Think of this as an Audi dressed as a Volkswagen. It shared its platform with the Audi 4000. The I5 engine came from Audi. The Syncro system in this car is really just an Audi Quattro system with a different name (Later Syncro cars used a VW designed system that was different from the Audi Quattro system.)
The The Syncro system was only available on the station wagon. VW felt that if they offered it on the Quantum sedan, it would cut into the sales of the Audi 4000 sedan. That's understandable. The Quantum was every bit the near-luxury car the Audi was at a slightly cheaper price.This Quantum Syncro Wagon (or QSW, as the owners like to call them) is located in Vermont. That's usually bad news for 1980s cars, as rust protection was nowhere near as good then as it is today. However, this one spent all but the last 6 months of its life on the west coast and is rust free.
The car is in good shape mechanically, too. The top end of the engine was recently rebuilt and it has new tires, shocks, struts and a battery. It has also had the "clutch repaired", but the seller gives no details.
This car does need a little work, but it's all minor. It needs some exhaust work, a few dash lights replaced (typical VW / Audi problem) and the antenna was liberated by a car wash. That's all pretty easy stuff and not too expensive.
These cars are becoming fairly rare. There were only 3000 or so sold in the US between 1985 and 1988. Most were sold in the snow belt areas and many have rusted away.
Finding a decent, inexpensive AWD car is not that easy here in New England. I'll now expand my search to include the QSW. I'm tempted to find out where Hinesberg, Vermont, is and look at this car this weekend.
Click here to see the Craigslist ad for this car.
