Would I be happy with an A5?

[ICan'tDecide]

Hey guys, I am in the market for a new car and have been test driving a couple of different option but don't have the opportunity to drive an A5 because there isn't one for sale close to me. I was able to test drive a '14 Subaru WRX and loved the way it drove, however the interior left much to be desired and I'm not a huge fan of the looks. Then I test drove a BRZ and fell in love with the way it drove, it felt like a go cart. My issue with the BRZ, however, is that I live in a snowy environment and don't winter drives to work to be a nail biter. 2011ish A5 2.0t's are in my price range and I just want to get some driving impressions from you guys. My big concern is that it weighs about 1,000lbs more than the BRZ and only has 11 more HP. In stock form does it feel like a dog? or does the massive amounts of torque make up for it? Also, what is your guys impression on 6MT vs the auto? I would love to get a manual so I can keep the turbo spooled and have more fun but they seem to be hard to find used so if the auto is just as good I'd be willing to deal with it. Any input you guys have to help my decision will be greatly appreciated.

[JDillon15]

I come from an 06 A4, so I don't have experience on this A5, but I can tell you this. Quattro is amazing in winter. the 2.0t is a great engine, and can be easily tuned for more power. Correct me if I'm wrong, the BRZ is just a 4-banger, no turbo.
If it were my money, I'd go A5. Honestly, I plan to get into an A5 or S5 after grad-school anyway. =D

Best of luck with your purchase.

[flatsick]

A5 + Some type of Stage 2 software and you wont regret it.

[Nastybutler]

I know everyone with a MT will tell you not to get one without it, but honestly, even though I've driven my fair share of MT's the tiptronic transmission on my A5 is pretty darn good. Putting it into sport mode keeps the RPM's higher and shifts a bit crisper than the normal D mode, then you can always put it into "manual" mode which lets you decide when it shifts up or down with some caveats.

I haven't driven a BRZ, but they seem like fun cars. The A5 will feel noticeably heavier, but as mentioned, if you're willing to spend around $800 to go Stage 2, you'll pick up around 80-90 HP and 75 ft/lbs of torque. Worth the investment and makes it a lot more fun, though it won't handle like the BRZ. The added benefit of AWD and a (IMO) best in class interior more than make up for that though.

[BirdsA5]

A5 + Some type of Stage 2 software and you wont regret it.

Agreed! Just upgraded my a5 and its a world of a difference. My opinion would be to find a A5 s-line. Has some better cosmetic upgrades which I wish I would have looked for before purchasing mine. But that too can always be fixed later on. Good luck

[jrabakker]

Preaching to the choir :)

To be honest, I have yet to hear someone say that they did not like their A/S/RS5, I think just about every owner is pretty thrilled with their ride

[fender9530]

I'm coming from 2.5 years with a Scion FR-S and just picked up a 2012 A4 6MT. I loved the driving experience with the FRS but the shortcomings made it difficult. It was very small with very little utility. Had no problems in the snow with winter tires however. Accelerating in the snow was very slow but handling was fine.

As you mentioned, the weight difference is significant but the A4 feels faster. I had header, exhaust, and tune on my FRS too. They way in which the A4 makes power is just better for a road car. At the track, BRZ/FRS all day. If you can only have one car...A5 for sure. BUT, look for an S-Line with all the options you want. I see a lot of people here changing steering wheels and adding cosmetic upgrades that the S-line already has.

[fasteddy91]

As long as you get a manual and at least a stage 1 flash. Then yes.

[FaceSmA5h]

In stock form does it feel like a dog? or does the massive amounts of torque make up for it? Also, what is your guys impression on 6MT vs the auto? I would love to get a manual so I can keep the turbo spooled and have more fun but they seem to be hard to find used so if the auto is just as good I'd be willing to deal with it. Any input you guys have to help my decision will be greatly appreciated.

You can easily do a turbo upgrade or a flash upgrade. DO NOT get an automatic. Car feels like a sled with AUTO. I prefer the 6MT on the A5. You can buy my car next year =)

[Octothorpe]

Thoughts:

• S-Line. So many mods basically require S-Line You'll save yourself a lot of time/money by getting it instead of retro-fitting S-Line parts into a non-S-Line vehicle.
• MT. Yeah, the slushbox software may not totally suck, but if you are used to a manual, get it, and not the auto.
• Because it's FI, you can mod the fuck out of the vehicle. As others have stated, a Stage 2 is under $1000.
• The fit and finish of the A5 is, quite simply, radically superior to the BRZ.

