Coupe GT rant

[DGraber460@aol.com]

After almost 3 years now, my coupe finally stepped over the line. The 
relationship has taken a (typical for my experience) nasty German turn. Every 
German car I've owned up to the coupe (which includes VW, Mercedes, Porsche, 
& Audi) betrayed me in the same fashion. Things would go wrong, and _no one_ 
knew how to fix them short of replacing half the vehicle in a sort of trial & 
error methodology. My coupe up to now had not exhibited this vile trait. 
Today however it showed it's heritage. I have had an irritating clunk 
emanating from the right front for some time and decided to fix it once and 
for all. I have now replaced; (1)control arm bushings, (2)ball joints, 
(3)strut bearings, (4)entire axles with CV joints, (5)brake rotors & pads 
(while I was in there), and (6)tie rod ends. 
That is _all_ the moving parts on the front end, and it still clunks! FWIW, 
the rotors on this car are, according to the parts people, from an 85-87 4000 
CSQ. We had to physically match them up to get the right units. The sub frame 
bushings appear to be fine, but I'm not sure how to test them short of 
removing them, and right now I will _not_ go through this sort of grief to 
diagnose _possible_ problem sources that might not exist. Due to the 
characteristics of the noise, I am certain they are not the cause anyway. 
Yes, the bolts on everything have been tightened checked, etc., and the 
steering rack is solid, and shows no signs of problems.
I had really enjoyed this car, but will now probably sacrifice it on the 
alter of "teenage daughter needs a car," and get myself something just as 
fulfilling to drive that can be repaired when the need arises. Anyone out 
there a multinational guru with unbiased recommendations for _fun_ daily 
drivers?
Many listers refer to Audi Gods-for my money they are Audi Demons. Sorry for 
the WOB, but it feels better to get that off my chest. No flames please, I'm 
just _really_ frustrated with "superior German engineering" right now. 

Heading to the want ads to exorcise the garage.
Dennis
91 100 - quiet and underpowered
85 CGT - noisy with barely adequate power
96 LT4 - noisy in all the right ways, and buckets of power (just not very 
good in the snow)

PS: Too much horsepower is juuust not quit enough.