2008 Audi S4 Cabriolet

Pros

Gorgeous exhaust note, juicy V8, comfort, beauty, hardly ever see another one on the road.

Cons

Gas pig with top down, needs to lose a few pounds.

I have a 2005 S4 Cabrio and love the subtle visual updates for the newer versions such as the new grille and quad tailpipes.

The S4 interior is about the nicest I have ever seen in any car anywhere. Mine has light gray leather seats with carbon fiber trim which looks amazing in the sun without roasting the passengers. Hint: don't get black seats in a convertible, ever.

The 4.2L V8 has a great muscle car rumble and plenty of torque to keep it moving at low RPMs. This is key for open air motoring when you want to take in the sounds around you without a high revving engine screaming in the background. Unlike most droptops, there is plenty of luggage room in the back seats and trunk so this is the perfect ride for a three day weekend escape for two.

Yes, the mileage is awful at low speeds or with the top down so I wouldn't recommend the S4 as a daily driver However, with the top up and cruising the highway at 55-70 mph in 6th gear I can get 20 - 22 MPG. Certainly nothing to brag about, but not terrible for a heavy car with this kind of power. It also runs well on regular fuel (the owner's manual confirms this) which will save you significant cash when you are just cruising and don't need peak engine performance.

This car is a sleeper since it looks like an A4 to the untrained eye and it offers secret thrills and exclusivity to the 2000 or so lucky US buyers who can get their hands on one. I wouldn't be surprised if the S4 Cabrio becomes a cult collector car one day since it is brilliant, rare, and truly in a class by itsself.