Welp, we’ve reached the end of another week, so it’s time for another four-way runoff. And I’m fresh out of ideas for silly scenarios to help you choose, so you can use whatever criteria you see fit. I’ll go over the finer points of each car to help you decide.
I knew yesterday was a foregone conclusion, but the juxtaposition of two old Audis from the same year was too good to pass up. The 4000 by itself would be worth consideration, but next to that 5000, it looks irrelevant. Only twenty-seven of you disagreed, which makes this one of the most lopsided votes we’ve ever had.
I really, really like that 5000. Those don’t come up for sale very often anymore, especially a turbo with a manual like that. It’s in good shape, it’s a great price, and it’s not far from where I’m sitting right now. But I have room for exactly one more car in my garage (and life), and I already have a nice comfy sedan. I’d rather have something sportier for my third car. So I guess what I’m saying is, somebody please come buy that damn thing so I can stop thinking about it.
All right, let’s take a second look at the week’s winners.
1992 Buick Riviera – $3,000
The case for it: It’s a pretty cool-looking personal luxury coupe, and it’s equipped with a drivetrain well-known for durability. It’s comfortable, reliable, and the sort of car that isn’t made anymore, which makes it kind of special.
The case against it: It’s chock-full of early-’90s GM electronics, which are not exactly a paragon of reliability. A lot of things have failed already. This car may run forever, but you’ll spend half that time chasing electrical gremlins.
2013 Volvo S60 T5 – $2,000
The case for it: It’s a sleek, modern sedan with a powerful turbocharged engine. It has all the luxury stuff you could want, but it’s still old enough to be spared the bullshit that’s installed in cars today. Oh, and the interior is gorgeous.
The case against it: Ford- and Geely-era Volvos are still good cars, but they’re not the indestructible monoliths that the old ones were. And the more modern and complicated a car gets, the more expensive it is to repair when something goes wrong. Also, while depreciation is vicious on these, this one seems suspiciously cheap.
2008 Honda Element LX – $3,995
The case for it: The Element is unlike any other car on the road. It’s weird, and yet very practical. They’re well known for racking up a quarter-million miles without breaking a sweat, and this one is still well shy of that. And while the color might not be everyone’s cup of tea, conspicuous cars are safer.
The case against it: The ad is a little hinky-sounding, so you’ll want to make sure everything is legit before you hand over any money. Other than that, if you’re cool with the color, not much.
1986 Audi 5000 CS Turbo – $2,200
The case for it: It’s a world-class turbocharged executive sedan with a manual transmission and a five-cylinder engine that makes glorious noises. It’s also in remarkable shape for its age, and it’s being offered at a more than fair price.
The case against it: It’s a forty-year-old German car that’s hard to find parts for. It has a complicated hydro-boost power brake system, a complicated vacuum-operated power lock system, and lots of electronic bits to go wrong. This car could make you fall in love with it — but it could also break your heart and your wallet at the same time.
So there you have it, our week’s winners, as chosen by you. Which is the best deal? Which is the most fun? Which is the coolest? You tell me. Make your choice, and then drop a comment explaining why you chose what you did. Have a great weekend!
Even though I normally lean Asian these days, it was between the Volvo and the Audi. And despite my personal experience with a far newer VWAG product, I ended up picking the Audi.
But here’s the thing about German engineering. I get vacuum powered windshield wipers in mid-20th American cars, why the hell were all these ticking timebomb vacuum-operated systems still a thing later in life? Vacuum-operated door locks? Vacuum-operated HVAC systems? And what did the diesel versions of these things use for vacuum? A pump and retaining tank?
I bought a used early 70s German car once and it broke my wallet. I bought a new German car (the aforementioned VWAG product) and it made a sincere attempt to break my wallet.
Yet, in this showdown, the Audi was the one that tempted me.
And Mark, you don’t need to worry about it, the online ad was gone by the time I tried to see more about it. Hopefully it’s in the hand of a lucky buyer or at least one with some extra money to burn.
Yup, the diesels have a vacuum pump to operate the vacuum operated every damn thing possible which is the Achilles heel to the vehicle, nearly everything else is rugged but the vacuum system will provide endless entertainment if you enjoy troubleshooting because you’ll never find all the leaks. Love the cars anyway, but I really wish they’d used electric accessories like normal people.
My office had an MT N/A 5000 and we all liked it. Very basic by today’s standards, but it drove nice. The 5 spd MT was much better than the period auto boxes.
It was close for me, between the Audi and the Buick. I chose the Buick solely because I do want a comfy cruiser with space. Maybe the Audi would also be a comfy cruiser that’s also a manual, but that Buick is hitting the right note right now. I’d buy both if I could.
Volvo. If I’m sitting on the side of the road I might as well enjoy the view.
I haven’t even checked the results but I bet a buncha folks want that gorgeous Audi as much as I do. As I mentioned before, if you can just get it to run in and out of the garage/driveway and onto the street in front of your home, and back again, occasionally, for the bragging rights? Totally worth it.
The Audi is probably a terrible choice because I bet a bunch of the parts are unobtanium but I’m voting for it anyway just because I don’t like any of the others.
I went with the Audi. I reluctantly sold my 87 due to rust around 2009. I miss it. It never left me stranded, but it did have issues with the HVAC control (fun fact: these were purchased straight from GM), and with an accumulator in the braking system.
