I would appreciate your opinion on this. I found a slightly used 09 Audi Avant in my local dealership - it's a loaded model with nav, B&O sound etc. for about $38,000. It's only got about 4500 miles. I test drove it and it's quite a nice ride. The turbo 4 is a little noisy during acceleration but otherwise, the power was pretty good, except for the initial slight turbo lag. It's not perfect, but I was quite interested in it.

Then just for comparison, I test drove a Q5 Premium Plus with nav. Wow! I was impressed! It drove like a car, the engine was smoother, the acceleration was more linear, and the interior was much quieter. Of course, there was more interior and trunk space too.

I am not a very aggressive driver and it will be my daily commute car.

If it were you, would you go with a slightly used 09 A4 Avant Prestige, or spend $8000 more and get a 2010 Q5 Premium Plus with nav? The lower price of the A4 Avant is very attractive, but then it is an 09 model and the engine is less refined than the V6 of the Q5.......

What do you think?

P.S. Actually, having driven both the A4 and Q5 now, I appreciate my TSX engine more and more! The Acura 2.4 engine is quite lively and zippy, and yet smooth as butter :-)

 

I love the new Q5 but for that price difference i say go with the 09 Avant.

As long as you like everything about it though. Dont settle.

 

+1
My sentiments exactly

 

+2.

 

A4 Avant

 

Thanks, guys! I forgot to say that the cinnamon interior of the Q5 was just THE BEST! It's so very beautiful. I love the style, gas mileage and the price of the A4 better, but the engine and the interior of the Q5 are better.... tough choice!

I think that the price difference seems large ($8000) but when you figure in the fact that the Q5 is a newer model, and it's brand new, then the price difference narrows...

I need to sleep on this a bit more...

 

Q5's not bad. I like it too.

 

Nothing like a brand new car. I'm torn but I think I'd have to go for the Q5.

 

How many miles do you drive every year?

The A4 2.0T Avant is about $.74/mile in total ownership costs according to Edmunds.

The Q5 is $.89/mile (which is fucking ludicrous).

Let's say 15k miles/yr for 5 years ... 75k miles total.

A4: $55,500
Q5: $66,750

So that's $11,250 plus the initial cost difference of $8,000.

Is the Q5 worth $20k more to you over the next five years?

 

A4, and use the price savings to buy an extended factory warranty or it could end up you down the road.

 

I don't love the Q5...I think the Q7 is sexy on the other hand as far as Audi SUVs go.

I'd say go avant if given the option.

 

A4 Avant for sure

 

If the difference is paying cash or finance, the A4 seems to be the better deal. They may even go lower if you talk them up a bit.

Either way, you're getting an Audi so congrats on the future purchase.

 

Good morning everyone!

Now that you got me thinking.... I checked the KBB price on the used A4 Avant - basically, they priced it exactly the same as the KBB's "Suggested Retail Price" while the "Private Party Value" is almost $4000 less.

Realistically, how much do you think I can get off of the $38,000?

 

Depends ... If the car is rare in your area, probably not a whole lot.

You could try starting at $35k and see what they say.

 

vote for A4

 

Do you intend on keeping your TSX?

 

not really an issue of Q5 VS A4, but moreso slightly used VS new. it sounds like you certainly like the Q5 more, but are looking for excuses to deter you from spending 'new car' money.

i think where docboy is going - how long do you plan on keeping the tsx? could you wait a couple more months for a used Q5?

we all know that buying slightly used is the best decision, financially. many of us wish we could buy slightly used but cannot due to wifey issues, looming conscienceness, etc. etc. so if youre the type thats willing to go the route of slightly used, then theres no sense in breaking your principles and buying new.

 

^^^ personally, I'd just wait and keep looking, shouldn't spend that kind of money if you're unsure, which you clearly are.

 

Thanks! I think that you are all making a lot of sense here. I am clearly unsure. Yes, I should wait a little bit.... but then the used A4 Avant Prestige may just disappear as it is very rare in our area. Anyway, I am really in no rush. I don't intend to keep the TSX. So I will either trade it in or sell it privately.

