I have no intention in selling my new RS4 ANYTIME soon! However, do most of you think the car will go for a good price and appreciate in value when audi stops making them? The same thing happend with RS6. Everyone I know says I am nuts for thinking that, I think their wrong...what do you think?

 

TREV - No current production automobiles appreciate in value, even when they go out of production. Its just not in the cards for any vehicle that is mass produced. Even the exotics like the F360, F430, Lambo and Merci lose some value, just not as large a percentage since they are produced in much smaller numbers. Only true classics appreciate, so if you hold the car for say, OH 50 years, you might see a small appreciation adjusted for todays dollar.

 

What about the Land Rover "Defender 90", it appreciated in value after it ceased production. I had both the salesman and the finance director tell me that a guy who had a 2yr old RS6 w/ 27k miles sold it for the amount it was worth...new! The RS4 is not a mass produced vehicle. If it were a suburban or ford mustang yes, but there are only 300 scheduled for US delivery as to date. I don't like explaining how people are wrong but sometimes its a must. 50 years for the RS4, ha, more like 5-10. Depreciate yes, drop like a rock no!

 

DSM's are appreciating in value like crazy.

 

DSM??? Explain. Glad to hear that though.

 

Hey Trev - I fully expect the car's value to drop like a brick. Look at my M5. Granted it's not as exclusive as an RS4 (about 2000 '03 models in the U.S.A.), but sticker price was nearly identical to the RS4 and the market is flooded with '03 M5's for sale in the mid-$40K range. That's $10K U.S. per year depreciation. Some of this depreciation is a result of people moving up to the new '06 M5. The only defense against this is to know and expect it going into the deal, and see it for what it is - the cost of having a (very) expensive hobby. The only way I see the car appreciating is, if for some reason, goverment(s) capped the horsepower output at some "safe" or "fuel-concious" level of, say 300 HP. This actually happened to motorcycles in 1980 with a cap of 100HP, and made my 1979 Honda CBX 6-cylinder skyrocket in value. But we both know that's not going to happen with cars anytime soon.

Cheers

 

Thanks for the comments guys! I appreciate all avenues of thoughts related to this topic. I would only expect the RS4 to appreciate if Audi ceased production w/in the next year or so. Not only are there 2000 '03 M5's, but there is probably the same amount for '01-'02-'04 &'05. Thats around 10,000 M5's in the US AND a new model to add to that #. In the next year, the US will be lucky to see 500-1000 RS4's. I have also heard from many people that the RS4 will cease production w/in the next 1-2 years. Not to dog the M5, I think its an awesome car but, in terms of engineering...the RS4 has it beat. Whether it's from quattro Gmbh & Audi motorsports building the car and the "top gear" rated top 3 engines ever built in the world, to the lambo brakes, styling and overall charisma...I have faith in this car holding its value and not dropping like a brick. I am so confident I will even put a wager on it! Thanks again.