Re: Buying a 5000CS Turbo Quattro?

[Chris Woodward <cwoodwar@bellsouth.net>]

Roger,

I'm no 5000 "expert," but I have owned several high and low mileage used
cars...2 BMWs, 2 Audis, 2 VWs...etc.  What I can tell you is to buy the nicest
one available, even if it's above book value.  Book value means nothing when
cars get older, because there are huge mileage and condition variations.  I
have had experience with cheapie used cars...a 9 year old 325e for $3000, a VW
Rabbit Convertible for $900, etc. and I have in every case spent more making
them right than I would have had I just bought a pristine example and been done
with it.

Roger Lawson wrote:

>    87 Audi 5000CS Quattro Turbo 207K miles. Apparently very well cared for.
> Body and interior good-excellent; "needs nothing". "Gold" $4250

Sounds good, this one would be a good car I bet.  The ones that are cared for
are usually the best ways to go.  BUT--207k is a bit high.  I would say the
car's life if well more than half over.  If this is going to be a daily driver
that you put a good many miles on, I would keep looking.

>  88 Audi 5000CS Quattro Turbo 130K miles. A little body damage (dings,
> paint chips, signs of abuse). Didn't start, rebuilt starter to be installed
> before sale. 1 pw switch broken. "Pearlescent white" $5995 neg.

Don't mess with this one.  If the owner really cared for the car, they DAMN
sure would have installed the goddamn starter before they showed it to people.
Who the hell is going to buy a $6000 car that doesn't start????

>  88 Audi 5000CS Quattro Turbo 195K miles. Body good, one dent, minor paint
> damage. Interior leather needs stitching. Needs exhaust (disconnected at
> cat). A/C does not work. Asking $3999, but would take $3000. "grey metallic"

See above.  A/C I can understand, but the exhaust???  We're talking less than
$200 for a aftermarket unit in most cases, so the owner has no excuse for not
replacing this.  By the way, A/C work can get into the $1000's if you need a
new compressor.

>  There are a couple of others (including a 200 wagon) I have yet to look
> at. Suggestions?

Yeah--keep looking.  There are 88's and such out there with less than 100k.
Get one of them!  A couple of weeks ago, I saw in the local paper a 1989 100 (I
think) for $4995 with 45k on it.  Owner said it sold the 1st day.

Good luck!

Chris
'97 A4ta
'90 80a