Which Car to Buy: S6 or RS7?

[HardHitter]

Ok, this is probably going to be a stupid question for most of you reading just the title, but hear me out.

I've always had 2 cars. A daily driver and a fun little weekend cruiser. Please note that I ALWAYS buy used (with one exception) in order to save from some of the huge depreciation hits because I often switch my setups.

My last setup was a 2012 Mazdaspeed3 (this was the new car I bought) and a 2007 911 Turbo. Last month, I've decided to change up both daily driver and toy car because I wanted to get rid of the manuals for now (yes, call me crazy).

Fast forward to today, I've sold the 2007 911 Turbo already and now trying to decide my daily driver. Well, I have two options I've been considering which are:

Option 1: Buy the "middle" daily driver and save for my dream exotic
This would basically mean buying a 2016+ S6 for around $55K and then saving the rest of the money to buy a exotic car maybe a year or so later. The ones currently being considered are:
2014 McLaren MP4-12C Sypder
2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S
LP560 Gallardo
2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus
The only problem here is that I'd have a competing priority of buying another house, so if I wait a year, I'll likely come to my senses and know buying another house will be the better priority thus delaying my exotic dream another few years.

Option 2: Buy the "best" daily driver and forego getting an exotic
This would likely mean looking to find the best used RS7 in the $70K or below price range. I haven't thought this through yet, but maybe instead of buying a $100K+ exotic, I could find another fun weekend car for "cheaper". Was seriously looking at used 2018 TTRS...

I will mod whichever car I get, most likely Stage 2 for both at minimum and then Stage 3 later down the line if I end up getting the S6. The RS7 in stock form I'm sure is plenty power for daily use and some fun. I'd throw some suspension mods on both to help handling and use it as a comfortable/fun daily and then have some fun on the back roads. Will be very unlikely I bring any of these cars to the track.

Thoughts? Car suggestions? etc.

[MacFady]

Sounds like your competing priority will land you in an RS7, not a bad place to be.

[gk1]

I would add a couple of questions that need answering.
Do you need the size of the S6/RS7 or do you just crave the V8?
Do you actually like the looks of the RS7? (Very polarizing...some do, some don't.)

I'd say if you don't need the size maybe go for an S4 and try for a 2016 570S instead. :)

[Prak98]

Wouldn't you be delaying your house purchase even further if you buy the RS7?

[HardHitter]

I would add a couple of questions that need answering.
Do you need the size of the S6/RS7 or do you just crave the V8?
Do you actually like the looks of the RS7? (Very polarizing...some do, some don't.)

I'd say if you don't need the size maybe go for an S4 and try for a 2016 570S instead. :)

I was actually originally going to buy a B8.5 S4, but I have a newborn and the extra space of the S6/RS7, will be nice to have. Additionally, the power potential of the 4.0TT is exponentially bigger, so even if I didn't get an exotic for a few years, I'm sure the 4.0TT would hold me over and keep me not bored. And yes, I actually do like the looks of the RS7 body. Its "unique". Some people like it, some don't, but to me, it seems more sporty too.


Wouldn't you be delaying your house purchase even further if you buy the RS7?

Not really. If you think about it, the sale of my Mazda + Porsche is going to be around $80K cash. RS7 would be less than that. Also, think about option 1. I'd end up buying around $150K worth of car, although the good thing about the toy car is that you can sell it for when we are ready to buy another house. So the logic I look at it is that I'm really just losing out on the depreciate cost between the time I buy it and sell it and since I buy used, the hit isn't nearly as bad. For example, 2014 MP4-12C MSRP is $300K cars and they are selling for $130s in just 4 years. That's a lot of $ lost through depreciation.

[Eugeinus]

Your first option of going S6 + Exotic sounds like a significantly larger expenditure then going the RS7 route. My personal opinion just given your upcoming priority of buying another house will put a dent in trying to go option A. I would personally put house>car but that's just me. I'd agree with another comment here, why not do something like a used S4 + exotic as the middle ground? Otherwise can't really go wrong with the RS7 option either. You can always save later for an exotic if you really want it.

[HardHitter]

I would add a couple of questions that need answering.
Do you need the size of the S6/RS7 or do you just crave the V8?
Do you actually like the looks of the RS7? (Very polarizing...some do, some don't.)

I'd say if you don't need the size maybe go for an S4 and try for a 2016 570S instead. :)


Wouldn't you be delaying your house purchase even further if you buy the RS7?


