heymatey

In the original poster's example, the 5-year old car was retaining about 38% of its MSRP, not too bad for a complicated, expensive-to-fix luxury sedan. The hit just seems like a lot because the cars are so expensive new. 10% of $30k is a lot less than 10% of $100k...

I'm still looking for a used A8. It's really a conundrum: lease for $1k/month and not have to worry about repairs and service (with thrown-in Audi Care), or buy used and pay $750/mo but be on the hook for repairs, service AND depreciation.

MP4.2+6.0

Or...let 6-12 months run for more of the 20%/year depreciation AND the further 20 percent or so knock that occurs starting about now and running through when the D5 ships. Then pay up some (w/ the incremental depreciation more than offsetting) for CPO. CPO's can be out through 5 years, though many newer w/ lease returns. The model changeover will add further to the supply.

heymatey

Payment is painful for CPOs (might as well lease and not have the worries), but am hoping the new D5 1) hurries up and gets here; and 2) does what you say to D4 pricing!

audisession

Low mileage fully equipped S8's in the 2013 2014 vintage are selling for $70K - $75K, priced new $125K.

So a $50K drop over a 3 year period - not that bad of a depreciation...

subterFUSE

Yup. S8 holds its value much better than the Mercedes S63 AMG.

I've been watching both for almost a year on Auto Trader when I got my 2012 S63 back in February.

Garycw

There's a lot to be said about leasing. Especially depending on miles driven per year.
While it seems like a astronomical lease payment plus deletion fee when turned in and insurance. .. Do the math. You're really just patting for the depreciation and get to drive brand new. Extra good deals around dec- Jan. If it's not a daily driver and plan on keeping 10 years, better to buy IMO. If leasing take good care of car or they'll sick it to you in the end.

DirtyVegasTT

That's because the 2012 S63 you are referring it is a W221 which is a prior gen model. W221s all tanked in 2014 when W222 came out, including the AMG.

subterFUSE

Their loss was my gain.
Nice addition to my driveway of German awesomeness.



Already made a bunch of cosmetic mods including black grill, black hood vents, black emblems, black window trim wrap and white wrap on the door and trunk chrome strips, and hood star delete.

Radar, laser jamming and car stereo to begin in October.

kelisko

That S Class looks great!

I like to think that most people who are rich enough to buy these expensive cars do not care after a few months driving them. Once a new one is out they just want to get rid of the old one so they offer it for a "bargain".

the_duke

Most "rich" people try to be as frugal as possible with their money. When shopping for my CPO A8 I noticed almost every car I looked at was a lease return. A person who for example is an attorney and owns his own small business can lease the car and write off the expense on taxes. That is a simplified answer but leases make up a large portion of the "sales" on these types of cars when new. I'll never purchase a new A8 because I don't consider it financially viable. As far as that goes buying my CPO A8 wasn't the most fiscally responsible decision but my joy of ownership outweighed my need to keep the cash. Also I'm lucky enough to live somewhere that the cost of living is pretty low. I don't have a huge mortgage payment and the A8 loan is the only loan I have other than my mortgage.

Info:
How to Write Off Vehicle Payments as a Business Expense | Chron.com