A8 vs A6 4.2..I need a larger family car. Any opinions on
07-03-2002, 07:36 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A8 vs A6 4.2..I need a larger family car. Any opinions on
the relative merits of the two cars. Seems to me that the A8 is very elegant looking and the 4.2 looks more aggressive. Are there any significant differences in handling, ride, reliabilty? Thanks for your input
07-03-2002, 08:10 AM
#3
Member
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Price aside,
A6 is somewhat smaller, more rounded look, several years newer interior design. Should handle differently and better, especially with the sport package (Don't buy without it!). I regularly haul my wife and 3 kids with the smallest one on the hump in the back. A6 4.2 is also quite rare. A8 is very rare, very classy but even more staid than the A6. Tons of interior room. Even more depreciation than the A6. Engine is the same give or take some breathing and 10 hp or so. A8 is about to be replaced, also. The question really is how do you drive and which do you prefer?
07-03-2002, 08:40 AM
#5
I switched from A8 to A6
Last fall I debated buying another A8 or even the S8. I decided that the S8 was not worth the extra money. The A8 does not handle very well and I wanted something more sporty and a car with a bit more head room in the front. Yes, to me the A6 has more head room. Legroom is about the same. There in more elbow room and trunk space in the A8. The A8 is also a bit dated and in the last bit of its life. New model coming out next year. After driving the A6 4.2 with the Sports package for about 11,000 kilometers I can say that I am very happy with the choice. Great car to drive and lost of fun. I added new tires, Yokohamas AVS db, as I did not like the Continentals for winter driving.
07-03-2002, 08:59 AM
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks. I agree about the sport package. My buddy has
a 4.2 with it and it actually feels tighter than my S4. The standard suspension feels very soft. Does the A8 have the double knuckle front suspentsion like the A4/A6?
07-03-2002, 11:04 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 7,469
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do you really gain much size with an A8?
I know the car is longer, but for a family car don't you need the kind of room (width and length) found in a minivan? You're still going to fit only two kiddie seats in the back seat, if that's what you're talking about.
Don't forget, an A8 will be costlier to insure and, since it's made of recycled aluminum cans, costlier to repair.
Don't forget, an A8 will be costlier to insure and, since it's made of recycled aluminum cans, costlier to repair.
