Dont you guys think that A8 is overpriced? I mean lets be realistic here, how many people are going
07-31-2001, 01:52 PM
#2
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Me for one. All wheel drive is very important in adverse weather.
Plus were I live the S500's are all over the place. My A8L gets lots of compliments without having to deal with the snob appeal of a Mercedes.
07-31-2001, 02:22 PM
#4
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Honestly, and this might just be me when it comes to the styling...
But I like the sharper design of the A8 more than the new S class. The A8 has a more, as I call it, an "Agressive German" stance from the back that the S can not touch. That, and the quality of the A8's build is far greater, both inside and out.
My two cents.
Quattro80
My two cents.
Quattro80
07-31-2001, 02:24 PM
#5
About 4000 people a year in N.A. vote with their dollars
A drop in the bucket compared to an S Merc, true. But now you have a more fun car to drive, exclusivity, true hand built workmanship, with high passive ( run into something ) and active ( avoid the accident ) safety. I've seen the previous gen S class when it's apart, and the build/materials are not at all befitting an 80K car ( what's fiberboard/cardboard doing in the doors ? ). In the past few years, MB warranty claims are up by 300%. Heck ! Even highly placed public servants in Germany have ditched MB in favour of the A8.
07-31-2001, 03:29 PM
#6
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Ok, you guys have valid points but what turned me away from A8/S8 is the resale value. How do you
feel about the fact that 97-98 A8's sell in 35-40K range while the 97-98 S-Class S500's, or even S420's sell 10K to 20K more than the A8?
07-31-2001, 04:06 PM
#7
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Resale is not as good as you mention ...
'97-'98 A8 4.2 goes for $25-30K. Clean '99 goes for $35-40K. I've seen 2000 A8's sell for about $45K.
You are right about the terrible resale. As good a car as the A8 is, you really have to not care about this aspect of car ownership if you pluck down $70K for a new one. On the other hand, a used A8 makes for a very smart choice.
You are right about the terrible resale. As good a car as the A8 is, you really have to not care about this aspect of car ownership if you pluck down $70K for a new one. On the other hand, a used A8 makes for a very smart choice.
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07-31-2001, 04:42 PM
#8
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What would an MB500 quattro go for?
I'd estimate at least $90K.
In this class of vehicle the BMW logo gets a $5k to $10K premium over an Audi and the MB logo gets a $10 to $20K premium. I am very happy with this situation because it means that my A8L is far from overpriced -- it is an absolute bargin!
The prestige factor (we used to call it the yuppie factor) is where much of the resale value comes in -- folks with not quite enough trying to "buy in" and driving up prices -- not that they aren't all great vehicles in and of themselves because they really are. I have friends with wonderful MB's and bimmers, and many of them have a "beater" for the winter (you might have guessed I'm from up north). Paying a premium for a logo, and then and then not being able to enjoy it year round -- I call that overpriced!! Thank you all you prestige hunters for saving me $20K+ on my brand spanking new A8L!!
In this class of vehicle the BMW logo gets a $5k to $10K premium over an Audi and the MB logo gets a $10 to $20K premium. I am very happy with this situation because it means that my A8L is far from overpriced -- it is an absolute bargin!
The prestige factor (we used to call it the yuppie factor) is where much of the resale value comes in -- folks with not quite enough trying to "buy in" and driving up prices -- not that they aren't all great vehicles in and of themselves because they really are. I have friends with wonderful MB's and bimmers, and many of them have a "beater" for the winter (you might have guessed I'm from up north). Paying a premium for a logo, and then and then not being able to enjoy it year round -- I call that overpriced!! Thank you all you prestige hunters for saving me $20K+ on my brand spanking new A8L!!
07-31-2001, 05:28 PM
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A8 is expensive to insure
The A8 is also the most expensive sedan to insure for the price, this is because of the overly expensive and difficult to repair Aluminum body and frame. There are only a couple shops on American certified to repair A8's.
This makes for low resale value.
Ting
This makes for low resale value.
Ting
07-31-2001, 06:00 PM
#10
True, but if you don't swap cars every 3 yrs, you don't need to worry about rust,
the outer panels are more dent resistant than steel, and of course the car is lighter than a steel car with the same features and safety rating. Also, an A8 owner is easily 10 years younger than a BMW 7 series owner, and 18 years younger than the average MB S car owner. Just do a search on this forum, to see the average age. It is eye opening.
Most A8 owners buy the car for themselves and don't give a fig what other people think. If other people don't recognize the car for what it is, they aren't bothered. In fact, many like the stealthy nature when it comes to speeding or in situations where flaunting wealth might not be desireable. Most are self employed in one respect or another.
If you can buy a car in this class, resale may be a concern, but not a primary issue - as any car in this range experiences huge depreciation in raltion to lessor cars.
Most A8 owners buy the car for themselves and don't give a fig what other people think. If other people don't recognize the car for what it is, they aren't bothered. In fact, many like the stealthy nature when it comes to speeding or in situations where flaunting wealth might not be desireable. Most are self employed in one respect or another.
If you can buy a car in this class, resale may be a concern, but not a primary issue - as any car in this range experiences huge depreciation in raltion to lessor cars.
