Low Production Estate: 1987 Audi 5000 Turbo Quattro Wagon – Sold?

September 28, 2022, Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

One of the more unique stories in the emerging collector car marketplace is the 1980s and 1990s Audi lineup. From wagons with four-wheel drive and three pedals to sleepy sedans with turbocharged powertrains and Recaro interiors, Audi belted out some serious classics beginning in the late 80s. The only problem is that supply is exceedingly low, and the lack of factory support for spare parts means you’ll be doing plenty of detective work to find obsolete parts long out of production. Still, the allure of rarities like this 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro Turbo wagon, originally listed in September 2022 on Craigslist in Billings, Montana, is enough for many enthusiasts to overcome their fear of tracking down a few NLA bits in exchange for the privilege of driving an Autobahn-approved long roof. The seller is asking $9,000, and comparing that price against the Classic.com model guide shows us that recent sales have ranged from $2,000 to $5,000, which likely takes into account plenty of beater examples.

Audi, as we see it today, is like any other luxury car company: small sedan, medium sedan, big sedan. Burly off-road “themed” machine: Crossover, full-size SUV, Convertible, Sports car, and a genuine exotic. But when they were more of an upstart, trying to break into the luxury car marketplace, Audi built cars that answered enthusiasts’ needs first and commuters second. The Quattro Coupe, obviously, is still an icon to this day and fits the mold of what every gearhead wants to own. But the 5000, in my opinion, really showed what Audi was capable of. Taking your bread-and-butter sedan and wagon and then dropping in a turbocharged five-cylinder engine with a 5-speed manual and Quattro four-wheel-drive? Yeah, that’s a legendary move in any era of automotive manufacturing. Considering the risks undertaken to build such a car gives you a newfound respect for the Audi of yesteryear.

The seller has this walk-around and driving video of his Audi posted on YouTube:

The seller has a great story with this particular car, which isn’t surprising given how few of them even exist. He notes he sold this 1987 wagon in 2002 after being in the right place at the right time when the elderly owners put it up for sale. Needless to say, he never forgot about this sleeper wagon (who could?) and bought it back in 2021 when it randomly popped up for sale after living in the dry climate of Red Lodge, Montana. Needless to say, it is rust-free with decent paint that is only marred by some damage to the edge of the hood caused by a bra left on too long (oddly, the seller has chosen to hide this superficial fault with yet another hood bra). To his credit, he’s also done a lot of heavy lifting to bring this Audi as close to turnkey as possible with a new headliner, new spark plugs, wires, distributor cap, coil, rebuilt fuel distributor, and more. The flaws seem pretty minor, but the biggest one is a failed power steering pump, yet the seller doesn’t indicate that it has reverted to full manual control. The front suspension is noted as being tired, and the fuel gauge and speedometer are inoperable. Overall, you don’t get the chance all that often to own an Audi icon like this, so move quickly.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“For Sale is my 1987 Audi 5000 Turbo Quattro Wagon with a 5-speed manual transmission…

A quick story on the history of the car… This is the second time I’ve owned the car… Back in the summer of 2002, I purchased the car in Denver and drove it home to Billings, Montana… At the time, the car had 200k on it, and I bought it from the original elderly owners, that stated those were all highway miles… But Being a poor college student at the time, I ended up selling it after owning it for just a couple of months… I ALWAYS regretted that decision… Fast forward to the summer of 2021, I saw an ad for it and couldn’t believe it was the same exact car, so I bought it again… (the last 19 years it spent its life in Red Lodge, Montana…) Anyhow, the time has come again to pass it along to the next owner… I purchased an old Saab SPG that has captured my time and attention… So the Audi has to go… Again, ha…

Zero rust issues
Runs and Drives good
New Battery
New Headliner
New spark plugs, wires, distributor cap, coil, rebuilt fuel distributor, fresh oil change…
New fuel filter
New Rear Hatch Struts
Original Spare Tire and Toolbag
Original Cargo slider included

The exterior is in excellent condition… The paint is shiny, with NO clear-coat peeling… There are a few minor scratches, but this color hides them, so they’re tough to see… A couple of dings, again, very tough to see… This car was always adult driven, and although it needs a few mechanical items fixed, overall has been very well kept over its 35-year life… (The only exterior issue worth noting is on the hood (underneath the bra); there is an area where the paint has come off… The previous owner stated that the car has had another bra on it for the last 20 years, and sometimes water is collected underneath it… I was able to source a “new old stock” brand new bra to cover it up… It never bothered me, but I will gladly provide a picture of the hood without the bra upon request)

(Not sure how old the tires are, but there is a lot of tread left and no cracking or dry rot… I drive the car about once a week, and they have felt fine to me)

The Interior is in excellent condition… The front seats show some wear, but nothing major (there are a couple seams that could be re-sewn, but personally I wouldn’t reupholster them… They’re only original once!)… Back seats look like they’ve never been sat in… Headliner is brand new… This car is a true “time-capsule”… All door panels in excellent shape… Carpet is plush, with the original floormats… Sunroof works great… It pops up, or slides back and forth as it should…

I am not presenting this car as “perfect” or “mint,” as there is a short list of things I would say need addressing… But once addressed, it will make for a Very solid classic car…

Things that it will need:
The fuel gauge and speedometer are inoperable
The power steering pump is inoperable but still steers fine
The brakes work great, but the brake light comes on…I was told that because the power steering pump is not building pressure, it will cause this light to come on… (Audi 5000s used a power steering pump to boost brakes)
The front suspension is a bit “tired”… Could definitely use some new bushings/shocks…
If anything else pops in my mind, I will update the ad accordingly

The title is clean/Clear and in my name…

Original owner’s manuals and Haynes repair manual included in the sale…

Feel free to call/text/email with any questions, and I’d be more than happy to answer them…”

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