Kenboyz TLS

Would appreciate opinions/comments regarding my dilemma between purchasing the TL AWD/Tech vs. an Audi A5. I realize I'm comparing a sport sedan and a coupe but a little help please.

I'm on my 7th Acura, currently the 07 TL-S. Obviously been very happy with the Acura line up. My lease is coming due in 8 months but got the bug now. Feeling the need to go with an AWD vehicle this time around since I'm limited to one car. Oh how I miss the days of having my X5 4.6is and S2000 in my garage...when I fell off the Acura map. As usual, the TL comes fully loaded for about $8K-$10K less than a comparably equipped A5. However, the A5 is pure sex and it's been years since owning a coupe (my last coupe was an 89 Legend). The back seat's not a deal killer since I don't have kids or haul passengers around that often.

Driving impressions:
The AWD TL drove/handled like a dream. Definitely, the best handling TL ever. The interior is amazingly well appointed & functional. The tech is outstanding. However, the exterior will take some getting use to. The double ended beak just isn't doing it for me. I saw the aftermarket grills and could be a solution. The overall driving experience is solid.

The A5 handles just as well or perhaps a tad better. The paddle shifting is much smoother I must say. Even though it's rated about 40 HP's less, it felt faster. I'm assuming the TL may be heavier but didn't get around to checking all the detailed stats yet. The interior is very good/clean and the ergonomics are excellent. The exterior...very sexy, hard to take your eyes off.

This is a tough one. The TL's overall driving impression is solid as expected. The interior is excellent. The exterior, I'm just not a 100% sold on this yet but know it could grow on me with some mods. Great value for the $$...this is tough to ignore.

The A5...sexy but a bit more expensive. The exterior...A5 wins. The interior...TL wins.

What to do?

ladiesman217

just base your final answer on this question.

Do i see myself driving a coupe or sedan at this point in time?

There's your answer

I'd take an a5 anyday over the 4G TL

guytdt

You don't see it when you drive it. So go with the best interior.
Personally, I am so scared of the reliability of Audi/VW. My A3 is a nightmare for me.

JD23

I'm also a fan of the A5's aesthetics. However, you have to decide whether the A5 is worth $10k more than the TL and if you want to deal with the inevitable maintenance headaches in the future.

PetesTL

Even though I love my TL, the A5 is definately the more sexy ride. If the extra cost isn't a limitation and since you don't have any kids, I would chose the Audi.

PsychDoc

The A5 is a simply gorgeous car. For pure sex appeal there's no competition here. And Audi interiors are first class. Again, from a purely aesthetic point of view, the A5 even wins the interior battle. However, for functionality, the A5 gets killed by the TL in terms of tech stuff and value per dollar. Reliability for the TL will blow away the A5 too.

If it's a lease, I'd probably take the A5; if it's a purchase I'd probably take the TL.

Tough call. Coupe vs. sedan the coupe wins the aesthetic debate virtually every time. If you ever see yourself using rear seats though you'd be crazy to even consider the A5.

rehab_pain

if your going to lease, get the a5 and in three years get the tl type s. i really love the tl sh awd, but your right the a5 is pure sex. If your single get the a5.

cornelius

If you can afford the A5 plus $10k in options, then there really is nothing to compare
here. The residual value on Audis are pretty low, so it really comes down to how
much money you want to blow away on a depreciating investment.

jangkai

If you've got the cash, A5 hands down. I'd personally forgo options like s-line, adaptive cruise and audi drive select since I think they're useless and with those options, its right up there with the S5.
Oh yeah, the backseats are useless for human beings taller than 5ft but still, who cares...

bmode

Ditto.

Ditto, which is the reason I stuck with the TL. Four adults and their golf bags is a must for me.

BleuM&M

Having owned an A6, I agree the interiors approach the most beautiful I've seen. I might have seen even more if the car didn't spend so much time on a hoist somewhere. When it ran, it was great.

Give me a TL any day.

rhn75

Audi is expected to announce a 4 door version of A5 in July. They have some spy photos with no camo at all on the web. Based on what I've read they're going to try and position the 4-door A5 and the A7 in league of their own.

