Message from discussion
Questions: Merkur XR4TI
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From: jpf...@u.washington.edu (J. P. Flaharty)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
Subject: Re: Questions: Merkur XR4TI
Date: Thu, 09 Mar 1995 13:04:58 -0800
Organization: University of Washington Mechanical Engineering
Lines: 40
Message-ID: <jpflah-0903951304580001@madison.me.washington.edu>
References: <3jjd9d$2fn0@ns2-1.CC.Lehigh.EDU>
NNTP-Posting-Host: madison.me.washington.edu
In article <3jjd9d$2...@ns2-1.CC.Lehigh.EDU>, r...@Lehigh.EDU wrote:
> In article <3j5c3a$...@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, ragu...@aol.com (RAGuest)
writes:
> >>would you buy an '85 with new turbo/clutch/radiator/battery; 50k miles
> >for
> >>$3300? i too am interested in the car, mostly b/c of the german
> >>engineering.
The car is a total mixed bag. I had an '87 for almost three years. I
loved the power and handling, excellent ergonomics and interior space,
etc., but it definitely required deep pockets to deal with such items as
new clutch, starter, wheel bearings, brakes, battery, trans rebuild,
etc... I am fortunate that the turbo never went.
I drove it from Indiana to Seattle in four days and was simply astounded
at its long-ditance cruising capabilities. The last two days were both
eleven hour stints with absolutely no discomfort in my back, legs, ass,
etc. It was amazing. The whole way, I set my speed just below the point
where the turbo would spool up, trying to preserve that costly thing.
This method allowed me some sweet triple-digit speeds on the down side of
mountains in Montana and Idaho. The car was so excellent in that
situation. Rapid travel on twisty two lanes was just as cool too.
One thing to be aware of is the severe horsepower penalty imposed by the
automatic. Published figures were 175 hp with 5 speed and only 145 with
slushbox. This was apparently due to required exhaust modifications, as I
recall. (mine had the manual, by the way)
Another consideration is engine noise. The engine (which was identical to
the T-bird Turbo Coupe's of that era) was powerful, but it made an awful
racket whenever I tached it out. I mean awful. So much so that I have
made engine refinement a top priority when I buy my post grad-school
reward car.
Good luck.... J.P.F
--
"Break out the bottle of asti-spumante
Pop off the top and rock with my posse" - Candyman
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