I have a question for you guys:

I can get a 1999 GS400 (w/ nav) for 25K

I can get a 2000 Audi A8 for 31K


Now my dad is really pushing for the Audi (he's paying for the car) because it's a quattro and I go to school near cleveland, oh. I personally like the GS better. Now i'm not complaining because I'm getting a pretty good car either way but I'm asking the members of the board which one they would pick and if I should get into an argument with my dad to convince him to get the GS.

 

Well, the GS is more fun cause it's smaller but I always liked the A-8. If your dad is paying, he would pay to fix the Audi if something went wrong I am sure. Plus they are rarer. On the other hand, you are young and that car has the Image for older people.

This is a tough choice, dare I say the A-8?

 

lex bubble...it's less trouble.

 

Does it snow much in Cleveland? I think it does... the Quattro isn't a bad idea.

If dad is willing to foot the Audi's repair bills, this is perhaps the more practical choice.

Another thng to keep in mind, the GS400 was about $50K new, and the Audi was about $70K new.
You can decide for yourself what this says about the quality of the cars.
If I were really loking for a 'keeper' (in a nicer climate) the GS wins hands-down.

Sounds like you've got a great dad...

 

Considering where you're at, I'd go with the A8. In ANY sort of adverse weather conditions, you'll be amazed at the difference in how secure and sure footed it'll feel, compared to the GS. Make no mistake, I love my GS, but wifey's RX feels like it's on rails by comparison when the streets are wet (and don't even get me started on comparisons to my old SC300 5 spd w/o TRAC or even a limited slip diff!!!!).

As far as the depreciation difference, Audi still suffers from the CBS assassination in the mid-80s. New car sales are still poor, and the used ones suffer from that unpopularity even more. Even if were my money, I'd consider that the biggest chunk of depreciation has already hit. Regardless, for your Dad!!

And if you get the GS, at least get A/S tires if not a set of dedicated snows on 16" wheels. Congratulations, either way!!

 

IMO, A4 and A6 look better than A8. Car & Driver (Nov 99) stats for a 2000 A8 4.2 Quattro: 0-60 7, 1/4 15.3. GS4 has better acceleration numbers 0-60 5.8, 1/4 14.5 (Car & Driver Oct 97). Lexus also has better reliability than Audi. However, Quattro will be better suited for the snowy winter. Is your dad driving an Audi now? If I don't have to pay for the car, I would take either vehicle

 

Thank you for all the replies! I didn't get to drive the particular A8 I would buy and that test drive would definitely help me to make up my mind. I will get one or the other soon so I will let you know.

Actually this isn't completely limited to the A8 and GS4. My dad basically wants an AWD car so others I've looked at:

2000 A6 2.7t
2000 MB E430 4matic (similar price to A8 but for some reason I don't like it)

Any more ideas are welcome!

 

Did you want to stick with a mid-size or larger? The 3 series AWD is a nice car, but may be too small for your needs. A lot of Audis in the eastern suburbs of Cleveland, where lake effect snow hits the hardest. Where do you go to school? I'm an alum of Case Western Reserve myself.

 

I feel how you feel...

heart says A8, brain says gs400

for the alumi body, I would go for gs...

 

I'm going to NEOUCOM. It's a medschool in Rootstown, OH. 5 miles from Kent, OH.

 

bro

if it was me making this choice and inclement weather was a issue ,, i would forgo that boat of a car named the A8 , it does not handle well and is a pig on the road, however the A6 2.7t is nicely balanced , slap on some nice 18's a Avant susp set up and very minor tweaking of the eng and you have a serious road warrior..2.7t is a powerful eng , the turbos spool real quick on them and if you get it auto with tip tronic you are ready for any battle


just my .02 cents


ps;;; i had also tried the A8 and very diappointed with that car its a old mans car trying to keep some perf in mind ,, read up on the A8 you will see for yourself

 

my mom just purchased an AUdi A6 2.7T and it's a very nice car....also very quick (comparable to the GS4), the A8.....baller status with some 20's and a drop.

I'd say A8
If not A6, then the GS.

MB 430 - crappy, although you can make them look stunning.

 

If you do decide to go with the A8, be sure to get a warranty. I'm not sure of the 2000 models but my brother had a 98 A8 and its factory warranty was 3yr/50k instead of the normal 4yr/50k. The car spent a lot of time at the shop and he got so fed up with it, he sold it after only 6 months of ownership. Plus Audi service is not as good as Lexus. He got the CPO warranty but no loaners and a deductible every time it went in and it went in many many times. IMHO, I would get the GS and a good set of snow tires.

 

How many miles you plan on drivng a year?

i was considering thye same two cars when i bought my GS400. I called the best Audi shop and asked them what was the highest mileage A8 they have seen come into the shop? They said 60K. I asked why, they said it is not a high mileage car as it is all aluminum. Most people are worried about the life of the engine. Great car though! Best highway cruising car out there in my opinion. Neck and neck with BMW 7 series, but with quattro.

I drive alot and was worried about an A8. I called the Lexus dealer and asked what the highest mileage car they have seen and they said 280K was the highest, no motor work, runs strong. They thought the GS engine was good for at least 400K miles. I stopped looking, bought a 98 GS400. It just passed 100K and it's running strong.

Don't know how appropriate my eval criteria are for you, but if you are just going into med school it will be a while before you see a nice paychack. You may want to consider a 5+ year life for the car.

Enjoy.

 

I live in Northeast PA. How often do you actually have to worry about snow? The snow season generally runs from December to the end of Feb. The snow sticks around for quite a while, but how often are you actually driving in it? It snows, the road crews clear it in several hours and you're on your way. Generally it doesn't snow more than once or twice in a two week period. I wouldn't worry that much about having all wheel drive since you're only going to be using it for 3 months and a few times during the winter. Especially if you're a student. You're not going to be driving all over the place. Go with the GS for reliability. You're not going to want the Audi breaking down on you at college and no way to get home or get it to the dealer to be fixed. Just my .02.