The S8 is GREAT, but.......
06-06-2008, 06:50 AM
#1
AudiWorld Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 680
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The S8 is GREAT, but.......
Alright, typically I dislike "Feeler" ads for anything. I USUALLY take the stance of: Either it's for sale or it isn't. With that said, I DO understand that every situation is different and a feeler ad can be warranted. I find myself in that situation.....
When we bought our S8 back in August 2007, we waited for a LONG time for the "right one" to come along and we bought it to keep it and drive it for many years to come. However, two weeks ago, the wife and I found out that not only is she pregnant, she is pregnant with twins. TONS of thoughts and feelings have run through our head and make no mistake we are very excited and looking forward to the new addition to our family.
Naturally, being the gearhead in the family means that the "gears" have been turning about what it's going to take to haul the family around. UNFORTUNATELY that is probably going to mean a minivan of some flavor. Paul K., before you get your panties in a bunch and tell me that three car seats fit across the back, that isn't the "issue". The "issue" is that we will have two car seats that HAVE to face backwards (CO state law) until they are one year AND 20lbs. So, with a car seat facing backwards either in the middle or behind the driver, I would have to move uncomfortably close to the steering wheel.
My initial thought (and desire) was to move into a R320 CDI Benz. After talking to the guys in the R-Class forum and a quick trip to the dealer to actually get into the thing, it's going to be more hassle than it's worth for a while. It would appear that the same it true for most anything that is wagon-ish or SUV-ish that has the third row of seats. It almost seems like a minivan is a MUST (Gulp) for at least the first year while those two seats face backwards.
I can FEEL you all bouncing in you seats screaming, "...but Ben, what about an A8 L"? Yeah, I thought about that too and I am still not sure that I am all that excited about trying to cram three kids in the back seat and hope that all their "stuff" fits in the trunk with the trip to the grocery store. Fundamentally, I am pretty sure I need to find way to simplify my life, not complicated it.
So, here is the "feeler" part of this post: We MAY be interested in selling our S8. The reality is that my wife will probably be quitting here job to be a full-time mom. That would make the new minivan (if we go that way) her full time car. Personally, I couldn't bring myself to commute in the S8 on the nasty sanded and mag chloride'd highway that I commute on in the winter. It would just destroy the car and I have no desire to do that to a car that nice.....I just don't have it in me. So, I will just continue to drive my "Disposable" cars.
Rest assured we WANT to keep the car, we REALLY do! We absolutely LOVE the thing. It just may not be viable with our new family. We wouldn't need to (or want to) make a move on it until a minivan is found and purchased, so a potential buyer would have some time to think about it. If you are thinking about buying an S8 and need some time, we may be a perfect match, so let's talk. Even if you are looking to buy RIGHT NOW the wife could drive our truck until a minivan is found, so let's talk anyway.
I was thinking that I would like to get current Blue Book "Trade in" value which is ~$19k-ish. I know full well that I am not going to get "Trade in" value if I actually trade it in, but with two sets of wheels that basically have brand new tires, the Vavona wood "upgrade", Phatnoise, etc etc etc and the overall rareness of the color and option combo....*I* think it should be "worth" 19ish. I would LOVE to see it go to another forum member rather than a dealer, but it's all about dollars and cents at this point. I could, hopefully, trade it in and get $xx,xxx for it and then sell the "extras" to get me into the $19k range.
Brief description: Car is "Burgundy Pearl" with a black Alcantara/full leather interior. I have been looking at these cars for a LONG time and I have NEVER seen another Burgundy (or Andorra in '01) car with a black interior, let alone one with Alcantara. I am confident that it is the only one in the USA or maybe 1 of 2. The only option missing is the Solar Roof. I have added the Phatnoise set-up and it is great! Sale would include a set of 5 19x8 Hartmann RS4 DTMs shod with 255/40-19 Pirelli PZero Rosso's (full size spare in trunk has a Used P6 all-season on it, but wheel has never seen use). Winter wheels are A6 4.2 "Sport" wheels (Fat Fives) with 225/55-17 Hankook iPikes.
