...guests gone. So a clonky CV joint and a fuel pump failure was all that Dedra did to us, but as I said at that point I couldn't justify a "hobby car" and the servicing being from an eccentric and (sometimes!!) moody specialist halfway accross town.
Alas the Audi turned out NOT to be the "annual service" car we expected, nor a quality item in any shape or form, or a car with rock solid residuals. Others have told me "it could have been worse" than we had it with that Audi and of course plenty have got worse tails to tell.
I came to the conclusion that with an "Italian passion" marque the problems are almost bragged about as a badge of loyalty, while with the "sensible Germans/Sweeds" there's a conspiracy of silence and people keep veeery quiet about the problems they've had. My dad's five year old Volvo costs him an arm and a leg every year on all sorts of dumb and irritating stuff. A friend had the engine fail on a six month old BMW. We were absolutely not alone with our Audi woes. Love or hate Clarkeson he at least tells it straight as regards reliablity (lack of...) and customer satisfaction (lack of...) with Mercedes. Range Rover? Jaguar?
In terms of economy with the Dedra Turbo it would do over 30mpg, but I could also get sub 20mpg from it - but since then cameras are everywhere and speed humps all over and I now shudder to think about the places I tried to beat 100mph. Driven the way I do now I'd expect high 20s day to day and well over 30mpg on a run.
I say go for it - you'll have zero or negative depreciation and the parts and expertise are about to keep it on the button. Without depreciation or the need for main-dealer stamps that's a LOT of money in the kitty towards fuel and the occasional rental car should you get caught short on a clutch change or something major. You should also start collecting tails-of-woe from people with modern "sensible" cars so you know that even if you get problems the grass really is no greener the other side of the fence.
In return you get a fab-u-lous machine. I got to drive an Integrale this year and all it did were bring back memories of that Dedra and remind me of the ways a Dedra is so superior to an Integrale. The engine is the same. Really super spooky smooth with its ballancer shafts. SOOO much torque. Just the right balance between sounding great without being intrusive. From memory the Dedra's wastegate phhhraaa was more lovely. With that visco-gizmo front diff a Dedra Turbo is not short of traction either. That lift-off tuck-in / power-on drive-wide behavour just the same.
On the plus side for a Dedra it doesn't sound like a snare drum. I thought the Integrale ride was harsh until I realised that I could hear every bump even if I didn't feel them. A Dedra is (was?) a properly screwed togeather car with a beautiful dash and interior not the hotch potch of crap plakkie. The ride and seats are great. There's a trade off with a fair bit of roll, and pressing on on a b-road a wierd low frequency bounce from the back BUT the benefit is that you CAN press on with adults aboard reading their papers or snoozing without complaint. Its an absolute monster mile eater. Its London to the Lakes in time for 11ses sort of car. Its the sort of car you want to drive out for skiing as you enjoyed both the run out and mountain time in it last year. It very much a rain or shine car - very stable in cross winds and not bothered by bumps or puddles. Really decent boot, and with the spoiler on the back doesn't look as fat-arsed as a regular Dedra. Other happy memories are as a tow car - and with the Austin 7 behind still able to outdrag anything away from a rounderbout. Alas the A1 has lost most of those
It sounded lovely, great gear change, faultless steering.
Do it - and make me jealous!!
Every time one comes up in the adverts I have a think about it but we can't justify a second car and the one we do run has to pretend its a van half the time. With some disposable income I'd have another like a shot. With a lottery win I'd try and find some of those electronically adjustable dampers to kill that fully loaded bounce.
Is there anything to match the all round ability? Of course I'd love to try an 832, and every time a Thema Turbo (Robin...) sits there at a bargain price I get the same itch... One day!!
David
