Just Bought a New Car - It's Your Fault
 

So in my little pea brain, this was the progression - read Eric's thread about the crazy new Audi S8, let that thread remind me that I haven't looked for an S8 for a while, find one in Dallas, buy it. Within 5 minutes of reading that thread I was on the phone with the owner, and two days later I was in Dallas. Damn you Pelican!:D

I had been looking for a sedan daily driver for quite some time, and was getting serious about a W124 500E in Tucson. Also considering an E39 M5, but I just can't get past the interior wear and poor reliability. I had looked at the S8 multiple times but hadn't found a nice one, this one was a new listing and I was lucky to get there first. The car is a 2002 S8 with 84k, a one owner open checkbook car with dealer records, based on the records he was very meticulous including a timing belt change early. Original MSRP per the window sticker copy was a shade over $75k. I bought it directly from the original executive owner who replaced it with a Cayenne turbo. Loaded as all S8s are with heated seats front and rear, big Brembos up front, front Recaros, etc. 360 HP 40-valve 4.2L V8, 5-speed automatic with a great sport mode and Tiptronic, Quattro AWD. Almost perfect inside and out, very well taken care of car.

I really like this car, it's not as fast as my much loved XJR but more spacious, has sportier handling, and is better built. From a feature and assembly standpoint it is fantastic, this car is beautifully put together and still feels as solid as a new car. The engine is really good, responsive and plenty of power. The transmission is an automatic but it's a good one, and a 6-speed manual swap is pretty easy.:cool: It eats up the highway but handles well around town, very well controlled ride and excellent handling for a big car. Overall I like it a lot, it accomplishes my goal of hauling the family while still being fun. Now does anyone need a 2005 RX8 with 26k?:cool:
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Great looking car :)

Very nice. I'm jealous.

Very nice!!

We need a "Like" button like some other social network site!!!

Ronin!

You continue to make me proud:D

That's what I'm talking about!

There you go. Should I send the deposit check over now, or would it be better to wait a few months when you list it? :cool:

Congrats Matt, when are you shooting Ronin2?

I'd be totally lying if I said that Ronin played no part in this decision.:cool:

I'm glad I'm not the only guy still lusting for an S8 years after seeing Ronin. :D

Nice catch!

If you wind up owning every car under the sun in this life, this will still be on the top 10 list in the looks department.

I love Ronin as well but I fell for these cars just seeing them on the street. Beautiful in pictures and even better in person. I have to love a big car more than a little one to justify the fuel.

And I know that you get a lot of ribbing around here for changing cars so often, but if someone is a car nut and does not have millions of dollars and a 20 car garage, this is not a bad way to own them all. Or at least most of them.

Nice score.

Looks nice. What'd you pay for it?

JR

That car looks *huge*

Very nice.... I've ridden in one 8... Not sure if was an S tho..... Very nice cars though.

So what's the timeline on this one? And I thought the Mazda was a keeper? ;)

Yep, roomy, luxurious, and fast. Once a guy reaches a certain age, he begins to appreciate stuff like that over cramped, noisy, and beat you to death. ;)

Needs some tint on those windows.....

Totally agree. The styling is simple but relatively timeless. It still could pass for new. As for the car buy/sell gig, I take any ribbing in good humor. Frankly I share my car exploits because it seems that people are curious, and most of these cars are squarely in the bargain used car department. A $75k Audi for less than $20k, really? I try to share the good and bad to help others focus their car shopping, because I can provide the perspective of someone buying these things used vs new.

It's in fantastic condition. I did ok.:cool:

Honestly of all the cars that I've sold, the Mazda caused me the most consternation. I drove probably 10 different cars looking for a replacement, each time getting back into the RX8 was a big improvement. The only reason I'm selling is the need for 5 seats, the first thing I did was grab a new booster seat for the Audi. We've been driving it around town as a family as an alternative to my wife's F150, which has 12k miles in 6 months.

I still have a highly modified Carrera to handle the cramped, noisy, and raw.;)

I hope it is still under warranty. :D (sorry... I couldn't resist)

Very nice!