Traded in my 2005 S4

[_Delaware]

After 10 years of ownership I got a decent trade in amount on a 2010 911. After 24 hours...I miss the S4. That has to change, right?

This site has been a great source of information over the last decade.

[Spaceme1117]

Could you share how much you got for you S4? How many miles on the S4?

[VinnysS4]

Go drive something faster. You shouldn't miss your s too much.

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[texasboy21]

You miss the S4 after replacing it with a 911? What?!?!? How??!?!

[_Delaware]

Red
B6
manual
chain service NOT done
leaking a little oil on my garage all of the sudden
85k miles
$9k

[_Delaware]

You miss the S4 after replacing it with a 911? What?!?!? How??!?!

Interior is nicer on the S4. V8 sound. Don't get me wrong the 911 is great after one day...but.

When I traded in my 350Z for the S4 ten years ago, I never looked back as soon as I left the lot in the S4.

[justinperkins]

Damn, my b6 had 85k on it when I bought it 8 and a half years ago

[Spaceme1117]

Some places have a 3 day return on a car purchase. Maybe you could get your S4 back.

[Mr.Wrong]

Not the first one to say you miss B6/7 S4 after getting into pcar or others. This platform is quite special. You never know, you might find yourself in a B7 RS4 down the line hehe Btw that’s an awesome trade in value!

[ILVTRANCE]

9k!?!

[Mr.Wrong]

9k!?!

exactly my thought

[tjbradney]

So where are you located in Delaware


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[VinnysS4]

I wouldn't take 9 for mine lol

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[Jdsb6s4]

9k!?!

I think 9 is very respectable especially since the timing chains, guides and cam adjusters haven't been replaced...

[VinnysS4]

Absolutely. I think that is a screaming deal for a trade in value on that car in that condition. I just wouldn't take 9 for mine LOL

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[oaybar007]

I say give it time. You're in a 997, flat six, fun and more fun. I agree that the b6 platform is uniquely fun. I don't drive a fast S4 like you guys around here, but I am spending money refreshing my ultra sport- which I just don't want to let go. I think much of it has to do with nostalgia too. A lot of us buy a certain car, at a certain point in life, and it just fits like a glove. It's fun, keeps you interested, etc. That's what happened to me.

If you really miss it after a few months, could always find a nice clean S4 and have another go at it. Maybe even an RS4 ;).

[_Delaware]

Already found a buyer for the 911. Lesson learned on losing my S4. The dealer found a home for it quick.

[TEB]

I felt the same way moving to the B8S4.

[s4ski]

Already found a buyer for the 911. Lesson learned on losing my S4. The dealer found a home for it quick.

Wow, trying to wrap my head around the 911 getting kicked to the curb. So you will replace with another B6/B7 S4? Besides the V8 stereo, did the S4 have a driving feel that was missing in the 911 for you?

[helli217]

Already found a buyer for the 911. Lesson learned on losing my S4. The dealer found a home for it quick.

As someone else said, move up to a nice lower mileage RS4. It has all of the things you love about the S4, just that much better.

[S4Bennett]

I have both and it’s the same car from the inside.

[_Delaware]

Wow, trying to wrap my head around the 911 getting kicked to the curb. So you will replace with another B6/B7 S4? Besides the V8 stereo, did the S4 have a driving feel that was missing in the 911 for you?

Allow me to explain...

As many car guys/gals do, I have wanted a 911 since I was a child in the 80's. Prior to the S4, I had a 350z which my wife and I loved. In 2008, once we decided to have children, I needed to replace the Z. For 3 months I researched CPO'd c55 AMG, M3 and S4. c55 had great engine but no manual, M3 had manual but an I6, S4 had manual and V-8. Decision made. I test drove about 4 or 5 low mileage S4's over a number of weeks. Found a perfect one with 13k miles, traded in the Z and 10 minutes into the ride home forgot I ever owned the Z. The S4 was an awesome family car for someone like me. Fast and kind of loud (AWE), but great for hauling the family. Sun, rain and snow. It was an awesome car for 10 years.

