V8 Madness?

["Powell, Al" <apowell@learn.colostate.edu>]

Friends, I spotted a 1990 V8 last night here in Fort Collins, CO.  A
call to the car lot simply identifies it as a 1990, leather interior,
52K miles, automatic, Quattro.  I need to look it over further.  they're
asking $12,500 for the car.  

I'm considering trading our 1990 200 on it, as it has 96K miles, I don't
entirely trust the tranny (one rebuild is enough...) and the 1990 is a
FWD whereas the V8 is a Quattro.  Our 200 is extremely clean, pearl
white color with grey leather, and has the euro lights (sigh...I'd lose
them...) and I think will bring about $5500 or maybe a bit more as a
trade, so the difference should be about $7K.

I'm writing from work, so feel free to respond directly to me at this
address....my questions:

1)  Anyone have an opinion on price?  Kelly's web site sez $17K resale
for the V8, Edmunds suggests a more rational $12.9K retail.

2)  What automatic was used on the V8 series and how reliable are they?
The 5000/100/200 automatics are trouble-prone and I don't want to buy a
problem if the V8 automatics are no better.  This is a serious issue for
me.

3)  What are mechanical items I should specifically check on this V8?  I
habla 5K/100/200 pretty well, but the V8 is a new one on me.

4)  Any other observations or thoughts from the V8 owners on the list?

I apreciate your comments.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Al Powell
Assistant Director for Distance Education Development
Division of Educational Outreach
Colorado State University
Voice: 970/491-6226
Fax: 970/491-7885
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++