Just Bought a New Car - It's Your Fault

[onewhippedpuppy]

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!

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. 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?

[redstrosekNic]

Great looking car

[widgeon13]

Very nice. I'm jealous.

[azasadny]

Very nice!!

[mikesride]

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

[kaisen]

Ronin!

[Seahawk]

You continue to make me proud

[Sarc]

That's what I'm talking about!

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

The transmission is an automatic but it's a good one, and a 6-speed manual swap is pretty easy.

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?

[slow&rusty]

Congrats Matt, when are you shooting Ronin2?

[onewhippedpuppy]

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

[BlueSkyJaunte]

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

Nice catch!

[speeder]

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.

[javadog]

Looks nice. What'd you pay for it?

JR

[BReif61]

That car looks *huge*

[porsche4life]

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?

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by BReif61

That car looks *huge*

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.

[porsche4life]

Needs some tint on those windows.....

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by speeder

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.

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.

Originally Posted by javadog

Looks nice. What'd you pay for it?

JR

It's in fantastic condition. I did ok.

Originally Posted by porsche4life

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?

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.

Originally Posted by pwd72s

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.

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

[Tim Hancock]

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

[Joeaksa]

Very nice!