Advise sought: 1988 Audi 90 Quattro

1046 Views 13 Replies 9 Participants Last post by StormChaser, Feb 20, 2002

silverspeedbuggy

Discussion Starter · Feb 7, 2002

I've been looking for a second car for sometime now. A guy I have worked with for 2.5 years is selling his 88 Audi 90 Quattro 5 speed for what I think is a very decent price. His dad is a VW mechanic, he has always had it serviced at Audi specialists, he is VERY meticulous with his cars and believes all cars can last a long time when properly maintained.
Current condition:
No rust
No dents
Clean title
There are currently only two things broken on the car: the fan switch only operates on setting 4, and the parking brake does not (hasn't in years).
All power works including sunroof.
The car is pretty clean.
Recent repairs (past year) include:
New heater core
3 new tires (?)
New brakes
ALL oil changes have been done on or before 3,000 miles
Up-sides: dammit the price is cheap ($800)! It's a quattro! It is in good shape.
Down-side: the car has.....ready.....250,000 miles!

If I were to buy this, what can I expect? Anything I should look at carefully? Would you buy it? ANY help/advice is GREATLY appreciated.

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TabulaRasa

· #2 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: Advise sought: 1988 Audi 90 Quattro (silverspeedbuggy)

If you don't want it, I'll buy it.
The 10v I5 is a bit slow, but 250,000 miles is nothing. That's like having 500 miles on a Chevrolet or 10,000 miles on a Honda.

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billzcat1

· #3 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: Advise sought: 1988 Audi 90 Quattro (TabulaRasa)

Yah 800 bones is more than fair for a car that has been maintained. I have never heard a limit - an age where Audi motors die. ESPECIALLY the 10v. I have heard of 10vv motors lasting over 400k...I think no one knows how long they would last if maintained because they haven't been around long enough and they have been makin 5-bangers since what...1978 or something like that.
Good luck with the purchase!

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Numbersix

· #4 · Feb 8, 2002

Re: Advise sought: 1988 Audi 90 Quattro (billzcat1)

Buy it!
With a known service history, you'd be hard pressed to go wrong. Also, those engines aren't uncommon if that one suffers some sort of unexpected major failure.
The car I taught myself to drive a stick on was a beat down Agate Brown '79 5000 4 speed. 294,000 miles on it, abused through the past 3-4 owners, given to me by a friend who was leaving the country. Only issues with it was the typical crunchy 2nd gear when cold, and the steering rack seals were bad.

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silverspeedbuggy

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 8, 2002

Re: Advise sought: 1988 Audi 90 Quattro (SeattleGLI)

Well, I was going to take the car for a spin today, but my co-worker dropped it off to have a coupling replaced on the exhaust. Crud!
The owner is the nicest guys you have ever met, not a mean bone in his body. But he tells me that he couldn't sell the car to someone he is friends with or works with. He sold a previous (used) car to a family member who every time the car needed anything done to it (even wear and tear), complained to him. He hated the whole situation. I told him I know the risks in buying used, nothing is guaranteed. If something breaks, I know he did not know that it would. I am not one to complain or blame something on him. For $800 who could complain? Also it would be a second car for me; if it breaks it's not like it is my primary transportation, I'll just let it sit until I can get it fixed or fix it myself.
I knew the test drive today would convince me to either buy it or forget it. Now I'm worried he'll sell it over the weekend before I can convince him that I will not "hold this over his head" if something were to go wrong.
Thanks everyone for the advice, it is greatly appreciated!

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Power5

· #6 · Feb 8, 2002

Re: Advise sought: 1988 Audi 90 Quattro (silverspeedbuggy)

The fan is a resistor next to the blower under the dash. Involved but DIY with a bentley, Or audiworld.com. Quattro, $800. I will fly anywhere to buy this car.
EDIT: Actually I could take the bus to cleveland. If for any reason He will absolutely not sell it to you, let me know and i will take it off his hands. Only if you have no chance of buying it. Good luck though, sounds like a great car.

[Modified by Power5, 10:41 AM 2-8-2002]

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TabulaRasa

· #7 · Feb 8, 2002

Re: Advise sought: 1988 Audi 90 Quattro (silverspeedbuggy)

Hey, I'll buy it too. Cleveland isn't that far away, and I've always wanted a 20v turbo swap.

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silverspeedbuggy

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 8, 2002

Re: Advise sought: 1988 Audi 90 Quattro (TabulaRasa)

So is this the same engine I had in my Quantum GL5?

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TabulaRasa

· #9 · Feb 8, 2002

Re: Advise sought: 1988 Audi 90 Quattro (silverspeedbuggy)

quote:[HR][/HR]So is this the same engine I had in my Quantum GL5?[HR][/HR]

I dunno. Your Quantum may have had the older 110hp 10 valve I5. The 90 quattro has the 130hp 10v I5. I don't know the engine codes.

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Killer Budgie

· #10 · Feb 9, 2002

Re: Advise sought: 1988 Audi 90 Quattro (TabulaRasa)

The fan is a resister $30 at the dealer. Takes 45 min, remove glove box, unscrew old part, replace part, install glove box. Parking brakes are prob just the cables. 2 hours labor and $60 parts.
My 90Q had the exact same problems.

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PerL

· #11 · Feb 11, 2002

Re: Advise sought: 1988 Audi 90 Quattro (silverspeedbuggy)

quote:[HR][/HR]So is this the same engine I had in my Quantum GL5?[HR][/HR]

Basically, but not entirely. the Quantum has the 2.2 with 110 hp, while the 90 has the 2.3 with 133 hp. My car has the same 2.3 engine, it's a nice unit. Mine is barely broken in, it has only 134k kms.

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civic_killer

· #12 · Feb 15, 2002

Re: Advise sought: 1988 Audi 90 Quattro (PerL)

I like the way you think "TabulaRasa".
The hell with those poop cars!!! EURO FOR LIFE
http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

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StormChaser

· #13 · Feb 20, 2002

Re: Advise sought: 1988 Audi 90 Quattro (TabulaRasa)

quote:[HR][/HR]So is this the same engine I had in my Quantum GL5?
I dunno. Your Quantum may have had the older 110hp 10 valve I5. The 90 quattro has the 130hp 10v I5. I don't know the engine codes.[HR][/HR]

110HP 2.2 = KX
130HP 2.3 = NG
The NG was used in the 1987 Coupe GT Special Build, the 80/90 and the 100/200 non-turbo cars. Great engine!

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StormChaser

· #14 · Feb 20, 2002

Re: Advise sought: 1988 Audi 90 Quattro (duandcc)

So did you buy it? if not, does he want to sell it to me?

Heck, I'd give him $825 for it!

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