Everyone knows mainstream cars depreciate. Thus, unless you've purchased something truly high-end, like a limited-edition hypercar, chances are it is worth far less today than it was when it left the dealer lot.
This applies to the original Audi S8, as this model used to start at over $70,000 back in 2002. Nowadays, one could land a rather beaten-up copy for a fraction of that cost, with those examples usually changing hands for only a few thousand dollars. However, the one pictured above is a well-preserved machine, so it fetched a bit more than that.
When the virtual gavel hit the table at the Cars&Bids online auction earlier this month (November 2024), this 2002 Audi S8 went for $11,450. That's a steal, considering how much it used to cost over two decades ago, and from what we can see, this car will likely run for at least two more decades if properly maintained.
Someone congratulated the new owner, saying, "They don't make them like this anymore." And we agree. Back then, cars were built to last, and automakers, especially premium ones, still valued their names. The sports-oriented modern-classic land yacht had around 145,000 miles (~233,3500 km) on the odo when it sold, and its black-on-black appearance contributes to the timeless design.
Photo: Cars&Bids
It features the Premium Package, parking sensors at both ends, a Bose premium audio system, and other highlights, a power sunroof, leather upholstery, and it is estimated that only 340 of these cars were sold in the United States for the 2002 model year. Thus, it's a very rare find, especially when factoring in its overall appearance and the fact that it is a nicely equipped example that rides on 18-inch wheels and packs V8 firepower.
The naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 motor produced 317 pound-foot (430 Nm) of torque back in the day and 355 horsepower (ps/265 kW). It could sprint to sixty mph (97 kph) from zero in around five and a half seconds and ran out of breath at 155 miles per hour (250 kph). Power was deployed to the permanent quattro all-wheel drive system through a five-speed automatic transmission.
As far as the modifications go, these are quite discreet and include tinted windows, wheel spacers, red-painted brake calipers, and a hard-wired radar detector. The car has some scratches and chips, a cracked yet still functional door lock actuator, interior wear, a sagging headliner, and other stuff, so it's by no means perfect. However, it surely is perfect for us, as we've always been fans of large V8-powered sedans, especially those that were built like tanks.
Congrats to the new owner for this purchase, and we hope they enjoy this 2002 Audi S8 for years to come. You can check out the ad on the quoted website here.
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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