Quatto: Misc on Sales and Updates

[QSHIPQ@aol.com]

Some threads have appeared on the prices of tq's recently.  Some observations
from one that "turns" them around often here in Chicagoland:

*  '87-89.5 5ktq's are at a really good price and mileage compared to a year
ago
    *  Mileage for '87 are at ~150k, which means that alot of the work has
been done:  bomb (250USD part), brakes (500USD min), clutch (350-500USD part
+ 8 hours), rack ($250USD rebuilt), HP (250USD rebuilt), A/C (850 parts
only), struts (500 min), valve stem seals (500>), turbo (?).  Buying one with
"less" mileage could be a bigger money pit given the prices above.
    *  The price break on these seems to be at the 150k mark, above that the
price drops significantly
    *  I see a lot of '87 cars (in fact all the one's I have purchased to
date) at <$3200 (obiously regions differ), the absolutely prime ones lucky to
see $4k...   Early 89's hover around $6-7k, and a plethora in between
    *  Urq prices are at an all time low, buyers/tweekers market.  Seen some
pretty clean cars out there for <$10M, rare to find one above $13M (better be
MINT)
    *  The best buying advice:  "What's been done and when?"   See above
    *  Given the mileage these I5 blocks do without rebuilds, 150k-180k cars
can be the steal of a lifetime
    *  Hint of dealing (ex car salesman here):  A car that does not blow
"cold air" when A/C turned on, is considered a car with NO A/C, and a big
deduction in price.  Regardless of the reason, it doesn't blow cold, it
doesn' t work, and is deducted by every wholesaler in the country.  Dealer
prices on A/C for audis is ~1100USD...  Hmmm....  Buyer AND Sellers beware
    *  Q-wagons are rare and rarer, if you can steal one, do it.  Prices on
these fetch at LEAST a $1100 premium vs sedans, I've seen as high as $3-4M
premium with a long line to buy.
    *  20vt cars are getting into the $10M range, a steal at that price...
 20vtq Wagons are hovering at $13-15M, given the 150 number, that is bound to
go up.  And can be made to be REALLY fast.
   *  v8's are rebounding some on price.  They hit about $10M, now fetch
$12M>....  5 spd, if you can steal it, do it....  Tweeks, forget it, the
driveline is the weak link and is VERY expensive.
   *  86-89.5 10vt MC turbo motors (stateside folks) seem to be the most bang
for bux for tweeks, the 89.5-91 10vt motors the least, the 91>20vt motors the
easiest hp gains.  
  *  Some interesting math:  If one was to buy an Urq cheap enough, going
prices for 20vt motors complete is <$4M right now....  A sub $10M 20vt Urq
sounds fast and reliable....  Yes, I cked my garage, thank you.....  It still
has 10valves....  This math on a $2500USD 5ktq sounds pretty solid too....
 And a "better" diff setup for the folks that like playing with knobs....
  *  The tweeks available for all 83> turbo cars is getting really
affordable, and lots of choices, gotta like that

All in all, I would say as we enter the '97 calender year with audi sales up,
things are looking really good in the used car market.  The marque loyalty is
high, so as the audi sales increase, so does the availability of fanatically
loved used q's at some excellent pricing....  Good luck to all the audi
hunters and gatherers amongst you this year.  As my newer covetted toy joins
the Urq  today, I look forward to continue tweeking efforts this year.  More
q-club "test" sessions and "evals" to follow this year.  Hope to visit the
east (Watkins) and CO (Stapleton)events this year.  Hope to be as successful
in the beer and tweek discussions, as Steamboat was in Feb.  

Update on PDQSHIP:  The new owner calls me at least once a week telling me
how much he loves the car ('87 5ktqRS2 stage wild, IC mod, IA stage II, coil
over suspension, 3in exh, etc, etc...).  He is a q club member, will be at
lots of events this year, and I still get it for tweeks and testing (so only
minor withdrawl).  He managed to get the personalized plate for Ohio, so the
legacy retains it's name....  A cage is coming, as are some tweeks, should be
even more fun....

For those of you interested in the modified turbo in the '87 sedan:  I should
have the part numbers to determine what the cold side is exactly (misc.
leftover parts project, that took last years 30-70mph honors), the hot side
is confirmed to be an RS2....  It will find it's way into one of the other
cars as the sedan returns to stock for sale.

Spring fever is closer.....

Scott Justusson
QSHIPQ@aol.com
'87 5ktq2GORS22GO2 
'87 5ktqwRS2 or ?2B
'84 UrqRS2 + Lehmann box
'85 FJ1100 (1387cc)