Now, my kids are out of baby seats and into boosters (high-back of course). I thought I was ready for a two door car with back seats. Started researching too many cars to list here in the summer of 2017. I started focusing on 911’s in the late fall. I learned that 1999 to 2004 (996) 911’s can be had at an incredible discount versus older 911’s and of course newer models for various reasons (first of the water cooled, headlight design, etc). These cars also have some known fixable issues (primarily IMS/RMS). But once fixed can be very reliable cars. Kept researching. As I researched I saw that the next generation, the 997 (2005-2012), more or less fixed the design criticisms and the IMS/RMS issues. They can be had for a premium to the 996. More research showed that the 997 has two generations 997.1 (2005-2008) and 997.2 (2009-2012). The 2005 997.1 still had a small potential for an IMS problem, 2006-2008 had the IMS but virtually no issues. The 997.2 had a completely redesigned engine. My focus was 2006-2012 – depending on what I could find and test drive. So I test drove 5 911s. 2006 (2), 2007, 2009 and 2010. They were awesome to test drive. Even had my wife and kids sit in one to make sure everyone fit. In early April, after a clean PPI, pulled the trigger on a 2010 911 base model. Not a scratch or dent on the thing with 28k miles. Traded in the S4, drove the 911 home from NJ to DE. 30 minutes in to the drive started to feel buyer’s remorse, but laughed it off. I wanted to be in the S4 instead. Later that day my wife and kids came home and we went for a drive. They were less than enthused. I had to give it a few days to make sure my feelings were legit. I did not get better. Dropping the kids of at school in the morning, driving to work and driving home. I was not enjoying it. Wanted the S4 back. The 911 was too low to the ground, too small and cramped inside. I felt the interior of my 5 year older S4 with 60k more miles was head and shoulders better than the once $90k 2010 911. Not even close actually. However the driving experience was incredible…felt more like a racecar than a daily driver. My bad. I made a mistake. I found a buyer, one of the specialty car dealers where I test drove the 2007. Eight days after I bought it, it was sold. As of last night I have a 3 year A3 2.0 Quattro lease.

I will take a couple of years to level set and figure out what my next fast car will be.

[Blackstallion]

Allow me to explain...

As many car guys/gals do, I have wanted a 911 since I was a child in the 80's. Prior to the S4, I had a 350z which my wife and I loved. In 2008, once we decided to have children, I needed to replace the Z. For 3 months I researched CPO'd c55 AMG, M3 and S4. c55 had great engine but no manual, M3 had manual but an I6, S4 had manual and V-8. Decision made. I test drove about 4 or 5 low mileage S4's over a number of weeks. Found a perfect one with 13k miles, traded in the Z and 10 minutes into the ride home forgot I ever owned the Z. The S4 was an awesome family car for someone like me. Fast and kind of loud (AWE), but great for hauling the family. Sun, rain and snow. It was an awesome car for 10 years.

Now, my kids are out of baby seats and into boosters (high-back of course). I thought I was ready for a two door car with back seats. Started researching too many cars to list here in the summer of 2017. I started focusing on 911’s in the late fall. I learned that 1999 to 2004 (996) 911’s can be had at an incredible discount versus older 911’s and of course newer models for various reasons (first of the water cooled, headlight design, etc). These cars also have some known fixable issues (primarily IMS/RMS). But once fixed can be very reliable cars. Kept researching. As I researched I saw that the next generation, the 997 (2005-2012), more or less fixed the design criticisms and the IMS/RMS issues. They can be had for a premium to the 996. More research showed that the 997 has two generations 997.1 (2005-2008) and 997.2 (2009-2012). The 2005 997.1 still had a small potential for an IMS problem, 2006-2008 had the IMS but virtually no issues. The 997.2 had a completely redesigned engine. My focus was 2006-2012 – depending on what I could find and test drive. So I test drove 5 911s. 2006 (2), 2007, 2009 and 2010. They were awesome to test drive. Even had my wife and kids sit in one to make sure everyone fit. In early April, after a clean PPI, pulled the trigger on a 2010 911 base model. Not a scratch or dent on the thing with 28k miles. Traded in the S4, drove the 911 home from NJ to DE. 30 minutes in to the drive started to feel buyer’s remorse, but laughed it off. I wanted to be in the S4 instead. Later that day my wife and kids came home and we went for a drive. They were less than enthused. I had to give it a few days to make sure my feelings were legit. I did not get better. Dropping the kids of at school in the morning, driving to work and driving home. I was not enjoying it. Wanted the S4 back. The 911 was too low to the ground, too small and cramped inside. I felt the interior of my 5 year older S4 with 60k more miles was head and shoulders better than the once $90k 2010 911. Not even close actually. However the driving experience was incredible…felt more like a racecar than a daily driver. My bad. I made a mistake. I found a buyer, one of the specialty car dealers where I test drove the 2007. Eight days after I bought it, it was sold. As of last night I have a 3 year A3 2.0 Quattro lease.

I will take a couple of years to level set and figure out what my next fast car will be.

