The debut of the new A8 is around the corner and Audi is dropping ample teasers showing off 90% of the car but in shots that don't give you a comprehensive view. Overall it looks good. Only odd designs that stuck out to me is some interesting angles in the front grill and the tail lamps that look like a Dodge / 5LS lovechild.

 

Not much to go on, but I'd bet it's a solid choice in the full size luxury segment.

 

I almost waited for the new A8, but I decided to get this instead as I didn't have to wait. Had I waited out my Lexus lease instead of dumping it early, the non-S A8 V8tt would have been extremely high on my radar.

I actually like the somewhat conservative look of the A8s. Still waiting to see the new one, but I'm sure it will look great, perform great and have technology out the wazoo.

If anything else, this should provide a good alternative to the cookie-cutter S550. Everyone has that, but these cars are a rare sight, which is nice.

My next car will be between this or the new S7 for sure though.

 

The defunct Azera came to mind...






This aside, the refinement is there and I do like the massive front grille...and I believe the much-needed-in-this-class V8 will be available (one of my few criticisms of the 5LS)

 

Audi builds "desirable" cars. A colleague who has a S550 says he wishes he had gotten an A8L instead as he did drive it. He thinks his s550 is numb.

I think as Lexus continues to push the V6 on the LS, this opens a tremendous opportunity for the Germans, there's an even stronger argument to get "what you really want."

Being the buyer of a used 2006 LS, you better believe that A8's of the same vintage, costing 2-3k less (13k more when new) were da** appealing....had to follow my head. In the 2018 market, I think the head is more and more saying German! my .02

 

Really like what I'm seeing so far...

 

This looks to be a beautiful car, tremendously classy. I really like Audi's design language at present and am thinking of dumping Lexus when the time comes to walk on over to the dark side and purxhase an a4 prestige.

 

Main issue for me and Audi is leases. Their leases are terrible, and since I'm a leaser that has kept me out of an Audi.

I don't need an incredible lease, Lexus doesn't have incredible leases, but I want the lease to be cheaper than a 60 month finance payment which it isn't at Audi.

Not going to pay $1,500 a month for an A8 when I can pay $1,300 for an S Class and $1,150 for a 7 Series. They wanted the same payment on a $65k A6 I'm paying on my $80k LS.

 

Haha I did that and I ended up dumping the '17 A4 back for a '17 IS as I found the A4 unengaging, however if a refined quiet ride is what you're looking for, the A4 wins here.

 

For BMW this happened circa '12 with the F series and eps. I had a '16 loaner for 4.5 mos. and the steering was so light, it was reminiscent of 1970's Cadillacs. Put it in sport+, and it was totally artificial. The same went for a A6 that I did the $100 test drive with. Over time, people seem to be getting used to it. Kids who are given their parents '11 and older BMWs post on the forums asking what's wrong with the steering on the cars....DOH.

 

Guess I'm old fashioned wanting a car payment in the mid $300's (luckily right now we don't have any)....lol

Seriously, we were at the Capital Grille with a vendor, at the bar, and on comes a Lambo ad, only $2589/mo. and we all laughed. That's half a mortgage payment!

 

I realize you're kidding around but this highlights an important thing about priorities. To you, car payments over $300 are ridiculous, I find it ridiculous that to you $2,589 is "1/2 a mortgage payment" lol. Thats almost my entire mortgage payment, and I live in a really expensive area. I can't imagine having a $6,200 mortgage payment. I'm in the real estate business, so I realize people certainly do, but not me.

So even with both of my car leases my monthly nut is thousands of dollars less than yours!

 

yes! that's exactly what i'm looking for. i'm also looking for a bit more coddling within the cockpit. the IS is a great car, but the interior leaves something to be desired with regard to luxury features.

 

i don't blame you. i wouldn't pay 1,500$ per month if the competition undercuts that price significantly. i'm not familiar with the world of leasing as i always purchase my cars, but some of the deals i've seen advertised are lucrative.

 

The lighting is extraordinary.

But the general shape is Passat.





FWD proportions on a car of this class is a deal breaker.