So deciding between the two. Either an 2004 A8 or a 2005 A6 4.2. A8 guys say with an A8 (makes sense). How about the A6 guys?

In the past, I have had a A4 and S4, so I naturally lean towards the smaller car. Will be used to put on stupid miles for my sales job. Probably 25K to 30K a year. Besides rebuilding a tranny, I do all of my own wrench work. So parts costs is a concern, not having to do work on it.

A6 a better choice? Or all things equal, such as price, go for an A8?

 

I havent owned and a8, and i love my a6. If it were me Id probably go with the a8, while its gonna be slower, the a6 isnt really a performer itself, so you might as well go for the larger more luxurious car.

The only thing that makes me hesitate here is that the 2005 is the newer body style a6 so it looks alot more modern than the 2004 a8 (which is probably the reason they are similalrly priced). The a6 also always looked slicker in my opinion anyway, so you have to decide whether you value comfort or asthetics.

Hope this helps.

 

personally i like the a8's better. and if its a 4.2 a6, im sure its loaded to the gills with all the electronics and fun stuff, so you're likely to have the same issues (if anything does break). also is it a standard wheel base or extended a8?

 

From what I can tell, the 2004 only comes in a long. In 2005, there was the option for the regular. But going to an '05 pushes the price a bit.

Good point on the A6 having the same electronics if something goes. Might have to let the wife decide!

 

well theyre both really nice cars...imo you cant go wrong with either one. ill have to look into the availability of the standard wheel base for that year that's interesting. good luck!

 

If you are only going to do highway sales miles, why not go with the smaller and save gas? Hell, get something designed for mileage and reliability and save yourself the trouble.

 

Like a Sonata? Haven't died yet.

Plus work pays for all gas. I live up in the Midwest now, so getting a Quattro again would be nice.

 

Unless you are carrying a bunch of passengers or samples (TX to the mid-west, begs the question of what you are selling), I would vote for the smaller, newer vehicle. Nothing against the A8s. I have owned my A6 since 2005 and have 176k miles on it, mostly highway. It is a wonderful highway cruiser and outstanding in the bad weather (as would be an A8). I think the A6 4.2 will probably be decent on gas giving how little the V8 will work at speed -- probably comparable to my littler engine.

I also have a 2003 A4 3.0 and enjoy the smaller car just as much (but it belongs to my daughter). If I was going to replace my A6 at this time, I would be looking at another A4. As a matter of fact, an S4 or RS4 might be tempting when the time comes. But for now I intend to keep driving my 2.7T.

 

I used to live in TX, so use that as a screen name. My area will more include Minneapolis out to KC, Chicago, Omaha, St. Lious etc.

No special, or illegal, product here!

 

as an A6 driver, I consider myself biased