I am a 17 year old High School Senior. I formerly drove in a 2000 Audi A6 but it was totaled in a crash. Befre you get any conclusions I am going to be a cadet at the United States Military Academy. I have never done drugs, drank, or partied hard. This may sound arrogant but I am an excellent student in High School and look forward to attending the United States Military Academy as a cadet. My mother is interested in buying me a car in reward for the free education I will recieve in college. My mother wants to buy me an extremely nice car.

I will be needing a car for the year of 2011. At that time it will be required of me that I am able to drive anyplace as an officer in the U.S. Army. My mom wants to buy me the a car that will last me 9 years and will be a reward for achieving what I have. I want to know if you guys think they will have released the RS6? If so, how much is the cost estimated at?

 

I would recommend asking your mother for a another used A6 and ask her to put the rest of the money she would have spent in a CD or something in your name that you can cash in when you get out of the Army. As a former US Marine I greatly appreciate your decision to serve your country. However you should be prepared to make next to nothing for at least the next 10 years and will be looking for some funds to catch up with your non-military peers when you get out. I can also tell you that cruising around base in a fancy expensive car is going to earn you the envy and enmity of the troops that you might someday lead into combat. I can tell you (and you'll probably also learn this at the Academy) that you don't want these feelings coming from your troops. You want them to respect you, and showing that you're a rich mama's boy will not accomplish that. On the other end of the pay grade scale it's not a very bright idea to drive a nicer car than your commanding officer.

Let's also remember that you're 17 and you've already totaled one Audi. Statistically you're likely to bang up a few more cars before you're an experienced enough driver to have a nice fast car last you 9 years. There's also one last factor that I would encourage you to consider. When I was 24 I bought a Twin Turbo AWD Dodge Stealth. It was fast as hell and was a blast to own and drive. It also spoiled me and has made it difficult to find a car that I can enjoy as much. After getting married and having 2 kids the RS4 I just bought 11 years later is the first time I've been able to afford again a car as fast and fun as the Stealth. The moral of this story? Don't spoil yourself. If you get an incredible car now in 9 years on a Captains salary you're going to be sorely disappointed with what you'll be able to replace it with.