2017 Audi A8 L

When it comes to luxury sedans, Audis are usually front-runners. The A8 L is the biggest and maybe most comfortable of their four-door cars. The price starts at $82,500 for one with a V6, but they offer a 4.0-liter V8 upgrade for an additional $9000.

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I was going to say that the A8 L was one of the finest cars I had driven lately: fast, quiet, comfortable, nice to the touch. Yes, it’s not a Miata, but for driving around, whether in town or on the highway, it’s spot-on.

The eight-speed Tiptronic transmission delivers perfectly crisp shifts, especially in the S mode. Clutch pedal? What clutch pedal?

While a big car, it doesn’t feel big. The seats are perfect. Audi just nails their controls. I could drive this everyday and be happy.

So why isn’t this the finest car I have driven? Because this is “just” the V6 model. The 4.0-liter V8 version adds another 100-plus horsepower, all with just a 1 mpg penalty around town.

Comments

1988RedT2 UltimaDork
4/27/17 1:21 p.m.

What's the resale value like?

STM317 Dork
4/27/17 1:45 p.m.

1988RedT2 wrote: What's the resale value like?

I think what 1988RedT2 is trying to ask, is "Assuming the value of these will drop like a rock, on a scale of pebble to boulder, how big of a rock? Also, when does it become worth taking the decidedly high stakes gamble of low purchase price vs deferred maintenance in relation to long term ownership?"

1988RedT2 UltimaDork
4/27/17 3:14 p.m.

STM317 wrote:
1988RedT2 wrote: What's the resale value like?
I think what 1988RedT2 is trying to ask, is "Assuming the value of these will drop like a rock, on a scale of pebble to boulder, how big of a rock? Also, when does it become worth taking the decidedly high stakes gamble of low purchase price vs deferred maintenance in relation to long term ownership?"

Yes, that's right. Thanks!

I do really love those cars, though.

Mitchell UberDork
4/27/17 3:17 p.m.

Available in black, and for the truly adventurous, white or silver.

oldtin PowerDork
4/27/17 3:21 p.m.

is that one of the v8 engine out maintenance at 70k? Guessing 10-15k at five years.

Robbie GRM+ Memberand UberDork
4/27/17 3:23 p.m.

STM317 wrote:
1988RedT2 wrote: What's the resale value like?
I think what 1988RedT2 is trying to ask, is "Assuming the value of these will drop like a rock, on a scale of pebble to boulder, how big of a rock? Also, when does it become worth taking the decidedly high stakes gamble of low purchase price vs deferred maintenance in relation to long term ownership?"

all rocks fall at the same speed.

Osterkraut UberDork
4/27/17 3:26 p.m.

Robbie wrote:
STM317 wrote:
1988RedT2 wrote: What's the resale value like?
I think what 1988RedT2 is trying to ask, is "Assuming the value of these will drop like a rock, on a scale of pebble to boulder, how big of a rock? Also, when does it become worth taking the decidedly high stakes gamble of low purchase price vs deferred maintenance in relation to long term ownership?"
all rocks fall at the same speed.

Slightly increased drag from the larger rock may cause it to fall a little slower.

Pete Gossett GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
4/27/17 3:32 p.m.

Osterkraut wrote:
Robbie wrote:
STM317 wrote:
1988RedT2 wrote: What's the resale value like?
I think what 1988RedT2 is trying to ask, is "Assuming the value of these will drop like a rock, on a scale of pebble to boulder, how big of a rock? Also, when does it become worth taking the decidedly high stakes gamble of low purchase price vs deferred maintenance in relation to long term ownership?"
all rocks fall at the same speed.
Slightly increased drag from the larger rock may cause it to fall a little slower.

But if you put enough spin on it it'll go a different direction.

chaparral GRM+ Memberand Dork
4/27/17 3:34 p.m.

STM317 wrote:
1988RedT2 wrote: What's the resale value like?
I think what 1988RedT2 is trying to ask, is "Assuming the value of these will drop like a rock, on a scale of pebble to boulder, how big of a rock? Also, when does it become worth taking the decidedly high stakes gamble of low purchase price vs deferred maintenance in relation to long term ownership?"

It'll drop like a locomotive going off the side of a bridge. 2011 A8 3.0Ts are available for $25,000 now, 2006s for $7000.

STM317 Dork
4/27/17 3:39 p.m.

Robbie wrote:
STM317 wrote:
1988RedT2 wrote: What's the resale value like?
I think what 1988RedT2 is trying to ask, is "Assuming the value of these will drop like a rock, on a scale of pebble to boulder, how big of a rock? Also, when does it become worth taking the decidedly high stakes gamble of low purchase price vs deferred maintenance in relation to long term ownership?"
all rocks fall at the same speed.

Eventually anyway. But I can't throw a boulder up in the air