Car Talk!

[Bizkitkid2001]

I looked up that Audi you talked about earlier Rob.


THAT CAR IS F'ING HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

11 second quater miles!!!!!!!!!!!!!


And all for just $16,000?


EDIT: Looks like I must have been looking at a modified one. On Wiki it says that the car had 197hp, while the one I was looking at had over 480hp.


Still, for 1984 that car was extremely fast and even today looks great.

[RobRich]

The ur-Quattro was offered in various forms. The "common" (still limited production) is the Coupe Quattro. Stock is around 200HP. I suspect few left on the road are still stock. One can extract serious power from the old 1980s Audi I5 engine platform. Like around 500HP via an upgraded turbocharger and bolt-ons for the 20v model.

Stepping up, there was limited production Sport Quattro, with only around 220 manufactured. It was built for Group B rally racing homogolation. Started at 300HP in base trim, up to 500HP in race trim. Those are factory numbers. Aftermarket numbers could be quite ridiculous (near insane?), especially when referencing the era when the Sport Quattro was offered.

On a related note, my "first car" was an 1984 Audi 4000SQ Quattro with the I5 SOHC engine, close-ratio 5-speed manual transmission, and the quattro permanent four-wheel drive system featuring lockable center and rear differentials. As I have previously described:

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobRich

I had a 1984 Audi 4000S Quattro, which would have been a B2 80 Quattro in Europe assuming the same exact model existed over there - I don't really know. Much of the drivetrain and suspension for the 4000SQ came from the Ur-Quattro and Sport Quattro models. The body came from an 80. 1984 was the mid-platform design update for the 80, so mine looked more like a modern era Audi instead of the vintage classic era.

[brandon184]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobRich

Not poking fun here, but seriously, is a convertible actually practical up there?

If you like comfort and modern styling without lots of hyped flash, have you considered something like a Saab or Volvo?

I guess it depends on how you define practical. Only about 6 or 7 months are good for top-down driving, but the car is no less capable or comfortable in the winter than any other coupe/sedan that people drive around here.

I haven't considered a Saab or Volvo - I will look at both brands and see what I can find. Thanks!

[draboo]

We are in the process of downsizing our monster 1999 Chev truck to something a bit more managabe for Ruby to handle.

She is going to check this out:2005 Jeep Liberty Limited

We had a 1996 Cherokee and really liked it. It had the old straight 6 cylinder engine left over from AMC. Most excellent running engine. I wish that engine was available in the Liberty.

Anyway, I have a strong feeling that in around 8 hours from now, she will be driving that one home.

She found a few '02 s, but I believe that was the first year of production. I certainly feel better with an 05.

I think they are asking around 11.5K for this one. Hopefully she will use her "RubyCharm" to get the salesman laughing/peeing before lowering the boom and making him an offer he cant refuse.




.

[RobRich]

Practical, as in do you personally get any use of the top being down? Doesn't sound like it.

Of the people I know owning convertible, few rarely seem to ever actually drive with the top down, even in temperate to warm climates.

[RobRich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by draboo

We are in the process of downsizing our monster 1999 Chev truck to something a bit more managabe for Ruby to handle.

She is going to check this out:2005 Jeep Liberty Limited

IIRC, the Liberty has been a strong consideration for several others here in the car thread when looking for a SUV.

[nemowolf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobRich

Minis occasionally popup around Florida, with pricing "all over the place" - seems largely dependant upon owners' wants other than an average market value. A dealer down the coast has one for $11,900. A little high IMO, but it has the 1275 engine, 4-speed manual, and some performance options.

With that said, I am not a huge fan of the Mini. Probably has to do with the annoying little Mini that BMW reintroduced a few years ago. It does not "feel" representative of a modern BMW, and it largely lost the charm of the original Mini Cooper.

Yea i checked it out online and i found rusted out bodies for a couple of grand or seriously tricked out minis that are more expensive then some lower end new cars.

I really don't like what BMW did with the mini, just doesnt feel right when your driving them. I think they tried to make the new mini's TOO BMW and thus they have a bastard child car that isnt either. I really enjoyed the minimalist approach to the older minis but it looks like im not going to get one for cheap so i might as well get an Avio or base model Honda.

[RobRich]

Chevrolet Aveo = Daewoo Kalos

I have not ventured too far regarding the Honda Fit, which AFAIK is now the baseline Honda model. I know has been available in Japan for several years, and it seems to be popular over there. I do not think it is asembled in Japan or the USA, though. Somewhere in SE Asia, IIRC.

[RobRich]

Wiki to the rescue!

Honda Fit - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Looks like the Honda Fit is now assembled in Thailand.

[The Real Bingo]

If I was looking for a car, I'd get a 1964-65 Ford Falcon.