Looking at an A8, anyone have experience?
 

my dad and i picked the a8 out of the competition and now i'm trying to find out if anyone has any experience with them. My dad is not a performance freak, just wants somethign comfortable and reliable. It's a black on black a8L, so what's the dilly?

Should we get it or not?

Thanks

Big, heavy and slow is what it is. Test drove one and would rather have a Q45 and pocket 40K.

well performance and weight is not important for us, the q45 is ugly IMHO and cheap feeling. The audi felt like a lear jet.But i'm just questioning reliablility.

Thanks.

That new Audi front grill is butt ugly. Other than that...I'd get an S8 myself.

That new Audi front grill is fantastic in person. On the W12 A8 I saw and on many of the new A6s around here , Audi now has an strong aggressive face .
I think the new BMW 5 , esp the M5 is very good looking also . Am planning to get the latter - all the performance stuff that's driver tweakable on that car and it's programmable steering wheel mounted M button is too much fun to pass on for a family sedan that's 2 sec quicker 60-150 than a base 996 Turbo.
MBZs are bland - they all look the same , and I own two of them now and many over the years. I've had several Audis and Bimmers , too. :)

M5 or S class. why would anyone get the A8

Because it looks cool to a knowing car nut like me and it's a total mystery to "ladies who do lunch " in their S-classes. hilarious

http://onfinite.com/libraries/101342/334.jpg

Looks like a hot dog. Drives like a school bus. Terrible!

The A8 is a real sharp car, I would go for it.

I like them a lot, but I think it was rated worst depreciating car sold in North America this year. It loses on average something like 30% of its value once you drive it off the lot...

Then as 996 Turbo owners we wouldn't bat an eyelash - been there, experienced that . hilarious

Then I like it even more if it's as yummy as one from Herm's Palace on Dempster ( or Dumpster as my wife used to call that road) !hilarious

Wow the opinions on this site, The A8 is gorgous espacially the new Grills on Audi's they look great. Test drove the A6 4.2 and it was very nice the A8 is alot nicer.

The W220 Mercedes S-class is getting outdated and its redesign is on the way. The BMW 7 series is nice from some angles but the A8 is just perfect.

I love the new A8L - loved it first time I saw it on the road. These opinions of its ride are likely just guesses, as I bet few have driven it. All the reviews I have seen mention its amazing ride which has more sporting character than it's competition in the S430 or LS430.

Reliability is bound to be a problem - we had terrible issues with our A6 and now have the Lexus instead. The depreciation can work to your benefit, if you buy lightly used! The biggest depreciation hit is always the first year, so buy a 1 year old example with extended warranty (you'll need it) and you have a sweet ride for a sweet price.

I don't know of a single luxury car out there under 100k that is as attractive as the A8L. S-class is long in the tooth, LS is always driven by blue hairs, and Q45 is too wacky. When you get into the Bentleys and Maybachs you are in a different league. The Phaeton might be a great machine, but it's still a big Jetta.

Personally the A8 is one of the nicer sedans in its market space. I would take one at the drop of a hot if I needed another sedan, especially over the 5 series and the S class Mercedes. Feature and price they are further ahead of both Benz and BMW.

Anyway who buys a car as an appreciating asset?

Buying the wife an A6 she doesnt want the bigger A8 (damn shame)