Should I buy? Full German spec 1991 Audi 90 Quattro 20v

[x(why)z]

I have the opportunity to buy a very lovely 1991 Audi 90. It is equipped with the 20v, and Quattro. It has a manual trans, and all options other than a sunroof (I don't know if it was an option).

The car has 90,000kms on it, and was imported just a couple years ago from Germany.
The interior is perfect, the engine has a full service history, and the body is mint. The only downside is a very leaky PS pump, and needs a couple small thinks like new rotors and pads, and a set of tires.

So would you buy it if you could? I'm looking for a project car that is winter capable, and will respond well to a turbo.

A friend owns it now, and he just picked up a BMW 530xi wagon with a manual transmission and is looking to part with the Audi. I could probably get it for under $2000. Opinions?

It would be strictly a project car. I have a beater 2001 Civic that I use day to day. The Audi would sit in a garage on the west coast until I move back next summer. Obviously sitting for a year won't be all together kind to it.

Pics for clicks!!!

Not the actual car. I'll try to find a couple shots I took of it a few years ago. It looks like this, but black. Small bumpers, euro headlights, etc.



A fellow CLer's old 90:

Many thanks!

[bubbagti]

[romanl]

and if you dont,,,, can i buy it?

[The Ninja]

$2000 for a car is an impulse buy. I would lit this like Rhianna.

[seadoo2006]

If you pass, I'll buy.

[TORSEN TRACTION]

Yes! I really like 90 20Vs! If they brought the S2 or RS2 over here I would have bought that instead of my UrS6. Long live 5 cylinder 20 valves!

[x(why)z]

and if you dont,,,, can i buy it?

I'd certainly let you know!!! If you're serious, I can arrange it for you. I'll try to get pics soon. I really want it, but am debating the practicality of buying a car on the other side of the continent while I'm in grad school, and not touching it for a year.

Thanks for the replies so far. I know I should buy it. I thought I'd throw it out there to those in the know.

$2000 for a car is an impulse buy. I would lit this like Rhianna.

To most yes, but to a poor adjunct instructor and student studying towards an MFA, not so much. But my tax return was exactly $2000...

[cheap sunglasses]

Do it, but swap in a 7A

[romanl]

you said it would be your project car?
is that because you simply want to work on it.
or does it require a bunch of work to run?

with only about 56,000 miles what are the issues?

[emkaytree]

EXACTLY what I said, before I even saw this.

Don't let it sit. Things are going to break from age anyway. Drive and enjoy it!!!

[50fridge]

Was the car imported legally?

[rlfletch]

If its legal I would Hit it. If you end up getting it I would be happy to keep it driven for you till you get home.

[threebeerbuzz]

Power steering racks on those are big money, keep that in mind, since you said it has a leaky one. I had a 20 valve 90 quattro a few years back, and it was a really nice car to drive. I ended up selling it because the potential repair costs for a lot of things were quite high, and it was going to need a lot of time and money keep it in proper shape, which was just too much of a liability at the time when I was pretty broke. That being said, I do kind of regret selling it, and sometimes wish I still had it today. go for it, just don't be surprised if you spend more than you paid for it in maintenance on an annual basis.

[case m]

Not sure why someone would waste their money importing one when the same car was imported officially here in 1990 and 1991, but each to his/her own I suppose.

Also, hit. Don't expect it to be blindingly fast though. btdt.

[Obin Robinson]

As long as you're happy with the ridiculous amount of money you're going to throw away into that car then go for it.

obin

[Jan PL S6]

Go for it. AAN swap or just turbo it. You'll love it and for that price I'm surprised its not in your driveway yet.

[mhjett]

Power steering racks on those are big money, keep that in mind, since you said it has a leaky one.

He said it has a leaky pump. Pumps are an easy fix.

Buy it

[8v_gti777]

I would most definitely get it.

[x(why)z]

you said it would be your project car?
is that because you simply want to work on it.
or does it require a bunch of work to run?

with only about 56,000 miles what are the issues?

The only issues are the ones that I noted. PS pump, brakes, tires, and some small stuff. I want it as a project because I've always wanted a big turbo 5 cycliner Audi.

Was the car imported legally?

Yes, but I should have noted it was imported to Canada. I'm a Canadian living in America.

If its legal I would Hit it. If you end up getting it I would be happy to keep it driven for you till you get home.

I'd be happy to give anyone who is interested the contact info of my friend who owns it if I don't buy it!

