1990 Audi V8 Quattro 3.6L from North America

Summary:

Mechanics nightmare - drivers dream!

Faults:

Bought car with bad tranny...

Small E-gadgets

Erratic RPM gauge.

General Comments:

I knew what I was getting into!

I bought the car with a bad transmission from a local free mechanic who also is a Audi specialist - the previous owner gave up on it! (!!!)

I am originally from Germany, so I have ties.

Imported a manual 6-speed gearbox from the 4.2l version and presented it to the Audi mech. The guy all of a sudden was over enthusiastic and converted the car to MT & installed it for a great price.

This is not my everyday driver but only sees the light of day when the weather is great. I only had problems with the sunroof motor, 2 e-windows and the seat heating.

US highways are way too straight in Indiana to have fun.

A bloated large luxury sedan lusting for corners and curves? OH YEA!

My neighbor was wondering - "Shouldn't a garage / project car be fun and cool looking (Like my 60s restaurated pick-up)?" Believe me, after a ride in the car he sees it with different eyes now.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 7th November, 2008

1990 Audi V8 Quattro V8 from North America

Summary:

Superb

Faults:

Air conditioning compressor.

Front tie rod.

General Comments:

Car was in showroom mint condition when purchased. This was my first exposure to the Audi... drives and handles like a sports car. Cruises at high speeds like a dream.

Comments from strangers come in at every level for its condition and appearance. Drivers leather seat is covered in sheepskin, as once you burn your bottom on hot leather, your lesson is learned.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th May, 2008

1990 Audi V8 Quattro 3.6 from North America

Summary:

I'm ruined for anything else at this point

Faults:

Vacuum Leak at 88,000 miles.

Driver's power window (minor electrical) at 91,000 miles.

Heater core started leaking at 104,000 miles and failed completely 8,000 miles later.

General Comments:

There are a lot of comments regarding these cars being expensive to maintain, and prone to failure. This was not my experience at all. However, unlike many current owners of these cars, I had the means and desire to properly maintain my car.

That meant I understand that an oil change which requires 10.5 quarts of Mobil 1 synthetic and an oil filter unlike any other car is going to cost me $120 to have done at the local independent expert's shop. It also meant that I took the car in ahead of it's scheduled routine maintenance, primarily because most of the original owners did not put many miles on them and many parts made out of rubber and plastic would simply age and begin to rot. Unlike so many people who are used to driving appliances, I understood that a precision built, high performance machine requires that all the little hoses and belts be in great shape or else the problems get expensive fast.

But if you are sure that you can afford to pay $100/hr shop time, and slightly more expensive parts, then this is an outstanding car to own.

I owned a 1986 RX-7 between 1990 and 1995, and the V8Q felt just as sporty and was actually much more fun to drive. It corners with insane stability, and nothing--i mean NOTHING--will cause it to lose its composure. Wet, snowy, icy roads are nothing to it at all. In the Seattle area, we have a lot of freeway on ramps that are shaped like an "s" with very tight corners, some that go steeply up hills, etc. In my V8Q, I could mash the pedal to the floor, point the car in the direction I wanted to go, and hang on because velocities would continue to rise at a constant rate regardless of road conditions or lateral acceleration.

THIS IS A WICKEDLY FUN CAR TO DRIVE!

I only wish I could find another worthy low mile V8Q to park in my garage, as I miss mine dearly. The most unfortunate thing about this car is the soft resale market. Because the car is so rare, there are very few buyers looking for them, and as a result, sellers are often left to take whatever they can get. That means many of these cars were purchased by people buying cars well beyond their actual means, and the cars suffered because the owners could not afford routine maintenance. Hence, many current owners griping about expensive repairs (which may likely be the result of abuse/neglect).

If you find a car, simply be sure to have a VERY GOOD Audi mechanic (not some schmuck who can turn wrenches--you want somebody who knows the quirks, trouble areas, and most common problems) conduct a thorough Pre-Purchase Inspection. If the car comes back clean, buy it, put your pedal to the floor and never look back.

There is absolutely nothing out there for the money that comes anywhere close to the fun you will have with this car. I've driven new cars that cost 35-40,000 that are deeply unsatisfying after having owned one of these.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th August, 2006