NADA Guides is one of the most objective and impartial consumer advocates within the automotive industry– providing you redfine the words “objective” and “impartial” to mean “your ass is mine.” National Automobile Dealers Association? ‘Nuff said. (As if.) Working for the dark side, NADA has primo access to primo product; their blog is, as of late, extremely Aston friendly. Yes, of course we’re bitter and twisted; it’s our m.o. But we gotta give NADA G [some] credit. Even though they provide no insight into their selection process whatsoever, their choice for Top Luxury Car of 2009 is both prescient (2009?) and, I reckon, accurate. The Audi A8 L is one Hell of a rig.
Don’t talk to me about reliability, resale or reliability. The uber-Audi is one of the smoothest, most comfortable and elegant automobiles you can buy at any price. Fine. Props to the propaganda propagators. But even if we ignore NADA’s lack of transparency– which is why I keep bringing it up, obviously– their model choice is wrong on every level.
The A8 L W12? The engine may be pull like a young Tom Jones, but it’s a huge aural disappointment (unlike Tom), it ruins the A8’s handling AND it sucks fuel at or below 10mpg (EPA combined 15). NADA gives the nod to the A8 L W12 with the BOSE audio system. Huh? Noise canceling headphones, sure. But the Doctor on the mountain has been bested by B&O, which has fit the A8 L with the cleanest, clearest, LOUDEST automotive ICE this Little Feat lover has ever heard.
Also, $120k? As Will Smith says in every movie he’s ever made, “Oh Hell no.” The $77,900 4.2-liter V8 is the one to have. Used. Anyway, congrats to Audi and commiserations to its corporate sister Bentley. Ye Olde $224,900 Arnage was beat by the $32,250 Hyundai Genesis. For some reason.
I believe that’s, “Aww, hell, naw!”
Not a problem, RF, this rig will be priced at $70K in 12 months, $45K in 24 months and they won’t be able to give them away after that.
It is a wonderful time to fish for deals on heavy cars like this.
So… if VW had not chickened out…
…and the 2009 W12 Phaeton (available in Europe and Asia with a 1000-watt Dynaudio of Denmark 12-speaker system) were available in the US, where would N.A.D.A. rank it?
Then again back in 2004 the Phaeton already had a 13-speaker system (including subwoofer) and the same W12 engine, and the same long- and short-wheel base versions, and a sticker price nearly $20,000 less than its cousin A8 back in 2004, so maybe NADAs criteria has shifted throughout the years?
The NADA list reads almost the same as my mom’s favorite cars at the LA Auto Show.
What does a W12 sound like?
I’ve been looking at the A8’s on ebay recently, and you can pick up an 05 or 06 for about 1/2 of sticker. Sure, the dealers selling them are 10k over market, but the deals are out there.
FWIW, same thing happens to the 750i.
yea they r crazy for this. but i would buy a used a8. am i crazy for that? out here in socal ive seen and 05 for 32k and an 04 for $20999
Just make sure its Audi certified, and get rid of it when the CPO warranty runs out. Big Audis like the A6 and A8 depreciate like mad, but repair and labor costs can be brutal.
“What does a W12 sound like?”
Awesome.
I’ve been looking at the used A8s on Ebay, and yeah, it’s really tempting. It’s such a fantastic car.
The maintenance is what worries me.
Personally I still have a soft spot for the (old) S8. I even tried to find an original Audi V8 for a while but settled on a Q45 (yes, maintenance scared me, particularly the timing belts). I still crane my neck when I see a late 90s A8 roll by, they are truly elegant and cleanly designed. The newer ones, not so much.
What does a W12 sound like?
Surprisingly growly and rumbly, from my experience. It’s a very excellent noise.
They must have seen TRANSPORTER 3 this week. The A8 W12 is the star of the movie
I dig the Audi Big Mouth grille and the exclusivity. What stops me cold is the well known fact that Audi depreciates as quickly as its accelerates.
If you’re going to drive this one into the ground, fine. But poseurs don’t stick in any ride past the infatuation stage. Beautiful car, just keep it a secret from your accountant.
I dig the Audi Big Mouth grille and the exclusivity. What stops me cold is the well known fact that Audi depreciates as quickly as it accelerates.
If you’re going to drive this one into the ground, fine. But poseurs don’t stick in any ride past the infatuation stage. Beautiful car, just keep it a secret from your accountant.
How can you NOT be Aston friendly?