[ICan'tDecide]

Thanks for all of the advice guys, is there anything I need to look out for on this generation of A5's? Are they prone to any specific reliability problems? Also have any of you guys sold your truck to get an A5? Regret it? I am not interested in offroading anymore and see no need to drive a truck with terrible mpg's and terrible road manners so I want something a little more fun.

[flatsick]

Thanks for all of the advice guys, is there anything I need to look out for on this generation of A5's? Are they prone to any specific reliability problems? Also have any of you guys sold your truck to get an A5? Regret it? I am not interested in offroading anymore and see no need to drive a truck with terrible mpg's and terrible road manners so I want something a little more fun.

I came from an armada outfitted for surf fishing..I got 8mpgv :(

Here are things to look out for but easy hassell free fixes.

PCV valve failure (happens to all 2.0's)
Oil Consumption (possible piston replacement, audi will take care of it)
Intake Manifold (flapper pops out)

[ICan'tDecide]

I am also seeing that 2008-10ish S5's are in my price range as well, what are your guys thoughts on getting one of those? The carbon buildup on the 4.2 scares me somewhat but is it really as bad as everyone says it is?

[coolwater]

Try to get a 2013/2014 A5 with E85 support and you can get near 300hp and 400tq to the wheels with stage 2 APR.

-cW

[ICan'tDecide]

unfortunately the B8.5 are too new and out of my budget, I would love to have one of them though

[bknewtype]

few thoughts to take into consideration

is ur budget including money set aside for repairs and such? while going for an older a/s5 fits ur budget with higher miles, you may need to pay more out of pocket to fix things that break down. chances are the car may not be under warranty.

i wouldnt buy a older car cause thats all u can afford. either shelve out more money and buy a proper a/s5 or buy a brand new car within ur budget. thats just me. these cars are becoming too affordable to obtain, but people dont realize the "hidden" costs to owning one.

but with that said, i love my 2011 a5 with a tune.

i had a 2009 s5 before. tuned a5 does not make me miss the v8 s5's power, but i love the interior and the exterior upgrades vs an a5 ( non s line at least ).

[Crusader105]

As above if you're not in a big hurry wait for an S-Line model A5 to show up in your price range. They're usually topped up with many options too like the B& O stereo, Nav, etc. and the interior with the black headliner is very nice too.

I liked the BRZ too but a guy at work has a one....he's heading towards a 2nd warranty transmission replacement. Sounds like a 3/4 & 5/6 syncro issues that he says is not unique to him alone.

[bknewtype]

i considered the brz. mechanics aside, the interior felt VERY cheap compared to the a5. plus i was insanely cramped. unusable back seats = no no for me. i do like the way they look, and im sure the handling on those things are awesome.

an a5 with suspension upgrades including drop, alu kruz, strut bars, etc may be able to put you closer to that go kart feel, but its still a much larger car. depends if you want a toy or a every day cruiser.

[AudiYes]

If your drives include WOT and spirited driving, no you will not be happy. Because this car is too beautiful and aggressive looking for its decent acceleration, including my RS5. I love this car more than any on the road under 100k, just wish it came with little more oomph.

[Allaboutrings]

I purchased a 2011 CPO A5 6MT in June of last year... Traded in my 2007 B7 A4 CVT and was not considering a BRZ so never have had a chance to take one for a spin... They look like fun in the corners though.. I would say my last 6 months of ownership have been great... I have always loved the look of the car and still turn my head around at least four times while walking away from it when it is parked... When I see others on the road, although the design is over 7 years old, I still think it looks better than any BMW 3 or 4 series or MB C-Class Coupe (This is my opinion, others might feel different). I just think the lines flow so well, and the proportions are perfect for a luxury two door coupe. I have since added a few cosmetic mods, ie. e-codes, satin matte black vinyl over the trim, VMR V810's, and also added coilovers & spacers to reduce the massive gap between the fender and tire.

