1986 Audi Coupe GT 2.2 litre 5 cylinder from North America

Summary:

A fun car to drive, and its fun to have one of the few left on the road

Faults:

Rear turn signals shorted.

All four wheel bearings replaced.

Radiator recored.

Exhaust system, including muffler and catalytic converter replaced.

Front springs broke.

Headlights went out, had wiring replaced.

Emergency brake cable broke, was replaced.

Driver-side trigger on door handle broke, replaced.

Trunk-opening oil-filled pistons stopped working.

Driver's seat heating stopped working.

General Comments:

A very simple car, mechanically speaking, compared to today's cars. It is an absolute pleasure to drive. Engine horse power is moderate, but gearing down and a high red-line combine to give satisfying acceleration.

The body is in surprisingly good condition after eighteen Canadian winters, and the interior is virtually new-looking.

Something about this car has prompted quite a few people to talk to me about it, and I've even had a few unsolicited offers for selling it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th July, 2004

1986 Audi Coupe GT 2.2L from North America

Summary:

The legacy continues..

Faults:

Clutch and release bearing

Battery

Distributor cap and wires

Slight cancer spots.

General Comments:

This car is amazing. I have not had so much fun driving a car yet and I have owned 39 different cars.

This car is very smooth in the corners and shifts very clean with a new clutch.

Prior to this car I was driving my 1983 coupe gt (for 2 years which is unheard of for me with cars) which was my baby until it was in a four car pile up. I thought that one was nice, but it now feels like a bucket of bolts compared to the 86.

This car is very reliable if you keep up the maintenance, don't blame a car for your laziness or slim wallet, if you maintain this sleek and powerful machine the way that it is recommended it will not leave you on the road. How long ago did you see an Audi on the side of the road? Probably a long time ago if ever.

I am in sales and travel a lot this car has been nothing, but the definition of comfortable and the heated leather seats are great for long trips.

The exterior styling is nothing, but top notch. 17 years old and this car will still turn the heads of someone driving a lamborghini.

I have got the sickness and will never own another type of car in my life...

OK maybe a Carrera 4...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th April, 2003

1986 Audi Coupe Quattro 2.2 liter five-cylinder, naturally aspirated from Finland

Summary:

Stylish on tarmac, aggressive on gravel and totally awesome on snow

Faults:

Gearbox rebuilt at 200000 km.

Rear sub-frame and suspension mounts replaced at 200000 km.

Resprayed at 220000 km.

Rear brake calibers jammed and replaced at 252000 km.

Engine and transmission mounts failed at 255000 km.

Extensive corrosion in the rear of the floor pan repaired at 260000 km.

Original exhaust system completely failed at 262000 km.

Cam followers need to be replaced.

Front sub-frame mounts need to be replaced.

Interior parts, especially front seats worn out.

General Comments:

Model year 1987.

This is the real car having the factory model designation "Audi Coupe Quattro", ie. not Audi Quattro, which is the turbocharged supercar from the eighties.

A rare hybrid of Coupe GT and 80 Quattro, only around 5000 cars made at the factory between 1984-1987.

A relatively large car, yet handles elegantly.

Very expensive to maintain, yet extremely satisfactory when fixed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th October, 2002

13th Jul 2003, 15:17

I'd agree with everything in this review. I sold my 1986 Coupe Quattro in 1998 mainly because of the fear of something major going wrong - something as seemingly 'simple' as a rear brake caliper failing could have cost me £300 had I not found a garage that were able to refurbish the existing one. At £90 it still wasn't exactly cheap! Yes, it was a nice car, but a bit of a money pit...

27th Nov 2004, 18:42

You looney!!!

You are complaining about maintenance after 200000km?

7th Mar 2005, 07:52

I have a 1986 quattro with 180,000 miles on the clock. this car is brilliant for the home mechanic, but I agree it would be expensive if you can't maintain it yourself.

Still, its all worth it in the end!!!

1st Mar 2007, 00:10

Hi.

I had one of 3 Audi Coupe Quattro Turbo's (1986) in NZ.

It was an amazing car. When I brought it - it had 85,000 miles on the clock, in 1999, and I sold it in 2003 with about 115,000 miles.

Things I loved about the car:

Handling - better than a motorbike - more stick ability

Power band - similar to a motorbike too, esp. turbo kick.

Comfort.

Digital Dash - awesome

Accent less German voice over fault management alerts - no other car has such a wide range of fault management alerts. Trouble was though there was little documentation as to what they related to.

Engine Sound - WOW.

Things I hated

The car had you by the balls - emotionally, there were a lot of tears involved when parting with the car.

Cost of repair - was huge, if using original parts from Germany, and the time to get the parts was sometimes 3 months or more. Every long drive resulted in a new set of faults. Costs were escalating - had to flick her.

Now that I can afford such a car - I cannot find one for love or money.

Cheers.

John Shannon

47XXY.