| Premium compact car; Built in Germany |
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| Good condition price range: $1,200 – $3,900* |
1993 Audi 90 S 4-door sedan
1994 Audi Cabriolet
1995 Audi Sport 90 Quattro 4-door sedan
1997 Audi Cabriolet
1997 Audi Cabriolet
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Audi’s 90 had some attractive features, including a sporty manner (at least with the 5-speed), available 4-wheel drive, and solid feel. Nevertheless, it did not sell strongly in the “near-luxury” market, which was dominated by such Japanese-brand models as the Acura Vigor, Infiniti J30, Lexus ES 300, and Nissan Maxima SE. When these cars were new, dealers offered big discounts to spur sales, so expect to find lower-than-average used-car prices for all except convertibles and high-performance models.
Overview
A V6 engine, borrowed from the bigger 100 series, edged aside the old 5-cylinder powerplant when Audi restyled its smaller sedan. Replacing the former 80/90 models, the new 90 came only as a 4-door sedan on a wheelbase two inches longer than before. Overall length grew by four inches. Three versions went on sale. The 90 S and 90 CS versions were front-wheel drive, while the 90 CS Quattro Sport got permanently engaged all-wheel drive. Antilock all-disc braking and a driver-side airbag were standard.
Yearly Updates
| 1994 90/Cabriolet Audi’s first convertible, the stylish Cabriolet, arrived in 1994 on the 90’s platform, but 2.2 inches shorter in wheelbase. Cabriolets came only with an automatic transmission and seated four. Only a single trim level was available, with a lined power top that stows beneath a hard cover behind the back seat. A passenger-side airbag was installed in all models for 1994, and the 90 S sedan could get optional leather upholstery and a power tilt/slide sunroof. |
| 1995 90/Cabriolet For 1995, all-wheel drive became available on entry-level models. A new Sport90 edition got a lowered sport suspension, sport seats, cloth interior, and 5-spoke alloy wheels. |
| 1996 90/Cabriolet A roomier and more daring A4 sedan arrived for 1996, displacing its 90 predecessor, but the Cabriolet continued on the old 90’s chassis. |
| 1997 90/Cabriolet Audi cut the Cabriolet’s price by $2200 for 1997, but replaced the standard power top with a manually operated top. Leather upholstery, previously standard, now joined the option list along with the power top. This year’s central locking system unlocked the fuel-filler door. Later in the model year, solid headrests replaced open units. |
| 1998 90/Cabriolet Little changed for ’98 and the convertible was dropped altogether for ’99. |
