The nine year itch

[skribe]

I lost an inconceivably large sum in depreciation on the last new car I bought.... which makes my RS 6 a relative bargain. Although I will say I don't think I could put up with it if I didn't have a decent warranty.

A few times I've been approached by dudes who have all kinds of admiration for the car, (which reminds me of its legendary status...) and who then start asking questions that tell me they're doing the math on ownership.

I tell those guys that unless they're prepared to put 10k a year into it, don't do it.

[ben916]

I lost an inconceivably large sum in depreciation on the last new car I bought.... which makes my RS 6 a relative bargain. Although I will say I don't think I could put up with it if I didn't have a decent warranty.

In 2004, upon large pressure from "congress", I reluctantly bought a 2004 Honda Accord V6 EX Auto - Silver ext/black leather interior for $29k (out the door, taxes, etc)...
It looked like ever other Honda out there and one of my co-workers thought it was a Buick.... REALLY?!?!? Are f-ing blind?!?!? That was when I really had to search for something else...
Had a couple of recalls on it and rotors turned and some other issues here and there. So NO it wasn't free of issues or maintenance....
Sure, it ran like a top and didn't get better than 25mpg, but it was soulless and passionless - it really was just transportation and nothing more. That might be fine for some.

The first time I had heard of the RS6 was the Speed World challenge and watching Galati/Probst(sic) take off from the start and rip into the first corner - eye opener.
The next time was watching some Sunday morning car show where they test drive most anything out there except exotics (two guys from Canada - Legendary motorcars?) The fat guy, Tom Hyanic?, took the Misano Red RS6 onto a small tight track and worked it. "Do you need a car like this? Probably not. Do you want a car like this? POWER!!!"

The hooks were set deep after a chance encounter to drive one in 2006 - I was more scared of driving it versus actually getting to drive it...
Then DuckWingDuck let me drive his for the day - Congress would not approve of that sale.

Then the sewing machine Accord got hit - lightly but more cosmetic than anything else - traded that thing in, for the wife, on a new 2010 MDX (talk about gutless...) - I got a whole $8k on the trade in, "It is just like every other Silver EX black leather Accord out there, but you have taken really good care of it"
Looked at a S4 Avant with 70k on the clock for $28k... didn't do it for me, yeah it was fast but it didn't set the hooks like the RS6 did...

A one car family with two jobs and daycare and kindergarten = more frustrating than any $$$ being saved...

Then an autotrader hit in Los Angeles - $31k @ 36k miles - right colors (silver/black - not a raiders fan) - Picked that up with Dave Hall on the phone - I was lost in the admiration of the car...
I had primed the wife that the costs are more than the Accord and so is the maintenance. She was fine with it - thank goodness!

Sure, it is an 8 yo car and it doesn't scream "look at me" but that isn't why I bought mine. Mine isn't "Mid life crisis" - but some might argue otherwise
I wanted the sleeper status, I wanted power on tap, I wanted a 4dr sedan but I also understood that it ISN'T the Accord, you have to pay to play as this would be my daily driver.

Most important thing was getting the warranty - without that - deal breaker...

If you know what you are expecting at the beginning = it is good to be informed.
If not = there is a dealership lot with an Accord or Yaris with your name on it...

[ZCD2.7T]

I think the article is hilarious, and sadly, deadly accurate.

I would have LOVED to buy an RS 6 earlier this year when I bought my new (very slightly used) 2011 S4, but I just couldn't make myself do it.

The car is my DD, and since I know 3 RS 6 owners personally, I knew that it wouldn't likely fulfill that role without significant effort and cost. So, I (and I'd call myself a real enthusiast) decided that ~100 less HP was a fair trade-off for much better handling, modern electronics and very limited maintenance costs.

I'm thrilled with my ride, as I'm sure you guys are with yours. I just couldn't make myself afford to join your "owner's club" in the end.