Happy holidays,that Santa Cruz gathering and other stuff

[Anton Gaidos <anton_gaidos@MENTORG.COM>]

Hi all,
 It's been awhile sense I poked my head up from my desk so I will
finally jump in here. First off I am hoping everyone on the list has a
happy holiday. I know my kids are gearing up for it.
 Second, I have been meaning to post about the Santa Cruz gathering -
what was it, a month ago now? All I wanted to say was what a fine group
of cars and people (Gross, my wife wants your car). I really enjoyed the
whole thing. I was really impressed with the care and love you guys give
your cars. I was equally impressed at what a fine group we all are. It
was damn cool getting to meet you all.
 Stuff. Until now I have never seen the coolant reservior on a VW/Audi
fail but that was the case with my quattro. It split right down the
side. I really found this unusual because the radiator already a has
leak that should bleed off preasure.
 I have replaced the reservior and the small coolant lines from the
reservior to the radiator and aux radiator. I still seem to have a leak
somewhere on the hose that exits the reservior at the bottom. I'll have
to raise the car to get at that.
 I have found a short on the tail light assembly circuit board causing
the stop lights to fail - again. In a matter of a second the circuit got
so hot it burned the crap out of my thumb. I'm looking at the damage
now.
That's about all that's happening with the quattro. I've been spending
more time keeping my Scirocco under me. With 230K miles on her frame and
120K on the rest, things are starting to wear out again. The
spring/shock combination I use is really starting to take it's toll. It
may be time to retire her from active duty and turn her into a racecar
(just don't tell my wife). I figure if I have to rebuild the car a
second time I ought to do it for racing and get myself a new daily
driver.
 Speaking of the Scirocco, I recently put P-700's on the car and I
really don't like them. With the A509's I used to have on my car the
handle was very neutral. Now lots of oversteer.
 Finally, a very good friend of mine may be posting questions to the
list regarding owner experiences with the A4 and A6. He's a good man and
belongs in an Audi if for no other reason because he lives in the great
white north.
Happy holidays everyone
Anton