On a Scale of 1 to WTF were you thinking

"Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness" (long-voyager-2nd-edition)
12/19/2018 at 17:26 • Filed to: unnecessary car shopping with Long-Voyager

How bad of an idea are these:

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DISCUSSION (42)

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/19/2018 at 17:27

https://janesville.craigslist.org/cto/d/2001audi-s4/6755897838.html

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/d/2002-audi-a4-quattro-30l-v6-need-gone/6774131601.html

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/d/1998-audi-a4/6770642557.html

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/d/audi-a8l-quattro-all-wheel-drive-v8/6764792480.html

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/d/1996-lexus-ls-400/6774923124.html

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/d/2000-lexus-ls400/6746013655.html

https://dubuque.craigslist.org/cto/d/1999-lexus-gs300/6764375409.html

Links because Kinja

TysMagic > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/19/2018 at 17:32

I am always impressed with how reliable my 2.8 Audi was. Especially when c ountered with how TERRIBLE the 3.0 was in the next Audi I had.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > TysMagic
12/19/2018 at 17:37

Are they really that bad if you work on them yourself?

I’ve seriously considered getting one numerous times, but the horror stories always push me back into the world I know.

way2blu does a rev update > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/19/2018 at 17:37

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/cto/d/mercedes-2002-s55-amg-low-miles/6757388621.html

Just get the $55(00) //AMG if you want WTF...

The car drives really smooth and has no issue whatsoever

boredalways > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/19/2018 at 17:37

The only Audi I would consider is the A8L.

Any Lexus would be a safe bet. Bonus on the GS300 is 2JZ!

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > way2blu does a rev update
12/19/2018 at 17:38

1. About 2500 to rich for my blood.

2. Like hell if I’m driving that far.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > boredalways
12/19/2018 at 17:39

If I get a Lexus I actually want the V8. Something about a big cruiser with a nice V8 rumble sounds very appealing right now.

I really like the A8L’s, I’ve always had a soft spot for Audis in general though.

way2blu does a rev update > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/19/2018 at 17:41

Mmm but it has “no issue whatsoever” so just take a plane out here, then roadtrip back in the S55. It’s an S-Class and thus great on the freeway, and it’s clearly going to make it all the way back, no problem!

TysMagic > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/19/2018 at 17:41

The 2.8 was a dream. Never left me stranded (while the Jag and BMW I had at the time both left me calling AAA semi regularly - particularly the jag). The 3.0 was a very short term owner experience because I could tell it was going to grenade itself soonish. It had valve problems that I was not about to dive in to. That said while I did drive it, it was very meh and lacked soul.

Full disclosure: the 2.8 was an 80 convertible, Audi Cabriolet, that I rebuilt from a wreck and was very close to. The 3.0 was an a6 that I traded my beloved LR Discovery for. It was a massive let down.

jimz > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/19/2018 at 17:42

The Lexi aren’t necessarily a gamble, but the Audis... on a scale of 1 to what were you thinking, they rate a “have you lost your mind? .”

Sovande > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/19/2018 at 17:42

I have a good friend who is an Audi mechanic at a big dealership. His advice is "Never buy, lease or borrow an Audi." He drives a Ford and commutes on a Harley.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > jimz
12/19/2018 at 17:42

I mean I daily 24 yo Mopars, how much worse can they be....

jimz > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/19/2018 at 17:47

24 yo Mopars are easy to repair and cheap parts are plentiful. Audis are...

Neither.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/19/2018 at 17:52

Those are some funny looking Mopars...

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > jimz
12/19/2018 at 17:52

Point taken.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
12/19/2018 at 17:53

It’ll probably be another case of try to branch out, get bored, go back to Mopars....

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/19/2018 at 17:57

If you want to go all in get the A8L.

Sensible approach is the GS300. Actually 1800 seems reasonable, even with ABS light on .

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/19/2018 at 18:00

If it was a GS400 (those are the V8s right?) I would likely be on my way to get it now.

ABS light doesn’t mean much to me, I hate ABS anyway....

ranwhenparked > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/19/2018 at 18:06

If the GS has a good maintenance history and checks out mechanically, that might not be a terrible choice.

I know its a Lexus, and Lexii are supposed to be indestructible, but a bad owner or owners can wreak a lot of havoc in nearly 20 years with abuse and deferred maintenance. Age and mileage are not necessarily problems, its just what has or hasn’t been done to the car in that time.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/19/2018 at 18:08

Yes the LS and GS400's have a 4.0 V8. People may shun me but I don’t think a GS300 would be that bad of a car. Still 225 HP and a good cruiser.

Stef Schrader > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/19/2018 at 19:39

I like Audi A4s. So, your answer is “yes” for that one.

I’m assuming the Lexuses are a bit more reliable. Also probably good cars, although my friend who had to change the starter (deep inside the V of the V8) on his mid-race might think otherwise.

jimz > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/19/2018 at 19:57

I’m only slightly exaggerating when I say it’s things like, oh, you want to replace the alternator? well, it’s water cooled and built into the front cover, and to remove the front cover you can either first remove the entire front clip to gain access, or the easier way is to pull the engine first.

