Autocar - First for car news and reviews

My neighbour's selling his 1987 Audi Quattro and my husband's set his heart on buying it. Is he mad, or is there a chance he'll actually end up with a decent car? Money's tight and I'd rather he didn't throw it away on a whim... Any advice gratefully received!

All hail the Quattro, a true motoring icon. Your husband is worthy of great praise.

 

Maybe he will treat you to a new washing machine? ;-)

"Throw it away on whim..." Mmm, I doubt your husband will see it like that; you know what blokes are like with their cars...

If money is tight, then think very carefully and certainly don't rely on a 20 year old car (even an Audi) for everyday transport.  It does have the potential to be a huge money pit but you do at least have the massive advantage of knowing its recent history.  I'd say seek out a good Quattro forum, read and learn all you can and locate a recommended independent specialist garage; they are worth their weight in gold.

Good luck, and just think, you could have a motoring icon on your drive soon...
 

The Quattro is definately an icon but it would have to be a later 20v Ur.

My whim money went on a BMW E30 M3 drove it for 3 years, put new tyres on it and sold it for a 2 grand profit. The best 3 years motoring i have every had. Lapped the "Ring" in 9.15 as well !

 I would seriously think twice before buying a 21 year old turbo charged quattro driven car, i just wouldnt be able to sleep at night with worry. E30 M3 is simple engineering mostly 5 series stuff and its still the best drivers car you can buy, the only draw back being you do get bored of people stopping you to talk about the car !

I would proceed with caution if I were your husband. The Audi Quattro is an iconic car but you would want to be handy under the bonnet to buy any car of this age, particularly a Turbo charged, rally bred one. Either that or have a big wallet. He could be lucky though and if well looked after and serviced regularly it could be reliable enough and hold its value well. He should ask himself how much his neighbour used the car, how long he kept it for and what other cars does the neighbour and himself own. He might then realise that maybe the neighbour bought it on a whim a few years ago, barely used it, spent a packet on it and now has had enough. Also he needs to know that no 21 year old car is going to be reliable for daily use and are nothing compared to modern cars. Also look around to see if you can gauge if he is paying a fair price.