RE: '91 200TQW roof racks

["James A. Desveaux" <desveaux@ucla.edu>]

In response to a lister's query about what racks will work with the factory
rails on the 200 series avants, here's my experience and advice.  Last year
I called THule and Yakima, and they both told me to take a hike for this
application.  So I bought the Audi Vortex crossbars.  Much nicer looking,
but expensive, and you need to use all the equally expensive Audi accessories.  

A few weeks ago, I saw another avant with Thule crossbars.  He had the 415
rail foot on his, and it works perfectly well with the round factory rails.
I called THule, and they said, 'Oh, yes, these are listed for the 5000
wagons.'  Lesson: don't trust their reference guides.  The rails on the
5000s and the 2000s are the same, but THule didn't know that.  The Thule
woman also said that their new 751 system might work.  I found one, and it
works perfectly, and looks better (in my opinion) than the 415.  This is the
system that Steve Buchholz saw and commented on a couple of days ago.  It
was imported to NA for use with the Subaru Legacy wagons and Forrester.
Thule has been using the 751 in Europe for a few years, and it must work on
other cars as well.  But it's a good fit for the avant.  THe 751 comes with
locks and all necessary hardware.  Pricewise, it's within a dollar or two of
the 415 system.  Hope this helps.

- Jim