Re: It's Okay to be Shiftless

[MSV96@aol.com]

In a message dated 8/20/98 quk@isham-research.demon.co.uk (Phil Payne) writes:

<< Most stick-shift Type 44 owners on this list didn't buy their cars new
from Audi - they bought them second-hand from non-enthusiasts. >>

Huh?! Given that "most type 44 owners on this list" are prolly in the US, and
most US type 44 cars with stick-shifts are quattros, I don't think I agree. 

When I bought my first quattro (a new 4kq) a new 87 5kcstq was only about
$4000.00 less than a new 911 Carrera. One had to be a serious enthusiast to
have opted for quattro (5 spd. was the only way they came back then) in those
days since they commanded a *much* higher price than the non-q versions.
Consumers who bought the 5000 opted for the slushbox plain vanilla version for
the most part. As someone who bought a 5ktq wagon nearly new (19k miles old) I
can say first hand that most, if not all, 5ktq's were bought new by
enthusiasts. All the ones in any kind of decent condition today certainly are
owned by us fanatic types...anyone else would give up.

As far as it being okay to be shiftless...when my fiance' insisted on an ovlov
wagon for her "mommiewagon" kid hauler I was told by a very good ovlov wrench
that the slush was the only way to go on the NA4 motor cars. The slushbox has
fewer long term problems, and actualy gets better fuel economy than the stick-
shift version of those cars. Also, FWIW, factory rated tow capacities are much
higher with slushboxes. Case in point...the ovlov has the same factory tow
capacity as my (now gone) 92 dorf F-150 supercab with a 4.9L I6 (5spd thank
you ;-)...). Said pickemup with slush had twice the tow rating. Slushboxes do
have their place...just not in performance cars.

Mike Veglia
87 5kcstq (dad's car)
85 ovlov 240DL "mommiewagon" (the sacrificial lamb to protect Dad's car from
the kids)