E39 m5.

 

Not to be a dick, but you don't know enough about these cars to make a determination on their reliability. The B5 S4 did, in fact, have a 2.7t in it. It's also a running joke in the car community about its poor reliability. I have enough wrench time/seat time on a lot of these older sports sedans to know very well what is and isn't reliable, what to look for when buying one used, and what sort of money you need to spend to find a proper example. Any Audi worth driving (save the later V8 S4) is a maintenance nightmare, anyone who has owned one out of warranty will attest to this.

Their boring and sedate cars really don't play into this in the same way because no teenager lusts for an NA B5 A4 with an automatic transmission.

 

I would definitely stay away from preowned audi's. I had an 04 A6 and had lots of issues with it. (and it wasn't even the 2.7 engine, it was the 4.2). These cars depreciate like crazy for a good reason. As far as DD, I would go with a GTI, or Evo, WRX. Fun and not expensive to run.

 

Lol I wouldn't be so sure, because you have one right here And also, since posting this, I have found some information about the 2004 A8L and apparently the reliability record is quite bad so I guess I can forget that one.... maybe a Phaeton.

 

Buddy, just stop.

 

^^ read my last post.

 

How about the newest pre-owned VW GTI you can afford?

Performance, creature comforts and reliability paired with a cheap price of maintenance and parts.

Win/win.

 

If you wanted performance, I suppose.

 

Why don't you just tell us you are looking for the coolest luxury car you can find that fits within your $20k budget?

 

This is just a discussion, i was just pointing out a car I found earlier. Feel free to share your opinions.