When you Wish upon a star....

[SOP8920@Siena.edu]

Hi folks,
   I'm currently stressing over some upcoming exams and as a release I thought
I'd post this (hopefully) thread provoking post. It might have something to do
with the fact that I am and will be Q-less until I can trade the folk's Rv back
for my 200, which amounts to something like 3 weeks of Q-withdrawal.
   Here it is: This May will signal the first time in 17 years that I will not
be continuing my academic education, otherwise known as "the infamous year
off." During the next year (starting in May) I plan on many experiences
involving travel, internships, and work to fund such high ambitions. One of
those ambitions will be to improve/modify the condition of my Q.
   Car: 1989 200q 151K miles. 
   Currently it's in need of a complete overhaul on the suspension system. I'd
like to install a Steadi-suspension kit, and am currently looking into the
possibilities for such. Looking into the possiblilities, at this stage, amounts
to waiting until Eric gets back to me..   I might work that purchase into 
being the large portion of my graduation present.  
   Once the suspension is overhauled, I'd like to spend some time tracking down
the gremlins that have crept up on me. That includes the Cruise control (Thanks
to Al-Powell for the diagrams that I haven't gotten a chance to work over yet),
the ventilation flap, and the stereo system. I have the feeling that the 
steering rack is on it's last legs, so that might be a project for the 
near future as well.
   After these projects are completed (if they ever are), I'm open for
suggestions on what to do next. My first thought is to install a
"charlie-spring" job, including the bypass. It seems an easy procedure, but I'm
a little concerned about the possible increased wear and tear on the
engine/drivetrain components. The only reason I would be willing to spend/work
on a car with such high mileage is that supposedly Audi's are capable of
heading into astropheric mileages if cared for properly. I wouldn't want to
modify my Q, only to be left with a shorter lifespan for the car. 
    The wheels are supposedly corroded now, so upgrading to some aftermarket
wheels might be a option albeit a $$$ one. That modification would constitute
some considerable research in an area that I have absolutely no
experience/knowledge in. Then again, most of what I want to do I have little
experience/knowledge in so it'll work out even.. :) There's no better way then
to try it, eh?
    If I run into some considerable money, I can think of other modifications
that I'd like to do. The first, of course would be to myself in the form of
track/racing school. Others would be to the car itself: (1) A K&N filter setup
(2) Detailing work on the body  [gotta get those nasty scratches out] (3) and
more.. 
    I guess this little academic exercise has turned out to be more of an
"Osman wishes" list. If anybody has any opinions on what can be done, cost and
time to do such, or anything else to say about my little rant.. please let me
know. Also, please share your own little wish lists with the list.  
Understand, however, that until time/money allow.. this post is little
more than an academic excercise. Heck, I may not be able to get back to the
posts that this post may generate.. but I'll try. I've still got a dozen or so
that I need to respond to from the last few posts I've written. 
    Maybe I'll have some more ideas after my Springbreak. I'm hoping to swing
over to TAP and take a peek around, if Ivor allows of course. Thanks for
listening!
    -Dreaming of Florida and cursing my invertebrate biology exam on
wednesday.........
                               -Osman Parvez
                                89 200q (151K miles)
                                Siena College
                                Albany NY

P.S. I think a visit to TAP might fuel my Q withdrawal more than alleviate it,
but oh well...