Thoughts on these 2 cars

[Kolyan2k]

16 GS350 F-sport AWD Aisin 6-speed and 20 A5 Sportback Premium Plus 7-speed DCT (about 1+ years of warranty left). Price difference is about $5k. I think DCT in Audi is more of a disadvantage

[Our03z4]

I have an 8spd Audi and I have to say the shifting is excellent. Quicker than I could ever shift. That's in the A8L, guessing it wouldn't be much of a difference though. The Lexus would last longer I'd imagine but there is nothing like a German car. I would recommend looking at the A8s while you're at it, it's Audi's best made car, very reliable as well. Once you try it you'll buy it. Try for the 4.0t, crazy fast.

[Kolyan2k]

8spd in Audis is ZF unit, 7spd DCT is in-house Audi tranny that I don't feel very confident about. A8 is too big.....wife has IS350 now

I drove both, both drive nice, Audi tech is light years ahead, and 2.0t combined with DCT has some nice punch. They feel equally fast even though Lexus has like 50 more hp. And obviously A5 is way more fuel efficient. Lexus is blue! Leather is better. Audi seems like a better car, but at the same time it's more of a winter beater, Lexus feels more special with that color combo

[allinon72]

Out of those 2, I'd pick Toyota reliability and build quality over an Audi that might be sportier, but with a dated interior and will undoubtedly break after the warranty period. You just have to deal with the infotainment on the Lexus.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by allinon72

Out of those 2, I'd pick Toyota reliability and build quality over an Audi that might be sportier, but with a dated interior and will undoubtedly break after the warranty period. You just have to deal with the infotainment on the Lexus.

That's the updated interior on Audi, was a bit redesigned in 2020 (android auto etc). Lexus tech is pretty much useless unfortunately, looks decent though
Buddy (millionaire) has 06 A4 with like 250k miles. Obviously had lot of stuff done, but it's holding up, he wouldn't keep it if it was falling apart. But he has manual...

[allinon72]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

That's the updated interior on Audi, was a bit redesigned in 2020 (android auto etc). Lexus tech is pretty much useless unfortunately, looks decent though
Buddy (millionaire) has 06 A4 with like 250k miles. Obviously had lot of stuff done, but it's holding up, he wouldn't keep it if it was falling apart. But he has manual...

I guess Audi interiors just look dated to me new or old…especially the design of the UI, which is really getting long in the tooth.

And of course there are always outlier examples of cars outlasting expectations from any brand. Just my opinion - Audi engineers seem to care a lot less about serviceability and reliability than BMW and Mercedes do. Both the latter have made strides in this area over the last decade where it seems Audi is stagnant. Again that's just my anecdotal opinion.

[x622]

The GS seats do not fold down. Would be a more reliable platform over the A5.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by x622

The GS seats do not fold down. Would be a more reliable platform over the A5.

Yes, that's one of the reasons I like Sportback. I think it's ridiculous Lexus seats don't fold in most sedans. I remember Lexus fanboys said its for structural rigidity I did a run to Home Depot in my wife's IS350 and nothing fit, had to leave everything and drive back to pick up in my M235i

[Our03z4]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

8spd in Audis is ZF unit, 7spd DCT is in-house Audi tranny that I don't feel very confident about. A8 is too big.....wife has IS350 now

I drove both, both drive nice, Audi tech is light years ahead, and 2.0t combined with DCT has some nice punch. They feel equally fast even though Lexus has like 50 more hp. And obviously A5 is way more fuel efficient. Lexus is blue! Leather is better. Audi seems like a better car, but at the same time it's more of a winter beater, Lexus feels more special with that color combo

Ah okay. Couldn't remember what it had. The color is nice.

[M5Rick]

Not a fan of that A-Class type upright info screen on the A5 it would be a Lexus for me all the way but with all black interior with drop rear seats a must.

[ppointer]

I bought an A5 last year with V8 and MT. Sold it to Carvana after nine months. I just did not enjoy driving it. Replaced it with a new 540i.

[chassis]

Agree with the concerns on the DCT. DCT, MCT and PDK transmissions = avoid for me.

ZF and Aisin are the two global leaders in transmission technology. If long term reliability is in the decision factors, I would seek out an Aisin or ZF box.

[Kolyan2k]

AWD Lexus uses Aisin 6 speed auto I think from like 2006 RWD got newer Aisin 8 speed. The key to their reliability is the fact that they use engines and trannies 15-20 years old

[chassis]

Agree. For another Toyota example, the 4.0L 1GR-FE V6 in the 4Runner is now 20 years old and is bulletproof. It was bulletproof 15 years ago.

[forumlurker]

GS350 for me

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

I remember Lexus fanboys said its for structural rigidity

[NYG]

The S-Tronic in my R8 is easily as fast as any PDK that I've ever been in.

[x622]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

AWD Lexus uses Aisin 6 speed auto I think from like 2006 RWD got newer Aisin 8 speed. The key to their reliability is the fact that they use engines and trannies 15-20 years old

Correct. The new "IS500" is the same shit as my old ISF was.

[BMWGUYinCO]

As a (former) Lexus driver for over 25 years, we finally abandoned the brand because of sheer boredom. The Infotainment is awful, and the driving dynamics...just aren't there compared to the class competition.

But I will say this, our cars were reliable...

[Germanauto]

How much does reliability/ownership costs matter to you? I had a Lexus for 6 years, never had an unscheduled maintenance once.

One of my good friends has a Lexus GS350 F Sport, identical to that car but in white. I think it's an ugly beluga whale and nothing special to drive or sit inside. The Audi is a much nicer car and far more pleasant on the eyes. But will certainly be less dependable.

[Esteban]

The general consensus seems to be if reliability is what is important to you go for the Lexus, if drivability is what matters go for the Audi.

Looks are subjective and personal to you. I personally don't like the way either car looks.

[ASAP]

the lexus would be the more reliable choice here.... it would also be the dinosaur with technology / fuel efficiency in virtually every way subpar to the Audi