I have a black 97 A8. I love the car, but there is always something breaking on it. I replace the transmission at 52K miles, on my own dime as Audi was, well, unhelpful. I have had electrical shorts, and just experienced another one, leaving my lower brake lights out, as well as the DVD changer being dead. I am told this will require a new wiring harness in the back, at a cost of about $1,000 - $1,300 as I recall. They also tell me another cv boot is gone, another $250, as well an issue with the C-link (?) in the suspension, which they estimate is another $1,200. ANd yet this morning, I found that the rear window now has a 4 inch crack in it.
My father-in-law offered to sell me his 2006 Lexus GS300 AWD, loaded, MSRP around $50 or $51K, for $40K. Has 800 miles on it. He never drives it, and wanted to get rid of it.
I checked the price against other cars and it seems pretty fair. The Acura RL and Infinity M35AWD are both more expensive, even for 12,000 mile cars.
Since I've now owned 4 different Audis, I went to the Audi dealer to see what they had and ended up in a uncomfortable discussion about what I wanted. I went in looking for a 2001 or 2002 certified A8, or alternatively, a 2005 A6. The sales guy would ask me what I was looking for, and as soon as I would start to speak, the guy would interupt me and say, "So do you want an A6 or an A8?" Guys was both rude and dismissive. Unfortunately, that has been my typical experience at Audi dealers, at least the one here in Indy. He finally offered me a used 2005 for "low $40s" plus $1,500 to certify it.
Then it hit me, while I like Audis, Audi doesn't give a stink for me. Here I am, ready to write a check for his car, and he acts like he's doing me a favor by speaking to me. I finally have had it. I've put up with failing electrical systems and disintegrating transmissions and noisy steering racks, etc, etc. Why? Because of the "mystique" of the Euro sedan. True, I love driving the A8, but would it be any more fun than a V8 laden Lexus LS430? I don't know, but I would guess I'm about to find out.
Anyways, what would you do if you were I? I am seriously thinking about buying the Lexus GS300, driving it over the the Audi dealer, and bringing out the sales manager and showing it to him, telling him that as a 4-time Audi owner, I wanted to buy another, but their crummy customer treatment forced me to buy a Lexus.
Anyways, anxious to hear what your opinion is.
SamIam
My father-in-law offered to sell me his 2006 Lexus GS300 AWD, loaded, MSRP around $50 or $51K, for $40K. Has 800 miles on it. He never drives it, and wanted to get rid of it.
I checked the price against other cars and it seems pretty fair. The Acura RL and Infinity M35AWD are both more expensive, even for 12,000 mile cars.
Since I've now owned 4 different Audis, I went to the Audi dealer to see what they had and ended up in a uncomfortable discussion about what I wanted. I went in looking for a 2001 or 2002 certified A8, or alternatively, a 2005 A6. The sales guy would ask me what I was looking for, and as soon as I would start to speak, the guy would interupt me and say, "So do you want an A6 or an A8?" Guys was both rude and dismissive. Unfortunately, that has been my typical experience at Audi dealers, at least the one here in Indy. He finally offered me a used 2005 for "low $40s" plus $1,500 to certify it.
Then it hit me, while I like Audis, Audi doesn't give a stink for me. Here I am, ready to write a check for his car, and he acts like he's doing me a favor by speaking to me. I finally have had it. I've put up with failing electrical systems and disintegrating transmissions and noisy steering racks, etc, etc. Why? Because of the "mystique" of the Euro sedan. True, I love driving the A8, but would it be any more fun than a V8 laden Lexus LS430? I don't know, but I would guess I'm about to find out.
Anyways, what would you do if you were I? I am seriously thinking about buying the Lexus GS300, driving it over the the Audi dealer, and bringing out the sales manager and showing it to him, telling him that as a 4-time Audi owner, I wanted to buy another, but their crummy customer treatment forced me to buy a Lexus.
Anyways, anxious to hear what your opinion is.
SamIam
Short answer: find a decent dealer or independent shop and get your car fixed or get a later A8. They're a special car with a unique personality and driving "feel".