The car is located in Colorado and has been a Colorado car its entire life, so zero rust on any nut, bolt or fitting anywhere! As of this week, it has 77k miles on it. It currently needs the "water deflector" inside the sunroof mechanism and I'll probably try to tackle that before the sale. The car needs nothing else! Brakes are almost 100% brand new and I FINALLY (last weekend) installed a set of pads that seem dust free and don't make a sound (4th set tried).
More details on the car can be found here:
https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/160802.phtml
and here:
https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/154963.phtml
If anyone has ANY words of wisdom, automotive guidance, a viable alternative, or just want to talk me out of selling it, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know! I welcome any and all comments.
When we bought our S8 back in August 2007, we waited for a LONG time for the "right one" to come along and we bought it to keep it and drive it for many years to come. However, two weeks ago, the wife and I found out that not only is she pregnant, she is pregnant with twins. TONS of thoughts and feelings have run through our head and make no mistake we are very excited and looking forward to the new addition to our family.
Naturally, being the gearhead in the family means that the "gears" have been turning about what it's going to take to haul the family around. UNFORTUNATELY that is probably going to mean a minivan of some flavor. Paul K., before you get your panties in a bunch and tell me that three car seats fit across the back, that isn't the "issue". The "issue" is that we will have two car seats that HAVE to face backwards (CO state law) until they are one year AND 20lbs. So, with a car seat facing backwards either in the middle or behind the driver, I would have to move uncomfortably close to the steering wheel.
My initial thought (and desire) was to move into a R320 CDI Benz. After talking to the guys in the R-Class forum and a quick trip to the dealer to actually get into the thing, it's going to be more hassle than it's worth for a while. It would appear that the same it true for most anything that is wagon-ish or SUV-ish that has the third row of seats. It almost seems like a minivan is a MUST (Gulp) for at least the first year while those two seats face backwards.
I can FEEL you all bouncing in you seats screaming, "...but Ben, what about an A8 L"? Yeah, I thought about that too and I am still not sure that I am all that excited about trying to cram three kids in the back seat and hope that all their "stuff" fits in the trunk with the trip to the grocery store. Fundamentally, I am pretty sure I need to find way to simplify my life, not complicated it.
So, here is the "feeler" part of this post: We MAY be interested in selling our S8. The reality is that my wife will probably be quitting here job to be a full-time mom. That would make the new minivan (if we go that way) her full time car. Personally, I couldn't bring myself to commute in the S8 on the nasty sanded and mag chloride'd highway that I commute on in the winter. It would just destroy the car and I have no desire to do that to a car that nice.....I just don't have it in me. So, I will just continue to drive my "Disposable" cars.
Rest assured we WANT to keep the car, we REALLY do! We absolutely LOVE the thing. It just may not be viable with our new family. We wouldn't need to (or want to) make a move on it until a minivan is found and purchased, so a potential buyer would have some time to think about it. If you are thinking about buying an S8 and need some time, we may be a perfect match, so let's talk. Even if you are looking to buy RIGHT NOW the wife could drive our truck until a minivan is found, so let's talk anyway.
I was thinking that I would like to get current Blue Book "Trade in" value which is ~$19k-ish. I know full well that I am not going to get "Trade in" value if I actually trade it in, but with two sets of wheels that basically have brand new tires, the Vavona wood "upgrade", Phatnoise, etc etc etc and the overall rareness of the color and option combo....*I* think it should be "worth" 19ish. I would LOVE to see it go to another forum member rather than a dealer, but it's all about dollars and cents at this point. I could, hopefully, trade it in and get $xx,xxx for it and then sell the "extras" to get me into the $19k range.
Brief description: Car is "Burgundy Pearl" with a black Alcantara/full leather interior. I have been looking at these cars for a LONG time and I have NEVER seen another Burgundy (or Andorra in '01) car with a black interior, let alone one with Alcantara. I am confident that it is the only one in the USA or maybe 1 of 2. The only option missing is the Solar Roof. I have added the Phatnoise set-up and it is great! Sale would include a set of 5 19x8 Hartmann RS4 DTMs shod with 255/40-19 Pirelli PZero Rosso's (full size spare in trunk has a Used P6 all-season on it, but wheel has never seen use). Winter wheels are A6 4.2 "Sport" wheels (Fat Fives) with 225/55-17 Hankook iPikes.
