Cars that don't get enough Love: Audi Coupe GT

"Janx38" (Janx38) 01/19/2014 at 14:26 • Filed to: CARS THAT DON'T GET ENOUGH LOVE

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("Cars that don't get enough Love" is a series similar to "Cars that time forgot", except that instead of obscure cars like the Talbot-Matra Murena I will be writing about cars like the Audi Coupe GT, which aren't forgotten, but underappreciated or ignored by the majority of car enthusiasts.)

Almost every car enthusiast knows the legend of the Audi Ur Quattro, the turbo inline 5 cylinder monster piloted by !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! which dominated Group B rally with the help of its innovative "Quattro" all wheel drive system. With its boxy fender flares and aggressive stance, it looked like people expected an 80's rally homologation car to look (and sound). Even though the rally car was a massive success for Audi, the road going version sold rather slowly (only 664 cars over three years) due to its price of 35,000 US dollars. For comparison a 1984 Porsche 911 carried a base price of 31,000 dollars.

This is where the Ur Quattro's little brother came in. The Audi Coupe GT was aimed a little more down-market than the Ur Quattro. In order to put it within reach of the masses, Audi had to cut costs. Instead of the turbo 5 cylinder coupled to the Quattro all-wheel drive, the Coupe GT received a naturally aspirated 5 cylinder engine powering *gasps* the front wheels. To further distinguish it from its more powerful brother the aggressive box flares were tossed in favor of a sleeker and more subdued look.

The first iteration of the Audi coupe GT came to US shores in 1981 and featured a 100hp 2,144cc 5 cylinder.

Overall I must say it hasn't aged as gracefully as the face lifted version which arrived in the autumn of 1984. This version received a large wrap-around bumper and a slightly sloped radiator grill, but the biggest change was the engine. Instead of the 100hp 5 cylinder the pre-facelift Coupe GT received, this version got new 2.2 and 2.3 (1987 US only) engines, which increased power to 136hp (110hp for US catalyzed engines) and 136 hp for the catalyzed 2.3 US only engine. American Coupe GTs all came with manually removable sunroofs in car color which could be stored in a special bracket under the trunk lid. The Coupe GT had a unique trunk opening mechanism; the trunk could only be opened by opening the driver's door which gave access to a concealed lever. Another awesome (optional) feature that the face lifted Coupe GT received was the orange 80s esque digital dashboard which is probably one of the coolest dashboards ever made.

trunk release lever

sunroof storage brackets

For the face lifted models Audi also made Quattro an option, creating the Audi Coupe Quattro. Unfortunately this version wasn't sold in the United States. However, its cousin the Audi 4000 was available in Quattro guise. Eventually in 1990 the B3 based Audi Coupe Quattro made it to US shores, but it lost the awesome squarish look of the previous B2 based cars.

The Audi Coupe GT may not seem like a very Jalop car with its low horsepower rating and wrong wheel drive layout, but much like mk1 and mk2 GTIs, it felt very natural and harmonious, never giving the driver the sense of being underpowered. Unlike the mk1 and mk2, the Coupe GT was very refined and luxurious. Everything just works together perfectly to create a very balanced sport coupe. Some people even consider it the front wheel drive equivalent of the e30. If you are still not convinced, the Audi Coupe GT got first place in !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! against cars like the Toyota Supra, Merkur XR4Ti, Chevrolet Camaro Berlinetta, Ford Mustang SVO, Chrysler Laser, Mitsubishi Starion and Nissan 300zx. They even went as far as to call it a natural athlete and crown it the best sport coupe of 1985.

The Audi Coupe GT is one of my favorite cars (which explains the bias), it is one of the last boxy Audis before they became smooth wind tunnel optimized bubbles. I would have probably never known that this car existed, if my Dad hadn't owned one in his early twenties. The white Coupe GT in the pictures was his. It left the factory with the optional Fichtel & Sachs sport suspension, which is slightly lower than stock. Also, take notice that European Coupe GTs had tinted tail lights whereas US version did not. My guess is that they couldn't get them certified, but maybe someone with more knowledge on this can chime in. These cars have become increasingly rare as rust ate them up. So far I have only spotted a single one in the wild.