When in the market for a new car I had a long list of cars I was interested in... I had a really hard time deciding on what I would be happy with for at least the next four to five years of ownership. I did drive a brand new A5 with a auto and it was not as much fun as I thought it would be, then got behind the wheel of a new S5 with an auto and was really impressed (My insurance would have almost doubled though with the S5 so it was not an option). I was adamant though on a manual and they did not have one on the lot... I tossed around the idea of leasing vs. buying, owning new vs. a few years old and felt more comfortable buying. After searching the web I was able to find only a few manuals in within 75 miles of where I live, one being the one I ended up purchasing... A 2011 CPO with 25K miles at a dealer about 60 miles from where I live.

I have to say some things have come up since owning the car that I did not think about, one being the previous owner not really taking care of the paint as much as I would... Being a lease trade in, they probably did not care much about the paint... but swirl marks literally covered the car which was something I should have paid more attention to when inspecting it before purchase (that was my bad, I guess my excitement got the best of me)... This was fixed though with a good swirl correction polish from a reputable detailer close to home.

Outside of that, I have really enjoyed the car and I am so happy I stuck to getting it in a manual (just adds to the driving experience for me)... I think being in the marketplace for a new car is really fun though, some people dread it, but I love driving different cars and doing the research on them. I guess that is what makes me an enthusiast...

Wishing you the best on your search and if you end up with an A5, look forward to seeing pics.

[Nastybutler]

Thanks for all of the advice guys, is there anything I need to look out for on this generation of A5's? Are they prone to any specific reliability problems? Also have any of you guys sold your truck to get an A5? Regret it? I am not interested in offroading anymore and see no need to drive a truck with terrible mpg's and terrible road manners so I want something a little more fun.

I bought my A5 and sold my 2006 5.4 L V8 F-150 XLT, which got about 10mpgs in city driving, which is about 95% of my driving. I can't just drive over the occasional median or hop curbs anymore, but other than that, I don't miss it much. My A5 handles and accelerates better in all conditions, including snow and ice, is far easier to park, more fun to drive, stands out and turns heads in a town full of pickup trucks, and is an overall joy to drive. On the rare occasion I need a pickup, all my friends have one, so I just trade them vehicles while I do whatever hauling needs to be done. One time I ended up renting a U-Haul pickup for $20. Better than paying over $100 per tank of gas (well maybe not anymore).

The main issue with A5's is many (not all) the 2.0 engines from 2008-10 have an oil burning issue, which is fixable, but if not under warranty can be very spendy. So check to see if it's already been done on any A5 you consider, or if under warranty, make sure you keep an eye on your oil level once you buy it. If not under warranty, and it hasn't had the issue fixed yet, I'd be very wary.

[ICan'tDecide]

few thoughts to take into consideration

is ur budget including money set aside for repairs and such? while going for an older a/s5 fits ur budget with higher miles, you may need to pay more out of pocket to fix things that break down. chances are the car may not be under warranty.

i wouldnt buy a older car cause thats all u can afford. either shelve out more money and buy a proper a/s5 or buy a brand new car within ur budget. thats just me. these cars are becoming too affordable to obtain, but people dont realize the "hidden" costs to owning one.

but with that said, i love my 2011 a5 with a tune.

i had a 2009 s5 before. tuned a5 does not make me miss the v8 s5's power, but i love the interior and the exterior upgrades vs an a5 ( non s line at least ).

Thanks for the thoughts, I have found some 2011's with about 30k miles that are in my budget, I was hoping that a car that new with that few of miles wouldn't have very many unforeseen costs but if I am wrong with that assumption please let me know!

I purchased a 2011 CPO A5 6MT in June of last year... Traded in my 2007 B7 A4 CVT and was not considering a BRZ so never have had a chance to take one for a spin... They look like fun in the corners though.. I would say my last 6 months of ownership have been great... I have always loved the look of the car and still turn my head around at least four times while walking away from it when it is parked... When I see others on the road, although the design is over 7 years old, I still think it looks better than any BMW 3 or 4 series or MB C-Class Coupe (This is my opinion, others might feel different). I just think the lines flow so well, and the proportions are perfect for a luxury two door coupe. I have since added a few cosmetic mods, ie. e-codes, satin matte black vinyl over the trim, VMR V810's, and also added coilovers & spacers to reduce the massive gap between the fender and tire.