Your first option of going S6 + Exotic sounds like a significantly larger expenditure then going the RS7 route. My personal opinion just given your upcoming priority of buying another house will put a dent in trying to go option A. I would personally put house>car but that's just me. I'd agree with another comment here, why not do something like a used S4 + exotic as the middle ground? Otherwise can't really go wrong with the RS7 option either. You can always save later for an exotic if you really want it.

That was one of my options but with the kid and the likelihood of going with a single all around car, I started to close that out. From a monetary perspective, these are the total costs. This is assuming worst case loss of $45K depreciation between buying an exotic and selling it whenever ready for house.

Option 1: B8.5 S4 + Exotic = $165K initial up front, $75K final cost [$35K S4 + ($135K exotic - $95K sale price of exotic)]
Option 2: 2016 S6 + Exotic = $185K initial up front, $95K final cost [$55K S6 + ($135K exotic - $95K sale price of exotic)]
Option 3: 2014 RS7 = $70K

As you can see above, when it comes time to buy a house, I would sell the exotic and would end up with just the daily driver which in the options above are the S4 or S6. So that is what I need to think about is will the S4/S6 be able to still hold me over when it times come to sell the exotic for the house?

Another option is to not take such a major leap into the $135K exotic and maybe just buy another "nice" toy. I was initially looking at buying a RS3 for my daily driver because of the 2.5 motor and how efficient it is, but the RS3 is just too small of a car. Then I realized that the same motor is in the 2018 TT-RS and thought about maybe doing a daily driver + that kind of a car which I believe are well below $100K cars.

[ewilliams1570]

Are you considering new S6 as an option considering the massive discounting going on due to the stop sale? I believe you can get a nicely optioned one for around $60k with the current discounting. That’s a lot of car for $60k new. I believe there is a thread floating around on this on the forum.


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[HardHitter]

Are you considering new S6 as an option considering the massive discounting going on due to the stop sale? I believe you can get a nicely optioned one for around $60k with the current discounting. That’s a lot of car for $60k new. I believe there is a thread floating around on this on the forum.


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Already tried talking to my dealership to see if we could get into the $60-$65K range and they said "They definitely wouldn't go that low on a new car."

[ewilliams1570]

Already tried talking to my dealership to see if we could get into the $60-$65K range and they said "They definitely wouldn't go that low on a new car."

Take a look on cargurus nationwide for S6s. I see several heavily discounted out there. Could be worth the cost savings to transport it from a non local dealer.


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[Eugeinus]

Helps to see the math as you laid it out - In that case, I'd probably vote for the S4 + Exotic. I think the question then is what's your preference? Having a solid/fast DD and something special in the garage for weekends, or having something like the RS7 which combines grocery getter with straight rocket-ship but will not be in the same class as an "exotic"? Can't really go wrong with any of the options honestly :-)

[HardHitter]

Helps to see the math as you laid it out - In that case, I'd probably vote for the S4 + Exotic. I think the question then is what's your preference? Having a solid/fast DD and something special in the garage for weekends, or having something like the RS7 which combines grocery getter with straight rocket-ship but will not be in the same class as an "exotic"? Can't really go wrong with any of the options honestly :-)

So what I realized with my last setup is I didn't drive the Porsche that much. I had a 1997 Dodge Viper GTS before it and it definitely didn't blend in with the rest of the cars like Porsche's do around here. My decision to buy the Porsche was because I would drive it more, but that wasn't the case. In the 1.5 years of ownership I maybe put 2k miles on it. With the cost of insurance and such, it wasn't worth having it when it was just sitting there.

So that's why I am hesitant with buying the exotic. Add in the fact that I am about to accept a new job where I will be working remotely from home, my driving will decrease even more. For example, my 2012 Mazdaspeed3 that I daily drive and bought brand new with 7 miles, only has 32,000 miles on it after 6 years.

The way I see it, the getting a exotic to me now seems to be more of a "checked the box" of buying my dream car but with current life situation, don't feel like I'd drive it enough to warrant the cost of ownership.

That is why I started looking into "cheaper" everyday cars which I can still daily drive and enjoy without breaking the bank. As mentioned before, the TT-RS is coming to mind, but I've done little to no research on them, just know they have the same RS3 motor and what kind of power those 2.5s are putting down with mods.

[Eugeinus]

So what I realized with my last setup is I didn't drive the Porsche that much. I had a 1997 Dodge Viper GTS before it and it definitely didn't blend in with the rest of the cars like Porsche's do around here. My decision to buy the Porsche was because I would drive it more, but that wasn't the case. In the 1.5 years of ownership I maybe put 2k miles on it. With the cost of insurance and such, it wasn't worth having it when it was just sitting there.

