A5 cabrio - speak to me ;)

[irocfan]

looking at quite a few cars at the moment (in the makey-mindie part of looking) but the A5 3ltr diesel cabrio (she's loving the thought of a modern soft-top) currently seems to be ticking a lot of boxes.

large(ish) boot (a must)
occasional 4 seater
4*4
reasonable mpgs
"air-scarf"

the only real con is the price of them - seems to me that the Merc E series is considerably cheaper - mrs Iroc did like the thought of the E250/350 but is a little nervous at the thought of rwd in ice 'n' slush (fair do's - it'll be her car). Failing this idea it looks like a straight choice between a Q3 or an Evoque (I know that's one hell of a difference from a cabrio - wimmin!!)

Any thoughts?

[hondansx]

Drive a 3.0tdi coupe a lot. Feels as quick as my C4S and not bad economy. Handles like a tank and the iDrive thing is infuriatingly complicated when touchscreen VAG options are far better. For me, a Merc convertible is the better pose mobile.

[Transiter]

How often does she experience 'ice n slush'? In either case both cars on summer tyres will be st on ice and slush. If you live somewhere remote and you experience snow get winter tyres.

[Claudia Skies]

You need IMO to look at the petrol BMWs.

[Fox-]

Prehistoric cars and it shows inside. The E Class and 4 Series are both far fresher. Audi really do like to get the maximum possible lifespan out of a platform but the A5 feels like a car from the previous decade - because it is.

[irocfan]

Transiter said:

How often does she experience 'ice n slush'? In either case both cars on summer tyres will be st on ice and slush. If you live somewhere remote and you experience snow get winter tyres.

I know, I know! I've told her she drove my old Crossfire fine all year round - new tech and decent tyres should make it a doddle (well at least not a problem).

as regards the BMW suggestion - from her perspective the last word in driving ability that a BMW may possess is not needed, her idea of a nice drive is a gentle cruise and no 'enthusiastic' driving (that being said I wonder if I could persuade her into a 640d lol)

[hondansx]

Worth keeping an eye on finance deals as the 6 Series was very good value at one point. Until recently i think it was cheaper to purchase an M6 over an M3/M4!

[1Addicted]

There's nothing better than open top motoring, when then soundtrack isn't some asthmatic four cylinder with no performance pedigree or, a diesel.

That's my opinion of course, I just don't get it unless you're trying hard to impress other people but, in regard to the A5, if it uses the same cable mech to retract the roof as the B7 A4, reliability wasn't its strong point and the cost to repair is fairly high.

Save some cash...Mondeo TDCi and a few sun bed sessions?

[oldaudi]

Must be a new B9 A5 coming out soon, the current one (minus the facelift) was out before the A4 B8. So the older shape could come down in price or look even older when the new one comes out.

The inside of the A4 and A5 look really dated now compared to the BMW 4 series and E class

[irocfan]

one thing I do find amusing, and I've noticed in quite a few threads, is this thought that a particular type of car is bought to impress other people Seriously? I'll get a car because it's comfortable and makes ME smile - beyond that I really don't give a st if other people approve or not - doesn't even register on the radar.

We're both at a point in our lives where we fancy a bit of luxury/pampering while we drive and as SWMBO has never had a soft-top she like the idea of it and that really is as much as I need to know with regard to type of car - all that remains then is to try and find the actual car be it an E250/350, A5 or even a lazy 640

[Frimley111R]

I like these too but they are quite old inside now which puts me off. They look like my old A4 from many years ago. (2007?). The other issue with this and the Merc/other similar ones are the doors, they're really long and would e a real PITA in car parks

[anonymous-user]

irocfan said:

one thing I do find amusing, and I've noticed in quite a few threads, is this thought that a particular type of car is bought to impress other people Seriously? I'll get a car because it's comfortable and makes ME smile - beyond that I really don't give a st if other people approve or not - doesn't even register on the radar.

We're both at a point in our lives where we fancy a bit of luxury/pampering while we drive and as SWMBO has never had a soft-top she like the idea of it and that really is as much as I need to know with regard to type of car - all that remains then is to try and find the actual car be it an E250/350, A5 or even a lazy 640

I think when someone says that you are only buying a convertible to pose/show off it says more about them and what their motivations are than it does about you. I was accused of being a poseur and show off in my £1200 MX5 for fk sake. There seem to be a large number of people that think that the only conceivable reason you might want to drive anything other than a grey Ford Focus it to show off.

I often have my roof on my C70 down at night in the countryside when there is (ideally) absolutely nobody else around to see me. Do they think that I am still doing it to show off then ?

[irocfan]

how does it go - h8rs gonna h8 lol