Bear with me. . .A5 or S5

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07-08-2015, 04:12 PM

Dbreezy

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Bear with me. . .A5 or S5

I want to thank you all in advance! I test drove both the A5 and S5. I like the A5 and LOVE the S5. I will give you some background and then info about the cars. Give me your honest advice.

Background
Desired monthly payments: $400-550 a month
Income: I make between 80-95k a year. I have student loans that will be between 400-700 a month starting next year.
Location: I live in the San Francisco Bay Ares
Other: I am 32, want a fun and high performing car ( I drove a 4 door Honda Civic 13 years)!! But in 4-5 years if I have a wife and kid, more than likely will want to get a 4 door. haha.

The Cars

[U]2009 A5 3.2L S Line
Miles: 21k
Other: Not Audi Certified, but sold at an Audi Dealer. No warranty
-Warranty for platinum to cover maintenance and electrical is $2894 for 5yr/75k ( I drive between 8-12k)
Car Price:27k
Sales Tax: 8.75%
APR: 7.65%
Term: 5 years
Down & monthly Payment: @4k=$510 @5k=$489 @6k=$467
Taxes, Fees, Registration:$3,775 to $4,000<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w

oNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w

ontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w

ontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]-->
Out the Door Price: $31k-$32k

CarFax: 1 owner, BUT this was listed as being serviced: Information display unit replaced, Radio replaced, Glove box repaired/replaced, Door trim panel adjusted, Body computer/module replaced, Water pump replaced, Radio/sound system repaired.

2011 S5

Miles: 39k-40k
Other: Audi Certified, so 2 yr/50k warranty
Car Price: Talked him down to $34,500
Sales Tax: 8.75%
APR: 7.65%
Term: 5 years
Down & Monthly Payment: @7k=$604.09<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w

ontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w

ontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> @8k=$583.98<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w

ontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w

ontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> @9k=$550.00<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w

ontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w

ontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]-->
Taxes, Fees, Registration:$4,000to $4,500
Out the Door Price: 38k-39k

Carfax: 1 owner, serviced promptly.

What would you do?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w

ontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w

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07-08-2015, 06:53 PM

ayap

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In your situation, I would probably get A5 and just spend $1K in mods to make it handle better or quicker (alu kreuz + a chip). The A5 has lower mileage, while the S5 has higher mileage (almost double the A5). You have a student loan. You live in SF, an expensive place. So every cent counts in your budget. I think the 3.2 engine is ok. I just think $39K is expensive for a car with 40,000 miles. Now if you could get the S5 down to $36K out the door, maybe. I think 40K miles is high mileage for me.

I bought my S5 brand new, but I put up a big downpayment and only paid $350/mo and then after 1 year - I paid everything. I have no car payments and no student loan.

Anyway, that's just me .. you ask for my 2 cents. Good luck.

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07-08-2015, 08:43 PM

eric strauss

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Have you considered leasing?

I have leased six of my eight Audi's. The S5 is a pretty good lease and you should be able to get into a 2015 S5 for 48 months with about $5K down and be well under $600/month. New, under warrantee, guaranteed residual, gap insurance. If you are considering a 4-door, than the S4 is an even better deal with equal performance.

It is worth considering as the car is depreciating underneath you the whole time. I long ago started considering my overall car budget, including depreciation and maintenance, etc. and decided I could best achieve my driving goals by leasing. It has allowed me to put more cash into appreciating assets (my home and retirement accounts) and less into the car.

Good luck with you decision …

Eric

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07-09-2015, 05:36 AM

ayap

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$5K and $600 would be a good number considering depreciation.
The last time I asked for an S5 lease was $4.5K down, $800/month lease.
Lease is good if you change your car every 3 years. That takes care
of the depreciation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric strauss

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07-09-2015, 05:42 AM

jsausley

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One thing I would do is never, ever agree to finance a car at 7% APR. I have told my dealer and dealers in the past that the highest I interest I would accept is 2%. Any higher than that, to me, is robbery on part of the bank when my investments struggle to turn 5% interest rates return (note: I do have 800+ credit score though).

