rmccomiskie

The pictures don't look bad. The car appears to be stock.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/56914/89_200_front.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/56914/89_200_rear.jpg">
Here's the sellers claims:
178K miles
Replaced or Fixed in last 2 years:
- Radiator
- Power Steering Pump and Hose
- Oil Cooler and return lines
- Hydraulic Clutch hose
- Brake Master Cylinder, and Brake Calipers
- Parking Brake cables
- Alternator and New Battery
- Passenger Side Front &amp; rear window regulator &amp; motor
- Window switches, Dash Trim

Remaining to be replaced or fixed:
- Tires
- Front end alignment
- Exhaust Leaks
- Driver side window motor stopped working a few days ago
- Small crack bottom of windshield
- CV boots are torn
- No AC compressor
- Slow leak in a hyraulic fluid hose

So I have to deal with those things. Also need to check:
- Clutch
- Shocks/struts
- Wheel bearings
- Steering rack

Is there anything else I should really be concerned about? How much different are the 89 models from the later 200s? There seems to be some part number differences.

kamig1

Hello,

I bought an 89 Audi Quattro Turbo with 135K miles a couple of months ago but overlooked some things. Here are a couple of things for you to look at to negotiate the price if needed based on repair work. How much is the car?

Make sure the stick is smooth and that you can pop it into gears effortlessly; make sure the defroster or defogger works and that you dont have any electrical issues to work on--check the cigarette lighter to see if it works; check the glove box and make sure you can open it and its not busted (I found out the hard way after buying mine); make sure you can open the trunk and that it locks with either the key or vacuum systems (neither works with my car); see if you can start the car when it is cold and dont let the seller bring it to you (check to see if the engine is cold or warm when you arrive)--I have cold start issues with my car, which I am still working on; check the shocks and struts--I ended up having to replace all four on my car; make sure there are no leaks underneath; dont take the owner's word for it when he mentions what he fixed or asked for receipts.

Good luck--regardless, it is a decent car but you will need to put some money into it after you buy it. I have poured in $1300 and still some more to go.

Cheers!

yodasfro

Sounds like it needs a lot of work might want to offer them $500

kamig1

I agree! Have I known that I was going to put in $1300 into my car, I would have offered the seller $500 for my car.

Your issues are a bit more than mine--so $500 is a good price because the seller is looking to unload the car knowing they will need to shell out some serious money for it.

If you plan to do all the work--then you will save a bundle but make it your savings and not the seller's. I was fortunate to have found a guy to work on my car for cheap. Now I am going to work on the rest.

Good luck!

MiB@100-2.3NF-91

My thoughts:

- Tires &gt; not a big deal, only downside they should be all the same make and model and wear.

- Front end alignment &gt; this is slightly strange because front end is very simple, if it needs aligment than probably you are looking for busted control arms bushings, tierods, etc.

- Exhaust Leaks &gt; this one could be a pain if it has cracked exhaust manifold - big job! everything else like exhaust pipes and mufflers are doable for cheap.

- Driver side window motor stopped working a few days ago &gt; thats normal, could be a variety problems: button, window regulator, wiring in door.

- Small crack bottom of windshield &gt; whatever, if it passes inspection and doesn't bother you.

- CV boots are torn &gt; doable

- No AC compressor &gt; thats normal for car of that age.

- Shocks/struts &gt; make sure rear one are ok, because they are $$ to replace

- Wheel bearings &gt; check for sounds, if you have access to hoist - check for wheel play.

- Steering rack &gt; check if boot is in and not torn even a little bit, because a little bit will be big torn in couple of months, no leaks.

rmccomiskie

The seller is only asking $750 so I'm expecting at least another $1500 before it's really ready for the road.

More info from the seller:
- black leather seats, split on both driver &amp; passenger seats (I can replace or reupholster)
- back seat in good shape
- carpeting in good condition
- headliner is peeling down by the rear window (could be a pain)
- body doesn't have much rust, underside near the engine does have a bit (this could be a deal killer, I hate rust)

The only reason I'm seriously looking at this (my wife has already given me the green light for a 4.2) is that I love Tornado Red and I like to tinker. Maybe I can still swing the 4.2 and keep this car as a project. We'll see. It will be tough to justify 5 Audis to the spouse.

I'm going to look the car over on Thursday. I'll let you know how it turns out.

kamig1

5 Audis!! Wow!

Maybe someday I will get there...I bought my first Audi...and so far...it's been a challenge trying to justify repair expenses to wife and haven't told her that there will be more, which is why I am becoming proactive with working on my own car.

Be on the lookout for more "by the way" news...the seller bombarded me with stuff that needs work on towards the end of the transaction, that bastard! I practically pulled it out of him after three hours of chatting in my basement.

If I was to do it all over again---considering the work I have put into it and the work I need to put in...I would have low-balled BIG TIME with my offer. But I took his word for many things and granted that I was an Audi newbie...and that I was buying a German-made car...plus the seller himself was German...I bought the vehicle without empowering myself on the things I should have checked.

Like I said...make sure you can start the car when its cold...and when you can visual inspect it during the day...that was another thing, I inspect it at night...and after I bought it...I saw new blemishes during the day.

-John