Jonathan Clayton

All, I am in love with the Sq5 but as a long time lexus/toyota guy I am terrified of reliability. I just finished reading through the long thread hear about "My brand new 2018 SQ5 - In SHOP more than on the road so far!!!". I realize any manufacturer can produce a lemon, my question tot the broad audience is how are the new 18/19 SQ5's treating you? Are they mostly all lemons or did that poster just have really bad luck? This particular car has 42k miles and has had 2 owners, i can't decide is that is a red flag or not? Maintenance records are in tact and do not indicate any out of the ordinary repairs.

What are the common known issues with this model year?
Are there any tale tale signs I need to look for before purchasing?

Jonathan Clayton

Gosh, the silence is scary :-( These seem like really nice cars I just do not want to make a $40k mistake.

Omeletpants

have leased 5 Audis in a row and have never been in the shop once

ronsal

Had a 2018 Q5 and nary a problem. Traded it at 16,000 miles on SQ5 and ditto - 10,000 so far and loving it.
Consumer Reports rates the MK II highly. In their annual car issue from a few months back, Q5/SQ5 category got highest satisfaction and least trouble rating in 16 of 17 categories. One category got the next level down (but still above average.)
If you are worried about the car, have it checked out by your mechanic. The 100 - 200 will be well spent to put you at ease with your decision.
Good luck ..........

Jonathan Clayton

Thanks all. I have waited to late to wrap this up today but will likely make a move on it Monday. I am going to ask the Toyota dealership where it is located to allow me to take it to the local Audi dealership for a thorough checkout. The only thing that worries me is that it has had 2 owners as a 2018 and the second owner, kept it for 9 months, placed 30k miles on it, and traded it abruptly after the air dam was repaired at the local dealer.. Maybe nothing, probably nothing... but makes me wonder. Hopefully the local dealer will have record of details of that repair and can shed some light when they check it out. No accidents etc reported via carfax.

Wires

Personally, I'd be questioning how it had 2 owners @ 42k, and was dumped at a Toyota lot. If you drove / owned the SQ5 and it wasn't a POS, you wouldn't be dumping it at a Toyota lot (unless it was a financial/payment issue).

96gs917

I have a 2018 SQ5 Prestige that has been flawless. (8000 miles) Prior to this car I had a 2012 Q5 PP that was also flawless. I put 80k miles on that car before trading it on the 2018 SQ5. Other than normal maintenance, tires, brakes, and a battery the thing was flawless. It was also great in the snow as is my 2018. You should not have any concerns about reliability.

Jonathan Clayton

Definitely a top question on my mind and my biggest point of hesitation. I am really really torn - I want a 2018 and this is the only one i've found within budget. I also have a very eager buyer lined up for my Tundra. Trying to make guesses based on the carfax is driving me insane. First owner traded back to the Audi dealership with 12k miles on it and it was sold to the second owner as CPO at that time. So i feel like at least at that point, (july 2018) that the car had no issues. Second owner kept it 10 months and racked up 30k miles before trading for a 4-runner (per dealer, grain of salt taken).

uberwgn

Don't buy a used Audi without CPO protection unless there is a lot of the base warranty coverage remaining, Jon.

Jonathan Clayton

Thanks. only 8,000 miles warranty left on this one. Killing me but I am leaning toward passing.