Brian Silvestro > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 14:29

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The fact that it says "West Germany" is really cool.

vdub_nut: scooter snob > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 14:56

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Damn, yo. That's a lot, even in wimpy euro-miles. And it still works.

quattro4ever > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 15:00

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That binnacle reminds me of Knight Rider.

fintail > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 15:02

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Could the GT also be optioned with a talking computer?

I've always liked these cars, I still have my old Matchbox version. A lot of GTs I've seen in the US are automatic, and I suspect that hurts their durability.

TheHondaBro > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 15:14

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Next, I recommend writing on the Acura 3.2 CL Type-S. This is probably the most underrated car ever made. It's good looking, but not trying too hard, and the 3.2 260HP VTEC V6 engine is one of the greatest engines ever made.

Jumbojeepman > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 15:14

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I had one of these in the 90's. A Charcoal Grey 86 Commemorative Edition with the whorehouse red leather interior, and the digital dash. It was a quite reliable car, and a nimble handler. Only thing it could use a bit more of was power, but it wasn't exactly a slug either. It had a very good combination of ride and handling. I think the front wheel drive versions of the Coupe GT/4000 were the way to go unless you had turbo power. The AWD versions just seemed heavier and more ponderous, less nimble.

I bought it as a second choice from a junkyard who also dealt in Kidney Foundation Cars. My first choice was a ultra rare 2 door 4000 turbo AWD (grey market, they didn't import 2 door 4000's from the factory to the US, much less with a turbo.) Unfortunately, someone bought it while I was examining it, so I took the Coupe GT instead. I eventually traded it for a laptop and a laser printer, and was sorry for the trade for years (even though the laptop lasted 10 years and I still have the laser printer to this day!) I tried replacing the magic combination that was the Coupe GT with several other Audis, and the closest I came was an 89 80, but alas it was totalled, as was a 4000 quattro I owned (both to rear end collisions.)

I also owned a 86 Nissan 300ZX (noted in the article, purchased with the insurance proceeds of one of the totalled Audis) and I'd have to give a slight edge to the Nissan over the Coupe GT. Handling was slightly worse, but more power, better looks, and just as reliable, I drove my 300ZX to over 300k on the odo.

Planktron > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 15:15

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I think both are really good looking. I love that boxy front end. I'll take mine in dark gray please.

Cé hé sin > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 15:24

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Ooh, I used to have a 2 litre five cylinder which looked just like the first picture in the article (bar the wheels). Drove it to Berlin whereon the gearbox died and I was stuck there for ten days or so trying to get a replacement. Happy days. Kind of.

JACU - I've got bonifides. > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 15:33

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I had a friend who bought one of these new as a DD when he made his Cosworth Vega his track toy. That Audi was a class ride in its day.

1337HPMustang > TheHondaBro 01/19/2014 at 15:36

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so 3.2L x v6 = 19.2 VTECs? Wow that is an impressive amount of vtec. I can only imagine what happens when that kicks in.

Taz1829 > 1337HPMustang 01/19/2014 at 15:42

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Nothing. VTEC still slow.

;)

MikeB23ft > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 15:49

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Is there anything more glorious than a 1980s digital dash?

JadeFalcon27 > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 15:54

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My first car! Unforgettable! very reliable and enough fun for me.

Used by me, my brother and my father for more or the less 12 years we made a total mileage of 405000Km!

Dsscats > fintail 01/19/2014 at 15:55

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That would get soooooooo annoying

TheHondaBro > 1337HPMustang 01/19/2014 at 16:11

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Say what you will, but on;y people who have driven it will back me up.

Janx38 > fintail 01/19/2014 at 16:12

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Yep, that thing would drive me crazy! What car is that?

Janx38 > vdub_nut: scooter snob 01/19/2014 at 16:17

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I got that picture from Google images (my dads car didn't have a digital dash), but these dashes aren't exactly known to be very durable so I am quite surprised that this one lasted so long.

Withfinesse > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 16:18

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Ron Burgundy?

jimmyjet > 1337HPMustang 01/19/2014 at 16:19

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I have a third generation TL. The last of the great Acuras before Honda lost its competitive edge by beating all their cars with an ugly stick. My TL is equipped with the same 3.2L engine in the CL Type S. Honda Man is right - it's a brilliant motor. Lots of pick up and torque when you need it and very fuel efficient when cruising. There aren't many cars than can offer real performance while consistently giving over 30MPG on the highway.

