The other day my wife Robin and I were discussing what kind of cars we'd buy for the Gold family garage if money were no object.
"I figure you'd want an Audi S4 wagon," I said. "340 horsepower, six-speed stick, room for your massage table, and seat heaters, plus it's an Audi," I said. "Am I right?"
"Close," Robin said. "Actually, I want the convertible Audi we had last week."
"The RS4 Cabriolet?" I said. (I had planned on the RS4 Cabrio being my ride, a fact which I kept to myself.) "But what about your massage table?"
"Honey, if we could afford that car, I wouldn't need my massage table because I wouldn't need to work."
As always, Robin had a valid point, because the RS4 Cabriolet costs around $85,000. You can buy some pretty darn impressive cars for $85,000, including convertible versions of the Porsche 911 and BMW 650i. Would I really blow that kind of cash on what is essentially a gussied-up Audi A4? You'd better believe I would. To find out why, check out my 2008 Audi RS4 Cabriolet quick test drive.
Naturally, I'm curious about your opinion: If you were going to drop $85 large on a drop-top car, would you go for Audi skill over Porsche or Bimmer cachet? Click the "comments" link below and share your thoughts. -- Aaron Gold
Heck yeah…I mean heck no…..I mean…I mean…I sure wish I had the money or time to answer that question. I think I would usually go for skill over cachet but at $85000. I couldn’t answer without driving all three. That’s why I read this column. No dealer who’s mentally OK would let a guy drive a car worth his entire annual income. So I’ll leave the opinionating up to you, and I’ll just keep enjoying the vicarious thrills.
I would so go for the Porsche 911 convertible. At 16 I learned how to drive a stick on the 911. It was a dream car then and is still my dream. My bug convertible will have to do for now!
Gee Aaron, that’s a tough one. Audi vs. Porshe. A great performing car with a very reputable brand versus a brand that has defined performance for decades. On one hand, with the Audi, you can try to explain to everyone why you spent so much money on such a mundane looking car, while on the other hand you’ll just get those approving nods and porschophile grins, as you pull up to the curb. And then there’s “I really got a car that finally fulfills all those things I need in a car” versus “I finally got my Porsche… the ultimate, truly purist driver’s car in the world”…though choice? NOT!
This guy will take his Porsche and every automotive dream he ever had and steer directly for Mulholland Dr!!!
Humm, neither..maybe some thing with the initials “MB”? Like a SLK55-P30AMG. Less money, fast etc. Just to be different…
Interesting challenge. A few options for $85K or less performance orinted convertibles:
– Audi RS4 or S4
– BMW M3(soon to be available) or 335
– Vette
– MB CLK550
– MB SLK AMG
– Porsche Boxster S or RS60
– Porsche Carrera (S is much over $85K)
– Viper
As much as I like the RS4, I can see it dropping in value quickly – just like other Audis (look at 2yr old S4’s for sale on-line). Maybe wait a couple of years and get one with low miles for $60K.
The M3 is likely to be a great car as well. Hold value much better than Audi’s. However, I’m not crazy about the look of this version of the M3 series (at least not yet).
Porsche’s options for $85K are not many. The venerable Boxster S or RS60 would be terrific convertibles for much less than $85K with good performance and driving dynamics. The only 911 convertible in this price range is the Carrera (Not the S) – nice but not terribly exciting.
The MB options, to me, do not compare with either the M3 or the RS – even with all of the HP in those packages – do not have the driving dynamics of the BMW or Audi or Porsche.
Interesting options would be a Viper and/or the Vette. I prefer the europeans but these two would have to be considered in this $85K or less top less group.
My 2 cents and something to think about.
Mike (not in Min) but in AR
Ah but if it’s an Audi you crave, what about the Audi A8? Yes it’s not on a par for sporty performance but for luxury most say the interior is only bettered by the RR Phantom. You can get a diesel too, so better fuel economy and less hatred from everyone worrying about being ‘green’. In the UK you can get lease deals of £579 per month, (eg broombroom.com) so suddenly that out of reach budget becomes more attainable.
If money is no object, why get just one car? Cars are like tools – the best job is done by one designed for a specific job, with few or any compromises. A Lotus Elise will make for an unbeatable sports car (forget those overweight, oversized German coupes),a Mercedes AMG for a “family” car (pick which model depending on the size of the family), grab a small Jeep if you like off-roading, and if you will be traveling on snowy or dirt roads, you’ll be hard-pressed to beat an STI at any price. Throw on snow tires, lock the center diff, and you’ll be able to drive through anything!
Besides, you want to STAY rich, don’t you? The Audi will make you poor as soon as the warranty runs out, between the outrageous cost of parts and the questionable reliability!
Absolutely! Go with the RS4 over its other similarly-priced, convertible german brethren. These cars are the biggest bang for the buck and stat-for-stat beat out many cars at much higher price points (Aston Martins, Bentleys, etc cost much more and are less fun to drive). I’ve been fortunate to drive and ride in an RS4 Cab and it gets plenty of the right kind of attention from people who respect it for the wolf-in-sheeps-clothing that it is. A true sleeper…
Would I? You bet and I did as soon as saw a dealer near me got one. I live North of Boston and usual have a fun car and then something for the Winter. Got tired of needing two cars and the RS4 Cab is a perfect for me. Threw on some snows and car did better than any SUV I have had. Most of my fun cars were Roadsters, Honda S2000, Boxster S and last car was a Maserati GT Spyder. So could never take wife and daughter. Now I have a car thats great for hauling all of us and then have my true sports car when I want to play. Added a Tubi Exhaust and now feel I have a race car
I traded in my 2008 997 Targa 4S for the Audi RS4 cab. A life long Porsche guy, owning over 15 of them over the years, it was a tough call. Hands Down, the Porsche does everything well.
Sedans with large motors stuffed into them have always been a disappointment to me. Fast, yes in the straight always, but go into a corner as I would in a Porsche and it’s all over. We had our first child and we were unable to make a rear facing infant car seat work, and still fit myself and wife into the car. I reluctantly drove the RS4 cab expecting the a fast car that only handled so so-boy was I wrong! Real world driving on twisty roads, not spec sheet bench racing revealed a super capable sports car-with a back seat! I call our RS4 Cab my Porsche GT3 with a back seat. We are thrilled and don’t miss the Porsche. BTW my last Porsche daily driver was a GT3 that I put 27,000 miles on in one year, so I DRIVE my cars!