1988 Audi 90 2.3 liter 10 valve from North America

Summary:

A reliable sports sedan

Faults:

I replaced the entire suspension (struts and springs) in the car at 99,000 miles due to a bad strut..

The stock exhaust needed to be replaced at 97,000 miles.

The alternator was replaced at 95,000 miles.

The car has some body flex when cornering which was remedied when the suspension was upgraded.

General Comments:

This car is the most comfortable car I have ever driven.

This 1988 Foreign sedan has more options than most Domestic vehicles produced today have.

For a fairly compact car, it has plenty of power and drives like a sports car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th February, 2002

1988 Audi 90 Quattro 2.3 straight-5 from North America

Summary:

The absolute best all around choice... economics, performance, quality, safety

Faults:

General wear repairs, such as hoses, brakes, tires.

General Comments:

I have had many Audi's, and I will always buy them. I treat my cars terribly, from physical abuse (speed bumps, off road, curbs), to neglecting all necessary maintenance like alignments, oil changes, fluid changes, bushing changes. I drive the engine to the limit of its capabilities, and brake very heavily. My Audis are dirt cheap to maintain, when I do it (myself, easy). They are great to drive and tough in wrecks.

Avoid cars that have been neglected, as you can have several little things that add up to a bummer, and you may stray from a great car company.

Avoid automatic trannies until 1991, as they'll tend to go out. I have had original trannies in a 230,000 mile turbo, but not usually.

Check differential fluid in quattro's.

Research your problems, if you have them, and it's often a simple fix.

I've had a Porsche Turbo, Benz 500 coupe, and I'd love another of each as extras some day... but my next car is another Audi. 1990 90 quattro 20 valve.

P.s. 4000's and 80/90 series are more reliable than 5000's and 100/200 before 1992. The smaller Audi's are truly a spectacular economy car, if you get a well maintained one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th June, 2001

19th Jun 2001, 17:46

On my 4th second hand Audi now (in New Zealand), I agree -- stay away from 3-speed automatics. Had a problem with the diff despite knowing the inherent problem and taking precautions. Manuals are built like rocks, the 4-speed auto (usually with a "sport" button on the shift quadrant) is quite reliable, but shifts aren't very smooth (mine is a 2.0E 4-cyl 8-v 115bhp engine).

14th Jan 2002, 22:20

I have a 88 90 with the 2.0 4 with 140k on it... Besides some basic things needing replaced (which I did myself) it's been great. I also have the 3 speed auto... so far no problems at all and its smooth.

I replaced the fuel pump myself though it wasn't broke it was just old and worn.. new coil and wires to keep the electrical system up to par and that's pretty much it. Only major problem was recently... my temp sensor was shot making the car run rich and thus flooding out when stopped. I broke down in traffic. A new sensor for 15 bucks and a idle adj... good as new.

I still long for a Quattro with the V6 for more power... the 4 rated at about 115 just doesn't have a bunch of pop, but when pressed it's not all that sluggish. Best thing though... it's 12 years old and through 12 winters of salt... it still has NO rust! Who builds a car that tough? Nobody.

31st Mar 2006, 04:44

I own a 1988 audi 90 2.2 litre straight 5 cyl, and what a car its fast, comfy, handles well, and has all the power I ever want man what a car.

Still the best car i, v ever owned this car is for all the family well done audi.

19th Nov 2006, 00:57

Hi there just bought a 1988 90 Quattro 2.2L 5cyl manual I see that some of you are servicing the cars yourself were do you get information on how to service Audi 90 quattros?