Saying goodbye to the Audi family for now...

[Lugnuts]

It is with a heavy heart that I had to say goodbye to the S5 this past weekend. Routine wear and tear combined with maintenance needs had gotten to a point of diminishing returns. I've had my eye out for a suitable sport wagon as a replacement, but there is nothing on the market that really interested me.

I've owned VAG products exclusively for the past 26 years, all of them sporty, manual transmission, fun-to drive bundles of German engineering. It's replacement....

A soccer mom crossover. Lexus RX 350 F-Sport.

Flame suit on.

This vehicle will eventually replace my wife's CX-7 when I find my wagon, but until then it will be referred to as the 'Dad Van.'

Took the Lexus out to the Forks of the Credit for some break-in fun. It's no sports car, but it didn't do a bad job at all.

The S5 was not modified, but I do have winter tires on RS4 replicas in storage, and WeatherTech front seat floor liners available. There's also an Audi Sport license plate frame that I no longer have use for. Don't ask for pics of the wheels yet, too lazy to get them out right now

Waiting for an S4/RS4 avant...please AoC!!!!!

[Bruno_s4]

It's okay, you'll be back!

I guess the SQ5 wasn't on the radar? I assume it costs more than the RX350 though...

[Lugnuts]

The SQ5 was actually comparable in price with much better performance. I was never in love with the styling though.

The Lexus front-end is an in-your-face love it or hate it look with the huge front grill. My wife, well she loved all the bells and whistles of the RX. I'm not at all disappointed with the choice. We'll see if I feel the same way after the new car smell has worn off.

Next step is choosing between OptiCoat or cQuartz protection.

[Theiceman]

do you mind if I ask what you let the S-5 go for and what the milage was ? I want to one day pick up a used one as I really like them but no way can afford new. I was just wondering what they are going for these days .

Also what issues were you having or were imminent so I know what to look for when it comes time to get mine.

Thanks

[Lugnuts]

2009 S5, 130 000km, manual transmission without drive select. Going rate seems to be around $25 K.

I had no major mechanical issues with the car. Never had a CEL but I'm sure that a carbon cleaning would have been needed in the next year. Impending brake service as well as an ageing interior pushed me into selling while I could still get some value for it.