PleaseStopMe

I buy a car every 10 years or so and I try not to screw up because 10 years is a long time to eat a mistake. I have done my test drives and research and it has come down to this combination testosterone and technology mix that only you on this forum understand. Why is it I am sanely considering buying a new $70K car? Isn't there better cars for less? Won't the maintenance costs run me to ruin? Is it more cost effective to buy a used 1999 or 2000 or am I buying someone elses problem?

DWP

I feel your pain. Economically it always makes sense to buy a recent model used car. But you miss the new car smell and the pleasure of breaking it in yourself and the satisfaction of knowing you're the first driver and ......... well, you know the rest.

Whatever you do, get the extended warranty before the factory warranty runs out. Can go to 7 years and 100k miles for not a lot of dough. Do a search, but I think Warrantech may be a good bet. Also warrantygold.

Would I love a new S8??? You know it. <sigh>

RoninS8

Well I know that I would buy a new car, I have a nissan Altima. bought it new love it cause it smelled new I have to say the breaking in part is the best. knowing no one has used it before or drivin it hard. I hope I don't sound to guy like, but it is like a virgin

Egil A64.2s - S6

Try looking at a year old dealer car and you would save a bundle over ten years just on interest as your depreciated value will be about the same. You still get a new car, just one model year older. Look around and you might find a good deal. Buying a cheaper car get you less - simple as that. I keep coming back to Audi every few years - just love the performace, quality and the Quatro. Nothing gives the same combination of features and performance for the money.

Dommi3

I say you are nuts if you buy a brand new one. If I were a billionaire I wouldn't **** money away like that. Consider yourself lucky to even be considering an A8. It is the best kept secret there is, new or used, especially used. In my opinion this is by far the most overlooked vehicle on the planet. It is also by far, the finest used car value there is. I challenge anyone to find this much car for this little cost. Since my A8 purchase nearly 2 years ago, I have managed to talk 5 friends of mine into buying used A8's. One of my friends is a major enthusiast, and a judge for some of the most exotic cars in the world that are judged annually in Pebble Beach, California at the famous Concourso Italiana. He also owns a Lamborghini and an extremely clean and very fast Porsche Turbo. I had him take a test drive in my A8 and we parked the car, got out and headed up into his office where only minutes later, he placed the winning bid on an A8 for himself. He is so pleased with his, just as I am with mine. Between the two of us we saved over $105K by purchasing our cars used versus new. I personally saved $55 off of the new, out the door price, for having some miles on my car. I've done very little to it and the car drives, performs and smells like brand new. Everyone that gets in my car which now has 111K miles on asks me if I just bought it. Maybe you have so much money that $55K means nothing to you. Even if that's true, save it on the car and do something else with the money you'll save by buying it used. Take $2K and buy an extended warrantee. Depending on mileage, you may even get one for much less than that. I'm definitely glad that there are people out there buying all of these incredible brand new A8's and S8's because as soon as they get a few miles on them and ready to part with them, I'll be there waiting to ****** them up for 1/3 of what they paid, and laughing all the way to the bank.

Dommi3/Tiburon, CA
1997 A8/Silver/Gray
17" Audi A8 Wheels
All Possible Options

Previous Audi
1990 V8 Quattro

NakedA8

Yes, and no.

The A8/S8 IMHO is one of the few cars on this planet that you will enjoy for 10 years, and it's nowhere near ordinary transportation. Even just a trip to the store or the post office is a rewarding experience (minus the plebian traffic, of course). A bonus is that car thieves and your neighbors will hardly notice it.

The aluminum frame and body parts are a major bonus wherever you live, but if you live anywhere that harse road salts and poor road surfaces exist, it's even more important. Ask anyone who's ever owned a car for any period of time that lived in a metro area like NYC, Philly or Boston.

If you're worried about buying someone else's problem, get an Audi Assured® A8 or S8. The assured cars are generally some of the most well cared for examples of this car and you can be sure that the maintenance was done and everything is in order. We have about 57K miles on our 98 A8 and plan to drive it at least until the odometer reads 200,000, perhaps longer.

Drive = Love

Dommi3

NakedA8:

You know I've heard too sides of that story relating to the effect of harsh winter conditions. I grew up in Chicago where cars looked 100 years old when they were only a few years old due to the salt. Many people think that the salt has no effect on Aluminum. I know for a fact, that is not the case, have you ever seen what happens to an aluminum can that is in the ocean? It completely disintegrates and very quickly I might add. Thank God for undercoating and other chemicals that can now fight off rust and corrosion better than the old days. I guess all I am saying is, that I don't think the A8 is unique in keeping it's youthful appearance due to it being aluminum. Salt will cause aluminum to rot just like any other metals that are used in the construction of cars.

It's interesting though because I have heard many people make the same claim you did about the Aluminum holding up better. I even repeated it to a friend of mine that is a Chemist/molecular biologist. They told me very differently. Just telling you another side of the story.

I'm just glad that mine still looks and feels new even though it nearly five years old. Of course living in California may have something to due with that. LOL

Dommi3/Tiburon, California
1997 A8 Silver/Gray
Audi A8 17" wheels
All possible options

Previous Audi
1990 V8 Quattro

April

aluminum. Great care is taken to isolate ferrous and non-ferrous metals. It will eventually deteriorate, but very slowly.

Look at those old special bodies cars from the '30s on up. Some do get badly eaten, but usually from not isolating the ferrous bits. I worked a a Brit car resto shop for a time. Our main concerns with aluminum bodied cars were sagging or bagging panels, fillers, and properly isolating parts when re-installed on the frame.

New or slightly broken in ;-), the A8 is a very solid car. It is as close to an old fashioned coach built car you can come to for the money. It is how Mercedes used to build cars. If you do a search here, you'll find the occasional tranny issue, leaking seal, electrical glitch, or squeak. These people are the more **** aspect of Audi owners - a good thing because they bring to light any faults, and usually find solutions.

Whether you buy new or pre-owned, consider an extended warranty. The longest out there is Warrentech or GE. 7yrs or 100K from new. No deductable and full coverage for all electrical systems in addition to the rest of the car. You can wait until the factory warranty is about to expire before starting the new warranty, but it does cost more to wait.

For a long haul car like this, consider new or no older than 2000. Many changes occured for 2000, not the least of which was the long wheelbase version. For a more sporty and exclusive ride, consider the S8 - short wheelbase only. An Audi Assured car ( pre-owned car factory warranty ) is a huge plus as the cars are usually pretty cherry.

Only 3500 to 4000 A8s are sold each year. We started with 2000/2500 per year on '97. Pre-owned selection is limited.

If a new A8 is a consideration, plan on this if possible. If you live near or fly into LA/San Diego, have your Audi Brand Specialist salesperson make an appointment for you with Gerry Bill. Gerry can arrange for an all day loan of a new A8 for you. First come, first serve, so plan ahead. Your salesperson or dealership sales manager is the only person who can arrange this. In LA, talk to Drew Polenchar at Commonwealth Santa Ana or Manfred at Rusnak Pasadena. Serious potential new A8 buyers will be screened.

escapA8

and I saw the winner go home with 50 grand I looked at my wife and said: "So if this person was going to buy a new A8 right now with that money, (s)he would still end up with the same monthly payment as we have on our 1997 A8. "

I'd buy second hand: 3 years old seems to be the magic lease return age. Mine still looks like new. Only had brake pads replaced. Like PleaseStopMe I buy a car about every 10 years...

TKG 26

i bought a NEW '01 S8 in Nov/01 (end of year) - i saved about $20K canadian off list.

i buy most of my cars at that time of year - desperate dealers = bargains galore!

regards