So that's why I am hesitant with buying the exotic. Add in the fact that I am about to accept a new job where I will be working remotely from home, my driving will decrease even more. For example, my 2012 Mazdaspeed3 that I daily drive and bought brand new with 7 miles, only has 32,000 miles on it after 6 years.

The way I see it, the getting a exotic to me now seems to be more of a "checked the box" of buying my dream car but with current life situation, don't feel like I'd drive it enough to warrant the cost of ownership.

That is why I started looking into "cheaper" everyday cars which I can still daily drive and enjoy without breaking the bank. As mentioned before, the TT-RS is coming to mind, but I've done little to no research on them, just know they have the same RS3 motor and what kind of power those 2.5s are putting down with mods.

Wish I could give you some feedback on the TT-RS, but outside of seeing one-two on the road here, I'm not familiar with em. Just based on your new job and being remote, sounds like an exotic is going to sit the majority of the time, so what are you really paying for there? Why not go RS7 then and just re-evaluate things once you see how the job is going / if the new house pans out? Not like you can't get an exotic later on and check that box.

[HardHitter]

Wish I could give you some feedback on the TT-RS, but outside of seeing one-two on the road here, I'm not familiar with em. Just based on your new job and being remote, sounds like an exotic is going to sit the majority of the time, so what are you really paying for there? Why not go RS7 then and just re-evaluate things once you see how the job is going / if the new house pans out? Not like you can't get an exotic later on and check that box.

I think the $100K+ exotic will start to fade out of the picture, but if I'm going with a "heavy" car like the S6/RS7, I'm going to want a fun tossable car. So it seems to come down to just do a RS7 and call it a day, or get a S6 + fun tossable car at a lower price point (say 60-80k range)

[15 Phantom S6]

Things always change in the future. Who knows what life brings...

Get the RS7 now and enjoy it. Unless you need a corner carver, the RS7 will check off all boxes in terms of wants and needs, no real "need" for an exotic in that case..

Use that $25k (if you bought the RS7) on your new house and if you still have the itch, get the exotic at that point and stick it in your new garage.. Why get an exotic knowing you'll need to get rid of it prior to buying a home, the extra cash used for the exotic may help out when picking out your home or options for the home..

[Prak98]

That was one of my options but with the kid and the likelihood of going with a single all around car, I started to close that out. From a monetary perspective, these are the total costs. This is assuming worst case loss of $45K depreciation between buying an exotic and selling it whenever ready for house.

Option 1: B8.5 S4 + Exotic = $165K initial up front, $75K final cost [$35K S4 + ($135K exotic - $95K sale price of exotic)]
Option 2: 2016 S6 + Exotic = $185K initial up front, $95K final cost [$55K S6 + ($135K exotic - $95K sale price of exotic)]
Option 3: 2014 RS7 = $70K

As you can see above, when it comes time to buy a house, I would sell the exotic and would end up with just the daily driver which in the options above are the S4 or S6. So that is what I need to think about is will the S4/S6 be able to still hold me over when it times come to sell the exotic for the house?

Another option is to not take such a major leap into the $135K exotic and maybe just buy another "nice" toy. I was initially looking at buying a RS3 for my daily driver because of the 2.5 motor and how efficient it is, but the RS3 is just too small of a car. Then I realized that the same motor is in the 2018 TT-RS and thought about maybe doing a daily driver + that kind of a car which I believe are well below $100K cars.

I feel like you'd miss the exotic a lot more when it comes time to sell it. To me, the RS7 seems like the best of both worlds. Only thing is as you said, it will be your only car, so you need to make sure it works for you.

[ENV²]

RS7 without a doubt

[phaphaphooey]

Man you have been agonizing over the decision for awhile now. I was dead set on getting an S7 but after driving an RS7 and seeing one in the flesh vs the S7 it was worth the extra money to me.

I will also say that I sold several exotics at the same time since I have a newborn as well and have much less time to drive them since my son ends up riding with me much of the time. Any of my cars that don't have a back seat for a infant carrier suddenly end up sitting in the garage quite a bit when you have a kid that you drive around a lot. I decided that since I am spending more time in my "normal" cars vs my "exotic" cars now, it would be worth it to put more money into those.

There still is no substitute for having something small and tossable as you suggested. The RS7 is an awesome DD but it is big and heavy. I recommend going the extra opposite. I have done that and it is quite refreshing. My AR 4C is the complete opposite of the RS7 and my Tesla and serves as a great foil. It is already an event to drive a car like that but it is even more so when you have a DD like the RS7. May I suggest looking into a 4C or an Elise or Exige. If you are ok with the lack of creature comforts it is hard to have more fun on 4 wheels than getting a minimalist car like those. They are cheap too, both in purchase and in running costs.

