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2023 Audi S5 — would you buy an ex-rental car at the right price?

CanyonEnthusiastCommunity StarterFeb 18, 20262023 Audi S5 SportbackNorthern Virginia
A former rental is cheaper than privately owned examples and has frequent service records. Cosmetics show normal wear. What extra inspection points matter because of rental use? Mostly looking for the right next step.
apr
10.08
location
Northern Virginia
ppi planned
term months
72
asking price
41500
dealer addons
2495
dealer doc fee
699
permalink

32 replies

RoadTripDetailerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterFeb 18, 2026permalink
The trap is a pretty payment hiding a worse car price. Two 2023 Audi S5 quotes only help if both include tax, title, and the same options. Then the comparison gets honest. This is from a 2023 Audi S5 in Northern Virginia. If it doesn't change the out-the-door or the repair estimate, it's noise. If they only talk monthly I'm walking.
OldSchoolBuilderCommunity StarterCommunity StarterFeb 19, 2026permalink
I hear you, though I'd still want a second check. GAP, paint, and nitrogen are optional until you run the 2023 Audi S5 numbers without them. If they balk, that's your answer. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. I'll post OTD once I have two apples-to-apples sheets.
PistonShopperCommunity StarterCommunity StarterFeb 18, 2026permalink
Compare apples to apples or you'll get spun. A written buyer’s order on the 2023 Audi S5 is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” If they balk, that's your answer. Time, temperature, and whether it's in gear are the notes that actually help a shop. PPI guy I use is booked until next week, so I'm waiting.
BatteryNerd425Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 19, 2026permalink
If I were shopping this, if one piece looks too good on the 2023 Audi S5, hunt doc fees, accessories, and the APR next. Then the comparison gets honest. Take it or leave it — that's what I'd do. I'll update if anything new shows up.
CleanGeek210Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 19, 2026permalink
Don't send a deposit on a phone quote. If one piece looks too good on the 2023 Audi S5, hunt doc fees, accessories, and the APR next. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. Had a similar mess a couple years ago and that's what finally sorted it. Not wiring anything in the meantime.
GarageWeekend132Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 20, 2026permalink
Fair point. Counterpoint: Two 2023 Audi S5 quotes only help if both include tax, title, and the same options. That's the part that actually changes the decision. Take it or leave it — that's what I'd do. A day of patience here is cheaper than a wrong part. Calling insurance in the morning before I reply to the desk.
RoadOwner328Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 19, 2026permalink
Treat this like a math problem, not a vibe. Ask for out-the-door on the 2023 Audi S5 with fees, add-ons, and rate on separate lines. Do that before you talk monthly again. Not gospel, but it saved me a headache. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
GarageWeekend132Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 19, 2026permalink
Don't send a deposit on a phone quote. In Northern Virginia, insurance quotes flipped a 2023 Audi S5 comparison for me more than the sale price did. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. This is from a 2023 Audi S5 in Northern Virginia. Take it or leave it — that's what I'd do. If the title is messy I'm out, full stop.
GarageWeekend132Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 19, 2026permalink
Insurance and tax belong in the comparison, not as a surprise. A written buyer’s order on the 2023 Audi S5 is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” If they balk, that's your answer. On “would you buy an ex-rental car at,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Just my two cents from doing this recently. Wrote this up on my lunch break.
ShopDIYerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterFeb 19, 2026permalink
Hard-won lesson from my last deal: Call your insurer in Northern Virginia before you fall in love with the 2023 Audi S5. Do that before you talk monthly again. On “would you buy an ex-rental car at,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Happy to compare notes if your setup is different. If your situation is the opposite, ignore me. That's my plan before I call anyone.
WrenchDadCommunity StarterCommunity StarterFeb 19, 2026permalink
Don't send a deposit on a phone quote. If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2023 Audi S5 price probably got worse. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. Just my two cents from doing this recently. If the VIN lookup is clean I'm still doing PPI.
RoadDailyCommunity StarterCommunity StarterFeb 19, 2026permalink
Get the messy numbers in writing first. Call your insurer in Northern Virginia before you fall in love with the 2023 Audi S5. If they balk, that's your answer. On “would you buy an ex-rental car at,” that was the fork that mattered for me. This is from a 2023 Audi S5 in Northern Virginia. Write the result down so the next test isn't a repeat of the last one. This is the filter I use when the thread starts repeating itself. I'd rather look cautious in this thread than stuck later.
WrenchDadCommunity StarterCommunity StarterFeb 19, 2026permalink
Walk if they won't put it on a buyer’s order. I would not wire money until I've seen the 2023 Audi S5 and the title situation in person or via a trusted PPI. Then the comparison gets honest. This is from a 2023 Audi S5 in Northern Virginia. Take it or leave it — that's what I'd do. Worth doing even if the car feels fine right now. Going to compare one more dealer before I decide.
SleeperTraveler221Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 19, 2026permalink
Insurance and tax belong in the comparison, not as a surprise. Keep sale price, trade, and financing split on the 2023 Audi S5 so a “good payment” cannot bury a worse deal. If they balk, that's your answer. On “would you buy an ex-rental car at,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Have you gotten a second quote in writing? I asked for the buyer’s order in email, not a text.
CanyonEnthusiastCommunity StarterCommunity StarterFeb 19, 2026permalink
