Re: seeking general info on 86 Coupe GT

["Jon" <jwilliam@cyberzone.net>]

Well, as with most things in life, everyone's mileage may vary.  I 
bought my 87.5 CGT from the original owner almost exactly two years 
ago.  In that time, it has been my daily driver and I've put 36000 miles 
on it (a over half of what the original owner took ten years to put on 
the car).  In the two years I've had it it has cost me exactly what you 
see in my sig file for parts and labour.  Of the $2500 spent, almost 
$1200 is resulting from work done this past month on the front end 
(original, but worn, steering and suspension bits).  Apart from that 
five day stretch when the car was in the shop, it has been my daily 
driver since I bought it and has never stranded me (knock wood) and 
still runs like a charm.  That being said, I have never taken it to a 
dealer.  I have a reliable mechanic who touches nothing but Audis, 
Porsches and VW's.  If you don't have someone like this and you 
don't or won't do the work yourself, then be prepared for dealer prices 
on parts and labour, neither of which will be very pretty.

The condition of the car when buying one this old is more important 
than anything.  If the owner has the records and it is apparent that 
they've kept up the car, then you'll be okay.  But don't forget, you're 
buying an thirteen year old car so be prepared for some 
idiosyncrasies.  

BTW, I don't know when the Road & Track review took place (if you 
have the date please let me know), but the CGT was reviewed in the 
Jan 1985 issue of Car & Driver and then again was featured in the May 
issue of the same year where it trounced the Supra, Mustang, Camaro, 
Starion, Laser, XR4Ti, and a 300ZX in a Coupe comparo.  Very good 
reading indeed.



On 4 Mar 99, at 10:45, R. Cummings wrote:

> >From: James Kittock <kittock@interval.com>
> >Subject: seeking general info on 86 Coupe GT
> >A co-worker has an 86 Coupe GT with about 85K miles for sale.
> >I'm not too familiar with older Audis. 
> >Is this a decent car?  A fun car?
> >Is there a better way to spend $2000 - $3000?
> >Other thoughts?
> >
> It is a great car. It handles like a dream. It is light and the gearbox is
> like butter. It was considered the best sport coupe in the world by Road
> and Track sometime in the eighties. We have the 87 Coupe GT we bought new
> and still love to drive it.
> 
> However!!! It is only great if it is an occasional use car and if you do
> your own work. While basically reliable, a million little things will go
> wrong and each one costs a fortune.
> 
> If you drive to work every day and must have the Audi dealer keep it
> running, you will have a head start toward backruptcy.
> 
> Bob Cummings
> 87 Coupe GT 113,000 mi.
> 


Jon
New London, CT
87.5 CGT Spec. Build 
My parts/repair total since 3/14/97=$2478.86