buying used: A8 4.2Q or A6 2.8Q or A6 2.7TQ?
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buying used: A8 4.2Q or A6 2.8Q or A6 2.7TQ?
My wife wants/needs a "new" car (new to us at least). She lusted after a TT, but practicality reared its head. I lobbied for an A6, but price is a concern (we have to move in a year or so).
Anyway a visit to our local Audi dealer gave us two options: '98 A8 4.2Q, fully loaded, 29K, fairly clean inside, "certified" for $37,900 ("red tag" from the original $42K asking price). The other is a '99 A6 2.8Q, most options, 43K, totally clean inside, for $31,900...there is some flexibility in the price there (Edmunds says $29K).
Anything we should be pondering? The A8 has a lot more power (she likes that), and is just damn luxurious. The A6 actually handled a bit better (at least to me), but it seemed a bit underpowered (though no dog...wish it was a manual transmission). Maybe try and find a '00 2.7TQ? The A6 2.8Q is nice because it lowered the monthy by about $150. Any opinions/facts (especially concerning reliability, performance, etc) appreciated.
Anyway a visit to our local Audi dealer gave us two options: '98 A8 4.2Q, fully loaded, 29K, fairly clean inside, "certified" for $37,900 ("red tag" from the original $42K asking price). The other is a '99 A6 2.8Q, most options, 43K, totally clean inside, for $31,900...there is some flexibility in the price there (Edmunds says $29K).
Anything we should be pondering? The A8 has a lot more power (she likes that), and is just damn luxurious. The A6 actually handled a bit better (at least to me), but it seemed a bit underpowered (though no dog...wish it was a manual transmission). Maybe try and find a '00 2.7TQ? The A6 2.8Q is nice because it lowered the monthy by about $150. Any opinions/facts (especially concerning reliability, performance, etc) appreciated.
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Re: buying used: A8 4.2Q or A6 2.8Q or A6 2.7TQ?
The 2.7T is quite a bit quicker than the 2.8 and if you find one with a sports package it will handle quite a bit better too. There are 2.7T's with 6 speed but you may have search hard to find one available.
The link was posted a couple posts down but I reposted because it was easy to find
Note that these are auction prices but they will give you a good idea of the relative differences in the cars and the years.<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/57395.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/57395.phtml</a</li></ul>
The link was posted a couple posts down but I reposted because it was easy to find
Note that these are auction prices but they will give you a good idea of the relative differences in the cars and the years.<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/57395.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/57395.phtml</a</li></ul>
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I like the A8, but it is a really big car...
Depends on your needs. The A6 price sounds high. You can get a nice used 2.7T for about $36k-$37k I think, if you look. A6 has a practical size... if you can come to liking the styling of the car.
Here are some links to Audi auction sale reports recently posted...
<a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/3666.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/3666.phtml</a>
<a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/57395.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/57395.phtml</a>
Here are some links to Audi auction sale reports recently posted...
<a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/3666.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/3666.phtml</a>
<a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/57395.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/57395.phtml</a>
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I'd go with the A8.
The A8 may be bigger than the A6 but it isn't much heavier due to the aluminum body/frame. There probably isn't a garage in this country that won't fit the A8 or even an A8L. My 740il was bigger than an A8 and I never found that I had trouble parking it or driving it. Remember that the A8 is not like an old Lincoln or Caddy. It is tight and handles like a much smaller car. The 2.8 is a nice car but slow. Also keep in mind that an A8 is unlikely to have been abused (driven hard).
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Price-wise and car-wise, the A8 would be my choice...
The price on the A6 seems a bit steep, but the A8 is not too bad, plus for the extra few thousand you are in a totally different league. The A8 with its V8 will be vastly more pleasurable every day you and your wife drive it, although the 2.8 can be quite pleasurable also depending on your priorities. The A8 is in a class that is occupied by very few, it makes a statement (true or untrue) about you every time you pull up. It is a bit of an older persons car and might impress the neighbors a bit too much, but it is sweet.
When I become an adult, the A8L or S8 will be for me, but since I still have all my hair and have no kids and think I still look like I'm in college, the A6 will have to suffice.
What do you mean by "fairly clean inside"??? Is it possible to make it super-clean? If I was to ever (again) by a used car, it would have to be immaculate. I don't want somebody else's goo or grime on me. If the car was smoked in, no way!!!
Even though it is a fairly inactive board, ask on the A8 board if there are any particular problems with the '98 4.2. There are a bunch of 2.8 people here that should be able to let you know of problems with the '99, although I think they are minimal.
Good luck, either one you choose, you win!
When I become an adult, the A8L or S8 will be for me, but since I still have all my hair and have no kids and think I still look like I'm in college, the A6 will have to suffice.
What do you mean by "fairly clean inside"??? Is it possible to make it super-clean? If I was to ever (again) by a used car, it would have to be immaculate. I don't want somebody else's goo or grime on me. If the car was smoked in, no way!!!
Even though it is a fairly inactive board, ask on the A8 board if there are any particular problems with the '98 4.2. There are a bunch of 2.8 people here that should be able to let you know of problems with the '99, although I think they are minimal.
Good luck, either one you choose, you win!
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I suspect A8 resale will continue to decline more quickly than A6...
so in three or four years the A6 may be worth more. I'd also worry about repair costs and support...there are very, very few A8's in the US. In short, I think the A8 is a "white elephant".
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Re: I suspect A8 resale will continue to decline more quickly than A6...
well, I was thinking that maybe it had taken the big depreciation hit, and wouldn't be so bad for the next few year. My wife just has a tough time thinking about an A6 2.7TQ when for the same money she could be driving an A8.
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