Generally I agree with the AWD vs FWD. My Audi GT Coupe and the 5000S were both FWD. The GT had a dedicated set of snows so did my 90' GTi. Both were excellent in the snow. For my S5, I find the AWD just allows you to put all that power to the ground in all conditions. I live in the NE so I do encounter snow with…

I’m on my fourth (81 GT Coupe, 85 5000s, 91 V8 Quattro and my current 09 S5) Audi, though never from new. I too have had a ton of Euro cars (mostly Alfa Romeo) as well as VW’s and a BMW and MB as well as a bunch of Fords/Hyundai/Mazda for the family. Aside from the Alfa’s, Audi is always my go to. Used and neglected…

I think those protestors in his repost are the “just stop oil” crowd. There are tons of videos of them just sitting stopping traffic while the irate people stuck get out and physically remove them and sometimes push them with their cars/trucks.

I think the pic is a wee bit stretched.

I actually bought a used 5000S back in about 98ish. Got it dirt cheap, drove really nice and fixed a bunch of silly small items that made it cheap. Trans started leaking so I managed to get it resealed for $400 and the power steering leaked too. JB welded that leak and then sold the car for more then I bought and…

No love for the genesis of the A8? aka the V8 Quattro? I picked up one of these in 99 and LOVED this car. Styling was understated and muscular and that interior was gorgeous. It loved the highway and was invincible in the snow.

I think the Avant was even better. Loved these cars back in the day and years later even test drove an identical one but the AWD was acting odd when I test drove it so passed.

There is precedent for the Junior name ie the “GT Junior” or the “Junior Zagato” which also had an unusual grill so its a nice way to skirt the issue but maintain heritage.

Licensed Arch here, agreed, I’m not putting my stamp on it if I’m not comfortable.  As with most failures of structures it seems that this one is attributable to a domino of stupid decisions.  Reminds a bit of that pedestrian bridge in Florida that failed recently due to a series of missteps.

Agreed. A simple weight restriction on the bridge would have negated failure too. I mean if he only designed it for regular vehicles and not heavy goods AND they didn’t restrict access then to a certain degree its a planning/controlling failure. If I design a bridge for pedestrians only and somehow a car gets on it,…

It still structurally works because the connections would have been detailed to handle the forces, but its not quite as robust.

As a pedestrian or even vehicular (but weight restricted) bridge it seems okay.  but you are right about that long span in the middle.

This is indeed the V8. If I am correct though the 05 S4 V8 is not the same as the V8 in my S5. Timing chain issue is not as big an issue as such. Decarboning which mine didn’t need is more the issue. It’s a glorious engine to listen too and the car is so comfortable to drive. And the styling is awesome.  Most people…

I didn’t need mine either. I gave my DD 2014 Focus to my daughter when she got her license last year so “treated” myself to something more interesting. Mission truly accomplished!

yeah, but unlike the Altima each repair requires an arm or a leg or sometimes a kidney.  I did know this going in and checked the car fax and the owner but its an older Audi so...

I got lulled by Hoovie and Doug on this one...

My current ride: 2009 Audi S5 6MT. I bought it a year ago with 110K miles. I’ve had to replace oil seals, control arms, starter motor, engine mount, tires (ok that was my fault for not realizing they were 7yo and summer only) and this week the lower expansion tank pipe just snapped. $50 dollar part. Wife has called it…

ALFA = Always Looking For Another....  As a former owner of 7 Alfa’s I highly endorse your comment!  I am currently looking to dip my toe in again with a GTV6 and in parallel a newer Giulia.

Sad story .... keep in perspective he had demons that likely others saw and didn’t readily think might need addressing especially as you note his talent with Sheetmetal would tend to offset the thought that he was in a such a depressed state

thanks! Yes with all that junk in the trunk there is no space for what you’d need it for.  When my cars were more hooptie than reliable I used to carry a tool box, jumper cables and other misc. roadside repair needs.  Toolbox weighed a ton.  Nowadays I carry a AAA app on my phone which leaves plenty of cargo space in…