Oh yeah, if I wait a little longer maybe I get to see the ZDX too....!!! But perhaps not long enough to see the TSX Sport Wagon.....hmm.....

BTW, the navigation of the 2010 A4 is supposed to be way better than the 09 model year's. That is another consideration. Oh, and coming from an Acura, the A4 navigation screen is so very small! That said, the resolution is brilliant.

 

how do you get this info/ calculate the cost to own. That is cool.

 

^Edmunds.com - "True Cost to Own" Calculator

BTW, I vote '09/'10 A4

 

Why not wait a bit (or look around) and scoop up a CPO Q5? Slightly used is always better then new. Let some other sucker take the depreciation hit...

 

that's what i was thinking.

but if you must get one now, i'd go with the A4 avant.

 

what's the Q5 running on? 3.2 FSI?

 

Yes, the bastards haven't brought the 3.0TDi over yet.

Not that I could afford it though ...

 

A4 Avant..

 

Unless the previous owner had so many issues and thats why he dumped it. Hell even i last longer than that mileage.

Actually, $38k seems like a lot for a used A4 Avant. How much is that thing new?!

 

^ I think he said the one he's looking at is the 2009 A4 Avant Prestige with navi and B&O sound system. It should be around $46K brand new. My gf's avant is the Premium Plus with navi and sport, its sticker price was $42,500.

I think it'll be pretty hard for the OP to get a good deal on the CPO avant as it is pretty rare..

 

Yes, the 09 A4 Avant with Prestige would be about $46K brand new. You know, Q5 CPO's are really, really rare, and then slightly used A4 Avants are even rarer, esp. with the specs that I wanted (Prestige or Premium Plus + navi)!

To make things more interesting, I just found a very slightly used 2010 A4 Avant Prestige for sale over the internet at a dealership! It is pretty much exactly the same as the slightly used 09 A4 Avant, except that the 09 has Side Assist (for blind spot assistance, which I do not need). The main thing that I did not like about the 09 was that the MMI was supposedly much improved for the 2010 model year. Guess how much they want for this 2010 A4 Avant? Just $1000 more than the 09!

The problem is that the car is over a thousand miles away from where I live!!! OK, I can use some car inspection service like the AiM (http://www.aimmobileinspections.com/index.php) which was recommended by Edmunds, I am still a little concerned about buying it without seeing it first! Also, it's in Dakar Beige with the Cardommon interior.... hmm.... not bad but nothing as sharp as the 09's Brilliant Red exterior and black interior!

I really don't mind the paint color that much, though it's not my first choice. However, would you buy a vehicle long distance like that? BTW, this 2010 Avant only has a couple thousand miles on it!!! Apparently, the owner decided that he wanted an SUV after he got it, so he traded it in for a Lexus SUV instead......... hmm......... oh, and brand new, this vehicle would have been about $47K.

What would you do now?

 

man.. my head hurt.

anyway, if I were you, I would just WAIT til something comes up in your area. you are about to spend ALOTOF money on the purchase, so i think you should wait till something that you EXACTLY want to purchase. Don't go for the second choice.

so.. just wait and keep looking..

 

It has a warranty. If AIM checks the car out and says it's okay, there's no reason not to get it, IMO.

I would.

 

If you are really itching to get it, then go for what you want. If your heart is set on the Q5, then talk to the dealer, and ask him when any Q5's are due to come off lease. he may let you in so you can scoop it up as soon as they finish certifying it.

OR

Wait. And save up even more money so you can feel more comfortable about getting EXACTLY the vehicle you want, as opposed to an alternative.

 

BTW, if you're really set on buying new... at this point... wait 30 days. Should be able to get a better deal on December 31st verses early December...

 

I would get the Avant myself. Like most said, don't settle when you're not that far off MSRP.

 

Right but theres much more room to haggle on new than used.

What did your GF end up paying for that avant as im sure it wasnt sticker price.

 

She got it for $41k even.. and got some good estimate for her trade in.