supraboytt

I've driven both a 99 and 98 and although i didn't get a chance to take the 98 on the highway I generally feel the 99 seemed to have less low end lag- a bit sprintier than the 98 and the handling seemed slightly more agile in the 99. however given I can get the 98 for $33.5k and the 99 was going for around $40k-so given the differences were small and the price difference large -I'll be going with the 98-oh the 98 also had the warm weather package the 99 did not.
So back to the original question- what are the differences between the 2 years if any- I could have been imaging these things and I think I drove the 98 in the rain- fill me guys and girls

ryoung

... then to the "Model Guide", and finally to "Historical". The detailed specs of both the '98 and '99 A8 are listed.

RCBENZ2

I think '99 was the 1st year with all aluminum suspension parts - less unsprung weight. Tiptronic may have been programmed for crisper shifting performance in '99. Also '99 has a larger passenger side mirror.

PaulW

If you look around, you can find a pristine 98 with cold weather, electronics (xenon headlights, make sure you get those) and maybe hot weather. Hot weather would probably be nice, but I don't think you would really miss it.

All this can be had for less than 30K. Probably with 30-45K miles.

Check out ebay for a sanity check of what a great deal is. Watch it for a couple of weeks, there are usually 5 A8's there at any given time.

40K for a 99 seems awfully expensive if you can get esentially the same car (98) for a lot less. Think about that when you are making your $1,000 a month payment on a 36 month loan. Wouldn't you rather write the check for less?

I don't know the differences from 98 to 99, but if you were to drive either for a period of time, you wouldn't even notice that you had or didn't have something....either of them are incredible cars!

Paul

supraboytt

yuor probably right-unfortunately i procrastinated and have little choice but to get into something a little more winter worthy than a twin turbo supra with Bridestone Pole Position tires. Finding a 98 for less than 30k seems eaier said than done however- I've lookied and the only A8's i can find for under 30 are cars with mileage above 55k or 97's. This car has warm, cold, and an Audi Assured Warranty for 2 yrs or 100k miles for $33.5k-all and all not bad-
If you feel strongly that something better is out there let me know - but just because a car is going for less doesn't mean it is a better deal -Ebay cars require you to pay shipping- offer no warranty- and who knows what kind of condition the car was in- i think peace of mind is worht a few extra thou. My greatest concern is resale- if the car has say 60k miles on it a year from now - what can i sell it for?
also anyone know insurance rates for these things fora 24 yr old male?

PaulW

If you don't do your own maintenance, then the Audi Assured is a great way to go. You can find a lot of 98's out there for less then 30K, just don't be looking at an Audi dealer.

I'm 36 and now have only one car, my insurance is something like $1,600 a year. When I first called, I still had my old car, with the more cars than driver discount, it was $1300 or so....

Don't be fooled, even though I maintain my car myself, these cars are very expensive, as most Audi's are.

If you bought one off of Ebay, you can fly and pick it up and drive it home, I picked mine up in Ft. Laturdale and drove it back to Chicago, what a great way to get to know the car. I even sold my 91 200q to a guy in Canada and delivered it to Toronto for him, he flew me home. Was a blast!