Hi guys, brand new to the forum and Audi-owner world. Looks like there's a lot of helpful info on this forum. I searched but didn't find my particular question answered, and hope you can help. TIA!

I have a friend who is going to give me his old 1990 Audi 90. It's been sitting in his driveway for like a year, and he just wants to get it off his hands and out of his way. So my questions are:

1) Aside from buying a new battery which I already did, what else should I expect to have to do to get the car to start up?

2) He said the car was drivable when he last used it about a year ago, but the car wouldn't go into reverse. It's an automatic. Any thougths on what that could be?

3) I welcome all other comments about what to consider/look for as I decide if this car is worth hanging onto and trying to get running.

Thanks. I know this isn't going to be a great car right off the bat, but I'm excited to learn and work on the car to restore some of it's former glory.

 

you need also gas.
the tranny might not have a good link, or broken.

 

Check the transmission fluid and see if it's dark/black and contains any particulate matter. Then change it regardless of what it looks like. Does it shift hard? Take a look at all the vacuum lines...possibly plug the HVAC lines and then pressurize the system with a hand pump or regulated air compressor to find leak points, which are probably everywhere. Drive the car over a grassy surface and listen for clunking/vibration/binding, this could indicate worn bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends, or strut mounts. Take a look at the exhaust, if it's real rusty it's a time bomb, for obvious reasons. I'm new to Audis, but these are the basic checks I make after I buy a car.

Or just drive the hell out of it until it breaks, since it's basically free anyways.