Edmunds CarPool

Yeah, these cars just cost too much. I know they're luxury cars and not supposed to be cheap or easily affordable, but $82k for an RS4 is just too much.
When you look at the history, the 3-series/A4/C-class were created to make BMW/Audi/Mercedes affordable for middle class and upper middle class people. IMO that means the M3/RS4/C63AMG should start at about $55k, and max out at around $65k. But they're starting at $65k........

"the 3-series/A4/C-class were created to make BMW/Audi/Mercedes affordable for middle class and upper middle class people. that means the M3/RS4/C63AMG should start at about $55k, and max out at around $65k. But they're starting at $65k........"
 
:--) are you sure the middle class can afford that even at 55K?

"Otherwise I'm spending my own $80,000-plus on a loaded up Cayman S or a Corvette Z06 (when you're at this price point, and performance is the obvious driving factor, a drop-top and rear seat don't mean that much to me)."
 
Same goes with me too ... at that point I am considering a Porsche ... period.

The Germans seem to be pretty successful at selling cars with a $50,000 range from the cheapest version to the most expensive, without looking any different. Their marketing departments must be doing something right.

Honestly though, with less than 1000 of these coming stateside, every one will sell. So the cost/value really isn't an issue since they will be so scarce anyway. For Audi, this is a branding excercise that will prove to be much more valuable to them than the actual sales.

'Tis true. As an Audi "halo" car (that still costs $30,000 less than an R8) it will sell out and be cherished by those that buy it.

":--) are you sure the middle class can afford that even at 55K?"
 
No, Turivan. But $55k is probably reasonable since the M3, RS4 and C63AMG are right at the top of the class. Presumably the lesser models in the range would stay in the $30k to $40k range.
But alas, that is not happening! These cars have "starting prices" of between $32k and $35k but in reality cost cost more than $40k......a friend of mine bought a 328i for $41k!
 
But if, for example, the RS4 is intended as a halo car then its price probably makes sense. However, I doubt any halo effect of the RS4. Most A4 buyers do not buy it because they hoped/wished to get an RS4 but settled for an A4. I'd go as far as saying most A4 owners do not know about the RS4......they buy the A4 simply because the like its styling and want a luxury car.
That being said, the RS4 plays a big role in maintaining Audi's image, just like the M3 and C63 do for their respective brands. But I'd say they're worth at least $10k less than their prices.

Are you kidding blackladder??
  
This car debuted with standing applause from both media and club enthusiasts. There's no doubt Audi has a place in the automotive timeline and if they know anything of it (which they obviously must) they would up their chins with this iteration.
  
What is legend has been made legend already. I personally doubt Audi will make any more ripples with this one, however I wonder how it evolve in fame with a glaring kick to that price.

No, xgc75, I'm not kidding, and you just proved me right: "This car debuted with standing applause from both media and club enthusiasts". Is the average A4 owner a "club enthusiast"? Also note that media interest and applause does not necessarily translate to general public interest, eg, Mazda 6 and most Oscar movies. I bet the RS4 is not as well known as, say, the GTI or a Shelby.....or even the M3, for example.
 
Yeah, the RS4 is great. It changed the compact luxury performance segment overnight when it was introduced. (Suddenly the M3 was underpowered.) Yeah, every/most car enthusiast knows it and loves it (except the price). Yes, it does the Audi brand a lot of good. But is it necessarily a halo car? It attracts enthusiasts to the dealership but does it attract fairly knowledgeable non-enthusiasts as well? Do typical A4 owners buy the A4 really wishing it was the RS4 they were buying? Did the RS4 suddenly make the A4 (or other Audis) more popular or better known?
 
And its price has to come down, especially now that the M3 is on par with it as far as performance is concerned.....

The RS4 models, the sedan, wagon and convertible are way too expensive for their size and performance. I also think they look pretty old now compared to the 3 Series and CTS. $84 grand is ridiculous for a car that small, I mean you could probably get a BMW 6 series for that.

It doesn't matter what these cars cost. Audi appears to be the apple of the enthusiast's Press's eyes right now - every web and car mag site I've visited gushes praise for Audi no matter what model it is, save possibly the A3 Quattro (which will soar to the skies once Audi puts an aluminum block V6 in it). Audi has cachet, and they know it.
 
My memory is fuzzy but there were times Honda could do no wrong, or VW, or a few other brands.
 
Given the continuing decline of the dollar against the euro, I suggest that If you want these Audis, get 'em now. However, do they make sense when dealers are few, and roads are rough and nasty?

"Audi appears to be the apple of the enthusiast's Press's eyes right now"
 
NO. I'd say BMW, especially the 3-series, is the darling of the enthusiast world. C&D just rated the M3 as being better than the RS4 (although I actually think they weren't fair to the RS4.) And in the US especially, Audi doesn't have BMW's cachet.

Actually I'd have to agree with kurt about Audi vs. BMW. BMW has btaken a lot of heat for the styling of most of their models, like the 7 series, 5 series, X3 and the X6. Others ridicule their iDrive and their "cold, uninviting interiors". But all i hear about Audi is how beautiful the styling is, even they are all beginning to look the same now, and you keep hearing reviewers gush over the interior even though the design patterns are getting repetitive.

4000 lbs performance car that small? Something is terribly wrong at Audi.