Audi RS7 values...cartoon-ish depreciation
 

Amazing performance on another falling Acme anvil curve. Now seeing 2016s in the 30's.


PRICE AS TESTED: $136,975 (base price: $130,450)

ENGINE TYPE: twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection

DISPLACEMENT: 244 cu in, 3993 cc
POWER: 605 hp @ 6100 rpm
TORQUE: 516 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
WHEELBASE: 114.8 in
LENGTH: 197.3 in
WIDTH: 75.2 in HEIGHT: 55.9 in
PASSENGER VOLUME: 94 cu ft
CARGO VOLUME: 25 cu ft
CURB WEIGHT: 4487 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 3.2 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 7.3 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 12.3 sec
Zero to 150 mph: 17.3 sec
Zero to 170 mph: 24.3 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 4.1 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 2.1 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 2.5 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 11.3 sec @ 125 mph
Top speed (governor limited, mfr's claim): 190 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 160 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.94 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA combined/city/highway driving: 18/15/25 mpg
C/D observed: 16 mpg

Auto trader shows two cars nationally under $40k and they both seem suspect. It looks like most you'd want to own are in the 50's which is notably different than the 30's. Still big $ depreciation but not unexpected compared to any other Audi. Also appears that the 4.0T engines are showing premature turbo failures so not helping.

One of my friends picked up a used BMW 735il v12 for peanuts. It was several years old, and was a great car. However whenever he took it in for any service it was a grand or more. He is contemplating pulling the engine out, and putting it into some old 1950s pickup hotrod. He knows he will have to come up with a carburetor and all custom exhaust, but it might be fun to have a 12 cylinder hotrod. The BMW right now runs and stops, but he can't get anyone to pay him $1,000 for the car.

You can buy a 15 year old Mercedes that was over $120k new, for less than the price of a worn out Boxster.
And there's a good reason for that.

That is true of all cars/truck no matter the make/model or age.

At least in my experience.

I am however bound to agree with sammyg2, there is a reason for the depreciation.

Yup. If you can’t afford to maintain a $120k car, don’t buy one for $20k and expect smooth sailing. Used to be if you could DIY that you could get a lot of car for your money, now everything is so complex and proprietary it’s getting really challenging.

I have an A8. It’s a wonderful car.
But...
It books about 10 hours to change a camera.
It’s an Audi and stereotypes exist for a reason.
I’d never own one out of warranty. I’d have to declare bankruptcy.

I drool over those too... but like a cheap Ferrari it would be great fun until it broke down and became a lawn ornament.

I’ve always said when you buy most (maybe all) used German cars you have to have a tolerance for pain. It will cost you in parts or you’ll pay in service!

ITB and a bad azz snaking exhaust.

If you bought a RS7 for the long term, I wonder how ownership would stack up against a CLS63 or M5 from the same year?

I would like to know that as well. NEW BMW's do not seem to hold up as well as the older models did.

750il