While the cheapest Lamborghini Gallardo supercars on Autotrader typically go for upwards of $80,000, it’s possible to get a version of the Gallardo’s V10 engine under a different car’s hood for a fraction of the cost. Which car, you might ask? The 2007-2011 Audi S6.
The S6 is the mid-tier performance variant of the Audi A6. It’s not quite at the level of the BMW M5, but instead would compete with the most potent non-M variant of the 5 Series, at least in the era of the V10 S6.
The S6 has been offered now over five generations as the mid-tier performance variant of the Audi A6. The S6 came fitted with a 10-cylinder engine during its third generation. While the engine shared elements with Lamborghini‘s 5.0-liter V10, the Audi 5.2-liter V10 was, in fact, based on Audi’s 4.2-liter V8. Output was 429 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque, sent to all four wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission. It clocked a 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds.
The third-generation S6 started at $75,000 when it was brand new in the late 2000s but can now be purchased for as little as $10,500, as we see here. The cheapest Audi S6 currently for sale on Autotrader is this 2011 Prestige model with 139,443 miles on the odometer and an asking price of just $500 north of $10,000. According to the included vehicle information, it has a Georgia rebuilt title, which means it was once given a salvage title (cost of repairs exceeded value) but has since been restored by a licensed rebuilder and inspected and approved by the state. On the plus side, it doesn’t appear to have any accident reports and is said to have been well-maintained and in good working order.
If a European luxury car depreciates this much, it’s because it has become more and more expensive to maintain as it ages. So while a $10,000 Audi performance sedan with a 10-cylinder engine may seem like a bargain, maintenance costs will be proportionate to that original MSRP of at least $75,000. You could easily spend two or three times the purchase price of the used vehicle just getting it into good running condition and keeping it that way.
The V10-powered Audi S6 is a unique car, and it’s easy to pick one up for the cost of a used Honda Civic. But whether or not you actually should depends on your willingness, not to mention ability, to pay eye-watering prices for maintenance and repairs down the road.
Everyone should buy heavily depreciated German sport sedans… life is too short to spend driving boring reliable cars. There’s a real excitement to fixing old German cars, and the joy out of making a supposedly “unreliable” car into a reliable one is incomparable. I’ve been daily driving a 2000 540it for 38k miles now and it’s never left me stranded. It’s currently at 212k miles and I plan to keep driving it for as long as I can.
If you buy this, you should also be preparing for an engine out reseal at some point
my dad had a 07 s8 very cool but i would not touch it with a ten foot pole unless low miles and its your all time fave car. the v10 should last but its not without its issues i think my dad had to do injectors and tons of carbon build up cleanings he had the car from 20000km to about 100000km it got to a point where maintenance was $1500 to $3000 a year
That amount for maintenance on a car like this would be wholly reasonable. Hell, I average $2,500/year on my 2011 Mustang GT (when you include tires) and it’s been a reasonably reliable car. I would guess your dad was spending a lot more than that if he dumped it.
It really doesn’t make sense to buy unless you don’t mind spending plenty on maintenance and repairs. Look at the W211 E55. You can find many around $10k.
It may cost used Honda Civic money, but its maintenance cost for a year would equal about 5 years of maintenance for the Honda
Interesting:
“The cash price is $11499. The finance price is is $12499.”
I’ve bought a LOT of cars and thankfully haven’t come across that gem. Is that common? I know what price I would be looking to pay regardless. $11,499…or less.
It is semi-common, especially with bad credit dealerships.
Saw that too. “But look, we’re giving you a great interest rate!”
How is the Lambo V-10 reliability in general? This sounds like the perfect makings of an addition to Hoovie’s garage.
I believe he bought a silver one for his upcoming TV-series!