The car is located in Colorado and has been a Colorado car its entire life, so zero rust on any nut, bolt or fitting anywhere! As of this week, it has 77k miles on it. It currently needs the "water deflector" inside the sunroof mechanism and I'll probably try to tackle that before the sale. The car needs nothing else! Brakes are almost 100% brand new and I FINALLY (last weekend) installed a set of pads that seem dust free and don't make a sound (4th set tried).
More details on the car can be found here:
https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/160802.phtml
and here:
https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/154963.phtml
If anyone has ANY words of wisdom, automotive guidance, a viable alternative, or just want to talk me out of selling it, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know! I welcome any and all comments.
06-06-2008, 07:40 AM
#2
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
don't sell. We were 3 kids growing up in the back of an old 100 sedan
If "stuff" doesn't fit in the boot with kids in the rear seat, you have excessive stuff.
Or you could dispose of the wife, then you will not even have to worry about making rear-facing seats fit and your S8 will continue to satisfy your needs.
Or you could dispose of the wife, then you will not even have to worry about making rear-facing seats fit and your S8 will continue to satisfy your needs.
06-06-2008, 07:59 AM
#3
New Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: The S8 is GREAT, but.......
car sounds awesome, best of luck with the sale...just wondering what kind of brake pads you found that dont have a lot of dust..i need to change mine and that sounds amazing.
06-06-2008, 08:00 AM
#4
AudiWorld Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 680
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's not the "Stuff" I am worried about....
...it's the fact that, for the safety of the kids and to satisfy the law, they have to face backwards. With two of them facing backwards, at least one of them is going to be behind the driver or in the middle. Moving the driver's seat far enough forward to accommodate me is very uncomfortable.
I know all about growing up in cars that were "too small" and doing things that wouldn't be considered "Safe". I remember driving down the road, standing on the front seat with my head sticking out of the sunroof of my dad's Volvo. Hey, a sunroof was a "Cool" feature back then. I also remember taking 7-8 hour road trip with 2 other kids and their parents in VW Bettle's. How safe was that?
For better or worse, times have changed and ANY of that would get a parent throw in jail and kids potentially taken away now-a-days. So, I am just looking to do what is "best" and make life as easy as possible on my wife who will be taking care of three kids under the age of two very soon.
I know all about growing up in cars that were "too small" and doing things that wouldn't be considered "Safe". I remember driving down the road, standing on the front seat with my head sticking out of the sunroof of my dad's Volvo. Hey, a sunroof was a "Cool" feature back then. I also remember taking 7-8 hour road trip with 2 other kids and their parents in VW Bettle's. How safe was that?
For better or worse, times have changed and ANY of that would get a parent throw in jail and kids potentially taken away now-a-days. So, I am just looking to do what is "best" and make life as easy as possible on my wife who will be taking care of three kids under the age of two very soon.
06-06-2008, 08:12 AM
#5
AudiWorld Super User
I know what it's really about
Those darn marks left in your seats after having children's seats on them for years....or is it all the crap they spill, or cookie crumbs everywhere....
:-)
Congrats!!
Hey, wasn't that suppose to be my car?
:-)
Congrats!!
Hey, wasn't that suppose to be my car?
Trending Topics
06-06-2008, 08:25 AM
#8
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,564
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Panties unbunched: I got to the bit about rear facing then skim'd rest, as...
...you've got NO PROBLEM Ben!!!
Here's all the boring details. *WARNING* LAMEST POST EVAH!
Flashback to me UrS6...
A Peg Perego rear facing seat in middle, a Jeep rear facing seat on pass side - for our twin girls, and a booster behind me for my son. Fit NO PROBLEM. Heck, I think my son may have still been in a regular car seat early on with that setup.
I didn't have to move either front seat at all - both were set to where *I* would sit in them and I'm 6' even.
