Does it make sense to keep my 2013 leased S4

[tarunck]

hello all.. I need some expert advice on whether its a good idea to keep my 2013 leased Audi S4? Its P+, brilliant black, B&O, Nappa silver/black, 18" all season, carbon atlas inlays. I have to pay 30700(not including 6% taxes) to keep the car (sticker 55055$). The car doesn't have any problems and clocked 26000 miles. No dents, scratches and maintained at its best.
I am in a big dilemma as I can't find a similar or anything closer to that car in that price range. Also would like to know approx. how much would it worth in the next 1 year with around 40k miles if I plan to keep the car. Will I lose a lot?

[LionsPhilosophy]

Keep it, has no comparison for the price in luxury and performance


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine mobile app

[circle]

Why don't you just check the black book value of a 2012 now? or autotrader - 20% or so?

But +1 to keeping the car. Nothing puts a smile on my face like this one.

[tarunck]

With these responses now I feel more comfortable to keep the car :)
+1 for nothing comes close to this car..

[tarunck]

Why don't you just check the black book value of a 2012 now? or autotrader - 20% or so?

But +1 to keeping the car. Nothing puts a smile on my face like this one.

Yeah I can check the blackbook however since the new B9 S4 will be available next year I think the 2013 models would drop a bit more in 2017 than the 2012 dropped in 2016. I might be wrong

[chaos2984]

If you can't find anything and you are "in Love" with the car then just keep it. This is what I'm doing with mine. Im keeping my lease. Just buy it out and keep it. I guess see what book value of the car is. Or you can go to your local Carmax and see what they will give you for the car and that will give you bottom dollar value

[The Fat Kid]

Look for similar 2012s with an extra 8k miles to get an idea of what your car could be worth in a year. As mentioned, the release of the B9s could cause a bigger dip in used B8 S4 prices.

People have found great lease deals on M3s, just in case you want something sportier.

[mmm def]

I was in love with my S4, wanted to try out a 997 so i traded it in. Guess what..I'm back in another B8 S4 and happy. Sounds like you enjoy it want to keep it, so do it.

[The Fat Kid]

I was in love with my S4, wanted to try out a 997 so i traded it in. Guess what..I'm back in another B8 S4 and happy. Sounds like you enjoy it want to keep it, so do it.

Were the issues specifically with the 997, or the 911 in general? I might go for a CPO 991 C2S or maybe even an F80 M3. There is also a chance that I put the summer setup back on and like the S4 again...

[Dr GP]

Based on the info provided, it would seem most likely that the lease end buyout will be less than market value of the car. Audi residuals are usually low. If you like the car and don't have something else you are interested in, buy it. You will be getting the car at a bargain price. If and when you decide you want something else, you can trade the car or as just take it to Carmax and sell it to them. BTW, I am on my 3rd B8 S4, mostly because I can't find anything I like better in the price range. These cars are in short supply and high demand with good reliability. As a result , they are holding their value well.

[SteveYem]

Were the issues specifically with the 997, or the 911 in general? I might go for a CPO 991 C2S or maybe even an F80 M3. There is also a chance that I put the summer setup back on and like the S4 again...

Sounds like you have that 6-month New England winter time itch. You're sick of driving your S4 because your S4 drives like crap (relatively) on winter tires in cold weather. Put those summer tires back on and wait until the weather heats up a bit, then enjoy rediscovering your increased grip and reduced interior rattles/buzzes.

[bakedziti]

Based on the info provided, it would seem most likely that the lease end buyout will be less than market value of the car. Audi residuals are usually low. If you like the car and don't have something else you are interested in, buy it. You will be getting the car at a bargain price. If and when you decide you want something else, you can trade the car or as just take it to Carmax and sell it to them. BTW, I am on my 3rd B8 S4, mostly because I can't find anything I like better in the price range. These cars are in short supply and high demand with good reliability. As a result , they are holding their value well.

This!