Gh0sTly > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 16:20

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I had a 1985 Audi Coupe GT, and a 84 Audi 4000S(non quat), and I can say, without a doubt, that rowing the gears in the Coupe were an absolute JOY. Delete the mid muffler, and if ya can get away with it, the catalytic, and the 5-cylinder not only will sing for you, it'll ROAR. Feed it more air, and its even more lively. It handled wonderfully, and can fit a family of 4 comfortably. It might be the one car that I regret letting go of the most in my entire life.

1337HPMustang > TheHondaBro 01/19/2014 at 16:21

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No I didn't mean it mockingly against the honda. I've been in a honda all my life so believe me I appreciate them for being good reliable and quick cars. I was just making light of "VTEC kickin in yo!"

Janx38 > Jumbojeepman 01/19/2014 at 16:29

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The Commemorative Editions with the "whorehouse red" interior are really nice! There was one for sale on eBay recently.

Gmonster > 1337HPMustang 01/19/2014 at 16:33

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TL-s was a cooler car. Cl looked like a pig. TL could move and size was more usable.

Great effing engine

Gmonster > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 16:34

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Why would anyone buy one of these over a Saab 900 turbo?

Monsterajr > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 16:39

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In 87' I picked up an 81' Coupe for very little money, this being the time of the great unintended acceleration Audi 5000's debacle. Mine was a 5spd manual with 80K miles on the clock. The first year Coupe's had tall gears to the point that on the highway loping along at 70mph in 5th I might have to actually down shift into 3rd to really get it going. What that car did exceptionally well was eat up highway miles. It was a super comfortable, roomy and good handling car. I racked up another 75K miles in just 3 yrs. I was practically living in the car during those years! It was a great car that I sold to get a brand new 90' GTi. I personally liked the earlier years analog gauges.

dingo427drivesaGKFit > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 16:52

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Wait. It is not a hatch!?? All my life I have been wrong.

Charles Spratlin > TheHondaBro 01/19/2014 at 17:31

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I have, and its nothing special

GLHNSLHT2 > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 17:32

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I had one of these in the late 90's. An 86 Commem edition. An underpowered dog it was, could barely muster 117MPH on a 5 mile straight stretch of I5 one night at sea level. It was always letting me down, with clutches and fueling and wiring issues. Corner too hard and too long and the low oil pressure buzzer would sound for an eternity. Body roll in all 4 directions was titanic like and you thought you were going to scrape the side skirts all the time. My grandmothers 91 Olds cutlass sierra has less body roll and more power. Motor mounts were a crap design. Parts are ludicrously expensive. The clear plastic over the digital dash that helps hold the gauges to the dash is $1300 back in the 90's.

Now as soon as you hit dirt or snow it transformed from the biggest POS on the planet into a Ferrari. Grip was always there, balance was perfect and it'd do 100mph down a dirt road and be rock solid stable where my GLH Turbo will lift and wag it's ass above 45mph on dirt. A set of all season snow tires and you were set. I had a 9 hr drive between Spokane Wa, and Boise Id one night where it started snowing 2 hrs into the drive. Winding my way down the river canyons in 6" of fresh powder, nudging the Ebrake on every turn to have beautiful glorious drifts through each apex was a dream. Still one of my most epic drives in my 37 years on this earth.

But alas as a daily driver NO. Never again.

Straightsix9904 > Withfinesse 01/19/2014 at 17:37

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I'm Ron Burgandy?

Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 17:59

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So, basically a tarted up Scirocco, yeah? *smirk*

milanst666 > TheHondaBro 01/19/2014 at 18:09

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I had a 2003 CL Type S with a 6 speed manual. It was wonderful car as long as you could tolerate the torque steer. It had, by far, the most comfortable seats of any car I've owned before or since.

Hifrequency > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 18:13

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An associate of mine held on to his & still tracks it.

TheRealSkriver > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 18:13

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This.