[HardHitter]

Man you have been agonizing over the decision for awhile now. I was dead set on getting an S7 but after driving an RS7 and seeing one in the flesh vs the S7 it was worth the extra money to me.

I will also say that I sold several exotics at the same time since I have a newborn as well and have much less time to drive them since my son ends up riding with me much of the time. Any of my cars that don't have a back seat for a infant carrier suddenly end up sitting in the garage quite a bit when you have a kid that you drive around a lot. I decided that since I am spending more time in my "normal" cars vs my "exotic" cars now, it would be worth it to put more money into those.

There still is no substitute for having something small and tossable as you suggested. The RS7 is an awesome DD but it is big and heavy. I recommend going the extra opposite. I have done that and it is quite refreshing. My AR 4C is the complete opposite of the RS7 and my Tesla and serves as a great foil. It is already an event to drive a car like that but it is even more so when you have a DD like the RS7. May I suggest looking into a 4C or an Elise or Exige. If you are ok with the lack of creature comforts it is hard to have more fun on 4 wheels than getting a minimalist car like those. They are cheap too, both in purchase and in running costs.

It has been quite some time hasn't it? Life has changed a lot in the last couple of months with a baby and new job that it always is making me change my mind. I just need to commit, but right now I'm going to research some toys in the $60-$80K range and if it is worth it. If not, I'll grab a RS7 and call it a day.

[Kodachrome]

When it came time to trade in my 2012 A4 my wife and I talked about what we would want to do next. Personally I had no issues with the size of the new S4 but when the chance to grab our RS7 came up and I test drove it, there was no going back, it is a monster in a tuxedo and when it comes to toting clients around the additional room is appreciated. I am mixed on the new style of the B9 A4 and S4 to begin with but there is something special to me about the RS7’s aircraft-like lines and clean front end.

It’s a car I will never tire of looking at and certainly not driving either. It’s no canyon crusher but we live up a curvy mountain road and it is handling it with aplomb. In terms of size, I feel the weight more than the girth, it’s 3” wider and 10” longer than the current S4 so not a huge deal but noticeable in the garage.

I’d love to go stage-1 but we have a fresh extended warranty on it and I am not sure what a tune does to third party coverage. In any case, this is an interesting dynamic here in this section of the Audi club, a lot of serious HP and enthusiasm, often well out of the price range of the majority of this site’s membership.

I find the RS7 to be an incredible car, probably destined to be one of the all time greats in Audi’s line up.

Enjoy whatever you get!

[HardHitter]

Quick update on this. With Audi offering huge discounts off MSRP due to the dealer cash, my local dealership just offered me the car below for $64K before tax. That's $20K off MSRP and seems like a amazing deal. Is there anything new/different between the 2016 S6 and the 2018 S6 from a technology perspective?

Additionally, do you think I go for this deal or spend the extra $5-$8K for a clean used RS7

2018 S6 Sedan 4.0T quattro S tronic - $83,925
5MK - Inlays - Carbon Atlas
916 - S Sport package
AFK - Audi first aid kit
ATT - ATT
LMC - USB Cables
PCN - Driver Assistance package
PPS - 20" Black optic package
RAB - Audi Beam - rings
S6K - Audi Guard protection kit
WL2 - Audi Guard wheel lock kit
WPT - Prestige package
Q2Q2 -Tornado Gray metallic / IM-Black
Vehicle Status Port

[HardHitter]

Nevermind, RS7 on the way!

[widebodyfx]

2016 won't have car play if that matters to you. Both cars are great but the RS7 is a totally different animal. I built up a S6 to stage 3 with lots of goodies, miss the way it was at the peak of modding but the RS7 out of the gate has a fair bit of "things" a modder would already want to do - more aggressive look (bumpers and exhaust style), RS grille, aggressive exhaust, easily get rid of amber and gobs of powah. To do those few appearance items on a S6 is many thousands, match the power is many more thousands.

[NardoRS7]

I’ve had the opportunity to check out some exotics (mostly the cars you mentioned) and compare them to my RS7. It was too hard for me to give up all the practicality of the RS7 just for a more exclusive car. I had a difficult time justifying paying double the money for “getting less” of a car. Some of those cars aren’t even faster than an RS7 so you can’t really say it’s better performance either. On top of all that, those cars are very dated with technology too. With some of these plug n play modules for Android Auto and CarPlay available for C7/C7.5 Audi’s, you can easily refresh the infotainment system in these cars.