No offense, but a lot of you guys are stuck in the past. I have a 2005 A6 4.2 (current gen) and it hasn't given me many problems at all. I have a warranty on it until 100k miles. It has 62k miles now. The car is beastly with the V8, has a superb ride, handles well, has a great interior, and it looks classy and never gaudy like many other luxury vehicles in its class.

I considered an S5 before buying a fully loaded 370Z. Like Jeff said, a fully loaded 370Z has a truly splendid interior that looks and feels terrific - rivaling some of the luxury automakes out there. I decided against the S5 because it's essentially a 2-door version of my A6 (similar interiors, similar power, motor, drivetrain). They're great cars and they have very nice gearboxes too. The newer ones handle notably better than the original 2008-2009 cars thanks to the optional torque vectoring.

Though I must say, it's weird to compare a spartan Nismo Z to a luxo grand tourer like the S5. Again, a fully loaded 370Z makes a lot more sense.

S5s are nice, but Audi/VW reliability is terrible.

I wouldn't put much stock in that. Straight lines about the same, but a Nismo will out perform a regular 370Z around a track.

Wrong. The differences between the two cars are so minimal that the additional weight of the Nismo handicaps it.

Just one of many examples:
http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-g...ismo-370z.html

I've personally witnessed a bone stock Nismo 370Z run 13.0s back to back in the 1/4 mile. I know their at least as quick in a straight line stock vs. stock to a 370Z sport, and I know they have a better suspension and better aero. Around a track i'd definetly put my money on the Nismo with equal drivers.

well, neither of them would make it around the track without an oil cooler. and considering the Nismo is the track'd out looking one, that shouldn't be the case.

These are two different cars. A better comparision has been the M3 and the S5....the M3 won in performance. While the Audi is a nice vehicle, it is a german vehicle...costly to operate and costly to maintain.

For those people who would want performance(strictly), an S5 should not be a first choice, as there are better options out there, especially for the money.

Prior to buying my Z, I test drove and considered the A5, but after researching the vehicle....I did not like the depreciation rates and the cost of ownership (a lot of Audi owners tend to trade up/out of their vehicle before the 60,000 mile service or expiration of the warranty).

When visiting the Audi Service Department to obtain service/maintenance estimates, the Service Manager did not/could not provide a written maintenance schedule showing the cost of the services, but he could give me approximate numbers/cost based on his memory. I guess if you have to ask.....don't bother about the cost.

When researching the Z, it was shown to have a slower rate of depreciation and was really not expensive to maintain, and of course reliable. A vehicle that can be driven routinely.

In the end, it comes down to practicality and reliability verses prestige and cost. "I chose practicality and reliability"

This is just my opinion/experience

My age old complaint of the Nismo is that there should be absolutely no question about the 'track' model being quicker than the lesser sibling. No stock A5 can touch an S5. Nissan $hit the bed with the Nismo. If the S5 is within budget and a consideration, I'd buy it over a Nismo without ever looking back.

My buddies s5 had major issues at 30k miles. Love my Nismo, but the s5 id a waste of money imho.

:iagree:

I generally drive an S5 almost each day. No one has mentioned torque! HP is only part of the equation. The S5 is hands down faster the the Z with more then double the torque. Our cars are great for the price point!! Bang for the buck!
We don't have Quattro, Servotronic steering, Lane Assit, Parktronic, Self leveling Bi-Xenons, Bang & Olufsen, MMI, LED DRL, Nappa leather, Infotainment, Battery energy management, Electro-mechanical parking brake, Voice Control, etc, etc...different beast!
Also if you can't afford to own a German or Italian high end vehicle, which is indeed costly to up keep, then stay away!
I have a ton of customers that can and do! This allows me to own my 370Z!! ;)
Audi's are awesome to drive at their limits! They make bad drivers look good! It takes a ton of control modules, heavy engineered powertrain, and tank like structure to give the driver that confidence. Of course these things need to be maintained!! $$
These vehicles shouldn't be compared!

Have a friend that bought a TT same time as I bought my Z it broke down in a parking garage and had to have it towed to the dealer for repair. Somthing to do with the starter. Best part was she was always talking about how much nicer her car was then mine (didn't say anything when I had to give her a ride home.)

My 2011 S4 is unbelieveable! So far so good

The new TT (8J chassis) starters do not fail! The last model TT (8N chassis)
has problems with the starter at higher mileage marks.

I have owned a 2008 VW GTI and lemon lawed it, then purchased a 2009 Audi A4 and traded it for my Z due to parablems... They are an electrical and sensor nightmare, if you get a good one you keep it.

Comparing a 370Z and an S5 is pretty silly. You don't buy an S5 to race people. You buy it because it's an awesome car that looks amazing, has a great interior and is extremely classy. If you've ever seen an S5 on the street and heard it's exhaust, you realize immediately why you want it.

If they weren't so expensive, I'd take an S5 over my 370Z every day and twice on Sunday.