Other than that, I can't offer much advise. I realize with student loans you probably don't have that much credit score. I would recommend looking into a lease program or trying to get your credit up before taking on a loan like this, even with your salary (which is high for where I live, but I realize not that high in San Francisco).

For reference, I make $60-65k and I'm negotiating a deal for a brand new 2016 S5 (MSRP $61.5k). I do live in North Carolina though, and my cost of living here is probably half what it is in San Francisco, and I don't have any debt (outside of house mortgage).

I would encourage you to look into an A4 S-Line Competition Package or S4 rather than an S5. If you know you will eventually need 4 doors, there's no sense taking two loans. Audi offers good finance and lease programs on new cars too, so you could probably get a 2015/2016 A4 or a leftover 2015 S4 for <$50k (after discount) and with the lower interest rates, end up paying less per month than you will on your used car option above.

TLDR: 7% is high. 7% APR on a $30,000 loan is $5,642 over 5 years in interest alone!

Last edited by jsausley; 07-09-2015 at 05:45 AM.

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07-09-2015, 07:31 AM

eric strauss

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I would go back and negotiate or visit a different dealer...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayap

… I have leased two S5's and one S4 (all about $60K MSRP) and payments were between 625-670/month, including tax, maintenance and tire protection plan. If you drop the tire/maintenance plan, you are well under 600/month. The S4 is always a better lease deal as they make so many more of them…

A lease on an A5 will likely run about 100-125/month less.

Happy Hunting

Eric

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07-09-2015, 01:13 PM

Dbreezy

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Eric Strauss, ayap, and jsausley, thank you for your perspective. It is really helpful. I am looking at leasing options now. I will balance and weigh everything, then see where I come out. Thanks again! This is so tough to me.

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07-09-2015, 07:58 PM

irenesbob

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The price looks OK per KBB, but I think the dealer’s unwillingness to certify or warranty the car confirms the reputation 2009 and 2010 A5's have for many reliability problems. Not that I love them or use them as an only source, but Consumer Reports has insufficient information to rate the 2009's and gives the 2010 & 2011 A5's many below average reliability ratings on several components/areas. It is not until 2012 that CR rates the A5 average or better.
If I were in the same demographic and region as I you I would consider leasing a brand new Subaru BRZ or (if there is more snow in SF than I realize), then a WRX, but that’s just me. I’ve had too many bad experiences with used cars. Good luck whatever you do.

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07-09-2015, 08:37 PM

fasteddy91

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What is your commute/drive like? If its bumper to bumper traffic or moving along the flow of traffic with little opportunity to go WOT...I would get the A5. It has plenty of power and torque and its a big upgrade from your old Honda.

If your situation was different such as money was no object. Then get the S5. I had faced the same issue and chose to go with the A5 as my commute consists of driving 5 miles to work going 40-45 miles an hour with a smooth flow of traffic. I couldn't justify the extra 10k for the S5...plus now I have extra cash to buy mods.

Good luck with what you choose...if you are set on a S5...there is a 2012 black S5 with 6k miles at concord Audi for 42k.

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07-17-2015, 07:09 PM

#10

DOT

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Dbreezy

ontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w

ontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> @8k=$583.98<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w

ontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w

ontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> @9k=$550.00<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w

ontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w

ontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]-->
Taxes, Fees, Registration:$4,000to $4,500
Out the Door Price: 38k-39k

Carfax: 1 owner, serviced promptly.

What would you do?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w

ontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w

From a purely gear headed perspective, the only reason to buy an A5 is to benefit from the lighter weight of the 2.0T, which you can then mod for higher output. You'll suffer a less exhilarating exhaust note (even with pipe upgrades), but gain better handling. A V6 A5 isn't a worthwhile move in my opinion (again, purely gear headed perspective), as you obviously lose the power and cachet of the S, while missing out on the potential for better handling. I your case, I'd get the S5.

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