a new era of p-car ownership?

[nostatic]

So the wife's A8 is making some funny noises, and luckily it is under the CPO warranty until December. Take it infor service...they don't notice anything. Drive it for a day or two, take it back saying "a V8 shouldn't whine like that." 50K miles on the car ('98). They call back the next day and say they are replacing the belt and the power steering pump is leaking (explains the puffs of smoke seen/smelled). Then they call back a day later and say, "bad bearing...we're replacing the transmission."

While I can say "woohoo" since it's under warranty and all we have to pay is a deductible, it has my wife and I a bit nervous about what happens in December. Is this a one-off, or the start of aging German luxury car hell? Now the talk is to trade her A8 in, sell the 4-runner (that has 126K miles on it), and get her a new FX35. That would take us down to 2 cars, but then the SC becomes a true workhorse...my daily driver and also hauling my bass gear from time to time, grocery getting (which it has done part-time), foul weather beast, etc. It will take a lickin'...

A new era of p-car ownership?

[lateapex911]

I saw an FX35 the other day at a gas station, and when I really looked at it I was confused. At first glance, it looks like an SUV, but when you get close, it's not that big. And it's mostly 4 seats and a little space behind. From a casual observation, I would say you will be taking a step backward from a space standpoint compared to the 4-runner.

As I looked at it, I wished there was a Chrysler Pacifica next to it for comparisons. My impression was that it took up a sizable space on the road, but didn't really hold much.

[Type911]

Why buy new ?

I'd opt for a 993 for your wife, keep the 4Runner, at 126,000
miles its just breaking in with probably another 200K before an
overhaul., plus you still have a vehicle to haul your bass/gear.

3 reliable cars (SC/993/Runner), no worries , eh ?!

What is an FX35 ????

[Jess]

As far as A8 reliability, I think you're on the edge of more problems to come.

My wife too, had an A8. It was a 97 that I bought in 2000 with about 20k miles on it. I started to see the same kinds of problems you are dealing with. Additionally, I had tie-rod ends fall apart and CV boots fail, coolant leaks, a glove box that at times we couldn't open, and strange intermitant electrical problems. I just couldn't accept that a $60000 car should have so many issues that Honda never would.

I just felt like I was very close to a very expensive repair. These are very complicated cars, I think a lot like late 928's, and I wanted out before I got hit with a big bill.

I was very relieved to get rid of the car even though it was a beautiful car that drove fantasticly!

My wife now drives a 2000 Land Cruiser. While the performance and handling are nowhere near that of the A8, the Cruiser has 70k miles and everthing works as new. I could never had said that about the Audi.

Jess

[s_wilwerding]

I think this a problem even with Japanese cars. I have a 1993 Honda del Sol I use as an everyday driver, and in the 4 years I've had it the only thing I've replaced (other than general maintenance items) was a cracked CV boot. No engine problems, no oil leaks, no tranny problems, nothing. The car starts every morning, even in the dead of winter.

However, I've talked to people with newer Hondas that have had numerous problems. I just talked to a girl the other day with a 1999 Honda Civic with 32,000 miles that had the rear wheel bearing go bad. It cost her something like $800 to get fixed. There have also been numerous problems with CRVs.

I don't what it is, but it seems to be a general (not just German) trend.

[nostatic]

The FX35 idea is based on that she likes the looks...neither of us has been in on or has driven it. The A8 is an amazing car (she describes driving it like "taking a vacation...that can do 120mph"), but I suspect it is hurtling towards frequent shop visits.

The frugal way to go would be to just sell the A8 since she doesn't have to drive to work. When we bought it she was spending about 2 hours a day in LA traffic. Since moving she can walk to work.

I know what she really wants is a Jag XK8. The late 90's models have dropped into fairly affordable range, but I suspect that would be the same story as the A8...money sink.

[Hetmann]

My wife took a shine to the FX as well. I went to the dealer to check it out. It just looks like a big gas guzzler in SUV clothing. I'm sure its fun to drive, but it's not much bigger inside than a sedan. I'm not sure what niche it fills other than new and expensive.

[724doorE]

You bought the P-car to drive, and now you have your chance.Its not like you live where it snows! the worst that could happen is a slight case of sunburn until you get around to waxing it again
Buy her a 993 instead of the FX35 though and keep the fourrunner

[JavaBrewer]

Todd, I don't have experience with the A8, but we're in a similar situation with the wife's 99 Land Rover Disco that goes out of extended warranty in 5K miles. We really like the truck but to be honest it would have put us in the poor house had we not bought the LR extended warranty package. No way do I want this in our garage out of warranty. Though not to the scale of Land Rover, I don't consider Audi synonymous with reliability, combine that with the complex packaging of the A8, and I think the car will need a regular injection of big bags of cash to keep running.

