Dan McBoost

Strong 2nd.

Dan McBoost

At 18+ years old for my mk3, and 20+ years old for my mk2 supra, EVERYTHING STILL WORKS, and have never had any gremlins as I have seen on every audi I have worked on, and around. My girl had a 5000CS, a 4000CS, and still has a V8Q. I worked at a home and car audio shop where the original manager was an audi god around here, so we worked on many many audis. Would I ever buy a non-extreme luxury car from audi? Not a chance. I do however very much enjoy my A8. It pleases more than it frustrates me most of the time. Although for an 8 year old car, I am still not impressed with its electrical quality. I have had to service my A8 in the past two years more than both of my supras combined ( I have owned my mk2 since 1991 ).

Love Hate.

tozoM8

My A8 is a great car for $8000, but they not worth more than $40k - 45k new. I had a beater Toyota Celica 89' with 140k miles for 3 years ( bought it for $2200 in 99', sold it for $1500 in 02'. I bought 4 tires and a battery. If you buy a 02' A8 for $25k, 3 years from now it will be $8k with all kind of problems. There is still a lot of people underestimate the Japanese cars. An 8 years old Lexus is more reliable than a new German car. My brother has a 91' LS400 with 245K miles. he need to replace the windshield vipers again. The new LS430 is quicker than the A8 and very soon they will offer it with AWD.

PaulW

I've had trouble free cars.....just not the same as an A8 though

Kevin B

The good: performance, style, comfort, safety, and that exclusively German mystique.

The bad: maintenance and sometimes reliability.

I'll take the gamble until I get burned bad enough. I've had 8 Audis so far-

2 '87 5000TQs, a few issues
'98 A4 1.8TQ, no problems at all
'00 S4, one bad turbo, intercooler clamp
'01 S4 Avant, blown speaker
'03 A4 1.8TQ, AC issue
'04 S4 Avant, lost reverse (common problem)
'98 A8, just maintenance, knock on wood

Granted most of these cars were purchased new with warranties and free maint. It would take a really major issue to tear my hands off the steering wheel of a quattro for good!

8 misbehavin

I guess it comes down to how much you enjoy it when you're not fixing it or waiting on the repair shop. For me it's absolutely worth it. My A8 gives me a driving experience beyond compare on my daily 110 mile round trip. It's all subjective, but I hope you have better luck with yours going forward!

GDJT Allroad^2

The wife drives the A8 and she loves it; wouldn't have it any other way. It doesn't need that much more for the next 60k miles beyond a transmission

barryl

Hello,

I'm at the point where I hate my A8. I've had it for 3 years and it's now just about a worthless piece of junk. The trans is going, the rear diff leaks, the control arms squeak, the A/C spits water, you get the idea.

There are very few people who can work on them, parts are very expensive, and, IMHO, there are lots of cars that have comparable performance without the associated headaches.

I am seriously considering a Subaru Legacy GT LTD. 280 HP, AWD, almost all of the luxury items, much better reliability, and a MANUAL transmission.

Barry

badgerbolt

The market niche Audi had is gone and they better be worried. People lived with a horrible dealer network, poor reliablity, and over-priced repairs because they had the German road feel and quattro. Now those quality, reliable, less expensive Japanese cars have got it. Acura, Lexus and Infiniti have all got four wheel drive and great road feel. My next car will probably an M-35 Infiniti. If you don't think it will happen to Audi just ask MB how there sales are going.

skiwi

doesn't help those with products a few years old though...

nevertheless, the the lexus guys a driving a fridge, and they know it....