re: urq (or any audi) costs per year

[C1J1Miller@aol.com]

In message <199812140716.CAA21539@coimbra.ans.net> Michael Williams writes:

> Looking over the records of the UrQ, i added up the cost of all of the
> maintainance and repairs that this car has had over the past 10 years. It
> added up to about 1000-1200 per year from what i can remember.  That is
> affordable for me, and i dont quite know where everyone comes up with 5k+
> per year...

As I recall, your car also needed a new engine and new suspension (which was
not included in your estimate).  You've included this towards the purchase
price, (which was uncharacteristicaly low, IMO) and thus not towards your
annual costs.  I think your estimate is low in part because there were likely
few costs the first couple years of ownership (i.e., when the car was new).

Phil Payne posted a detailed description of what he's put into his urq over
5.5 years and 87k+ miles.  I think the average cost is somewhat less than
Phil's post (which included tools, spares, etc. that really IMO go to the cost
of obtaining the vehicle).  However, he didn't include the depreciation...
most of which has already affected the car by the time we're purchasing it.

For example, Michael, you're going to need tires every 2 years (assuming 15k
miles/year, performance tires), which should run at least $500.  That's 20% of
your annual (using the high range of $1,200) budget.  Throw in an alignment
and you're a couple percent less; how about bushings, shocks, and strut
bearings every once in a while?  Regular oil changes (3-5 times per year),
coolant flush/fill, brake flush, etc.?  That K26 turbo won't last forever;
neither will the clutch, clutch slave cylinder, master cylinder, brake
cylinders, brake pads and rotors, etc.  These are all wear and maintenance
items, and assume nothing fails/breaks (engine electronics, window regulators,
interior bits, etc.). 

I'd say most Audis with 100k or that are over 8 years old probably have
failing exhaust systems, rubber coolant lines, aux. coolant pumps, radiators,
motor mounts, clutch hydraulics, etc. as well.  In the northeast I'd add a
windshield to the list, and probably new headlights as well, as they're pretty
sandblasted by this point.  Do you have the one piece exhaust manifold?  Add
the costs for repairing the inevitable crack...

In the USA, these cars were manufactured at least 14 years ago, and were
likely driven hard.  Most (or at least many) were not kept in "as new"
condition like Phil Payne keeps his.  I think if the previous owner only spent
$1000 or so per year, he's (1) saved up some repair costs for you, (2) been
extremely lucky, and/or (3) not provided you with all the receipts.

As these posts go into the archives, I think it is good to deal realistically
with the appropriate costs of ownership.  I've been watching the market (like
most of us) for several years, and don't own an urq because of the anticipated
costs for using it as a daily driver.  I'm not comparing the costs of my
current car; however, it's newer, and many of the above costs will be further
down the line.
Feel free to disagree/counter my asumptions; I don't own an urq after all...
chris miller, windham nh, c1j1miller@aol.com