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As some of you know, we traded my wife's 2012 TL SH-AWD for a Lexus GS 350 about ten months ago. I have been here on the TLX forum as I though it might be a good replacement for my BMW 550. I know that sounds odd, but I'm about 4-5 years from retirement and thought it would be nice to save some money on my next car, and I'm buying instead of leasing.
The TLX checked a lot of boxes for me on paper. But emotionally I just could not connect with the car. From a practical standpoint a GS 350 F-Sport or Audi A6 would be a great car. Still more money than a TLX, but not stupid money. I've always said you can tell how much a person loves their hobby by how much STUPID money they spend on it. When it comes to cars and motorcycles (and at one time boats) I am really passionate. So spending stupid money seems to follow me around.
Today I picked up a 2015 Audi A7 Prestige to replace my 550. The 550 still has four months left on the lease, so until then the Audi will make a nice weekend car. I'll likely still pop in here from time to time as I have known some of ya'll for several years on this forum. There is some fun banter on this forum that I enjoy, and I always like other gear heads.
Was gonna ask "Which engine?" but a quick check shows only the 3.0T is available (thought there was a 2.0T as well like the A6).
The next steps up are the 4.0T's in the S7 and RS7, which are nearly $20k and $40k more. Now THAT would be stupid money
I actually thought about an S7….but for me it just didn't make sense (like this did!!!!). I do have a friend who really does have stupid money - he has an S8. That is a seriously nice car.
There is actually another engine - a turbo diesel. Something like 428 lb ft of torque and 240 hp.
JJ - why didn't you trade the BMW in on the Audi and end the lease?
If you just didn't want to that's okay, but it almost sounds like you are under the impression you have to let the lease run down on its own. In fact, you might have equity in the 550 that could be applied to the Audi and which will be lost of you just let the lease wind down.
I lease all the time, and I've run a lease down only one time - the end-of-lease inspection and turn-in process was just a pain. So after that, I always trade before the lease is up.
As some of you know, we traded my wife's 2012 TL SH-AWD for a Lexus GS 350 about ten months ago. I have been here on the TLX forum as I though it might be a good replacement for my BMW 550. I know that sounds odd, but I'm about 4-5 years from retirement and thought it would be nice to save some money on my next car, and I'm buying instead of leasing.
So what you're inferring to here is that buying makes more sense financially than leasing?
I was down that road today on one of the bikes this morning! The car will find it's way there some really cold morning when I don't want to ride (has to be REALLY cold though)
Originally Posted by Mike_TX
JJ - why didn't you trade the BMW in on the Audi and end the lease?
If you just didn't want to that's okay, but it almost sounds like you are under the impression you have to let the lease run down on its own. In fact, you might have equity in the 550 that could be applied to the Audi and which will be lost of you just let the lease wind down.
I lease all the time, and I've run a lease down only one time - the end-of-lease inspection and turn-in process was just a pain. So after that, I always trade before the lease is up.
Nice car, btw.
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I looked into getting out of it. The payoff is several thousand over the value of the car. That's how BMW leases are so attractive. BMW subsidizes the residual which makes them hard to get out of early. It's no big deal. Because I bought the Audi it really doesn't matter that I have both cars - it costs a few hundred in extra insurance is all. For 30 years I owned some really nice weekend cars so I'm used to it.
Originally Posted by AcidHorse
So what you're inferring to here is that buying makes more sense financially than leasing?
No, you missed my point. I was saying that I had intended to try to buy a cheaper car (such as a TLX) but in the end I spent more than I wanted to. It had nothing to do with lease/buy. I bought because I'm 4-5 years from retirement and decided to build equity starting now so I am not tied to a monthly payment when I retire. That can be analyzed many ways, but it's just the decision I chose.
Awesome car - when it first appeared at our car show a few years back I reckoned it was the nicest car there. A rare combination of desirability and practicality.
In some ways the A7 reminds me of the 4G, with its broad shoulders, raked roofline, and greenhouse shape. Which leads me to believe that if the 4G's front end was better executed, it would probably have a similar reputation as the A7 (or at least considered the poor man's A7 )
Last edited by silverTL6; Nov 27, 2014 at 04:50 AM.
Actually, almost any Audi=sex. 
