Recommend Buying a S5 Cab as Daily Driver?

**snocat17** · 05-12-2017 08:03 AM

Hello all! I've been browsing around for a couple weeks reading posts, and started my serious search for an Audi S5 cab to replace my currently daily driver. Currently looking at 2014-2016 models.

I drive a '15 Hyunday Veloster non-turbo. It was fun and comfy for the first 50K miles, but now approaching 3 years old and over 65K miles, I'm ready to get rid of it. I drive about 500 miles a week commuting to work on two-lane 55/60 mph roads through the Ozarks with no stop lights and minimal traffic. I also have a GMC Hennessey Sierra for snowy days and I will be keeping it.

I am 6'4" and over 3 bills. I have a sizable investment that just paid off pretty big, so I am looking in the $40-59K range. I want something that is AWD and convertible. I live about 150 miles from the big city (St. Louis) but I have a local mechanic that will work on German cars. I don't normally carry any cargo with me, except for golf clubs or small bags every once in a while. I would prefer having ventilated seats and all the tech options.

Do you suggest I buy an S5, or look for another model?

**Brozee** · 05-12-2017 08:16 AM

I think it's a good idea if you plan on only light modding the vehicle. I went all out and did every mod possible, and lowered it significantly. This rendered the car not great for a daily driver. Given your size I personally believe the car is too small for you to be comfortable as a daily driver. Trust me, the mod bug will creep up on you. Only mod that really makes it not the best daily driver is the suspension lowering, etc. Once you have the car all nice you don't want to drive it in the winter, and given your're in MO you go through the same crap weather I do in Michigan. I purchased my S5, drove it year round for one year, then bought a winter car to drive in the crappy months. Ended up buying an E46 BMW, long story, bad decision as it was another 2 door coupe i modded just as much as my S5 and then I didn't want to drive that in the winter either haha! Ended up selling that and just using my 2005 A8 as my daily driver for when it isn't a nice day to drive the S5.

**thatTARDISguy** · 05-12-2017 11:59 AM

I've got an S5 Cab that I use as a daily in Chicago, and I honestly have only had one time in my over two years of owning it where I wished it was a coupe or sedan. For a convertible, it's extremely livable, and even in the winter, most people don't believe how nice it is with the top up in terms of noise, warmth, etc.

Let me know if you've got any specific questions! I'll be happy to help.

**audiBoon** · 05-12-2017 12:05 PM

You're a big dude. I'm 6' and I put the seat back all the way. If you fit in a veloster, you should definitely be fine in an s5. You're going to put 26k miles on it a year. That's quite a bit. I might switch to an a5 if you can deal with less power.

**snocat17** · 05-13-2017 08:04 PM

I found a 2016 S5 and went for a test drive today. Love the car! No problem on fit, and very comfortable with high performance.

Now to start the negotiations...

**snocat17** · 05-15-2017 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by thatTARDISguy

I've got an S5 Cab that I use as a daily in Chicago, and I honestly have only had one time in my over two years of owning it where I wished it was a coupe or sedan. For a convertible, it's extremely livable, and even in the winter, most people don't believe how nice it is with the top up in terms of noise, warmth, etc.

Let me know if you've got any specific questions! I'll be happy to help.

One thing I noticed on the test drive was there was a little bit of a delay in the gas pedal. I have a supercharged truck and driven Jag F-Type S and the lag wasn't that bad. Heck, even an EcoBoost Mustang seemed to have a better spring in the step. Is this just a nuance, or is frustrating over time?

Also, with the remote start, can it be started using an iPhone?

**LINDW4LL** · 05-15-2017 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by snocat17

One thing I noticed on the test drive was there was a little bit of a delay in the gas pedal. I have a supercharged truck and driven Jag F-Type S and the lag wasn't that bad. Heck, even an EcoBoost Mustang seemed to have a better spring in the step. Is this just a nuance, or is frustrating over time?

Also, with the remote start, can it be started using an iPhone?

Next time you drive it, try putting the engine in Dynamic mode under the Audi Drive Select menu. That will increase the throttle response.

There is no factory remote start option. If this car has it, it's an aftermarket system.

**thatTARDISguy** · 05-17-2017 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by snocat17

One thing I noticed on the test drive was there was a little bit of a delay in the gas pedal. I have a supercharged truck and driven Jag F-Type S and the lag wasn't that bad. Heck, even an EcoBoost Mustang seemed to have a better spring in the step. Is this just a nuance, or is frustrating over time?

Also, with the remote start, can it be started using an iPhone?

Dynamic mode helps, as mentioned before. A tune may help a bit as well here.

Additionally, Remote Start is tricky on these due to the DSG. There's a thread somewhere about this, but I believe the general concecsus was that most places don't touch remote start on these cars as a result.

**snocat17** · 05-17-2017 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by thatTARDISguy

Dynamic mode helps, as mentioned before. A tune may help a bit as well here.

Additionally, Remote Start is tricky on these due to the DSG. There's a thread somewhere about this, but I believe the general concecsus was that most places don't touch remote start on these cars as a result.

Yeah, I thought it was remote start, but turned out he just started it before I got there and had the key in his pocket.

I offered him $62K, so we'll see if he wants to play hard ball or not.

**snocat17** · 05-18-2017 08:40 PM

He didn't even try to counter my offer of $62K, but offered free Audi Care until 45K miles. I think I might come up a little more on my offer, but I don't want to pay over $65K for a two year old car with 3600 miles on it.

Anyone have thoughts on what he might accept?

**snocat17** · 05-16-2017 01:10 PM

It's a little interesting that the 2016 S5 Prestige I found has never been titled, so it is classified as new. It has 3600 miles on it, which kind of concerns me.

The dealer has it listed for $5K under MSRP at the moment. I think that's a little high. What do you all think it is worth?

**audiBoon** · 05-16-2017 01:18 PM

Is this an audi dealer? I don't know all the rules, but I thought after like 300mi, it was no longer considered "new." 5k off msrp is not much of a discount. I'd play serious hardball with them. And look around as well.

**snocat17** · 05-16-2017 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by audiBoon

Is this an audi dealer? I don't know all the rules, but I thought after like 300mi, it was no longer considered "new." 5k off msrp is not much of a discount. I'd play serious hardball with them. And look around as well.

That's what I thought too, but my brother worked in dealerships for 3 years and said it is still considered new. He said the value should be considered closer to CPO, but the warranty won't hit until 48 months from sale date, so that is a plus.

I am prepared serious hardball, knowing that they have already had to pay a significant portion of the original MSRP because it didn't sell in the first 12 months on their lot. I can only imagine how bad they want to get rid of it.

**LINDW4LL** · 05-16-2017 01:43 PM

I'm not super familiar with the cab market, but you have a LOT working in your favor given this is now a previous gen model, two model years old (2018 S5s are already on dealer lots), and the fact it has 3600 miles

Given that 10% on a new Audi is not unattainable, 15% at least?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**snocat17** · 05-16-2017 08:59 PM

He started at $69K, so about 10% below MSRP. I'm going to see if he'll go down more, since 2018 model MSRP is $74K.

**fasteddy91** · 05-21-2017 10:57 PM

My buddy lives in shell knob and I'm familiar with roads there...I would definitely say the car would be a good daily driver as long as you keep it at stock height or keep the lowering to a minimum.

Good luck.

**snocat17** · 05-23-2017 08:01 AM

Well, the dealer came down a little, but I actually found a better deal on a Used one in the exact paint and trim I want. I'm going to look at it Saturday and hopefully drive it home Sunday!

I will post pictures after everything goes through.

Thanks again!