RE: 1984 URQ, not exactly what I was expecting...

["Lewis, Gary M" <Gary.Lewis@West.Boeing.com>]

Cobram wrote,

> I'm going to make an offer of $2000.00, and will 
> go up to $2500.  The body work/paint will run at 
> least $1500, and I'm figuring another $2000 worth
> of parts should get the rest into shape.  I've tried
> to convince myself otherwise, but I'm smitten, this
> is like a second marriage, you go in with your eyes
> open, knowing what to expect, but you do it anyway...
> 
I know that list wisdom says buy the best car you can, and pay a premium if
necessary.  You'll save in the long run.  I have been developing a new
theory.  I have bought 4 Audis in the last year.  The purchase prices are as
follows:

86 5kcst 5sp	$2,000 (My first one, so I didn't know better)
88 5kq		$700
88 5kcstq	$400
86 5kcst	$400

BTW, the $2,000 86 5kcst 5sp was by FAR the nicest of the bunch. The PO had
like $10,000 in repairs (most were reasonable repair costs, too), and he
fixed EVERYTHING when something broke.  Here's what I've invested in each.
(Numbers rounded, including purchase price)

86 5kcst 5sp	$3,800 
88 5kq		$3,800 (includes $800 in body and paint)
88 5kcstq	$4,000 (est.  Includes stereo, z rated tires, k24 and Single
pass IC.  Not complete yet.  But I've been driving it daily)
86 5kcst	$2,500

So what have I learned?  I would rather by the cheapest car I can (that is
readly fixable, 5k and 200 thru 90, don't know squat about 20vt's or S4's),
and replace more stuff with the money I saved, than buy a well maintained
car at a premium, and still put a bunch of money in it.  Both 88's have more
new stuff on them than the 86, so for the price of a premium car, I've ended
up with a better car overall.  This obviously doesn't include super
low-mileage stuff, which generally are worth a premium.  I'm talking about
100km to 200km cars.  

I'm guessing that Cobram's Ur-q will probably cost more than what I've
listed.  I suggest waiting the guy out, maybe get the car for $1,000 -
$1,500.
Good Luck,

Gary Lewis 
88 5kcstq 1.8 bar 108km Pearl w/Fuchs
86 5Kcst 5sp 1.4 Bar 202km Sapphire
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