[V8] V8 vs A8

[Ed Kellock]

I don't have any DIY experience with anything newer.  There's an A8 list and
a forum or two on which some/many? members are former V8 owners.  Probably a
good question for them as well.  From my perspective a V8 or urS4 would be
the next logical step.  Probably easier to find an acceptable urS4.  There
seem to be more of those that have been embraced by enthusiasts, though it
may be difficult to find one that is not modified.  That's a function of the
enthusiasm, exploiting the potential that has been identified over the years
in some way.  Most mods are still within the realm of sanity and some are
easily reversed.  I look at Denver craigslist fairly often (daily, I don't
know why...) and there always seems to be an urS car for sale or there just
was and will be soon, within days.  

I do not mean to steeer you away from V8s.  The enthusiast community is very
strong here on this list.  Help is just an email away, most of the time.
And some V8 owners will tell you their V8 has been the least trouble when
compared to previous turbocharged Audis.  I am one of those.  

If you do choose a V8, I'd suggest a 92 or later 4.2 car.  They have the
updated climate control system and a few more features that make them seem
more modern.  And some of the things that require attention had been
improved by then.  Transmissions seem to be more reliable, though many have
figured out how to make the early ones last a long time.

It seems early and even not so early A8's and even A6's have had their share
of transmission problems too.  If you are looking at early A8's or even A6
4.2's and 2.7t's, check their respective enthusiast communities as well.

Having said all that, there's an 02 S6 Avant in Albuquerque that keeps
popping up on the Colorado Springs craigslist, each time with a lower price,
now around 10.5k, that really makes me stop and think each time I see it.

Ed
 


-----Original Message-----
From: v8-bounces at audifans.com [mailto:v8-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of
Dave C
Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2010 9:40 AM
To: v8 at audifans.com; s-car-list at audifans.com
Subject: [V8] V8 vs A8


Howdy Q-heads,

My fleet of Audi's consists of two 1987 type 44's.  I bought one of them in
1992, and have been driving and maintaining these things for a very long
time, doing all my own maintenance and know them inside and out.  But they
are getting on in years and I find myself considering replacement with
something newer.  The question is "how much newer?"

I'm nervous about not understanding how a car works and maybe being unable
to repair it when things go wrong, etc.  I recently drove a 2007 A8 for the
first time and was in awe of the complexity of the cockpit with so many
electronic gizzies.  I've never driven a V8, or even sat in one for that
matter, but I'm aware of the loyal following they have.

It looks like I could buy a first generation A8 (D2) for somewhere in the
neighborhood of $10K but it would be a ten year old car with 100K miles on
it, so I would need to anticipate repairs from the start.  I don't want to
spend a whole lot more than $10 K on a car, but could go higher if I felt it
was worth it.

I'd actually like to have an avant, but choices are limited.  A 2002-3 S6
avant would be very nice :-)  Maybe I should consider an A6 avant.

Considering that I like to keep my cars for a long time and do my own
maintenance, would I be better off with the more familiar technology of the
V8 or an URS4/6?  I think there would be a benefit to getting something ten
years newer than that (A8) but it would still be a 10 year old car.  Another
upside re: the A8 is that there are a >lot< more of them available to choose
from.  Most of the V8's and URS4's are pretty beat by now... clean
low-mileage examples are quite scarce.

So ...  should look for a clean V8 or URS4?

Or should I look at something much newer and try to adapt to 21st century
automotive technology?

Decisions, decisions.
- -
David Conner
Columbus, OH
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