Whats everyone think? 2004 Audi A8L

[Stephen]

Hey gang. I was doing a little research on the new Audi A8 today and was wondering what everybody thought? As some know I'm going to be replacing my LS400 in October or so. The A8 looks impressive. My only worry is what kind of ride I can expect from those big wheels, lickily they're optional...

The decision is: 04 LS430 (redesign, haven't seen it yet) 04 Jag XJ8, 745Li, S500. The pricing of the A8L looks okay too, $75kish loaded, compares well with the 745Li, although its more than the Lexus or the Jag. The S500 is just rediculous in cost.

Here's some pictures, whats everybody think?

 

[Stephen]

2

 

[Stephen]

3

 

[section525]

I'd drive one if I was 50+

 

[Stephen]

LOL, come on! That thing is fast as hell! And all alluminum...

Come on, it screams youth

 

[section525]

Those wheels and color do not scream 'youth'! But other than that... it's a pretty trick ride.

 

[Stephen]

They're 19 inch wheels LOL. And its silver?

 

[Stephen]

I guess its actually gold isn't it? Yuck. I've already decided whatever I get it'll be black with a black interior.

 

[jssong]

i think its really nice. if i had money i would def wait for the s8 to come out.

 

[Stephen]

Eh, the S8 would be wasted on me.

 

[section525]

Yeah... it looks like a goldish brownish tan color in that second pic. But here, I fixed it for you.

 

[Stephen]

Naa, don't like the wheels. Sorry

I dont like the big ones either. I wonder what Audi's stock 17 inchers look like.

 

[Texplorer]

Just a question for ya Stephen. Are you one of the people who lease a new car every 2 or 3 years. There seems to ba a lot of that here in the northeast. If you dont want to mod it, leasing is probably the best thing to do right, you cant get a better price.

 

[Stephen]

Generally I do lease every 3 years. With the Lexus as the lease was coming due they offered me an expense package that includes a $35,000 car every 2 years, so I let them buy my Lexus off of the lease and I kept it. The way its probably going to work is they're going to offer me a monthly stipend for the car of around $750 or so, I'll pay the rest out of pocket.

It works for me because I put a lot of miles on a car, and I tend to get bored easy.

 

[hornz2000]

The 745 is faster.

 

[Hokie]

the 745 comes with 17" or 19" rims too... The A8 is a great car, but Lord have mercy on your wallet if you wreck it and damage the aluminum spaceframe

 

[DocVijay]

I've driven all three (A8, 745iL, and S500) and I'd rank them Mercedes, Audi, BMW. The beemer is nice, but the iDrive control takes too much too use (and I'm a gadget freak).

Get the A8. It's awesome.

 

[Stephen]

I drove the 745, and I like it but the downsides were:

-The ride is harsh compared to what I'm used to. The car had the 19s. Coming from an LS400, which is one of the smoothest quietest cars on earth, with 16 inch wheels, it was quite a pronounced difference. I could probably get used to it. The car was fast as hell, and a great handler though. I love the looks of it.

-The I Drive. I dont honestly know if I could get used to this. It seems exactly the opposite from intuitive.

Other than that, I really like the car. It would probably ride better with the smaller diameter wheels.

Bjorn- You drove the new A8? How would you rate it in ride to the S500 (which rides somewhat similar to the LS, although not quite as smooth)? It also looks like it has a similar system to IDrive from the pictures, I take it it works better?

I've always been an S500 fan I think its a great looking automobile, and they've fixed the quality issues for this year, but whenever I see the sticker I always feel like I'm being hosed. You're talking about a $90,000 car who'se competition tops at around 75-77 and I dont see anything about the car, other than the star on the hood to justify the increase.

 

[X~FACTOR]

Originally posted by Stephen
LOL, come on! That thing is fast as hell! And all alluminum...

Come on, it screams youth

No, but it screams you got a lot of $$$. One vote for Mercedes S500 since money doesn't seem to be a problem for you.

 

[section525]

Originally posted by X-factor
....since money doesn't seem to be a problem for you.

Stephen and I have been PMing eachother and he has decided to adopt me. Thank you Stephen.