What a drag, my 85 Continental has been steadily sliding into disrepair and decrepitude, but I was trying to get another 90 days out of it. It was bad enough that several windows didn't work, it needed a heater core, the driver's door sagged so much on its hinges that it wouldn't latch, and would fly open on the interstate...but today it puked the water pump and pumped the radiator dry. I think I've gotten my use out of it, I drove it for 8 months, over 20,000 miles, and it did very well overall. I traded some hand tools for it, no money changed hands, I figure the tools were worth $350ish, so it was a cheap ride. I have a salvor who is buying it for parts for $200.

Anyway, I needed wheels TODAY, and called around, a guy I know who has a shop had a 1991 Audi 100 quattro for sale for $500. It's black, grey leather, 5 speed, non-turbo 5 cylinder engine. Grubby old car that is mechanically sound, but filthy dirty. I got it for $300.

I just hate spending money on cars! Let's see how long this one runs.

__________________
2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics

Well, you're getting closer to having a benz! Would love to see pictures of your new ride in all its grubby glory if you get the chance. Congrats!

__________________
1984 300D, 228k, Light Ivory, Java MB-Tex

Joseph, I'd love to get another M-B, but I have to confess, I enjoyed that Continental. If I could find a decent mid to late 80s Town Car I'd buy it. I have always had horrible luck with VWs and Audis but this one was so cheap I figured I'd roll the dice.

__________________
2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics

$150 for 20,000 miles? Damn dude I wish I was you.

__________________
68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500

Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i

DieselPaul, I must confess I put 2 tires on it and a chunk of $2 radiator hose recently, but still, cheap to operate. That Conti got 16 MPG in cold weather and 22 in warm weather, so the mileage wasn't too terrible either.

__________________
2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics

Ahhh yes! Heater core in an '80's Continental. The "death blow" to most of those rides. I had an '85 MKVII I bought for $500 because of the core failure. Drove it for 2 years and gave it to my son. It is actually more of a pain than replacing a heater fan in a W114 so it never got replaced. 'Course, living in AZ it weren't much of a hardship.

I'll keep my eye out for cheap cars for you. Meanwhile I'll keep my eye out for that Audi.

__________________
'05 E320 CDI
'20 GLE 450

I have to replace heater and ac blowers on my 114 Please don't grind acetone into that wound Mike

The heater core in the Mk2 isn't that bad of a job, it takes a good evening. The hardest part is getting the bolts out that hold the heater box to the firewall. The dash comes out fairly easily.

-Jason

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

Moosejaw, thanks. I used to have an "in" when I worked at Plaza Motors, I always had worn out old relics following me home, but now I have to just look around when I need a car. I'd really like to get a Volvo 740 wagon if I can find one...the only cheap one on CL locally has a bad heater core,,,imagine that.

__________________
2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics

Wow, you do cars a lot cheper than I do... I spend more than that on most repairs! Though I do drive a TON, so I am extra anal about my car's condition.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

I used to own a 1992 Audi 100, as well as a 1987 Audi 5000. Some words of warning...

NEVER use anything but the proper mineral oil in the hydraulic unit. Power steering fluid WILL eat the entire hydraulic system up and it will all have to be replaced. The power steering pump alone is about $800.

Pick up a can or two of the necessary hydraulic fluid and carry it in the trunk. You will need it.

Start searching the wrecking yards NOW for parts cars. There will not be many of them as Audi sold few cars that year. This was the time of the 'sudden acceleration' scare, so sales were slow.

If you find a parts car see if there is a bottle of hydraulic fluid in the trunk. This stuff is about $25 a quart and they will usually let you have it for $1.

The heater core will go on this car, too, as well as the blower fan. If you plan on keeping the car you might want to consider working a replacement of both into your schedule. These parts should be bought new.

Picking up a spare window regulator(s) would not be a bad thing. They are tough to change; the entire door must be disassembled. This is usually a two person job.

Pick up a spare vaccume pod for the cruise control. These are cheap and fail easily, but they are a snap to replace. A spare ingition module is also not a bad thing to carry in the glove box.

However, they do ride quite nicely, and they will easily cruse at 110 mph on the Interstate.

Don't * EVER *, ever, approach a toll booth behind a Ford Pinto that has stopped to pay his toll, when you are herding that pile of German tin around town !!!

Geddit???

__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

In my 1987 Audi 5000 with the five speed I could easily go from first to third. There is also enough power to take off in 2nd if you wish.

If you have to replace the clutch replace the slave cylinder at the same time. It is not easy to access with the transmission in the car.

Jim B, I'll just drive my new Toyota...oh wait, that won't work either!

Pooka, would you believe I just gave away a pint of the Pentosin synthetic fluid about a month ago, on the assumption that I'd never need it again?!

I also found out that Audi pink coolant is OK, Audi purple coolant is Dexcool with a different colorant package, and it will make the coolant in,oh, say, an old Continental turn to brown mud. I had a gallon of the purple coolant laying around over the winter, left over from a 98 A4 I had owned, and needed to top-off the Conti...

I'm treating this as a 90-day car. If it lasts more than 90 days, it's gravy for me. The Conti was the same way...super cheap but running reliably, and I got 8 months out of it.

__________________
2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics