As depreciation continues to work its wonderful magic, there are a number of excellent cars falling into the sub $30k range which is the cap of what I consider to be reasonable at this point in my life. If you’ve got $30k to spend on a car then then the field is wide open, E90 M3s, 987 Caymans and the B8 S5 are all options. At that price point they’re most likely not the garage queen you dream of but clean, mechanically solid examples with relatively low miles are out there. I think this particular car is one of those examples, and with just under 70k on the clock it looks to have been well cared for. I guess that’s what starting life as a corporate fleet vehicle in California will do for a car.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2009Â Audi S5 On eBay
Year: 2009
Model:Â S5
Engine: 4.2Â liter V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Mileage: 69,453 mi
Price: $29,995 Buy It Now
VIN Number: WAURV78T29A024790
Stock Number: 3000851
Model Year: 2009
Make: Audi
Model: S5
Style Name: All-Wheel Drive Quattro Coupe 4.2L
Vehicle Trim: 4.2L
Exterior Color: Ibis White
Interior Color: Black/BlackMPG Manual City: 16
MPG Manual Highway: 24Drive Train Type: All Wheel Drive
4WD Type : Full-Time
Locking Hubs: Permanent
Wheels Rims: Silver Aluminum
Wheels Spare Rim Type: SteelIndependent Suspension: Four-Wheel
Stabilizer Bar: Front And RearClock
Compass
External TempSunroof: Express Open/Close Glass
Privacy Glass: LightAudio System: AM/FM/Satellite
Speakers: 10Drivers: Multi-Level Heating
Drivers Height: Power
Drivers Lumbar: Power 4-Way
Drivers Power: 8
Passenger: Multi-Level Heating
Passenger Height: Power
Passenger Lumbar: Power 4-Way
Passenger Power: 8
Seating Capacity: 4
Front Seat Type: Sport
Upholstery: Leather
Center Armrest: With Pass-Thru And Skibag
Folding: Fold Forward SeatbackCruise Control
Windows: Power Windows
Steering Power: Speed-Proportional Power Steering
Steering Adjustment: Tilt And Telescopic
Auto Dimming Mirrors: Electrochromatic
Reverse Tilt Mirror: Passenger Mirror
Power Door Locks
Center Console: Full With Covered Storage
Cupholders: Front And Rear
Door Pockets: Driver And Passenger
Overhead Console: Mini With Storage
Power Outlets: 3
Remote Trunk Release: Power
Seatback Storage: 2
Universal Remote Transmitter
Memory Features
Memory Features Number of Drivers: 2Air Conditioning: Automatic
Air Filtration: Interior Air Filtration
Trunk Lights: Cargo Area Light
Center Console Trim: Aluminum
Dash Trim: Metal-Look
Door Trim: Aluminum
Mats: Carpet Front And Rear
Reading Lights: Front And Rear
Shift Knob: Leather/Metal-Look
Steering Wheel Trim: Leather
Vanity Mirrors: Dual Illuminated Vanity MirrorsAux Engine Cooler: Regular
Driver and Passenger Airbag
Head Airbags: Curtain 1st And 2nd Row
ABS: 4-Wheel
Mirrors: Turn Signal In Mirrors
Anti Theft System
Brake Assist: Braking Assist
Stability Control
Headlights Auto Delay: Auto Delay Off
Daytime Running Lights
Engine Immobilizer
Turning Circle: 37.4
Door Reinforcement: Side-Impact Door Beam
Front Headrests: Fixed
Side Airbag
Stability Control
Tie Downs: Cargo Tie DownsFront Head Room: 39.1 Inches
Front Shoulder Room: 54.3 Inches
Rear Head Room: 36.0 Inches
Rear Shoulder Room: 52.8 Inches
Luggage Capacity: 12 Cu.Ft.
Length: 182.5 Inches
Width: 73.0 Inches
Height: 53.9 Inches
Wheelbase: 108.3 Inches
Curb Weight: 4,243 Lbs.
When it comes to S5s, this example ticks all the right option boxes. Cold weather package, MMI navigation and most importantly, the manual transmission. The pre-facelift V8 S5 is a 3 pedal car, the automatic completely watering down the driving experience to the point of it being rather mundane. This car is anything but. Sure, a number of these sold to folks who just wanted the S5 badge and don’t really care about the 4.2 liter monster under the hood but I’m ok with that because often times those are the examples that have been driven easy. The hard part is finding one of those non-enthusaist owned cars with a stick.
I’ve seen many first gen S5s that have been tastelessly modified, fitted with huge rims and wrapped in gaudy colors. It pains me to see this because I’ve always felt that this is a car that was atheistically perfect from the factory. The only modifications I’d want to do with an S5 would be power train and handling related ones. With an ECU flash and exhaust it’s easy to improve upon the 343 bhp that Audi claims but you also have the option to go all out, stick a supercharger on and see that number jump up well over 500. Power doesn’t come cheap but if you’ve got the dough to tweak the guts of an S5, you’re going to be really, really glad you did. If it were me I’d go with a tune from APR, a GMG exhaust, tighten up the suspension, fit it with Porsche brakes, extremely sticky tires and call it a day. Is that a relatively large order, absolutely but if you snag one of these cars for $30k or less, it becomes much more palatable. The S5 is always criticized for being so much slower than an E92 M3 or C63 AMG and rightly so. It’s not meant to compete with those cars; it’s more on par with a 335i or CLK550 but with the right modifications, that’s when things get interesting. It’s odd to think of the S5 as a sleeper but if you take that V8 badge off the side and keep the baffles on your aftermarket exhaust closed, I think it’s exactly that.
Cheers,
-Andrew
We own three Audi dealerships so I see a huge number of Audi’s across my desk which I wholesale out. I have had several 08 and 09 S5’s in the last few months with miles in the 60’s and 70’s which I have disposed of for shockingly low numbers in the $20’s. They are great cars. There are a couple of weak spots to look for on them which can get pricey. In particular the motor mounts tend to go at those miles and NO the car wont be drivable if they’re shot. The white alcantera interior tends to get dirty and stay dirty so sticking with the all back is usually a good idea too.
Nice Looking Car!