Biggest question I have is if you have equity into the lease? Likely you do, so your best bet is to purchase the car and then get rid of it later if you want. I wouldn't say that you're getting the car at a bargain, as you have obviously paid your monthly payment to amass that equity, but you're better off than if you had paid at depreciation and came out square in my opinion. From my understanding, most Audi leases end up in this situation; which is why many of the leases turn to purchases, only to be traded in on the next car.

[tarunck]

Thanks again for helping me out feel happy that my decision is the right one.

If you can't find anything and you are "in Love" with the car then just keep it. This is what I'm doing with mine. Im keeping my lease. Just buy it out and keep it. I guess see what book value of the car is. Or you can go to your local Carmax and see what they will give you for the car and that will give you bottom dollar value

I am based in Michigan and we dont have a Carmax nearby. The closest one seems to be ~150 miles away.
Anyhow with all the suggestions, am going to keep it and the fact is I love it.

Look for similar 2012s with an extra 8k miles to get an idea of what your car could be worth in a year. As mentioned, the release of the B9s could cause a bigger dip in used B8 S4 prices.

People have found great lease deals on M3s, just in case you want something sportier.

As this would be my daily driver and considering bad Michigan winter I prefer an AWD and nothing comes close to S4's all weather practicality.

Based on the info provided, it would seem most likely that the lease end buyout will be less than market value of the car. Audi residuals are usually low. If you like the car and don't have something else you are interested in, buy it. You will be getting the car at a bargain price. If and when you decide you want something else, you can trade the car or as just take it to Carmax and sell it to them. BTW, I am on my 3rd B8 S4, mostly because I can't find anything I like better in the price range. These cars are in short supply and high demand with good reliability. As a result , they are holding their value well.

+1 to "because I can't find anything I like better in the price range". I would buy it back.

Any thoughts on if I should get an extended warranty vs waiting till end of 4th year. I might sell it off before the 4yr warranty ends but again if I am in the same situation as now next year, can I buy an extended warranty similar to Audi CPO warranty from a 3rd party? If so any recommendations?

[casualalfredo]

keep it

[The Fat Kid]

Sounds like you have that 6-month New England winter time itch. You're sick of driving your S4 because your S4 drives like crap (relatively) on winter tires in cold weather. Put those summer tires back on and wait until the weather heats up a bit, then enjoy rediscovering your increased grip and reduced interior rattles/buzzes.

Yup, it could just be due to the WS80s I am now remembering how the S4 felt neutered when I first installed them... I am probably selling the whole setup and going with winter performance next year if I keep the S4.

[b8audis4]

I was in love with my S4, wanted to try out a 997 so i traded it in. Guess what..I'm back in another B8 S4 and happy. Sounds like you enjoy it want to keep it, so do it.

I want to get into a 997 or 991 at some point so I would be interested to hear why you went back to a B8 S4.

[audinator]

only 26,000? For $30700 thats a deal!!! No way you'll find lone that low milage for less.

keep = +1

[vwblackb5]

Yup, it could just be due to the WS80s I am now remembering how the S4 felt neutered when I first installed them... I am probably selling the whole setup and going with winter performance next year if I keep the S4.

+1.. I was getting the same neutered vibe then I caved in and installed the CTS Intake earlier than I had planned, which gave me that 6 to midnight feeling again. And in 2 weeks time I'll be switching out the WS80's as well. Maybe I'll forget about the F80 for awhile.. Maybe :)

If you end up getting rid of the blizzaks, would recommend switching to Dunlop Wintersport 3D's. I have them on my B5 and have been alternating driving it between the S4 during these horrible high temps (since the blizzaks get super soft). Only caveat with the Dunlop's are during deep snow, the blizzaks did much better (almost unstoppable).

[The Fat Kid]

+1.. I was getting the same neutered vibe then I caved in and installed the CTS Intake earlier than I had planned, which gave me that 6 to midnight feeling again. And in 2 weeks time I'll be switching out the WS80's as well. Maybe I'll forget about the F80 for awhile.. Maybe :)

If you end up getting rid of the blizzaks, would recommend switching to Dunlop Wintersport 3D's. I have them on my B5 and have been alternating driving it between the S4 during these horrible high temps (since the blizzaks get super soft). Only caveat with the Dunlop's are during deep snow, the blizzaks did much better (almost unstoppable).