Longwolf > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 18:52

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I owned 3 Coupe GTs in succession back in '89-'94 ('84 CGT, '85 CGT'87.5 CGT). Loved them all. Great cars that never got their proper respect. Own an S5 now, and there are lots of little design cues directly from the CGT.

Cheesewhiz > TheHondaBro 01/19/2014 at 19:55

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Not only drove it but owned it: I'm sorry but I'm not backing you up. Horsepower aside it was a very boring car. Well built and good power, sure, but not very engaging and totally uncharismatic. Acura lost their way before this so there was not much to cheer about.

ranwhenparked > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 20:12

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Growing up, one of our neighbors had one of these in red, and his wife drove a GTI, also in red. This combined with fact that he was an ex-Air Force fighter pilot and they had a pool made them the coolest people I had met up to that point. I'm taking like 4-5 years old at that stage.

Patrick Frawley > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 20:35

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Another first-car situation here. 1984 so right before the softer look, black over tan, paid $1430 in September of 1995.

Dear God, I loved that machine. In spite of its quirks and frustrations it was just such a charming and agreeable car - and it deserved a good bit better than I was able to afford. (Borbet Type Cs and a full Spax suspension kit were always on the wish list.)

Long story about everything that happened, but suffice to say that fifteen years on I still miss it.

FloorHingedPedals > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 21:00

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My parents had one! A 5-speed to boot! They bought it brand new in early 1986. This pic is from the summer of '88. I (and my brother) were about 10 months old when the picture was taken. I remember thinking it was the coolest car on the block. It's a shame they didn't keep it longer. I would have loved to have had it as my first car. Do they get props for having a Maxima wagon too?

Xentron Holy Reaper of Worlds > Dsscats 01/19/2014 at 21:02

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'The door is ajar.'

'No, it's a door, not a jar!'

zyodei > Cheesewhiz 01/19/2014 at 21:13

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Yes, but they hadn't lost their way nearly as badly as they have now, so there's that to cheer about.

Sidewaysisfaster > GLHNSLHT2 01/19/2014 at 21:25

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What a post, pure poetry.

coqui70 > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 21:26

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I don't know - kinda like the 81-84 series ...

Sidewaysisfaster > FloorHingedPedals 01/19/2014 at 21:27

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Props for the wagon, yes indeed!

venivelovici > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 21:37

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As long as we are showering praise on the top end coupe (and sedan) from 1980s Audi, I'd like to see a retrospective on the '85 Cressida and Supra.

Noah Porter > Cheesewhiz 01/19/2014 at 21:41

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how is charisma in a car defined?

Dsscats > Xentron Holy Reaper of Worlds 01/19/2014 at 21:42

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I lol'ed waaaaaayyyy to much at that

ColdSlaw > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 21:54

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You know you have an old German car when it says West Germany on the door jamb.

fintail > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 23:14

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That's on an apparent UK market UR Quattro, same era as the GT.

alexotics > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 23:15

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The first pic in the article is such a EURO pic.

tobythesandwich > TheHondaBro 01/19/2014 at 23:19

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I've driven a few. CL Type S and TL Type S. I stand behind them that they are absolutely great cars and severely under appreciated. People hate them for being FWD Hondas and the kind of boring styling. But it's all about the driving experience. Which they were great at.

I just wish it was the Type S engine that GM got from Honda and not the plain jane J35 out of the MDX.

tobythesandwich > venivelovici 01/19/2014 at 23:22

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I wouldn't mind talking about the Cressida.

Brad B > Janx38 01/19/2014 at 23:27

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Woah, cool! I have owned one since around 2002. Mine is a 1987.5 'Special Build.' Aside from the constantly broken digital dash mentioned, the special build got 20hp more that the previous years courtesy of the NG code engine from the later 80/90 series. It also got rear disc brakes, color matched mirrors and spoiler. Mine is pushing 300,000 mostly reliable miles with minimal rust. Lost track of the actual mileage because I have two digital dashes which I rotate in and out while I solder on them.

Cheesewhiz > Noah Porter 01/20/2014 at 00:47

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If you must ask, you must drive a Camry.

Yarks > Janx38 01/20/2014 at 00:49

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I was a fan until I noted one at my local VW/Audi shop....for 6 months. (and no, it was not a "shop car")

coops > Dsscats 01/20/2014 at 01:08

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But you would fucking wear your seatbelt!