Power steering racks on those are big money, keep that in mind, since you said it has a leaky one. I had a 20 valve 90 quattro a few years back, and it was a really nice car to drive. I ended up selling it because the potential repair costs for a lot of things were quite high, and it was going to need a lot of time and money keep it in proper shape, which was just too much of a liability at the time when I was pretty broke. That being said, I do kind of regret selling it, and sometimes wish I still had it today. go for it, just don't be surprised if you spend more than you paid for it in maintenance on an annual basis.

I wouldn't mind the upkeep too much, as it would be a weekend/project car. The PS Pump does scare me, but whatever. I'm fine with throwing money at a project when I can as it would be my hobby car.

Not sure why someone would waste their money importing one when the same car was imported officially here in 1990 and 1991, but each to his/her own I suppose.

Also, hit. Don't expect it to be blindingly fast though. btdt.

Oh, it's not fast. I've driven it many times, but none-the-less is very capable. With a well sorted turbo I think it would be a riot... and sound superb.

Go for it. AAN swap or just turbo it. You'll love it and for that price I'm surprised its not in your driveway yet.

I'm 3000kms away Soon...Soon... I'm going to call in some favors and try to make it happen.

Thanks for all the replies! Reaffirmation of what I already thought.

[lojasmo]

Not street legal is it? 21 years old?

[x(why)z]

Not street legal is it? 21 years old?

Well it is registered and legal in Canada... So that will be an issue for anyone in the States I guess... Luckily for me it isn't an issue! 15 year rule FTW.

[Sepp]

Do it. this would be a great car. Drive now, while you save up bits for a 20vt swap later.

[71DubBugBug]

yes, get it

too bad we have the 25 year rule in the states

[dubjunkeez001]

As your attorney I would advise it.

[romanl]

yes, get it

too bad we have the 25 year rule in the states

whats this 25 year rule you speak of?

[Lorenmws]

yes, get it

too bad we have the 25 year rule in the states

How'd my car get here?- 93 MK3 Golf GL 1.8L ABS not ABA (German Import)

[VadGTI]

How'd my car get here?- 93 MK3 Golf GL 1.8L ABS not ABA (German Import)

In a shipping container, hidden behind 3,020 sacks of Dietrich's Authentic German Strudel?

[VadGTI]

whats this 25 year rule you speak of?

Sarcasm?

[wabbitGTl]

i'll throw in my .02 since I owned a 90 20v for about 3 years. the cars sold in the u.s are almost identical to the european version with only minor differences, so it's not really anything special in that regard. brakes can be a problem though, especially if it has single piston calipers. the 90 was nearly identical to the coupe but they used different offset on the rotors, so coupe rotors WILL NOT work unless you swap everything else around. i had a hard time tracking down parts a few years ago so i don't imagine it's any easier now. as long as you're prepared for the normal issues present in audi's of that vintage then i'd say go for it. 56k is barely broken in, mine had somewhere near 300k when i sold it.

[Rice Rice Baby]

The 90 Q 20V is going to be faster on the snow before you can say vag jj. Put a turbo on that thing and call it a day.

[cheap sunglasses]

Power steering racks on those are big money, keep that in mind, since you said it has a leaky one.

I doubt that there exists a B3/B4 Audi that doesn't have a leaky power steering system.

[Tuneman7]

Go for it, they're a lot of fun to drive.

[blackvento36]

I had an Audi 80 (same body style). I did like the car but always wanted a 90 20vq or a 20v CQ. That said some parts were almost impossible to find. It took forever to find new driveaxles and when the auto tranny went I had to use one from a 4000 which had fitment issues. That was a 4cyl which I don't think was too popular. You may have better luck mith it being a manual quattro. The 20vs were kind of rare, but the 10v 90q's were easier to find and may use most of the same drivetrain. I'm about 20 miles away from a huge Audi/VW junkyad and they have plenty of 10v 90's. You may have better luck sourcing new parts these days, the internet wasn't too popular when I owned mine. I had a really hard time finding wheels for it too, but like I said, this was back in the day

[rabbitnothopper]

its actually a 24 year rule for many states

if your car is older than 24 years of age you are not required to pass emissions

as many older cars cannot maintain a clean emissions output without being emaculately perfect running systems
then they will fail and not be legal to drive on the road
and the emissions tests get harder to pass instead of easier...

[Mcstiff]

Do it, but swap in a 7A

Why? It came with a 7a

If I was after a sedan I'd build an RS2 B4 but that is a bigger project.