[WhyUMad1LE]

I loved the S5 when it came out. The design has aged well over the past 8 years, and the RS with the widebody looks even better. The S5 4.2 is very smooth with refined nvh, nice exhaust note, and the interior makes you feel special. But ultimately I felt I would get bored with it. It did everything well but doesn't make you take a drive for the fun of it. If I was buying a used car in that segment I would go for a C63 or M3.

Oh, and small complaint but the MMI was annoying. You turn the knob counterclockwise to scroll down the menus instead of clockwise like every other human interface. Couldn't find a setting to change it. YMMV

[Arex]

Originally Posted by Adrian97c

$47k OTD for a 2SS, no NAV & no MRC, supplier pricing.


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Umm sorry, but whats OTD?

[Adrian97c]

Out the door


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[crabman]

lol Try keeping an AMG car running and you'll wish you could cheap out with the Audi. Not that I don't agree with the others here, you're going to pay and pay big as the car gets older. I've been on a string of Germans but I don't keep them long enough to ever get out of warranty because I know better. I will give you an example of German upkeep from personal experience. Mrs crab had a 545 and she liked the car a lot, ended up wanting to keep it for the long run. One and a half years out of warranty we calculated that her expenses had been over 400 a month for the period. This calculation had been made at that point because her trans had just started doing the dreaded slip thing where it looses a little hitch when you pounce on it before it grabs. Time was not on its side and the part alone was 9000 without install. We traded it.

Drive a German out of warranty and you're going to face the possibility of this kind of thing. You also have one other possibility not mentioned. Sometimes when you need a part it has to be shipped over from the old country and that can take a while. IMO the luxo Germans are best owned by someone who is going to trade before they get out of warranty.

[HyperM3]

Everyone knows that you dont want to own a German car without a warranty. Truth of the matter is, most first owners of a German car either A) dont own it long, or B) keep the miles low. Its usually the second or third owners that again, keep the miles low or pile them on.

The honest reality is by the time a German(or any Euro) car becomes price-attainable, the person who buys it is someone who could barely afford a Honda. However, they feel the need to show some sort of success by becoming a "reach up". These are the people who dont know what they are in for when it comes time for maintenance.

Most everyone who is some sort of enthusiast knows what they are getting into with these cars. Most people going for the S/RS models are looking for something with lower mileage and good condition and they themselves are less likely to put a lot of miles on it. Therefore, the cost in the long run would be less involving.

With all that being said, the RS5 is a great car. It has one of the absolute best stock exhaust sounds(with optional sport exhaust) on any V8 car. Put on an aftermarket or custom exhaust and it rivals exotics. Unfortunately, the engine is a decade behind. Theres no real world usability in it on the street. Also, there are barely any mods for it. As someone who has been in Audis for the past 6 years, I would honestly pass on that car.

To me, the Camaro is one of the most fun and engaging cars Ive driven in a long time and thats one of the reasons Im looking to jump ship very soon.

[Arex]

to all that have given me and other readers insight on this matter.

I am definitely drawn towards the Audi S5 and RS5 vehicles because they have such a handsome, muscular, yet sophisticated and classy look to them. Also, the look and finish, quality, and of course they actually perform well.

I guess it's up to whether or not I can afford all that and the answer is no...

Momma always taught me that buying a car is easy (regardless of price), it's the cost of keeping it running that is most important (cost of ownership).

I have to spend more time in an SS this summer to be convinced it's the car I want, I know it's got the grunt, it's got the looks, but interior quality is very important to me, it's where I will be most of the time. Lol not photo-shooting.

Anyone heard of or is experiencing any engine or chassis NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) issues with the Camaro SS? I watched the Motortrend Head2Head with the M4 and Jason Camisa briefly mentioned it.

[mt3130]

You will probably want to change the tires if you get a Camaro. The run flats are decent performers, but they are fairly noisy by most accounts.

[LesBaer]

I used to have a 2004 S4, with the 4.2 V8 and put 130k miles on it. It cost a fortune to maintain after 80k miles. The RS5 is a variant of that same engine and it's a great engine, but German cars have low tolerances and constantly need service. When I went through a divorce a few years ago, I had to calculate all my expenses. In total, for the last 3 years I owned the car, I had spent on average almost $8k per year at the Audi dealership on service. I loved the car and didn't want to let it go...but I had enough. It's a great engine to SC but I'm glad I didn't do it and sold it.