I was looking at M3s this afternoon and thinking, "Oh, I could do the M3 for 12 - 18 months, and then get the 911 once the kid is big enough for a forward-facing car seat since that is easier with the tiny back seats..." I am nuts.

My urge to drop the S4 is probably partially due to the WS80s, so I will reassess after putting the summers back on. The problem is that I have already talked to my wife about the 911 and she does not really care, which means that stupid car is stuck in my head

Thanks for the Dunlop recommendation; I will check them out for next year.

[joediesel]

My urge to drop the S4 is probably partially due to the WS80s

Haha I have WS80s on at the moment too, with these tires the car is practically unstoppable in the snow. I got caught in a blizzard on my way home to NY from Boston and I cruised at 45-50 in the left unplowed lane (3-4"packed down) all the way home, felt like dry pavement.

But I agree, this morning I took a quick twisty section of road and feared for my life...cant wait to get the summers back on.

OP definitely keep it, like others have said, its a great deal you will be getting. If you want something in a few months sell it and you can probably still make a few bucks. I have a year left on my lease and I plan on keeping it. Tough to beat it for the price.

[3rdGearEvo]

I'd buy it. I'm in a similar situation. I took over a 42 month lease on a 2014 S4 in September '15. I have about 20 payments remaining and I'll owe about $28k in December 2017. I can't really think of a single complaint about the car. It gets tons of compliments wherever I go. As for a winter setup I got a set of Blizzak LM-60's. Best performance winter tire I've ever tried.

[rota92]

You've already likely been raked over the coals, so at least enjoy the fruits of your labor if you don't see anything else around.

You're getting a good deal on a car that would otherwise be much more money, and you know the cars history.

Is it a 6MT?

[Oloung1]

I might sell it off before the 4yr warranty ends but again if I am in the same situation as now next year, can I buy an extended warranty similar to Audi CPO warranty from a 3rd party? If so any recommendations?

i went with fidelity $100 deductible on 7yr/70k mile with my 2014 lease buyout this month. it might be overkill and might not work for your yearly mileage. i was also eyeing the f80 m3 as well but it's currently out of my financial comfort zone lol.

[chaos2984]

I'd buy it. I'm in a similar situation. I took over a 42 month lease on a 2014 S4 in September '15. I have about 20 payments remaining and I'll owe about $28k in December 2017. I can't really think of a single complaint about the car. It gets tons of compliments wherever I go. As for a winter setup I got a set of Blizzak LM-60's. Best performance winter tire I've ever tried.

This is the same lease I'm in right now. Now I didn't take it over. But I'm in the same boat and price at buy out and everything. But I plan to buy it out this time next year. I'm not going to wait till lease end.

if your looking for some winter tires I have a set of almost new 19 Blizzaks for sale.

[tarunck]

You've already likely been raked over the coals, so at least enjoy the fruits of your labor if you don't see anything else around.

You're getting a good deal on a car that would otherwise be much more money, and you know the cars history.

Is it a 6MT?

Its s-tronic.

[tarunck]

i went with fidelity $100 deductible on 7yr/70k mile with my 2014 lease buyout this month. it might be overkill and might not work for your yearly mileage. i was also eyeing the f80 m3 as well but it's currently out of my financial comfort zone lol.

Thanks. How much did that warranty cost you?
F80 M3 was on my list when I cross shopped for CPO S6 in 2014. After a long chat with a friendly BMW dealer, he suggested that I go with S6 if I am going to use it as a daily driver as the Michigan roads are very bad especially in winter. I went ahead and bought a S6 but I unfortunately lost it last year when it hydrolocked in a foot of water which I realized after I drove in to it . S6 was an entirely different beast.. while S4 excels in corners the S6 is a rocket in straight line acceleration and has a split personality in comfort(air suspension helps for the plush ride when required) vs dynamic.