[bluecrabby]

so... a saleswoman from the local Audi dealership called me yesterday. I went on a test drive with her back in late October. I ended up ordering the X1 in November.

She asked if I was still interested in the Q5. I told her that I already have the X1 on order. She mentioned that the dealership just received several new Q5 last week.

One of which was this one:

2023 Q5 45 S line Premium Plus
Odometer: 8 miles.(15 miles after I came back from the test drive)
MSRP $56,635
Date of manufacture 11/2022 as indicated on the VIN plate


(unfortunately as with all Audi Q5, manufactured in Mexico, which was one reason I lost interest back in October)

She said that her sales manager was very eager to make a deal on that one, or any other Q5 on the lot before end of January. If I needed financing, it was going to be better than 2.99% APR.

So... I stopped by just before lunch and looked at that "Mythos Black Metallic" Q5 with black leather interior. Black paint is probably going to be a major PITA to maintain... also, honest, black with black interior is not really my cup of tea when it comes to color combination, but I didn't like any of the other available Audi Q5 colors they had on the lot.

Drove it for a few miles with the saleswoman AND the sales manager in the backseat. Not really sure why he tagged along, but I didn't really car. I don't recall every having a sales manager ride along on test drives for as long as I've been buying cars since 1988?

He didn't seem willing to just let me end the test drive and leave. They pulled out the usual "what do I have to do today to put you in this new Q5 today? speech...

long story short... I showed them the X1 order sheet on my phone, which had a MSRP of just over $47000.(M Sport, Space Silver, Alcantara seats, Premium package, remote engine start, etc).

Without even skipping a beat, he said "how does $6900 off the MSRP sound to you?" MSRP on window sticker was $56,635, before taxes/fees.

I asked him to make sure that it was the one that I had just test driven. He said yes and even put the VIN# down on a sales order just to put my mind at ease. He said he could even knock off another $500 if I go with Audi's own financing.(before I told him that my credit union offers 4.99% APR at the moment)

I had to meet with an irate customer around 3PM, so I told him that I had to think about it. He texted me just before 6pm last night and again this morning. I have not responded because I don't know what I think yet.

One of the other reason besides not wanting any car/suv made in Mexico was that I really think the current Q5 is "old" just like the current Volvo XC60...(both of which will probably get a totally new re-design this or next year)

Did anyone else here consider the Audi Q5 before ordering or buying the X1? Is so, what do you think about a deal like this? Seems like too good to pass up.. but I'm also a believer in "if sounds too good to be true, it probably is..."

planning to cross-post this in one of those Audi forums later to see what the Audi folks think as well..

[tex2670]

Assuming it's the 45 engine and not the 40, I think I would do this. The current gen of the Q5 might be at the end of its run, but it's not like it looks dated at all.

I hear what you are saying about black on black; but my last car (328) I bought CPO, and the best deal I found was black on black, and I was a bit concerned, but I quickly adopted to it - especially the black interior. Black still would not be my first exterior choice just because it shows dirt so much, but I would not hesitate now to get black interior - especially with a black headliner.

I think you would be getting more car here than the X1.

[SeekTheFinest]

We own a 2017 Audi Q7 which we ordered when it was redesigned in 2016 and looked at the SQ5 before we decided on the X1. I love my Q7, but was not a big fan of the interior layout of the Q5 model line. Also the made in Mexico matter would give me pause. The issue with the Q5 is that it’s pretty expensive given the engine option and features in the car. There is a reason why they’re willing to knock off that much from MSRP, because it’s overpriced. I purchased an A4 in 2010 and I think I paid $27k for the car, with the 2.0T 4 cylinder. It was a great car with minimal issues over the 7yrs/100k I owned it. The Q7 is at 6yrs/70k, and aside from the brake noise it has been solid…My issue with the Q5 was the interior was seriously dated and due to a refresh, but I guess you can’t always be chasing pending changes… I like the idea that my German car is actually made in Germany or at least in Europe for the Q7… I could work with South Carolina, but I’m not sure Mexico… Just my thoughts…

[TGTBTU]

Mexico? Is this like a race thing? Don’t BMW have the same quality control outside of Europe?

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by TGTBTU

Mexico? Is this like a race thing? Don’t BMW have the same quality control outside of Europe?

Exactly. Same parts; same process; same robots; same tolerances and quality control.

I've seen this same sentiment on other owner forums. Why would any car company risk its QC reputation if this were true?

[BMWZ4]

I would've thought the Q3 was more inline with the X1. If so, then this SQ5 deal would be better.

Surprised they're making that discount offer though...

[bluecrabby]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

I would've thought the Q3 was more inline with the X1. If so, then this SQ5 deal would be better.

Surprised they're making that discount offer though...

I wonder if it's because the sales manager has to make some kind of quota to get a promotion or something?

Over a suddenly influx of inventory? They do have a LOT of Q5 and A4 wagons on the lot. I would estimate it to be about 15 Q5s and 10 A4 wagons. (compared to almost none back in October)

[bluecrabby]

Originally Posted by TGTBTU

Mexico? Is this like a race thing? Don’t BMW have the same quality control outside of Europe?

not at all... I just have a thing about buying cars that are not manufactured in the home country of the car manufacturer. (doesn't matter if they are Lexus, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Cadillac, Lincoln or even Infiniti)

don't flame me, but I think both Canada and Mexico are better North American countries than the US. (either Canada should annex the US... or Mexico should annex the western half of the US) One day... I suppose?

