Pulled next to a black 2011 Audi A8L yesterday and I felt like I was driving a Camry Talk about road presence!! I've always been a fan of Audi. Gorgeous top to bottom. Even the controversial front, which I never had a problem with, looks more refined. Rolling art piece. No mods necessary, I wouldn't even tint it

 

Audi always seem to be beautifully designed inside and out. If they were reliable as an LS430, I'd certainly want to own one.

 

Yep. Would not want the total "ownership experience" but I like admiring other people's.

 

+1. I seriously lusted after a few A8s when I bought my LS430, and theyre certainly sexier inside and out, top to bottom. But I didnt have the guts to pull the trigger due to reliability and maintenance concerns.

 

yep. outside of a factory bumper to bumper warranty... no thanks.

 

Audi has been doing an excellent job in the styling department. The in addition to the sleek A8, I also like the A4/S4, A5/S5, A6 (esp the beastly RS6!!). Audis are a popular choice on campus among my fellow students and I see a bunch everyday. Also gotta love their interiors and the cool MMI system. I definitely want to try out an Audi later on

 

You sure you're not just hitting mid-life crisis and gaining a little bit of weight?

 

Hey, I represent that!

 

The guy I bought my LS430 from, had an Audi A8 before he bought the Lexus.
He had an extended warranty on the A8, but still got fed up with all (minor) defects with which he had to go to the dealer every time.
No costs due to the warranty, but the annoyance made him sell the Audi.

Now he is looking for a Maserati....
Not sure that's an upgrade after the LS430

Jac

 

I've heard a Quattroporte at full throttle (in Beverly Hills, go figure lol) and it sounds just like a Ferrari (same basic Engine and probably exhaust). It was incredible to hear such an intoxicating sound! To be totally honest (if I have the means) I could forget about unreliability and questionable build quality every time I hear that exhuast note. Also one of the prettiest 4 doors in production today IMO.

 

Yes, the Quattroporte certainly is a very desirable car.
20 years ago I definitely wanted one, but it was never within my reach.

A friend of mine had one (an old type) for a very short time (after his Maserati 430 biturbo) but he sold it quickly. The repairs it was going to need would otherwise bankrupt him.
So he did the sensible thing....

The LS430 is not a bad looking car, but when you see some Italian designs, there is no comparison.

Jac

 

Agreed 100%!

The A8 is a head turner! I looked at A8's and came close b/c I wanted to be different but after research reallity kicked in and bought LS430. Man htat would have sucked had my car spent more time in Audi's garage than my own, not my idea of preminum car ownership happiness.

 

I wasn't a big fan of the previous body style, thought it was a bit too round and boring. It even made our LS430's look stylish.

This new one, though, is absolutely gorgeous. The executive seating option is ridiculously awesome. I'm in love with that car.

 

My thoughts exactly! I was a big fan of the styling (plus seeing that black W12 in the Transporter 2+3 movies helped) and loved the interior layout. My top choices for the same gen of Luxury cars were the E65 750i, the A8, and of course the LS430. I also quite liked the VW Phaeton (built like an absolute tank...and weighed like one too lol) primarily b/c it was good looking and the same caliber of car, but sold for much less second hand (due to the badge most likely). Spotty reliability of the Phaeton took my interest away. In the end, the reliability worries of the 7 and the A8, plus the significantly higher used car price steered me to the most logical (and very happy still) choice of the LS430!

 

All you folks ranting about the looks, who has driven an A8? A simple oil change is over 200 bucks its like 8 quarts of synthetic I think. I saw a 2010 in the paper for like 99 g's.