Audi Offering Incentives on R8s

by Frank Williams

May 15th, 2008 10:56 AM

Good luck buying an Audi R8. There's an 18-month– or longer– waiting list. Or you could pay dealers demanding a $50 – $80k price premium. Hence the reason that Automotive News' [sub] industry-wide list of factory incentives set off my WTF alarm. As usual, a handful of Audi finance deals are listed under the VW heading. Until July 2, Audi dealers are offering the Audi A3, RS4 and S4 with 2.9 percent financing (qualified buyers, first born as collateral, etc.). Ingolstadt's American minions are also offering 0.9 – 2.9 percent financing on A4s. And well-heeled enthusiasts can pick-up an $109k (six-speed, base) Audi R8 with 5.34 – 5.85 percent financing. AN didn't list any specifics: length of financing, down payments or whether it was a purchase or lease. And Audi's web site doesn't list the deal with their other "special offers." So now I'm wondering: if they're in such short supply and such high demand, why would Audi be offering finance deals? And would that finance rate really sway someone shopping the $100k+ market to buy an R8 over a Porsche 911 Turbo?

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4 of 8 comments

Jaje on May 15, 2008

I really like the premise of the R8. It looks good too (not stunning like a Ferrari or ageless like a 911). I'll hopefully be able to get a ride in one this weekend at an Audi track even I'm instructing at.

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Michael Karesh on May 15, 2008

Friend of mine who was given one to drive for a few days says it's the most amazing car he's driven. That's not exactly cut-rate financing. Should be able to close to those numbers without any subsidy.

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Frank Williams on May 15, 2008
Pch101 Could be a typo. That was my first thought, that maybe they actually meant A8. But I went back and checked, and this isn't the first time the R8 has appeared on this list with reduced financing. It is the longest period of time they've offered it, though. Previously it was just for a couple of weeks at a time. Just for the helluvit, I ran some figures through a car loan calculator. With tax, title and registration figured in, a $10k down payment, and the lowest rate they offer (5.38%), the payments on a base-price R8 (yeah, just try to find one for $109k) with gas guzzler tax ($2,100) and destination charge ($1,000) for 60 months would be $2,128.31. Whatta bargain!

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Driver23 on May 15, 2008

If your investments are bringing more than finance rate it makes more sense to borrow. Similarly with mortgages - there is no reason to payoff the house when interest is tax-deductible, which is twice as important in 35% tax bracket.

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