I'd suggest you wait a couple of months to see what happens to the A5. Having said that my recommendation would still be for the TL based on functionality, value and reliability.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Is the 4-door A5 going to be similar to the CLS, you know, a 4dr coupe?

jangkai

I've heard of the A7 but no 4dr A5.I know they are bringing the new S4 which will have a supercharged v6 instead of the old v8.

PetesTL

After my lease is up with my TL, I would love to get the new S4 which looks super sexy! However, a fully optioned S4 is in the M3 and C63 AMG price range which is ridiculous.

fusiongt

good luck with proven audi reliability(?) and their great(?) resale-value. if u can put up with those 2 then yes.

rhn75

Here's a link to the spy shots from leftlanenews. This was posted on 4/23.

The profile to me does not look like a 4-dr coupe but closer to a regular 4-dr sedan. Like I said I would still go with the TL based on value, functionality and quality.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/audi-a5-sportback-2011.html

fusiongt

I almost bought A5 for it's bling* factor itself.(ah.....those blazing LED headlamps!!!!) BUT Audi r lackin BMW's no-nonsense warranty

Kenboyz TLS

Appreciate all the feedback. A tastefully modified TL (19s-20s, tint, grill work, headlights, suspension) would still be less than a comparably equipped A5 (S line, fully optioned) and that's hard to ignore. Plus, I've always agreed about the potential reliability issues with Audi. However, I'm hearing Audi's improved their reliability issues quite a bit as of late...but, who knows.

Think I need to drive the TL again and perhaps talk numbers too. Did I hear right an AWD/Tech can be had for under $38K-$39K now? Do we have confirmation a Type S is in the works? If so, details?

fusiongt

you shouldn't have no problem getting SH for 38K these days. Type-S?? I dont think so. SH is more like a type-S replacement with it's firm suspension and AWD capability. minor HP bumps might be expected cuz other makers are keep comming out with better HP.

sharp218

A5.

Gary TL S

Iv beat the new a4 and the new a5 no talking shit. They are alright. Dont get me wrong they look really good but when it comes to performance and its an Audi you have to always get an S ... Now S4 or S5 COMPLETELY different story. Just my 2 cents

Gary TL S

o and as for the epic fued between a5 with s line package opposed to s5 . No package or anything is going to change the fact that the a5 is v6 and the s5 is v8 !

cp3117

Being you have owned that many Acura's and obviously love them, I would go with SH-AWD and then you know you wont be disappointed.

I am not into modding so i dont know how much all those mods would cost for Acura, but a comparably equipped A5 is roughly $5K difference compared to a SH-AWD (at MSRP). If you can purchase a new SH-AWD and do all those mods for a good price then thats the way to go if thats what you like.
(BTW if your comparing a fully loaded S-Line to the SH-AWD you are getting alot more car and about $5-8K more in options that Acura doesnt even offer....so your really comparing apples to oranges.)

In my area SH-AWD's are sitting in lots collecting dust so i believe it when guys here are getting awesome deals. The A5/S5 on the other hand is still in extremely high demand (even in this economy)and they still have waiting lists, so no deals are to be had at Audi....But at the rate the TL's are dropping its becoming a great deal for a very nice car.

Personally i would go with the few here and spend the extra and get the A5 without hesitation as its the better overall car IMHO but you have to pay for it.

BTW If you felt that the A5 with a smaller engine was faster than the SH-AWD its because it is slightly faster. (probably because of lesser weight and a more aggressive transmission gear/ratio).

STEVEN05

In my opinion Audi/VW are worst cars.
don't get me wrong cuz i'm working on car everyday at the shop.
those two cars get bad oil leak when it get around 90k or less.
acura/lexus are reliable cars.
keep ur TL or upgraged to 09.
personally think 07 TL-S exterior is way better than 09 TL.

GearDriven

I'd rate the TL's handling better than the A5/S5 that I drove... The A5/S5 were able to go around corners faster, but they tended to push unless lots of throttle was thrown on, and even then it didn't get the rear to step out as nice and neatly as the TL.

That said the A5 looks much better to most than the TL...but for me that was a negligible difference compared to cornering dynamics.

mr.Honda F1

Just do one thing then you will decide?
Check the door panel and how its really cheap plastic,now ask your self...ooh sorry ask your money?

BTW i like how the A5 looks.