Overview & Reviews

Audi revolutionizes luxury sedan construction with the Audi Space Frame, which employs seven new aircraft-grade aluminum alloys to lighten weight and provide a tighter, more crashworthy structure. The new A8 is also the first passenger car equipped with six airbags. The usual accoutrements associated with a premium German sedan are all in place.

• Aluminum space frame and body panels, six airbags, powerful V-8 engines, sumptuous luxury appointments, light weight

• Potential cost of repairing body damage

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 15.00

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  Audi A8 - 1997 Audi A8
  By Anonymous - December 6 - 2:00 am

  Very well engineered car. Interior is awesome. Leather is still soft, no rattles, everything works, very solid car. Engine is teriffic. Smooth, quiet, with enough power to get you where you are going. Suspension is a little loose for my tastes, but very smooth over bumps. Steering is feather light and very nice. Transmission had failed at 170k. Not unexpectedly with the D2 A8. Tranny shifts are slow and tall gearing can make the car feel slow when not in the correct gear. Fuel mileage is great for a car this big at about 25 mpg average when using cruise most of the time. Ive had to replace a couple of things here and there but nothing out of the ordinary.

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  Maybe the only 3.7 model left in USA? - 1997 Audi A8
  By Geoff - April 10 - 1:08 pm

  I bought mine used in 2002, have driven it 80,000 miles since. Build quality, handling, performance are great. Many small things have failed though, and at 170K miles its on its third transmission (!). No other mechanical issues though. The engine is fantastic, still tight and strong and using no oil. Ive driven the 4.2 AWD models as well, and I have to say I prefer the handling of my FWD 3.7 model. Weight is only 3600 lbs, about the same as a Subaru WRX. The 3.7 seems to have virtually disappeared from the roads now, though. At current rock-bottom prices these are a stupendous bargain.

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  An automotive jewell! - 1997 Audi A8
  By jojo mojo - December 20 - 3:05 pm

  I purchased a used 97 Quattro with all extras - winter, hot weather and convenience packages. On top of that the Nav system is upgraded to the Euro version with a big screen in the center console, as well as 3 10" subs in the trunk. All I need is a Phatnoise MP3 player in place of the CD changer, and a fridge, and I can live in this car. :)) Learn how to do small repairs and youll avoid the dealer charges. I just replaced valve cover gasket myself - $60 for parts (not from the dealer - plenty websites sell original parts) and two hours because I took my time. I change my oil, brakes, sparkplugs, and other simple maintenance!

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  Excellent Car - 1997 Audi A8
  By AL/Dallas - February 25 - 2:00 am

  This car looks much better in real-life than in pictures. I bought mine for the fact that it is a rare car. You see 20 BMW 7 series for every A8 you see on the road. The gearing is set too high so that stoplight launches are not spectacular but this car has fantastic passing speed. Ive taken it up to 130 mph and the engine doesnt even strain. The transmission is turbine smooth and shifts seamlessly. The interior is luxurious yet sporty and logically laid out. Maintenance is expensive (similiar to Mercedes and BMW) but expected. The A8 makes my friends Acura RL feel like a Honda Accord. Always fun to drive.

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  A Great Sedan - 1997 Audi A8
  By dmosan - October 27 - 2:00 am

  I great handling performance sedan that deserves high ratings, including excellent fuel economy at any speed. Depreciation is a bummer, so getting a used model is the best value play.

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  WHAT A CAR! - 1997 Audi A8
  By wil03 - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I have owned Lexus LS400, Mercedes S500, and BMW 750IL. This car is by far the most fun to driveThe car is ultra smooth at speed in excess of 100 mph, truely a car made for the auto Bahn. I cant believe this car gets over 25mph on the freeway too! The Quattro is an asset to the car that makes you feel confident in any snowy/rainy road... something most of the other luxury car maker have not been able to match. So for ultimate safety and performance, this car is a deal! Especially for a used one, since unfortuantely this car doesnt hold up its value very well new.

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  A8 Rules!!! - 1997 Audi A8
  By JC-Atlanta - April 22 - 2:00 am

  This car is the best-kept secret of the automotive industry. It handles FAR better than ANY BMW, and only the S55 Benz can outclass it in performance. You cannot spin the wheels, no matter what the conditions. A8 Roadside assistance is the best. Super luxe interior, and well-thought-out German engineering in all departments. A+++++

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  Better than the dealers can deal with - 1997 Audi A8
  By cleverland - April 10 - 2:00 am

  This car is incredible. No end to the smooth power, the transmission is very efficient, handling is awesome. My main point in this review is to let the readers know that the 97 model does need to have its atf fluid and filter changed at 45000 miles, per the manual. That transmission oil and filter change is skipped by many dealers, as the later a8 transmissions dont call for it. It makes a huge difference in the smoothness and performance of the transmission, and probably the transmissions life. Its living history, somday to share the pantheon with the Jaguar 120 and the likes of the Cobra.

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  Will buy another one - 1997 Audi A8
  By goldened/Ed Williams - March 5 - 3:51 pm

  The best car I have ever owned, including all of the luxury (production) models