Fast forward to der Alumibitch:
Had to get it as the width of the forward facing car seats would not fit 3x in the C4 body. TONS of room lengthwise due to D2s longer wheelbase than C4. Later we moved to 2 forward facing kid seats and my son's (full sized - not just a base but top & bottom) booster fit literally armrest to armrest. If I don't install them right they'll just kiss the leather armrests on each side, if I get it right they JUST clear. Only issue is my daughter in the middle likes to kick the wood center vent area - I'm gonna strangle her 8-). No damage yet, just headache!
Biggest PITA is the seatbelt for my son, I have to fish my hand down there to reach the buckle that's got a seat on top of it - but it works and he can UNdo it himself. When the girls' go to boosters - the seats I have turn into boosters by loosing their built-in belts and utilizing the car's belts... that'll be somewhat annoying to belt them too.
BUT
Annoying enough to sell???
NEVAH! (panties twist beginning)
What's wifely drive now?
Wifely here sold her former ML to score an '02 with 3rd row. Son's back there with the 2nd jump seat removed - fit double stroller just barely. Girls are in outboard positions with center open. Center fits booster when a friend rides with them, or an adult can squeeze.
She's (thankfully) vowed to never own a minivan. She is pining however for a GL in recent times - sigh.
ANYwho... there you have it. You REALLY do not have to sell - seriously. Mine are 5.5/3.5/3.5 now and our auto situation is a NON issue. Please email me for my # and CALL ME for the very boring details of all this - I emplore you not to cave!
Oh! Most importantly:
CONGRATULATIONS!!! That's awesome! Twins are an amazing experience. It's a sprint vs. a marathon I say - just think you don't have to go back to well and hit reset button for your 3rd now!!! My bro just did, he is 2yrs older and has his 3rd 2yrs YOUNGER than mine - NO THANKS. Watching them play together is the best, and the 3 of them are a tight little "unit" - they all REALLY watch out for e/o and are extremely close and get along like you cannot imagine.
Anyway, srsly, I encourage you to call me on this - and on any multiples questions you may have. My wife runs the local Mothers of Multiples group here so I'm well versed on good suggestions, resources for free / discounted stuff, etc. Srsly! 8-) Congrats again, to wifely too!!!
And remember folks!!!::::
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/pkrasusky/SEADYt04mdI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/AGhoXHUYMO0/image008.jpg?imgmax=512">
Here's all the boring details. *WARNING* LAMEST POST EVAH!
Flashback to me UrS6...
A Peg Perego rear facing seat in middle, a Jeep rear facing seat on pass side - for our twin girls, and a booster behind me for my son. Fit NO PROBLEM. Heck, I think my son may have still been in a regular car seat early on with that setup.
I didn't have to move either front seat at all - both were set to where *I* would sit in them and I'm 6' even.
Fast forward to der Alumibitch:
Had to get it as the width of the forward facing car seats would not fit 3x in the C4 body. TONS of room lengthwise due to D2s longer wheelbase than C4. Later we moved to 2 forward facing kid seats and my son's (full sized - not just a base but top & bottom) booster fit literally armrest to armrest. If I don't install them right they'll just kiss the leather armrests on each side, if I get it right they JUST clear. Only issue is my daughter in the middle likes to kick the wood center vent area - I'm gonna strangle her 8-). No damage yet, just headache!
Biggest PITA is the seatbelt for my son, I have to fish my hand down there to reach the buckle that's got a seat on top of it - but it works and he can UNdo it himself. When the girls' go to boosters - the seats I have turn into boosters by loosing their built-in belts and utilizing the car's belts... that'll be somewhat annoying to belt them too.
BUT
Annoying enough to sell???
NEVAH! (panties twist beginning)
What's wifely drive now?
Wifely here sold her former ML to score an '02 with 3rd row. Son's back there with the 2nd jump seat removed - fit double stroller just barely. Girls are in outboard positions with center open. Center fits booster when a friend rides with them, or an adult can squeeze.
She's (thankfully) vowed to never own a minivan. She is pining however for a GL in recent times - sigh.
ANYwho... there you have it. You REALLY do not have to sell - seriously. Mine are 5.5/3.5/3.5 now and our auto situation is a NON issue. Please email me for my # and CALL ME for the very boring details of all this - I emplore you not to cave!