With this in mind I would ditch the A8 soon. From here determine what your wife wants to drive cause if she wants a SUV then maybe you can delete the 4Runner too. My wife and I aren't into being politically correct when it causes us to sacrifice too much. With kids, dog, and all necessary paraphernalia, we have a need for a big SUV - bigger than the Disco that's for sure - so a Ford Expedition is the current #1 contender for us. Wish it came in a diesel. All these sporty SUVs are really a contradiction - they have no more room than a sedan yet are big, heavy, and expensive. What exactly are they trying to achieve? What question do these things answer?

Personally, unless you're really flush I think one Porsche 911 in the garage is plenty - so I will go against the grain here and give a thumbs down to the 993. A young family needs function too.

Oh and the 911 as the full time DD, I don't recommend it. I commute 72 miles each day and my 911 sits in the garage on Saturday and Sunday. On Monday it's smooth and fast, Tuesday it's less smooth but still fast, Wednesday it's a "classic", but by Thursday and Friday it's a "classic" that's getting on in years, tougher to shift, slightly balky to drive, hot, noisy, etc... Its not until I drive the Disco all weekend that I get magically transported to Monday sensation again. I don't want to be jaded to my 911 so I am actively "thinking" about acquiring a commuter vehicle with function - like a truck. Now a year without a pickup and we're a mess!

[Harlan Chinn]

Get rid of the Audi, keep the 4-Runner, get a pair of Vespa ET4's. Keep the SC from ding prone urban parking lots.

[masraum]

Ask Jack Olsen about the Jag, I think his wife has an XK8

[brawlins]

Don't put the daily driver miles on your SC - You'll be paying more money for maintenance than you like and hastening the big-money payouts on major SC work. If you have to get rid of the 4-Runner, get an older car of some sort - Drive that to work and save the SC for weekends.

[nostatic]

well, the SC gets driven as a daily driver right now...14K miles in the last year. BUT, there is a difference between it being a choice (with 3 cars) and a necessity (with 2 cars). Maybe it's just psychological, but often times I will pick my son up at school, then zip home and switch to the 4-runner to hit the market, dry cleaners, etc. I don't end up doing "weekend" drives (too much family stuff), so my commute, early morning surf runs, and the occasional late night jam session are SC fodder.

Part of me says, "the SC is too nice to beat up, haul equipment, etc", but the other part says, "am I saving it for the next owner or worrying about resale value? Drive, drive, drive." I just dropped a large chunk of money into the SC doing brakes, tensioners, and shocks. Barring something bad happening, it should be fairly inexpensive for another 15-30K miles.

Seems to me like the thing to do is trade the A8 for a new car for her and keep the 4-runner as the thrash mobile. A 993 for her wouldn't fly...she doesn't mind my car, and likes fast cars, but it isn't her things. She wants luxury...and something we can do a road trip in comfort and style. Who am I to argue? She makes more than I do...

[jaxon]

Have her look at a Lexus LS series. Luxury, reliable, well made. Bought mine new, but I think if I were to do it again I'd try to talk my wife into getting one coming off of lease for considerably less. Boring to me, but it keeps my wife happy. Probably the most reliable car I've ever owned.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Lexus.

[nostatic]

The problem is boring doesn't work for her. She doesn't like most of the new cars out there...the FX35 caught her eye as something different with some style. She also likes lots of power...the A8 was fun for her due to the 300hp and quaatro. We'll have to go shopping and see what she likes.

I do know for sure that we're going to test drive a Cayenne just for grins. At least if we pull up in the A8 they should let us do it...my '79 probably would just make them smirk.

[Jack Olsen]

Ask Jack Olsen about the Jag, I think his wife has an XK8.

Ouch. I drive the XK8. (My wife has a Saab.) I know the convertible version of the XK8 is kind of girly looking, but the coupe is a (290-hp) decent-looking automobile.

Also, my XK8 has had no mechanical (or cosmetic, or fit-and-finish) issues at all. I've put 22,000 miles on it, now, and the thing runs like a top.

[Rot 911]

If your wife likes the FX35 have her take a look at the Nissan Murano.

[DonDavis]

Todd,

Don't forget Volvo. We replaced our Durango with the 850 Turbo in January and have not looked back. Not once. It's a 95 and will turn over 100K in the next day or two and it drives great. Very smooth and the newer ones are even more luxurious. I stopped in at the dealer to show the wife the XC90 SUV and she was more drawn to the S80 sedan. Fine with me.

[s_wilwerding]

Volvos are certainly not the most reliable cars either. My friend bought a new Volvo back in 2001 and it had a terrible front end noise. After taking it the dealership 7 times without them being able to fix it, my friend finally laid it on the line and said if they can't fix it, they would have to take it back. So, Volvo flew in an expert from Sweden who diagnosed the problem as an incorrect strut that was installed at the factory. You'd think after 7 trips, the dealership could have figured that out.

In any case, my friend didn't keep the car for long, and he definitely won't be buying any more Volvos.