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > TheHondaBro 01/20/2014 at 03:06

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I dd a regular 3.2 TL from that model year. The best driving car that we own in our garage. (Even though the others, one is a minivan, the other two are Lexus GX and LS.)

John Coctostan > Janx38 01/20/2014 at 07:07

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I had an Audi 4000 Quattro or as I called it, 'Ze Awdi'. She was heavy for her size, somewhat slow, and loved inclement weather. I wanted a GT but none were to be had. She was surprisingly comfortable and very, very German. Behind every panel there was a tool to perform a task and I believe I found about 6 different tools attached to the car that fit exactly what you were aiming to do, pretty cool not known feature. I was often chased out of parking lots after a slight snow (owned for three winter seasons) for getting her sideways and going for the elusive 90* AWD turn, Haha! Without Quattro though? She was a whole lot of tail and getting that under control in slippery conditions was some real work*.

*Driving 7/10ths in sleet and snow.

Peter Lemongello > Janx38 01/20/2014 at 09:01

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1990 Eagle Talon TSi AWD should be next.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > Janx38 01/20/2014 at 09:22

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Very cool! Thank you for sharing!

Marcin Radzikowski > Janx38 01/20/2014 at 09:30

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Loved that car! My first car was a '87 Coupe GT and it made me an Audi fan (I've only owned Audis). The car was 7-8 years old when I bought it and it needed some TLC. The most frustrating part of it were the rear drum brakes...they used to seize up on me quite often otherwise, the car was fun to drive and made me lust for a proper Ur Quattro. I had one with an analog dash (thank god) that also had an additional gauge cluster in the centre console (battery voltage, oil pressure, oil temperature if I recall). The only downside was that it was an automatic. Only manuals for me since then...

cole-spt > Janx38 01/20/2014 at 10:11

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A friend of mine had 3 of these things. Were awesome little cars even with the N/A 5cyl.

Mattbob > Janx38 01/20/2014 at 10:35

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Dat digital dash.

ZweiDeutschesAutos > TheHondaBro 01/20/2014 at 11:03

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Amen x 1000. These are hugely underrated cars. I'm an admitted German car slut and I still love these.

ZweiDeutschesAutos > TheHondaBro 01/20/2014 at 11:03

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Amen x 1000. These are hugely underrated cars. I'm an admitted German car slut and I still love these.

The World of Vee > TheHondaBro 01/20/2014 at 12:17

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Came with a 6speed too. Popular swap into TLS of that generation

Ashley > Janx38 01/20/2014 at 13:01

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I have a 87.5 Coupe GT. Thank you for the article. A lot of people don't understand the love I have for my car. I always tell them you don't understand until you drive it.

vc-10 > Janx38 01/20/2014 at 15:04

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A family friend has a Quattro. In red. It's awesome. Such a great 5-cyl noise. He drives it to work most days (he cycles when it's nice, but being a Londoner...). It's got a bit of wear-and-tear on it (unsurprisingly, being a 25-year-old car that's been daily driven for the entire time) but mechanically it's sound. And the digital dash still works too!

richardoriginal > Janx38 01/21/2014 at 01:18

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My grandpa sold me his 84 a couple months back. It's a great car. 175,000miles on it and I've taken it on roadtrips all around the U.S. Love this car.

outtshined > TheHondaBro 01/22/2014 at 12:42

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I love mine - the 6-speed makes a huge difference. It's a "sleeper" car too - I know you think your early 2000s 328i or your 2.0 A4 can take me, but it cannot.

Matt Bruno > Janx38 04/24/2014 at 10:56

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there is an 84 sitting in my garage right now, red with just over 9000 original miles

Austinb21ft > MikeB23ft 11/27/2014 at 10:04

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that works....

A Campbell > Janx38 04/14/2016 at 23:57

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Picked this up a year ago from a guy near where I lived, he owned it from new. Only has 102k on it, and no undercarriage rust. Roofs a bit sunbleached and the brakes are shot, but I’m in the process of restoring. Fell in love as soon as I spotted her. 1986 Audi Coupe GT, your right though, iv never seen another. Great article!