I enjoyed reading this - when I was a teenager I use to love getting in a close friends dad 911. Never wowed me but the Porsche stature did - I tend to remember cars I enjoyed as a youngster and sitting backseat of the e39 540i 6sp still sits in the back of my head with a large grin. Not a S4 but 4 door v8 6sp you get what I'm saying...

Enjoy the A3 goodluck on your next adventure

[itsmatt33]

goes from v8 s4, to 911, to A3?! locked in for 3yr lease? why didnt you just hunt for a low mileage rs4? everything you missed about the s4 then some.

[_Delaware]

goes from v8 s4, to 911, to A3?! locked in for 3yr lease? why didnt you just hunt for a low mileage rs4? everything you missed about the s4 then some.

I had a buyer for the 911, had to move quickly. The experience really p!ssed me off (at myself of course). I have been eyeballing the RS3 anyway. My thought is to work something out in 2 years maybe to get a CPO RS3 and trade in my A3 early. Taking a chill pill with cars for right now.

[Jargon]

I enjoyed reading your story as well.

My thought is to work something out in 2 years maybe to get a CPO RS3 and trade in my A3 early.

And I think this is a great plan. A CPO RS3 will likely be a great deal.

[Gosser]

I think you need both the S4 and 911. One for the family and the other for the weekend or solo driving.

[Mr. Corey]

Interesting take on the 997.2 I didn't get it at 1st, but as a daily its not as cool..... Question is, what if your S4 is a weekend car? Should I get a 911

[_Delaware]

I think you need both the S4 and 911. One for the family and the other for the weekend or solo driving.

I left that part of the story out (my fingers were getting tired). When I was researching the 996 (the discounted generation), I was going to keep the S4 and buy a 996. For various reasons I did not.

[_Delaware]

Question is, what if your S4 is a weekend car? Should I get a 911

Haha. I could not daily drive the 911. I thought I could and the idea of doing so was exciting. Porsche had an advertising campaign when the car came out about daily driving it (the mom picking up kids at school in a 911 Turbo). However, it is incredibly bumpy...a very rough ride. It was exhausting. It has made me re-think how much I like actual sports cars (Porsche, Ferrari, etc). I guess I am more of a GT person.

[s4ski]

OP, thanks for sharing your experience. I think the 911 has been a holy grail car for many, including me. I nearly bought a late 70's S targa before I bought the S4. What a fun, genuine sports car driving experience, but well aware of the problems with that era I passed. You make a good point about the combination of fun to drive, comfort, quality and practicality found in the S4. I have no doubt you will make a great choice the next time.

[S4Bennett]

Fantasy didn’t match the reality. I wouldn’t buy a Porsche unless it was closer to the extreme of vehicle ownership - Turbo S or GTRS, but you’d have to keep a practical car as well because you wouldn’t want to drive it everyday.

[pablolizarraga]

My thought is to work something out in 2 years maybe to get a CPO RS3 and trade in my A3 early. Taking a chill pill with cars for right now.

Just saw a black RS3 in person and was totally impressed. Unfortunately, didn’t hear that 5cyl engine. Not 2 years for me, but maybe in the distant future the RS3 as a daily driver w/ my B6 USP as an always ongoing love/hate project.



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[oaybar007]

Porsche does have an allure but as you experienced, sometimes a sports luxury sedan fits better. Nothing wrong with that! The hunt for the eventual next one is always the fun part anyways :)!

[_Delaware]

Enjoying the A3 2.0 so far. A change of pace certainly. I have not had a "relaxed" car since I was 17 with a 1986 Civic.

I feel like I could love an RS3. If it is more or less the same car with a ton more power...I'll take it.

[VinnysS4]

Enjoying the A3 2.0 so far. A change of pace certainly. I have not had a "relaxed" car since I was 17 with a 1986 Civic.

I feel like I could love an RS3. If it is more or less the same car with a ton more power...I'll take it.

Same car with much much more power. You won't be disappointed

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[_Delaware]

Almost two months later and still regret getting rid of my B6...at least twice a day every day. When I drive to work in the morning and when I drive home after work. Every single time I have to drive somewhere really. It is inexcusable that I sold it.

[Mr. Corey]

This looks like a great replacement to put a smile back on your face
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...-Houston-Texas

[_Delaware]

Just test drove a B9 S4 (2018). I think that is what I am going to get. The A3 body style is too small. And want to be back in an S4...

[Jdsb6s4]

Almost two months later and still regret getting rid of my B6...at least twice a day every day. When I drive to work in the morning and when I drive home after work. Every single time I have to drive somewhere really. It is inexcusable that I sold it.

I would possibly sell you my avant if the money was right:)