[BMWZ4]

Ultimately your call. I've not been a fan of Audi. Full disclosure though, I've never owned one. My neighbor bought a SQ5 last October...says the build quality is not there. He's going to dump it in the summer despite huge loss he's expecting to take.

EDIT: guess they have inventory because low sales on that model? Who knows

Also...very different car as I'm sure you've noticed. And don't believe they have the 3 years built-in service either

[saws]

Audis are fantastic vehicles and 7K off MSRP is a (somewhat) rare opportunity.
Probably deleted features caused it to sit on lot & dealers will discount prices based on this.
49.6K for Q5 Prem Plus is very good value.
Q5 will definitely be bigger and carry more weight (no pun intended :-)

[dejy]

That's a great deal on the Audi Q5 45 S line Premium Plus and better loan interest. I think I'd go the Q5 if I were you.

[BMWZ4]

Just a thought...after all those calls and changes, your SA is going to shit himself when you call to cancel the order lol

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by bluecrabby

I wonder if it's because the sales manager has to make some kind of quota to get a promotion or something?

Over a suddenly influx of inventory? They do have a LOT of Q5 and A4 wagons on the lot. I would estimate it to be about 15 Q5s and 10 A4 wagons. (compared to almost none back in October)

'22s or '23s?

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

guess they have inventory because low sales on that model? Who knows

It's just weird because I see Q5s everywhere in my area. Can't imagine what would cause people to suddenly lose interest. I've read that Audi's lease rates are not very favorable, but again, that's nothing new.

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by tex2670

It's just weird because I see Q5s everywhere in my area. Can't imagine what would cause people to suddenly lose interest. I've read that Audi's lease rates are not very favorable, but again, that's nothing new.

Still a bit odd. Was just checking local Audi dealer online and they've got 3 fairly loaded Sq5's ON THE LOT!!?...maybe high interest rates, layoffs in the tech world, recession etc is hurting sales (not just Audi obviously)...maybe it's a matter of time before we start seeing deals elsewhere as well i.e. bmw

[SeekTheFinest]

My experience with Mexican manufactured VAG products goes back to 2001… I purchased a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T Wolfsburg Edition… The car took full advantage of both its factory and extended warranty… It was in the shop every three months for something… I ditched it at 5 years and 60k miles, got 25% of retail on trade and bought a German produced Audi A4… The cars were night and day… I am not questioning quality control, but I just know my Mexican made Jetta was a lemon and my German Audi was a peach…

[[/:\] GP9000]

I would not switch just for the fact that you initially decided buying a brand new (start of lifecycle) vehicle. Besides design & cosmetics there‘s plenty more updated on a new generation vehicle.
Q5 is end of life; hence the huge discounts. Sure there are some quotas or stock clearence to be achieved before the next Q5 hits the lot. Might as well be that the dealer gets fewer allocations in the future due to missed sales of old gen Q5.

[04S]

Get the Audi

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

Still a bit odd. Was just checking local Audi dealer online and they've got 3 fairly loaded Sq5's ON THE LOT!!?...maybe high interest rates, layoffs in the tech world, recession etc is hurting sales (not just Audi obviously)...maybe it's a matter of time before we start seeing deals elsewhere as well i.e. bmw

SQ5 is more expensive than a regular Q5. Worse MPGs too. So I guess I can see that

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by SeekTheFinest

My experience with Mexican manufactured VAG products goes back to 2001… I purchased a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T Wolfsburg Edition… The car took full advantage of both its factory and extended warranty… It was in the shop every three months for something… I ditched it at 5 years and 60k miles, got 25% of retail on trade and bought a German produced Audi A4… The cars were night and day… I am not questioning quality control, but I just know my Mexican made Jetta was a lemon and my German Audi was a peach…

Yeah well it was an early 2000s VW, so I don't think it really mattered where it was built....

[FlashMonkey929]

Originally Posted by tex2670

Yeah well it was an early 2000s VW, so I don't think it really mattered where it was built....

My German built 2000 GTI VR6 never had any issues other than one window regulator that was replaced with an updated part, and that damned soft touch finish on the interior peeling off. Although I only kept it till late ‘06 when I got an ‘07 GTI. I have nothing to compare it to though, every single car I’ve owned since 16 years old was German built, with the exception of my ‘06 Scion xB beater car I bought last year for $1,500 lol

[Paradocks]

Originally Posted by FlashMonkey929

My German built 2000 GTI VR6 never had any issues other than one window regulator that was replaced with an updated part, and that damned soft touch finish on the interior peeling off. Although I only kept it till late ‘06 when I got an ‘07 GTI. I have nothing to compare it to though, every single car I’ve owned since 16 years old was German built, with the exception of my ‘06 Scion xB beater car I bought last year for $1,500 lol

Ugh….bad VW window regulators brings back too many unpleasant memories. No fun driving in the dead of winter when the driver’s window suddenly drops down into the door.

Back to the subject at hand, it sounds like the dealer is desperate to move inventory off the lot. Could be an opportunity that does not present itself again.