'06 S4 Cab Purchase Questions

[Shark01]

Hello,
I'm looking at an '06 S4 Cabriolet available within a couple of hundred miles, went and looked at and drove it yesterday and have a few questions.

1. Do the rear seat head rests come off on the convertible? I ask because the car seat we put in for the test drive rested on top of the head rest so we lost an inch or two of legroom for the 2 year old.

2. I'm concerned about the driving range of the car between fill-ups. I'm OK with the mileage, but that coupled with a smallish 16 gallon tank puts me right on the cut-line between filling up every other day (yuck) and every 3rd day. If my daily 90 mile commute is 75% highway (I'll try to keep it to 65-70 mph) do you think I can average 19 mpg top up or down?

3. As you know, this car is a V8 soft top. Do you think this will hurt resale 4-5 years down the road when so many cars are going to smaller forced induction engines and hard tops?

4. Finally, I'm intending to put 15k miles per year on the car. I already have an awesome fun car (Porsche Turbo). Is this the wrong application for an S4?

FWIW, the other car I'm looking at is a VW EOS...

Thanks for your input

[EYE4SPEED]

There is a factory windscreen that you want to use, otherwise it gets pretty windy the cabin. That screen covers the backseat and is not "baby seat" or "anything" in the back seat friendly.

I get just over 200 miles to a tank, mostly highway driving, using Shell 93 octane.

As for re-sale, Audi's DO NOT hold their value very well. Just look at how much you're buying yours for and compare it to the original MSRP. These cars drop their value quicker than most of the Japanese or even the MB/BMWs.

That EOS is nice in a hardtop, but the two cars aren't even in the same class - performance, features, QUATTRO, etc.

Good luck in your search - just wondering how much an 06 with only few hundred miles is? Make sure you get the BBS wheels, that was a split year with wheel options.

[Shark01]

The S4 I'm looking at is a couple of hundred miles from where I live, the car itself has 15k miles.

So you are only getting 12.5 mpg for mostly highway driving? Wow, I couldn't live with that. I'm not poor, but things have to make some kind of sense. For example, my 500+ hp Porsche turbo gets 23 mpg on my normal drive, which includes regular hits on the "boost bong".

Yes, the car I'm looking at has depreciated 48% in 2+ years, but I was hoping it would slow down.

Yes, I agree the EOS is not in the same class (drove both back to back this weekend), but a 2007 EOS can be had for $23k....neat little car for that.

Thanks for your input, I was wondering if anyone would respond. My wife is telling me to take my dump this week or get off the pot

[EYE4SPEED]

I should have read your original post better. Glad you were able to locate one close to you. Check out the Midwest and East Coast for cars - end of the year sales with winter here and even with shipping, could be less than down South.

I have a heavy foot off the line and stop light to stop light, not so much at hwy speeds. There have been a few posts about MPG's for the S4's and unfortunately fuel economy is not a selling point for this car. The rumble and the acceleration makes it all worth it.

[b6onboost]

I don't think an S4 is right for your application. Ever consider an A4 cabrio?

[Chapunki]

I don't think an S4 is right for your application. Ever consider an A4 cabrio?

+ 1

[Shark01]

I don't think an S4 is right for your application. Ever consider an A4 cabrio?

No, have to have a manual transmission.....here is an area where BMW has Audi whipped, can get a manual on any 3 series. But after having one, I don't fancy another

I'd be plenty happy if I could get 18 mpg in 80% highway and 20% city driving, and I'm willing to drive like a grandpa to get it

[SharkyS4]

IMO, mileage should be around 16-19mpg. 90 miles per day adds up to more than 15k per year...On the topic of resale, sadly audi's won't hold their value too well...

Awesome convertible though....

[$4c@b]

No, have to have a manual transmission.....here is an area where BMW has Audi whipped, can get a manual on any 3 series. But after having one, I don't fancy another

I'd be plenty happy if I could get 18 mpg in 80% highway and 20% city driving, and I'm willing to drive like a grandpa to get it

totally worth it.

I enjoy every second driving my car...and on the rare occasion I get to be a passenger, I appreciate it even more.

I think you can get decent mileage if you take it easy often enough.

[Charlescrs6]

the EOS is much more comparable to an a4 cab, why not look at a b7 a4 2.0t cab? You can get GOOD milage in those.

[Shark01]

the EOS is much more comparable to an a4 cab, why not look at a b7 a4 2.0t cab? You can get GOOD milage in those.

Won't accept an automatic transmission.......

More to life than just steering

[Chapunki]

I think you will be happier with the EOS than a S4 Cab, the gas mileage will be much better, you won't take such a dramatic hit on the depreciation, it's a hardtop/convertible with a smaller forced induction engine. Pretty much what you are looking for.

[Shark01]

I think you will be happier with the EOS than a S4 Cab, the gas mileage will be much better, you won't take such a dramatic hit on the depreciation, it's a hardtop/convertible with a smaller forced induction engine. Pretty much what you are looking for.

I'm pretty well torn. A 2007 EOS with 15k miles is going for $23k, while the 2006 S4 with 15k miles is $34k. Its not so much the mileage that bothers me as it is the range. In the recent past, I've considered a Jeep Wrangler which has horrible mileage....but the 21 gallon tank made up the difference.

I've driven the S4, and was TOTALLY impressed by everything, and this car is completely loaded (over $8k in options). Lets face it, the EOS isn't very exciting...just solid transportation with the hardtop twist.

Depreciation wise, the S4 has already declined 48% and the EOS 32%.

[Shark01]

UPDATE:

Finally made a purchase, not an S4 however. Bought a 2007 BMW 335i convertible. Loaded, CPO, free shipping, less than $40k.

Just wanted to say thanks for all your help the past few months. At least I now know what a coil pack is

Good luck everyone

[serumk]

Based on some of the concerns you've raised, and the fact that you are planning to drive the car 15k per year, and already have a Porsche for a fun car, I'd buy the Eos.