When in the market for a new car I had a long list of cars I was interested in... I had a really hard time deciding on what I would be happy with for at least the next four to five years of ownership. I did drive a brand new A5 with a auto and it was not as much fun as I thought it would be, then got behind the wheel of a new S5 with an auto and was really impressed (My insurance would have almost doubled though with the S5 so it was not an option). I was adamant though on a manual and they did not have one on the lot... I tossed around the idea of leasing vs. buying, owning new vs. a few years old and felt more comfortable buying. After searching the web I was able to find only a few manuals in within 75 miles of where I live, one being the one I ended up purchasing... A 2011 CPO with 25K miles at a dealer about 60 miles from where I live.

I have to say some things have come up since owning the car that I did not think about, one being the previous owner not really taking care of the paint as much as I would... Being a lease trade in, they probably did not care much about the paint... but swirl marks literally covered the car which was something I should have paid more attention to when inspecting it before purchase (that was my bad, I guess my excitement got the best of me)... This was fixed though with a good swirl correction polish from a reputable detailer close to home.

Outside of that, I have really enjoyed the car and I am so happy I stuck to getting it in a manual (just adds to the driving experience for me)... I think being in the marketplace for a new car is really fun though, some people dread it, but I love driving different cars and doing the research on them. I guess that is what makes me an enthusiast...

Wishing you the best on your search and if you end up with an A5, look forward to seeing pics.

You have exactly what I am looking for CPO car with low miles and MT, have you had any unforeseen mechanical problems or do you see any coming on the horizon?

I bought my A5 and sold my 2006 5.4 L V8 F-150 XLT, which got about 10mpgs in city driving, which is about 95% of my driving. I can't just drive over the occasional median or hop curbs anymore, but other than that, I don't miss it much. My A5 handles and accelerates better in all conditions, including snow and ice, is far easier to park, more fun to drive, stands out and turns heads in a town full of pickup trucks, and is an overall joy to drive. On the rare occasion I need a pickup, all my friends have one, so I just trade them vehicles while I do whatever hauling needs to be done. One time I ended up renting a U-Haul pickup for $20. Better than paying over $100 per tank of gas (well maybe not anymore).

The main issue with A5's is many (not all) the 2.0 engines from 2008-10 have an oil burning issue, which is fixable, but if not under warranty can be very spendy. So check to see if it's already been done on any A5 you consider, or if under warranty, make sure you keep an eye on your oil level once you buy it. If not under warranty, and it hasn't had the issue fixed yet, I'd be very wary.

Thanks for the information! That puts me at ease of getting rid of my truck! Was the oil burning issue fixed for 2011's?

[Allaboutrings]

No unforeseen mechanical problems yet... And my hope is that this will continue to be the case for the duration of my ownership... Although nothing can be guaranteed, therefore I always keep some extra in the "what if something breaks" fund just in case. Most major items will be covered by the CPO warranty, but given it will end in mid-2017 and some items could not be covered or considered wear and tear, I would just recommend making sure to have some cash stashed away for these possible scenarios. I would say in comparison to my B7 A4, oil consumption seems normal... I had to have the piston rings and seals replaced (under warranty) with my 2007 B7 A4, because it was consuming quite a bit of oil... I had the oil changed on my A5 at 30K, and the oil level seemed fine.

[TomPaul10]

I would personally not hop into a 4.2.. especially that year, wait a couple years and buy the 3 litre SC down the road, enjoy the A5 now, Get a tune, ive had REVOtechnik APR and GIAC, nothing compares to GIAC IMO, fantastic tune and customer support just throwing that out there. then secondly slap an exhaust on her, i went A.W.E.. .. and she sounds pretty damn good actually for a 4 banger im impressed. tune, exhaust, intake Etc... some cosmetic work and youll be so glad you bought her

[ICan'tDecide]

So I am continuing my search but am struggling to find a low mileage example with a manual box and a 26k budget. What sort of miles do you think would be a good goal to shoot for?

