Re: Should I buy this 86 5kCS Q T?

[Sean Barry <nscbarry@mail.msy.bellsouth.net>]

I  agree on the records issue, mileage is not as important as proper matinance. The S.O.
had me look at a low milage 89 saab 9k, she likes these for some unknown reason, which
physically looked great But when the owner gave me her records to look over, as she was
leaving town for mardi gras, when I finally got them in order the car was an
unbelievable wreck.
Consistantly bad batteries, AC problems, idle problems, blown engine just ot name a few
if its problems none of which seemed to have ever been properly addressed, just
band-aided. The owner even called me and asked why I wasn't interested, and I basically
told her the same thing, in fact I told her that if her car was the only one available
to buy I'd walk or take the bus.
Records are always the key!
Sean 96 A6q

MHLIGGINS@aol.com wrote:

>         Gurdev did a very good job on hitting the highlights, I just want to place a
> bit more emphasis in two areas.
>         First, if the car has no service records, it is not worth anything more than
> standard -- irrespective of the mileage. With Audis service, and the
> accompanying records, is mandatory. It seems that Audis go down faster than
> some other makes we've owned if not serviced properly. And the only way to
> determine what service has been done is through the records. If records are
> not available -- WALK AWAY. You can get very hurt with an Audi if you A) pay a
> premium price for it and B) it hasn't been serviced properly. I know low miles
> are an attractant, but low miles with no service will be more expensive than
> high miles with regular service.
>         Second, look at the turbo charger. If it has water lines leading to it, then
> you will probably have no problems. As I understand it there are some '86s out
> there with air cooled turbos, and it's the air cooled turbos that have the
> short life span. If the service records show the car has had the oil changed
> on a regular basis you'll be in good shape.
>         FWIW, I bought a turbo car for parts a couple years back. The air cooled
> turbo charger had been replaced at sometime in the car's life, and the second
> one was dead when I bought the car. And it only showed 125K on the odometer
> and the rebuild had been done at 80K. The car was not serviced properly, which
> led to the short life span.
>
>         HTH. Later.
>         --ml