Audi S5 owner looking for advice

[Audi S5 Owner]

I'm the owner of a 2009 S5 Coupe looking for a back-up whip that gets me around but also has a little bit of a mean streak. I originally had looked into the Altima Coupe when it first came out in 2007 I think and even lurked around here as a guest but wasn't impressed with modding community at the time. I like the ability to make aftermarket modifications and I'm curious as to how much interest the AC has in the community. It seems that there are some nice options out there but are there any SC kits out at all? I like naturally aspirated engines but I'd be tempted to give a little kick in the balls to the 270bhp the V6 has.

I'm not looking to break the bank and I want something relatively reliable. Looking at the 135i, 370Z and Altima Coupe - the 135i and 370Z are nice options but I'm not sure I want to spend that dough on a vehicle that will get maybe 35% the drive time that the S5 does.

How is rear seat room? Usually I'm carrying at least 3. The S5 can comfortably sit two 5'10" - 6' adults in the back. Is the AC better?

I like the looks. Like the little I've seen of the car. I know the G is a RWD platform, any chance that the AC will be made as a AWD option perhaps? After having the luxury of quattro through snowy mountains it's a very nice thing to have in a performance coupe.

I haven't seen tons on the road and have never test driven one but have hopped in a 370Z. How is the handling and performance in these guys? I'm guessing it's more nimble than the S5 but not as nimble as the Z?

Also, when is the model going to be updated? New design, ect. 2010? 2011?

I hate buying a car when the new model is less than 2 years out.

I'm going to read through some archives and take a look at some of the rides on here. I've only glanced but it seems there are some pretty nice setups on here.

Any advice is appreciated.

[super_dn]

well I mean you shouldn't even be looking into 370z, if you're usually carrying 3 passengers..2 seater = imo I think the a/c has plenty of room in the back, but if thats not enough get the sedan

[unique2.5]

i would say you would enjoy driving 370 the most and it will definitely give you the best performance of the ones give, however, you mention you usually have about 3 people in the car so i dont know if that can be an option since it has no back seat. the altima coupe is a nice car but dont confuse it with a sports car like the 370. the g coupe might be somewhat in between both with its relevent performance and back seat but would also require a higher budget.

[PHENOMenalVinyl]

i would look at the a/c or g more g for you and the things you seem to want to do. I: mean we all know if u got an s5 u got the dough so the ? is how much do you want to spend on this car?????????

Overall the a/c is great the 6 has some balls and throw a turbo on "about 6k" and itll be balls out fast. I mean no it wont handle like ur s5 but thats what mods are for. If you upgrade all the suspension throw on coilds endlinks strut tower rear sway bar and an exhaust and intake and a Body kit "stillen" itd prob be like 3-4g but its worth it makes the car like a new one.

The new 2010 has a diff front than the 08-09 it also has projector lights just go onto there website and itll show the diff. BUT if ur modding ide try and find a 6mt 08-09 used and have ur fun with that saves u dough n then u can mod easier bc theres nothing out viually yet for the 2010

[2008AltiCoupeDan]

What PhEnoM said^ but a few improvements

the G35x sounds like ur car, its sleek, its sexy, its baller fast and its awd right in ur platform. the alti coupe isnt anywhere near the control of that car, and plus, if ur lookin for a awd car w/o throwin money in- thats ur best option imo- hell- or go for the subaru legacy gt or the subaru legacy 3.0R limited. just know that the 3.0R doesnt have the best torque in the first 2 gears, but for traction- hey- there u go. easy starts, awd around the bends.

there IS an option for an AWD alti coupe tho- but ur lookin to quite a drastic money means by use of the rogue's awd function and a bit of welding on ur car. not sumthin i'd reccomend

the turbo option, artisan performance or fox/sfr seems to both be well put together- from what i've seen w/ those on the site that were sponsored threw- i'd go w/ the artisan kit.

u have sum good choices bud

[ESP]

I haven't seen tons on the road and have never test driven one but have hopped in a 370Z. How is the handling and performance in these guys? I'm guessing it's more nimble than the S5 but not as nimble as the Z?

I don't know about the 3.5, but can confirm that before tweaking the suspension the 2.5 was an absolute pig...one of the worst handling cars I've driven. After a few $$$ were spent in suspension mods (endlinks, springs, rear sway bar), I kept up with my buddy's tuned STi on a run up either Cypress Mountain or Mt. Seymour (can't remember which one...not completely familiar with Vancouver and he led the way!). With coilovers it'll only get better! Either way, it'll be a much more comfortable driving experience than the 370Z. I was impressed with the handling of that car, but that engine is just too bloody high strung for my liking. An Altima coupe or a G coupe will be far better suited as a backup ride.

[rjdmmfl1]

I think the biggest things that will sway your decision is the fact that you typically drive with other passengers and that you won't break the bank... for these reasons, I would say either a used G37 or A/C is what you want... from the looks of the cars you listed, its hard to tell if passengers are really all that important to you since two of those cars (i35 and 370Z) are only two seaters... so for me, those two are off the list... (also, don't know if you've read up on em or not, but the new 370Z has this "limp home mode" feature that kicks in when the oil overheats... so unless you want to limp home at 5,500 RPM after spirited driving, you'll need an oil cooler kit... only about $800 .. just a bit of FYI)

why the Altima coupe...

270Hp is nice, unbolted exhaust (all else stock including wheels and tires) has yielded a track documented 13.9 second 1/4 mile.. normally times range about 14.2-14.4... however, a y-pipe- catback-tune combo will run you about 1500 and should drop you into the high 13's for 1/4 mile.. now add on another $500, and with lowering springs, front strut brace, and rear sway bar... your handling has shot up considerably... pretty close to the tight handling of a G37...

so, just in performance upgrades, $2000 on an altima coupe will put you in pretty decent everyday driving around shape... and when you wanna get real grown and sexy on em, you can bring out the S5 !!!!

why the used G37...pretty much an upgraded version of the A/C... to be honest, it really isn't all that much faster than the A/C.. it may have 60 more horsepower, but it also weighs in at 400 more pounds, so all else told, you'll feel a whopping ~20 HP increase in the G37 over the altima...

interior wise, a pillars, upper light console, push button start console , are all 100% the same as that in the altima... leather is more supple in the G37, interior is more refined, navigation system is superior with toggle buttons in G37 as well...

so, that's my .03, if I were in your shoes, and knowing what I know about all three Nissans (Altima coupe, G37, 350Z) the altima coupe really would be my choice with a few grand in what I deem to be necessary upgrades!