Duster's transmission expired, off
to the junkyard - no trauma, no regrets. And the Duster kept the rain out
LOTS better than the MB!

I guess I'm more _relaxed_ about cars than I used to be. I don't need to
have the longest, lowest, widest, fastest, flashiest car at the drive-in - I
just want to get where I'm going with a minimum amount of fuss and bother,
without spending a fortune, but I still want to enjoy the journey. Audi for
me, thanks.

Happy (long-winded?) Audinaut,

Mike Arman