The Last of the V-8 S4’s…With a Stick!

V8 S4No real reason to want a little Audi S4 with a big V-8 engine, other than the rumble and roar and bragging rights.  This 2009 Audi S4 unicorn was the last year the car was powered by a 4.2 liter V-8, transitioning to a supercharged V-6 for 2010.  The V-8 is not much faster, but at least the fuel economy sucked.  And it’s a little nose heavy.  But a 340hp V-8 engine AND a manual 6-speed AND a convertible AND low mileage (5,000 miles/year) AND a low price ($18,599) AND a pretty blue color when so many are black or silver…….makes this an attractive scooter for summer.  Car And Driver had the sedan as one of its 10 Best Cars for 2009 and ran the convertible to a top end of 162 mph!  Throw in the MaxCare warranty for another five years and 50,000 miles for a couple of grand and you’ll have an unusual, inexpensive car that almost seems vintage already.  The car was $57,000 new.  Here’s a Car Guru review if you want more info.  Here’s also the link to the CarMax page; if it’s dead the car is sold, on hold, or being transferred.  My hunch is this one moves quick…..like the last of the V-10 S6’s that got scooped up a few weeks ago before I could even write about it!

2009 Audi S4 $18,599 46k Chicago

Five Year Old V-12 Bimmer – Over $100,000 Less Than New – By Chuck Banks and Mustafa Gardezi

760 REAR VIEWBeautiful BMW with a wicked and rare 535hp V-12 unicorn.  Somebody paid about $150,000 for this 760Li just five years ago, and it’s now selling for $37,998 with 57,000 miles.  Looks like roughly 10,000 7-series were sold in 2013, and as far as I can tell 2% of those – or 200, were the V-12 760’s.  Checked the VIN and this one has the $5,200 “Individual Package” with Merino leather and the $3,700 Bang and Olufsen audio, but sadly no night vision.  Why skimp there? Especially when the buyer chose to spend $50,000 more for a new BMW 760 than they would have for a BMW 750?! Perhaps to get that .3 sec 0-60 edge?  I wouldn’t care – the V-12 roar is worth every depreciated penny.  It goes without saying, but I have to say it anyway because someone will moan “these are expensive to fix!” that you do NOT own one of these without the MaxCare warranty, effectively shifting financial risk to CarMax for a few thousand more.  Find this four owner LA car here; if the link is dead it’s sold, on hold ore being transferred. 2013 BMW 760 V12 $37,998 57K

Quick Post – Quick Sell…2008 Mercedes CL63 AMG Unicorn. $200,000 New – $35k!

CL63I want this car.  Over 500hp, 0-60 in 4.3 seconds, every luxury option imaginable (night vision!), and while only driven 2,800 miles a year, it depreciated about $17,000 every year for the last 10!   Something about scoring an exclusive (less than 1,500 produced), once-$216,000 unicorn for the price of a new Accord pumps me up.  As always, unless you’re rich, the car makes no sense without adding the five-year MaxCare warranty for a couple of grand – for another 100,000 miles of driving without unexpected repairs.  Love the quote from Car and Driver test of 2008, “Since the CL63 is a product of Mercedes-Benz’s AMG tuner shop, it gets a full-on Los Angeles-grade body kit, 20-inch wheels on a stiffened and lowered chassis, and a dual exhaust that sounds like ripping hundred-dollar bills at high amplification.”  It’s a two-owner Florida-Texas-California car, found here in Los Angeles.  If the link is dead the car is sold, on hold, or being transferred.  I think it will move quick.  2008 CL63 $35,998 28k LA