Made a buddy feel bad about his S5.
07-20-12, 11:32 AM
#31
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I had an '09 S5 for 3 years before getting my '12 GT-R. Even with full bolt-ons an S5 is no match for an IS-F. Not even close. That car was fun to own for non-performance reasons, but when it comes to racing, it just doesn't hang. I had full intake, downpipes, exhaust, coilovers, bbk, etc. and the best thing it was good at was cruising and making a fun noise (but even that isn't as solid as the IS-F).
Audi just simply doesn't build competitively fast cars for the money, and that's why I went back to JDM. =)
Audi just simply doesn't build competitively fast cars for the money, and that's why I went back to JDM. =)
07-20-12, 11:37 AM
#32
Let's not get the wrong idea by the post guys... I wasn't trying to say the S5 was a bad car at all. It still ranks very highly on my list. Face it, it has more than enough power/speed/handling ability to get in to trouble on any public road, and I would guess very few of us are good enough drivers to really drive that car at 10/10 on the track. It was fun just seeing my friend's reaction considering he'd never even really heard of the IS-F, much less driven one. That's just another thing I really like about the car... so few people, even supposed car enthusiasts, know anything about the IS-F. So few people have ever even seen one!
In fact, does anyone have a link or data showing how many IS-Fs were sent to the US by year? This definitely has to be one of the more rare production cars on the road. I don't think I've seen more than 5 of them on the road in the entire 4+ years they've been out. Contrast that with the fact that I have seen 5 M3s in probably the last few weeks, and I have two different friends who own S5s and have driven them both, and have seen at least 3 others on the road in the last couple of months.
In fact, does anyone have a link or data showing how many IS-Fs were sent to the US by year? This definitely has to be one of the more rare production cars on the road. I don't think I've seen more than 5 of them on the road in the entire 4+ years they've been out. Contrast that with the fact that I have seen 5 M3s in probably the last few weeks, and I have two different friends who own S5s and have driven them both, and have seen at least 3 others on the road in the last couple of months.
07-20-12, 11:44 AM
#33
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Let's not get the wrong idea by the post guys... I wasn't trying to say the S5 was a bad car at all. It still ranks very highly on my list. Face it, it has more than enough power/speed/handling ability to get in to trouble on any public road, and I would guess very few of us are good enough drivers to really drive that car at 10/10 on the track. It was fun just seeing my friend's reaction considering he'd never even really heard of the IS-F, much less driven one. That's just another thing I really like about the car... so few people, even supposed car enthusiasts, know anything about the IS-F. So few people have ever even seen one!
In fact, does anyone have a link or data showing how many IS-Fs were sent to the US by year? This definitely has to be one of the more rare production cars on the road. I don't think I've seen more than 5 of them on the road in the entire 4+ years they've been out. Contrast that with the fact that I have seen 5 M3s in probably the last few weeks, and I have two different friends who own S5s and have driven them both, and have seen at least 3 others on the road in the last couple of months.
In fact, does anyone have a link or data showing how many IS-Fs were sent to the US by year? This definitely has to be one of the more rare production cars on the road. I don't think I've seen more than 5 of them on the road in the entire 4+ years they've been out. Contrast that with the fact that I have seen 5 M3s in probably the last few weeks, and I have two different friends who own S5s and have driven them both, and have seen at least 3 others on the road in the last couple of months.
I had a post on A5OC about how there are a lot of great things to like about the S5, but performance just isn't it. The IS-F crushes it in this department.
07-20-12, 12:27 PM
#34
Lexus Test Driver
RS5 is not (and AFAIK won't come) to the US, so most of us don't have it as an option. I love the S5, it's a great looking car, one of the best on the road. Inside is as good as outside, great interior, perfect distribution of controls and everything. Power-wise is not on par with its look. I tested drove one before getting my last ISF and left the Audi dealer unimpressed.
07-20-12, 01:44 PM
#36
Audi loves to make these "tweener" cars. The S5 and the S4 are more performance oriented than the A versions of each, but not quite up the performance levels of what you would think the competitors would be from other makers (the M3, C63AMG and IS-F). Of course Audi knows more about their marketing strategy than I could ever hope to, but it seems like they kind of miss their mark. Figure you have the BMW 328, 335 and M3, or the Lexus IS250, IS350, and IS-F. Then you have the Audi A4/5, S4/5, and RS4/5 that are all more expensive than the similar models from BMW and Lexus. I don't see how that is competitive.