Oh! Most importantly:
CONGRATULATIONS!!! That's awesome! Twins are an amazing experience. It's a sprint vs. a marathon I say - just think you don't have to go back to well and hit reset button for your 3rd now!!! My bro just did, he is 2yrs older and has his 3rd 2yrs YOUNGER than mine - NO THANKS. Watching them play together is the best, and the 3 of them are a tight little "unit" - they all REALLY watch out for e/o and are extremely close and get along like you cannot imagine.
Anyway, srsly, I encourage you to call me on this - and on any multiples questions you may have. My wife runs the local Mothers of Multiples group here so I'm well versed on good suggestions, resources for free / discounted stuff, etc. Srsly! 8-) Congrats again, to wifely too!!!
And remember folks!!!::::
<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/pkrasusky/SEADYt04mdI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/AGhoXHUYMO0/image008.jpg?imgmax=512">
06-06-2008, 09:44 AM
#9
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Congrats on the upcoming twins, Ben! You guys will now have to play "zones"...
I think the solution is slam-dunk easy:
simply buy a used, cheap minivan and drive it for a year or two until the twins grow (don't stop feeding them until they hit at least 20# each) and look at your situation as temporary.
You know as well as I do that if you sell your particular S8 you'll have sellers remorse and you'll be kicking yourself down the road for getting rid of it- even if it does go to a good home.
I predict you'll still have plenty of opportunities to drive the S8 on occasion while the little ones grow big and strong, so you shouldn't even have to mothball it.
What do you think, Big Fella?
simply buy a used, cheap minivan and drive it for a year or two until the twins grow (don't stop feeding them until they hit at least 20# each) and look at your situation as temporary.
You know as well as I do that if you sell your particular S8 you'll have sellers remorse and you'll be kicking yourself down the road for getting rid of it- even if it does go to a good home.
I predict you'll still have plenty of opportunities to drive the S8 on occasion while the little ones grow big and strong, so you shouldn't even have to mothball it.
What do you think, Big Fella?
06-06-2008, 10:04 AM
#10
AudiWorld Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I switched from S4 to S8 because of the second kid
In the S4 I had trouble fitting the rear facing seat in the middle of the backseats, and then my 1st son would have both of his foot solidly planted on the back of my seat when in front facing position booster. Annoying. Way too tight.
But the S8 backseats have so much leg room! And are very large too. I'm kinda jealous of the kids because they get to ride in the backseats which look like they were designed for limousine work...
My GF has a Subie Forester, there is not as much space as in the S8, but the wagon format helps with putting stuff in the trunk.
However, as you may recall with your first kid, we always tend to overshoot when the kids are small, bringing tons of stuff for nothing, loading the car with everything we can. I believe that with the 2nd and 3rd (BTW congratulations!) you will start off better advised from your 1st kid experience and be less constraint by the cargo space in the car and more efficient in selecting your luggage.
Actually, now that I have the S8, I even consider allocating all of my remaining free time/life to a 3rd kid!! How's that for a proof that the S8 is more than good enough?!
Anyway, I believe switching to a minivan is the easy way, which may be preferable, but then again, you just cannot replace the luxury and performance of the S8, even with kids in the back, which can make up for a great deal.
Good luck!!
But the S8 backseats have so much leg room! And are very large too. I'm kinda jealous of the kids because they get to ride in the backseats which look like they were designed for limousine work...
My GF has a Subie Forester, there is not as much space as in the S8, but the wagon format helps with putting stuff in the trunk.
However, as you may recall with your first kid, we always tend to overshoot when the kids are small, bringing tons of stuff for nothing, loading the car with everything we can. I believe that with the 2nd and 3rd (BTW congratulations!) you will start off better advised from your 1st kid experience and be less constraint by the cargo space in the car and more efficient in selecting your luggage.
Actually, now that I have the S8, I even consider allocating all of my remaining free time/life to a 3rd kid!! How's that for a proof that the S8 is more than good enough?!
Anyway, I believe switching to a minivan is the easy way, which may be preferable, but then again, you just cannot replace the luxury and performance of the S8, even with kids in the back, which can make up for a great deal.
Good luck!!