Audi 5000 Wagon- Schrödinger's Car

[rctothefuture]

Been thinking about what classic, but some how non-existent car exists. Something that would be fun to own and work on while being something enjoyable to drive. I've been thinking about it for awhile, and I've decided the answer to that question is the Audi 5000 wagon.

Seriously, try and find one locally in the Oppo trim (manual, wagon, turbo I5, AWD). It can't be done. The only 2 I've found are N/A and one is manual. I'd love to own one, just because they are rare and quirky. They apparently sold quite a few, but you can't find em anywhere. Like a Schrödinger cat, do they exists if you don't search for them?

[Huzer]

Man, seeing an Audi 5000 takes me back to 60 Minutes reporting in the '80s.

[A Former User]

First you pull into the garage and depress the brake. Then you proceed rapidly through the wall into the living room.

[ranwhenparked]

@huzer Its kind of amazing they are still considered a legitimate news organization with journalistic integrity after that hit piece.

Equally amazing, Geraldo Rivera's recovery from Al Capone's vault.

Still not amazing, you guessed it, Frank Stallone.

[MM54]

The fact that they sold a bunch and there are nearly none left should give a good glimpse into their longevity.

That said, it would be a cool and unique car so you should definitely do it.

[rctothefuture]

@mm54 Everyone I've seen is pretty rust free, of course that may be due to only seeing good examples. Just weird.

[RallyWrench]

@rctothefuture These are cool. They're out there, but the people who have them covet them. Would love one myself, or a '95.5 S6 Avant.

[Mark Tucker]

My family had three of these when I was younger. All sedans though, no wagons. I drove one to my senior prom, after it had been repaired from a very serious wreck in which it saved my mom's life (though put her in a wheelchair). Had another one up to 130 MPH on the Kansas Turnpike once. They're wonderful cars to drive.

They don't rust because Audi galvanized the almighty hell out of them, after the rust problems they had with earlier models. And I think the durability and reliability problems they had were for the same reasons as old French cars or modern BMWs: they're mechanically weird, and high-maintenance, and that leads to a high attrition rate. Ours were generally reliable, but fussy.

I should write a long post about them sometime. Really fascinating cars, and I've actually gone looking for one in the not-too-distant past.

[rctothefuture]

@mark-tucker Good to know! Sounds like an awesome vehicle. Hopefully some gracious owner sells one in the future at a decent price. You and I will be in a bidding war.

[sn4cktimes]

Like trying to find an unmolested Datsun 510 in western Canada. Cant be done.

[MM54]

@rctothefuture said in Audi 5000 Wagon- Schrödinger's Car:

@mm54 Everyone I've seen is pretty rust free, of course that may be due to only seeing good examples. Just weird.

Cars don't rust much when they don't run to leave the garage

[pip bip]

@rctothefuture almost 40 yo German car, what could possibly go wrong?

[SmugAardvark]

@rctothefuture For me, it's the Saab 9-2X Aero wagon.

Not as rare as the 5000 wagon, but built a mere 15 years ago. It's astounding how hard it is to find one in decent shape without 200,000+ miles. Autotrader lists two for sale in the country right now, and both are equipped with the 4-speed auto transmission.

[BritsnSwedes was MINIGTI]

@rallywrench I know a guy who has that exactly. He LOVES it, number plate UBER WAGN.

[RallyWrench]

@britsnswedes-was-minigti Longtime dream car for me, so hard to find!

[BritsnSwedes was MINIGTI]

@RallyWrench @rctothefuture Just watched Doug’s latest video. It seems he’s got himself a blue 1994 RS2. Wow, just wow.

Me: I mean we have an AWD turbo 5cyl wagon, it’s almost the same thing right?? (2016 V60)

Wife: but his is manual.

[onlytwowheels]

I found something you may like, price seems high though:

https://vermont.craigslist.org/cto/d/passumpsic-audi-turbo-avant-1991/7241658241.html