OP here. Still looking, but I'm waiting on inspection notes before I send money on the 2023 Audi S5. Not letting add-ons ride along because everyone does.
RoadDailyCommunity StarterCommunity StarterFeb 19, 2026permalink
Treat this like a math problem, not a vibe. A written buyer’s order on the 2023 Audi S5 is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” If they balk, that's your answer. Write the result down so the next test isn't a repeat of the last one. Sleeping on the number either way.
CommuterHauler847Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 20, 2026permalink
That's a good start, but I wouldn't stop there. If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2023 Audi S5 price probably got worse. Then the comparison gets honest. No need to make it theatrical. If the title is messy I'm out, full stop.
DailySeller530Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 19, 2026permalink
I'd want competing paper, not competing stories. A written buyer’s order on the 2023 Audi S5 is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” If they balk, that's your answer. That's the sequence I'd use. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
CanyonEnthusiastCommunity StarterCommunity StarterFeb 19, 2026permalink
PPI is scheduled. I'm not depositing until I see the 2023 Audi S5 notes. I'll update if anything new shows up.
DailySeller530Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 20, 2026permalink
Agree — and I'd add this: Ask for out-the-door on the 2023 Audi S5 with fees, add-ons, and rate on separate lines. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. That's the sequence I'd use. I'd rather be boring and correct. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
CleanGeek210Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 19, 2026permalink
I'd want competing paper, not competing stories. GAP, paint, and nitrogen are optional until you run the 2023 Audi S5 numbers without them. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. Learned this the expensive way on a previous car. I'd rather be boring and correct. PPI guy I use is booked until next week, so I'm waiting.
BatteryNerd425Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 21, 2026permalink
Agree — and I'd add this: Call your insurer in Northern Virginia before you fall in love with the 2023 Audi S5. Do that before you talk monthly again. On “would you buy an ex-rental car at,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Just my two cents from doing this recently. If they get vague again I'm shopping the deal elsewhere.
RustBeltBuilder621Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 19, 2026permalink
Treat this like a math problem, not a vibe. Ask for out-the-door on the 2023 Audi S5 with fees, add-ons, and rate on separate lines. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. This is from a 2023 Audi S5 in Northern Virginia. When does it actually happen? Going to re-read the worksheet tonight.
CleanGeek210Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 19, 2026permalink
Treat this like a math problem, not a vibe. Keep sale price, trade, and financing split on the 2023 Audi S5 so a “good payment” cannot bury a worse deal. If they balk, that's your answer. Had a similar mess a couple years ago and that's what finally sorted it. PPI guy I use is booked until next week, so I'm waiting.
GarageWeekend132Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 20, 2026permalink
Hard-won lesson from my last deal: A written buyer’s order on the 2023 Audi S5 is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” Do that before you talk monthly again. On “would you buy an ex-rental car at,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Just my two cents from doing this recently. If they get vague again I'm shopping the deal elsewhere.
OldSchoolBuilderCommunity StarterCommunity StarterFeb 20, 2026permalink
Hard-won lesson from my last deal: Keep sale price, trade, and financing split on the 2023 Audi S5 so a “good payment” cannot bury a worse deal. Do that before you talk monthly again. On “would you buy an ex-rental car at,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. I'd rather look cautious in this thread than stuck later.
BatteryNerd425Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 20, 2026permalink
I'd slow the salesperson down here. If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2023 Audi S5 price probably got worse. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. Take it or leave it — that's what I'd do. Not wiring anything in the meantime.
CanyonEnthusiastCommunity StarterCommunity StarterFeb 20, 2026permalink
Coming back with numbers — insurance in Northern Virginia changed the 2023 Audi S5 comparison more than the sale price did. If the story changes I'll post the new data.
BatteryNerd425Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 20, 2026permalink
I'd slow the salesperson down here. If one piece looks too good on the 2023 Audi S5, hunt doc fees, accessories, and the APR next. Then the comparison gets honest. Take it or leave it — that's what I'd do. If the VIN lookup is clean I'm still doing PPI.
SleeperTraveler221Community StarterCommunity StarterFeb 20, 2026permalink
The trap is a pretty payment hiding a worse car price. If one piece looks too good on the 2023 Audi S5, hunt doc fees, accessories, and the APR next. That's the part that actually changes the decision. Have you gotten a second quote in writing? Going to compare one more dealer before I decide.
WrenchDadCommunity StarterCommunity StarterFeb 20, 2026permalink
Walk if they won't put it on a buyer’s order. I would not wire money until I've seen the 2023 Audi S5 and the title situation in person or via a trusted PPI. Then the comparison gets honest. Take it or leave it — that's what I'd do. Doc fee is the line I'm watching.
SunBeltHaulerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterFeb 20, 2026permalink
Hard-won lesson from my last deal: Keep sale price, trade, and financing split on the 2023 Audi S5 so a “good payment” cannot bury a worse deal. Do that before you talk monthly again. On “would you buy an ex-rental car at,” that was the fork that mattered for me. That's the whole play. This is the filter I use when the thread starts repeating itself. I asked for the buyer’s order in email, not a text.
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