Vehicle Overview
- Vehicle: 2005 Audi TT Quattro
- Purchase Date: February 21, 2024
- Auction House: Copart in Mebane
- Total Investment: $750.50 ($400 bid + $350.50 fees)
- Additional Cost: $400 third-party delivery
- VIN: TRUUT28N551003598
- Lot Number: 39428014
Strengths
- Closest to the ideal of affordable public road fun
- Compact size makes repairs easier:
- Less garage space required
- Lower cost parts due to smaller size
- Fewer components with 2-door, 2-seat design
- Straightforward repairs compared to other projects
- Perfect for North Carolina weather (except summer)
- Surprisingly low winning bid
Issues and Solutions
- Mechanical:
- Replaced coil pack
- Various hose replacements
- Deteriorating motor mounts causing shifting issues
- Body Work:
- Several body panels needed replacement
- Paint work required
- Warning Lights:
- Traction control warnings
- AWD system warnings
- Occasional convertible top warnings
- Delivery: Copart cancelled agreed delivery, requiring expensive third-party transport
Learning Points
- Smaller cars can be more enjoyable to work on
- Experience from previous projects (10+ vehicles) makes diagnosis easier
- Delivery agreements aren't always honored - have backup plans
- Warning lights don't always prevent enjoyable operation
- Know when to sell - timing is important with developing issues
Exit Strategy
- Final Sale: Sold to Peddle for $920
- Reason: Developing motor mount issues
- Timing: Sold while still running well
- Net Result: Small loss after delivery and repair costs
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