Audi RS5

mantis

As us men get older I think it's only natural to want to get back into a sports car if you at one point in your life made the decision to rock a more family ride.
Since 2005 when I sold my last fun sports car in a 2000 BMW 328i 5 speed , I convinced myself that cars in general are a waste of money , toys and serve really no good purpose.
Well I have been lying to myself all these years trying to get the unbelievable desire to own a sports car again and now that my son is rocking a Audi A4 , and he lets me drive it once in awhile, I'm murdered with this desire to go get something.
I have a deep passion for cars in general. I love them to death. I love car shows , going 1/4 mile and even road coarse racing is exciting. Porsche , Audi , BMW along with a powerful love for the Nissan GTR are all strong reasons to make me do something.
The Audi S and RS5 are one of my top favorite cars. When I see one on the road I feel myself sinking into my seat and picturing myself behind the wheel of one.
Right now it's probably not the most practical time to even consider one but man the burning desire chokes me. I just want something fun to drive and something to love when it's in the garage.
I have such a hard time with this

mantis

http://i.imgur.com/zInBl.jpg

nguyendot

Boxster... Definitely a Porsche off eBay. Sight unseen.

motorhead43026

A Boxster will lower your testosterone.

txcoastal1

Dude you only live once...The Audi is nice

vmaxer

Great looking car.

nguyendot

In truthfulness, if you go Audi - get the RS or go home. Those are balls to the wall, yet look sophisticated at the same time. And AWD is a nice touch. My next car will likely be an audi RS6 if I can find out. The BMW is great, but it's time to move up a little.

Joey_V

Nice car

msg

I hear that, man, and agree with the others - life's short; enjoy yourself. but do it as responsibly as you can?

Some would say I'm in mid-life crisis mode. By all indications, that may be true. Fast things with wheels (or 80085), spendy-ish toys, human trafficking, etc.

Nothing wrong with getting into something you enjoy driving. question is, is this a phase, or something you'll enjoy forever? If a temporary thing, give some serious consideration to finding a quality used vehicle.

For me, I truly enjoy the pleasure of driving. Always have. It doesn't need to be the best, just something that fits me. I bought my first new car ever nearly 5 years ago. I needed the experience, but I'll likely not do it again. I keep an older Toyota Tacoma around for the practical stuff, and a streetfighter for 2 wheel hooliganism. I make each my own, and I like to keep things for a long time. Some people prefer more frequent changes.

As mentioned, I don't think I'll ever buy a brand new vehicle again. It's nice not having to worry about repairs and stuff, but I'm so paranoid about it getting messed up that it's just not fun to drive around/park. Oddly, I've never had much bother with my used vehicles, but the WRX for example... within the first year, I had a break-in, and then after that was repaired, more door ding damage on the same side as the break-in. It's a friggin magnet, and just hasn't been the same since. The repair work was... not up to par. It was maddening for a long time. Used to piss me off driving it. I sometime joke now though the break-in was the best thing that could have happened, because now it's "just a car" and I'm able to relax and enjoy it more. Side note: for as much as I enjoy the peppiness, and confidence and control of all-wheel-drive, the rest of the vehicle is just "meh". This is coming from a long time Subaru fan, my first being an ugly '84 GL hatch. Performance aside, I think that car had more soul than the WRX. The WRX has some ergos that don't appeal to me. It feels cheap inside. It's tinny (needs acoustic mastic/dynamat). It has a sucky stereo. Supposed to be 10-speaker, but it's so bad that I can't stand using it at all. I just never got around to upgrading. I've been a fan of Audi and BMW for a while now, as well. Always wanted to try an M3 or something xDrive, and always liked the S4's as well.

Anyway, you just got new glasses. The way I see it, you definitely need a new car to match Consider quality used to assuage the guilt, and find out for yourself whether it's just a phase, or whether some part of you has been under-nurtured and you're ready to be a man's man again. lol

tonyb

Audi has certainly come along way.....in ways I like too. However I'd look into what routine maintenance costs run before jumping. It may startle some of what these higher end cars cost just to keep on the road.

msg

agreed. I think some of these offer routine service/maintenance packages as add-ons, outside of the standard factory warranties. I'd definitely opt for that. I know of three instances with friends who forwent them when offered, and then wished later for a real life Undo function.

nguyendot

I dunno, I drove a 2014 G37 loaner the other day and all I can say is... CHEAP. Years ago I looked up to the G35, G37 and always wanted one. But now.... The steering isn't as crisp as I remember, the power delivery "swell" as they call it just doesn't do it for me anymore. The interior was meh, and the sound system (standard) was worse than the BMW standard stereo. Now, I will give the G37 props for the upgraded stereo with the 11" woofers in each door. The engine needs some forced induction goodness, the power just isn't there anymore. 535i with Msport and a JB4 is definitely fun, and the leather in my opinion is better. Dad has worked at Mercedes, Cadillac, Infiniti, Porsche, Audi, Mazda, selling all of them. As much as I hated the QX80 (56 back then), now it's the one that seems to have the best interior. It's funny because back then I loved them so much, so much I bought my wife a G35 for two years to live that dream a little.