“Serviceability” is something VWAG has heard of but wants nothing to do with. the most infamous example is the timing chainset on the 4.2 Audi V8. It’s hilariously over-complicated, and initially had tensioners/guides prone to premature failure. And to put a cherry on top of the shit sundae, they decided that the timing chainset should go on the back (flywheel) side of the engine. So when those tensioners and/or guides failed, it was an engine-out job.

Kinja'd!!!

Ford did something similar with the SOHC version of the 4.0 V6; in order to use the same cylinder head assembly on both sides of the engine, the driver’s side camshaft is driven by a chain on the front of the engine, and the passenger side cam driven at the back of the engine. if anything goes wrong with the chain or tensioners/guides on the right side, engine out. Guess where that engine was designed? Cologne (Köln.)

(can you tell that I don’t believe “German Engineering” is anything to be desired?)

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/19/2018 at 19:58

I’d rather the 300. I6 greatness! And a damn good I6 at that.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > way2blu does a rev update
12/19/2018 at 20:00

That one isn't supercharged. So no.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/19/2018 at 20:01

I can actually make some informed comments about these non Mercedes things! And will do so when I’m home from work.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/19/2018 at 20:31

Don't buy the Audis. Especially if you have bad luck.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/19/2018 at 21:05

my bi-turbo audi was great

at painting fun shapes on the driveway out of oil.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/19/2018 at 21:06

The VW 2.8 is solid but will probably leak oil from the cam seals. Timing belt is a pain and requires front end to be loosened and moved forward, plus special tools.

I’ve heard of lots of issues with the 3.0 but don’t have any first-hand experience.

I’m pretty sure the old 4.2 was a timing belt like the 2.8, but not positive.

The 2.7 turbo has similar issues to the 2.8 but adds turbos that will likely go bad at some point.

The Lexus I6 is similar to the supports 2JZ I believe, detuned and not as strong but still very good. Fun to drive for what it is.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > ranwhenparked
12/20/2018 at 06:56

I feel like the owner has more to do with how a car hold up than the car itself in most cases.

I just wish it was a V8.....

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/20/2018 at 06:57

I don’t think it would be a bad car, I just want the V8 if I get one.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > jimz
12/20/2018 at 07:01

That is crazy.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
12/20/2018 at 07:03

I guess it’s just a mindset. I’m sure the I6 is great, but it just doesn’t sound right in a luxury cruiser IMO. If I’m buying something like that, it needs a V8.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
12/20/2018 at 07:11

I generally seem to have great luck with “bad” vehicles:

Dodge Stratus 2.7L, 218k miles with zero drivetrain related issues.

Numerous 90s Mopars all made around 200k of abuse without issue.

Numerous 90s GMs clocking 2-300k miles without issue.

I also seem to have terrible luck with “good” vehicles:

2012 Toyota Corolla S, 2 engines, 3 transmissions replaced under warranty, sold at 85k.

2005 Honda Accord, engine let fly at 44k, trans followed suit at 61k, sold when 2nd trans was going at 72k . Was not a V6 model.

I won’t lie, I drive my vehicles hard, but they get maintained meticulously. Seems good cars are nothing but problems for me and bad cars turn out to be great cars. Given how my car experiences have been, I stay far away from Toyota/Honda/Subaru, because they seem to be nothing but problems for me and people I know.

Roundbadge > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/20/2018 at 09:30

Your question reminded me of the garage near my house that has a lowered Audi Allroad in the lot.

Insert “It’s a bold strategy, Cotton. Let’s see if it pays off for ‘em.” meme here.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/20/2018 at 11:43

Sounds like a good plan! May I suggest a 1st gen Mini, Chrysler engine and all...

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
12/20/2018 at 12:12

I always seem to come across them when I either have no money, or no room for another vehicle.

Now while we have some spare money, there’s not a single one around.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/20/2018 at 13:10

Chicagoland always has a bunch of them. I'll see if I can find some.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
12/20/2018 at 16:10

I search everywhere in the states around WI when I search for them. Having another set of eyes searching is always nice though. ;)

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/20/2018 at 16:25

An early find, I’ll go down the rabbit hole when I go home from work

https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/d/2005-mini-cooper/6766896855.html

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
12/20/2018 at 16:58

Here I thought you meant 1st gen turbo caravan. I don’t think a mini will work well for carrying 3 kids....

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/20/2018 at 17:15

The bait and switch xD /jk

I meant Mini Cooper. You *could* carry 3 kids in a Mini tho, I’ve fit 4 adults in it for an 8hr long drive. The fact that they were angry at me coz my car is tiny is inconsequential.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
12/20/2018 at 17:16

Turbo Caravan, I’d be interested in. Mini, I’ll pass.