[bknewtype]

So I am continuing my search but am struggling to find a low mileage example with a manual box and a 26k budget. What sort of miles do you think would be a good goal to shoot for?

i would say around 50k miles for a 2010-2011

[ak_siberian]

Here's my 2 cents re. ANY German car. Parts and labor UNLESS you work on it yourself absolutely REQUIRES an extended warranty from a good provider. Good independent repair shops are very scarce and lack the ability to do any electronic work as the vehicle needs to be connected to the mothership. Add on parts are scarce (vs a WRX where VAR parts are plenty and shops as well) and pricey.

The WRX is an awesome car for the price and you can configure it a gadzillion ways. Audis (Porsches etc.) come mostly configured with small (compared to other vehicles) options/add-ons. But ride quality and finish are usually second to none.

If your pocket book can stand the strain and depending on the end use of the vehicle (I live in snow country as well about 110 miles from the arctic circle), I'd get the Audi. I would also opt for the 7 spd. DSG over the manual, having test driven both 7 spd. and 8 spd and manual, the 7 spd is just awesome.

Only you know what is best for you, but caveat emptor, have the car looked at by a reputable shop (if used) and in any and all cases get an extended warranty (and a VAG-COM...).

Good luck

ak_siberian

[dseag2]

1) There is NO WAY I would opt for an S5 with the V8 after owning my S5 with Supercharged V6. I drove one of the first S5's with V8 and although it made a great sound it felt nose heavy. They also suck up gas.
2) I had an A5 as a loaner car while I was getting my windows tinted and it was fun to drive. It was an S-Line model with plenty of pickup and it handled well. The 4 cylinder doesn't sound like much compared to the 6 in my S5, but if you are coming from a BR-Z that probably won't matter. My only other complaint was the short seats without much bolstering, but if you can find one with sport seats that problem is solved.
I would highly recommend the A5. Beautiful car!

[doug97gxe]

I bought my A5 and sold my 2006 5.4 L V8 F-150 XLT, which got about 10mpgs in city driving, which is about 95% of my driving. I can't just drive over the occasional median or hop curbs anymore, but other than that, I don't miss it much. My A5 handles and accelerates better in all conditions, including snow and ice, is far easier to park, more fun to drive, stands out and turns heads in a town full of pickup trucks, and is an overall joy to drive. On the rare occasion I need a pickup, all my friends have one, so I just trade them vehicles while I do whatever hauling needs to be done. One time I ended up renting a U-Haul pickup for $20. Better than paying over $100 per tank of gas (well maybe not anymore).

The main issue with A5's is many (not all) the 2.0 engines from 2008-10 have an oil burning issue, which is fixable, but if not under warranty can be very spendy. So check to see if it's already been done on any A5 you consider, or if under warranty, make sure you keep an eye on your oil level once you buy it. If not under warranty, and it hasn't had the issue fixed yet, I'd be very wary.

wow i came from a 2005 F-150 Lariat as well ... 8 mpg with the 20" rims .. like you my friend has a titan i give him a call when i need a truck

[doug97gxe]

personally to this thread.. my wife has a 2011 A5 A/T ... i love driving it.. its fun to drive.. its not pull you back in your seat fast but it handles really well and if you catch the sweet spot it moves .. if it was my car i would throw some K04's in it but my wife is loving her CPO Warranty right now so i wouldn't even risk it.. great car and it turns heads.. her car gets more compliments than my car

[BCT]

Another option is an A5 with the 3.2. 265HP and the engine is silky smooth

[bknewtype]

personally to this thread.. my wife has a 2011 A5 A/T ... i love driving it.. its fun to drive.. its not pull you back in your seat fast but it handles really well and if you catch the sweet spot it moves .. if it was my car i would throw some K04's in it but my wife is loving her CPO Warranty right now so i wouldn't even risk it.. great car and it turns heads.. her car gets more compliments than my car

thats a given breh (;

[doug97gxe]

thats a given breh (;

of course

[youloze]

PMd you ICantDecide.

[dseag2]

of course

Yes, it sucks. The A5 S-Line in Monsoon Grey I had as a loaner turned more heads than my S5 in Florett Silver, but whatever. The driving experience makes all the difference.