I also test drove the RS5 before I ended up buying the Camaro. Here are some cons to consider:

The RS5's steering is horrible. You don't feel anything. It's also severely limited by the ECU's programming. It will need a tune if you want to have any real fun with it and that will void your warranty on a German car. Last knock on the Audi is it will literally chew through tires at an astonishing rate because of the location of the front axle and itss weight. Don't get me wrong, it's a great car - especially in the rain and snow, but you'll need snow tires. You have to decide if you're going to buy a car just because it excels in crappy weather or not. On nice days, when you see people driving around in RWD sports cars, you're going to wish you didn't buy the Audi and then you'll be really happy you bought it when you're driving in lousy weather. Think about that for a little bit.

It's a classy ride but if you want a real sports car, it's not the best choice.

[Arex]

Les Baer, thanks for your input.

I noticed you have the 6 piston upgrade, is it really worth $1500 just to have the front brakes upgraded? I feel like for $1500, you can get better aftermarket kits and for all four corners. I may be wrong.

[evanescent03]

even if you get an $80k car for half price, when it breaks, it's still an $80k car. That's loosely paraphrased by one of the automotive journalists... sums it up nicely.

Owning a certified used car can be a great value... at least until THAT warranty expires. Also you need to consider: "am I looking for the best deal or the car I want the most?" Sometimes it's okay to throw a little cash to the wind to have something you enjoy. The RS5 is a sweet ride.. one of the best looking cars to me. If I didn't take my cars to the track I would have looked at an s4/5 harder. There's very little track-goer support that I could find. As a highway cruiser that gives a little sports car attitude while still being quite comfortable, I bet it is fantastic. I've only driven the S5.

In the end, the "right car for right now" changes person to person and as time/priorities change. I'd love to see you in an RS5 bc I think they are beautiful, rare-ish, and sound great. I am having a lot of fun in the SS at 950miles that I don't think I'd be having in most AWD cars. but don't take my word for it. .. long test drives are the only way to figure it out for yourself. Of course all the repairs stuff is good info, but if you keep them maintained they can be pretty awesome too. Kudos to the guys who keep them running and clean!!

[Arex]

you guys got me thinking about reliability, now wondering if a used Lexus RCF would be a good car to buy, though I cannot find one under $55,000 even at 20,000 miles.

I know the Lexus is heavier and the driving dynamics aren't as good, but it's an incredible GT coupe similar to a Jaguar F type.

[JDP Sales]

Audis are GARBAGE! The only happy Audi owner is one with endlessly deep pockets or one who leases and turns it in before they can deal with the realities of being an Audi/VW owner. They are incredible vehicles when they roll off the floor but they depreciate like an Impala and they bring a huge number of headaches to MOST owners.

I don't say this as a GM homer either. I have been in the auto industry since I was 18 and have been around ALL makes and models. I have only sworn never to own 2 brands ever again after seeing not only the product but the customer treatment, Audi and Chrysler.

Just my .02

All the best,

Jared Royce
801.545.4215

[Baywire]

Originally Posted by Arex

you guys got me thinking about reliability, now wondering if a used Lexus RCF would be a good car to buy, though I cannot find one under $55,000 even at 20,000 miles.

I know the Lexus is heavier and the driving dynamics aren't as good, but it's an incredible GT coupe similar to a Jaguar F type.

I would recommend never buying an overpriced Toyota.

Again and again Lexus proves just how good they are at selling you a Toyota. Top Gear does some good reviews on the F series from Lexus, I'd recommend watching them because Top Gear (with its original cast) was not bought out by brands such as the majority of other car review companies. They were always critical and generally unbiased when reviewing cars, where MotorTrend, Car and Driver, Road & Track are different stories.

If you want a GT card like an F type, then buy the Jaguar F Type. (But Jaguar isn't know fro their reliability either) That is a car that I've also bee looking into, however in comparisons (with many car options) I always seem to come back to the corvettes heavier twin, Camaro SS.

Now I actually really like what Lexus has done styling wise, but I don't trust their brand or their cars.

If you're looking for a GT car I think you'll find it hard to find another car that's as good as the Camaro for the price point. Magnetic Ride provides the best ride quality out there. (There's a reason that Ferrari "stole" it from GM and now put their own version in their cars) and the fact that it comes as an option for 1700 bucks is incredible.

This is just my two cents, I try not to be biased but again I think if you are fairly weighing all options and comparing vehicles head to head, I think you'll end up with a Camaro in your driveway.

[Emoto]

Personally, I think japanese luxury brands are hideous. They look like lozenges someone has already sucked on. Blah and boring. Blech. YMMV.