07-20-12, 04:11 PM
#38
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Combine that with the fact that even though it's been out in Europe for a year already, it's a new 2013 model for the US market, and the best performance comparisons we can make are against cars that were out since 2008.
I totally get that there is a market for this car, and it's a good car, but I think a lot of the enthusiast-types will be left scratching their heads.
07-20-12, 08:35 PM
#39
Oh shoot, I didn't know the RS5 was here already! Too bad I got my ISF this year, if the RS5 was on dealerships this last February I may have ended getting one. The specs are great and I love coupe cars, I guess I'll have to wait for the next generation ISF and cross my fingers to have a coupe version available.
07-20-12, 11:27 PM
#40
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"Hey I'd like to test drive one of your S5s!"
Dealer: "No."
"...Ok"
07-21-12, 04:49 AM
#43
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IMO it's not really a "real ISF competitor" if it runs similar 0-60 (~4.5s) and quarter mile (~12.7s) times despite launch control and DCT gearbox -- from a roll I'd still give advantage to the ISF. Then add ~$10k higher MSRP ($68,900) which is less likely to get discounted than the Lexus and with less standard features (like you said they'll nickle and dime you with options -- this is very easily a $75-80k+ car or even more if you get carbon ceramic brakes), and ubiquitous styling that's not dramatically different from a $38k A5 (the flares on the RS5 are extremely subtle compared to the old RS4), and it's kind of a snooze.
Combine that with the fact that even though it's been out in Europe for a year already, it's a new 2013 model for the US market, and the best performance comparisons we can make are against cars that were out since 2008.
I totally get that there is a market for this car, and it's a good car, but I think a lot of the enthusiast-types will be left scratching their heads.
Combine that with the fact that even though it's been out in Europe for a year already, it's a new 2013 model for the US market, and the best performance comparisons we can make are against cars that were out since 2008.
I totally get that there is a market for this car, and it's a good car, but I think a lot of the enthusiast-types will be left scratching their heads.
07-21-12, 06:17 AM
#44
I had an '09 S5 for 3 years before getting my '12 GT-R. Even with full bolt-ons an S5 is no match for an IS-F. Not even close. That car was fun to own for non-performance reasons, but when it comes to racing, it just doesn't hang. I had full intake, downpipes, exhaust, coilovers, bbk, etc. and the best thing it was good at was cruising and making a fun noise (but even that isn't as solid as the IS-F).
Audi just simply doesn't build competitively fast cars for the money, and that's why I went back to JDM. =)
Audi just simply doesn't build competitively fast cars for the money, and that's why I went back to JDM. =)
IS-F is a nice car but it is definitely not the holy grail. Lexus needs a lot of improvements for it to stay with it's competition. The S5 is NOT a competitor.
The CTS-V and C63 are the industry leaders in this class of cars with the m3 still the best handling one of the bunch.
RS-5 is a great car but for the price is definitely is an exclusive car that people will buy (especially in midwest and other harsh climate areas) RWD cars are not all season cars in most of the country.
07-21-12, 08:22 AM
#45
I think your last statement is wrong - go drive the V10 r8, purely awesome car and great price compared to it's competitors.
IS-F is a nice car but it is definitely not the holy grail. Lexus needs a lot of improvements for it to stay with it's competition. The S5 is NOT a competitor.
The CTS-V and C63 are the industry leaders in this class of cars with the m3 still the best handling one of the bunch.
RS-5 is a great car but for the price is definitely is an exclusive car that people will buy (especially in midwest and other harsh climate areas) RWD cars are not all season cars in most of the country.
IS-F is a nice car but it is definitely not the holy grail. Lexus needs a lot of improvements for it to stay with it's competition. The S5 is NOT a competitor.
The CTS-V and C63 are the industry leaders in this class of cars with the m3 still the best handling one of the bunch.
RS-5 is a great car but for the price is definitely is an exclusive car that people will buy (especially in midwest and other harsh climate areas) RWD cars are not all season cars in most of the country.