I like the A7, but the back has been a big complaint for many. The low hatch is bad for rear passengers. I think the S8 would be neat. I went from Cadillac STS (06) to CTS (09) which was a huge improvement....then to an E60 550i M-sport. Most awesome car I've owned so far, but the back seat was so tiny, and yes tires were about $450-500 per corner. Traded that for my Mazda CX-5 which was actually a great car - handled well, had sporty acceleration for an SUV, and 30mpgs with a decent cargo capacity. Ultimately it had no power overall and with the wife getting an Escalade I decided we did not need two SUVs. Currently rolling a 550i again, but the F10 platform. Back seat is 2" larger so it is not too bad. Interior is really nice compared to the E60, and the power is certainly there. The only thing I wish I got was xDrive since I am likely rocking 500 lb ft at the crank with my JB stage1. The main downside is the same as the G37, kind of disconnected steering feel.

nguyendot

Ive driven both, neither impressed me like they did years ago. Dunno, maybe my tastes changed since then. When I had the I30t, I loved the G35. When I had the CTS, I loved the G37. Nowadays it's just... meh. It's not like Polk speakers where they've never lost their allure no matter what else I go to I guess.

nguyendot

I enjoy the new CTS, but it's a $35k car name attached to a $60-75k car so their sales are dying. They should have renamed it. My last CTS drove like a dream on handling but the car lacked torque. This is why I went back to the BMW 5 series.

Joey_V

Had a 2dr G37S coupe a few years back. Nice car. Was a step up from my classic 2dr G35 coupe. All were 6mt.

Interior was pretty nice. I haven't been in the Q.

Once I sat in a BMW 5 series, I felt the G37 interior was cheap. Of course , pricing is different so that's to be expected. I test drove an A7. It was pretty nice. Didn't like the standard seats and I wasn't as impressed by the interior as I had thought given all the hype.

Also, the audi dealer - I thought it was the "stuffiest" of all dealerships I had been to.

Joey_V

Opinions vary of course.

Infiniti interior is pretty nice for price - but there's really nothing great about it when comparing to the germans. New BMW interior is nicer if you move up the chain. New Benz interior is a little meh to me, unless you're in the S class level. The Audi interior is ok, nothing to write home about.

Also - all of this is a just a broad stroke brush... within each company, there are variants to the interior.

I've been in a few AMG benzes and their interiors are great. I've been in BMW M5 and M6... and if you think the backseats are cardboard, then you weren't in a fancy Beemer. Audi's low end are ok, but when you get up to the prestige levels, they become nice.

But all my opinion.

IN the end, it doesn't really matter anyway. Just get the car with the least compromises. In the end, it's a car.

tonyb

Joey_V wrote: »

IN the end, it doesn't really matter anyway. Just get the car with the least compromises. In the end, it's a car.

Bingo....

I do remember a time when 35k was upscale and you can get a nice interior as well. Now 35k gets you entry level and a Detroit interior. Every car maker bumps up the interior on their higher lines, but you pay handsomely for it.

Get what ya want Dan, you only go around once in this life.

charley95

DSkip wrote: »

I've enjoyed my g37 a lot, but the new q50 I can't stand. It feels like a cheap Cadillac imitation targeting twenty something's. The audis seem to get the styling right where a lot of other luxury brands are failing. My parents both have 2015 model Lexus' and I can't stand the interior styling at all.

I agree on the Lexus interior. Bought a new RX back in december and love the quality but the inside is uncomfortable to me. First import for me comming from GM all my life since my dad worked for them. I personally think Detroit has dropped the ball.

mantis

DSkip wrote: »

The only car that's blown me away that I'd gladly trade my G37 in for is the A7. Of course, its WELL outside my budget for several years to come.



I chose the G37 because I wanted a sedan that could comfortably fit four adults. Its a fun car to drive, about 95% of what BMW offers in the 535, but offers a lot more comfort to its passengers. I also don't care for the dated interior BMW offers. I want to get behind the wheel of the A7 and see if its the complete package, but I'm not ready to fall in love with it yet.

I used to think Audi was just a slightly nicer Volkswagen, but they've really refined their designs to make each car absolutely beautiful.

My son is working on getting into a RS7 or a S7. He also loves that car with the fast back on it.

mantis

DSkip wrote: »

Dan, when are you going to test drive?

I was actually planned on going today but I had so many other things I had to get done I ran out of time.
Probably shoot for this weekend. I want to spend some quality time in the 5 line. I'm gonna try out a S4 , S5 , RS5 and maybe even give a S6 a run but I'm thinking I don't need a car that big. I'm really leaning towards a S5 or RS5 but the S4 is very nice an not as selfish as it has 4 doors.

Joey_V

Dan

You're in for a treat. Those are nice cars. S4 is a nice compromise of functionality and edge.

jeremymarcinko

I still have a low mileage 2003 G35 coupe. It stays in the garage and is hardly ever driven. I really like though and I think the G37 coupes don't look as aggressive as the original. I doubt I will ever get rid of this car, its a lot of fun to drive.

jeremymarcinko

I really like the BMW m4.

jflail2

I had a 2012 S4 prior to purchasing my house and absolutely loved it. That Supercharged 6 is enough to get out of just about anyone's way, and I still got mid-high 20's for MPG. Think 0-60 was something like 5 seconds flat. I'd test drive both, as the S5 may have enough juice where you can forgo the additional expenses relating to the RS5.

That being said, an RS is on my bucket list, so I wouldn't blame you one bit for going that route. As others have noted, just be aware of the additional costs associated with high end German performance. It is...........not cheap once the warranty runs out.

nguyendot

I drove the S4 with the V6T and it was a blast!