The Volvo, Danish Modern Interior for the win
Riv is the easy choice this week, with Audi a ways back. The other two wrecked on the first lap.
I once owned a Toronado of that vintage (platform mate with Riviera). It was good car – I’d gladly own one again.
See, I thought so too, but we’re in the minority.. I was back and fourth a little between it and the S60, but the interior, the price and the 3800 engine tipped the scales. I also think Mark’s comment on how cheap the Volvo is a valid one
Honestly if the Volvo were a grand more I wouldn’t be suspicious, but that sounds dodgy as heck.
I think I speak for a lot of us based on the results here when I say that I have never driven any GM product that made me excited, and so why would I vote for the Riv? Because it’ll run forever and be a cure for insomnia at the same time? I take melatonin for that, don’t need to drive a Riv to fall asleep.
Agree the Riv would be nice, but it’s my second choice.
Audi 5000 because it’s a horrible stupid decision that my spouse would enthusiastically support.
Did the Audi this time around. I would’ve gone for the Element if someone didn’t point out that interior picture showing a different color on the hood in the original post.
None of these is a driver’s car, so I am going with the most useful which is of course is the Element
I really miss my manual Element, but I really don’t like pink. This is a tug of war for my soul. I could give it to my pink loving 18 year old daughter, but she still likes her 2012 Fusion. My wife is a Subaru for life kind of person, so she is out. Paint? $$$$$, and I don’t know how to do that competently. I actually rolled my old Element. I rolled it wheels to wheels, and continued to drive it to work with no issue. I only had to fix the body panels, and it looked great! I only sold it when I decided I needed to pull more than it could handle. They are awesome.
The Element is a vehicle I could likely deal with (paint notwithstanding). However, I voted for the Audi. I probably couldn’t do much with it, but it’s worth putting time and money into.
I think for the first time ever, the rest of the Autopian-verse agreed with my choices every single day this week. It’s closer than I thought it would be today, but I’m guessing y’all will be 5/5 this week in making the correct choices.
5000…damn, this was actually an extremely difficult decision between the 5000 vs. living in a RIViera down by the…RIVer! ha ha…while I love the blue, the condition, and it would be awesome to have a 3800 engine (that will run badly [or good!] longer than other cars will run at all), I had to go 5000 for the manual, fun factor, great condition, etc (nice that it’s also blue) Also, while not the same as an E-body, I could just find a W-body Olds Cutlass or Pontiac Grand Prix from this year w/ a manual that I’d rather have
I wouldn’t want any of these as daily drivers, so I’m gonna go with the one that is the most interesting to me… the Audi 5000… which would make for an interesting 2nd car/car hobby.
Brain says pink Honda because reliability.
But heart says Audi because Quattro, 5 cyl turbo noises and just look at that silhouette and interior?
I don’t need a daily driver so the heart wins today
Gold Wheels for me I guess.
I can’t believe that todays vote isn’t as lopsided as yesterday. Who is picking that Honda over an Audi with an Inline 5 turbo and a manual???? I guess I can make a case for the rest of the fleet, but between the pepto pink, overspray, and interior shots that don’t seem to be from the same car, that Honda isn’t worth looking at!
I think this is the most damning evidence that you have AI chatbots that have entered the poll, and are just here to sew the seeds of disharmony. I am not here to yuck in anyone’s yum, but if you picked the Honda please explain your choice.
“ Who is picking that Honda over an Audi with an Inline 5 turbo and a manual????”
Someone who is afraid of the Audi’s repair costs as well as some parts becoming unobtainium due to its age.
” Someone who is afraid of the Audi’s repair costs as well as some parts becoming unobtainium due to its age.”
I guess I missed the part where this is a car enthusiast site. I mean, this is not a barn find nor hooptie in need of an overhaul and it’s only 22 Benjamins. I guess the Brown Diesel manual wagon argument also goes through the window then?
“I guess the Brown Diesel manual wagon argument also goes through the window then?”
Though the window that is down because the power window regulator, track or motor failed… again!
LOL
Sidenote: I voted for the Audi… but knowing if I actually bought it, it would be a combo of an interesting 2nd car and car-shaped maintenance and repair hobby.
seemingly solid 2nd or 3rd car.
Old Audis always look solid.
But they are not.
I know this based on first hand observation owners of Audis like this.
I’m gonna (probably) play it safe this week and go with the pink Element.
Well you got a Buick you could never drive in the Riviera.
A pink element to remind you of the Pepto Bismal you would be drinking like beer for the hassle it is.
An Audie 5000 that will cost at least $5000 to get it running right
And the The winner a Volvo which you can say I drive a Volllls and make it sound like Rolls to impress people
Nope on the Riv, and GOD NOPE on the pink car. Either of the remaining two would be fun cars to have when running, so the question is which will be less of a pain in the ass to keep on the road. I’m going with the Volvo, subject to a detailed PPI.
“ subject to a detailed PPI.”
It’s a $2000 Volvo that is 13 years old. I can tell you what the PPI will say… it will say “a bit of everything is wrong and if you buy this, your new hobby will be fixing/maintaining this thing”
Yeah, that’s expected, and the Audi would likely be worse when it comes to that stuff. I’d just want to make sure there’s nothing disastrously fatal in the works.