This 18-Year-Old Audi RS4 Just Sold for More Than It Cost Brand-New

Some cars manage to hold their value surprisingly well, and this 2008 Audi RS4 is a case in point. After spending most of its life stored in a garage, the car sold at auction for $75,000—more than its original purchase price.

The second-generation Audi RS4 arrived in 2006 and was offered in three body styles: Avant, sedan and convertible. This generation was powered by a naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 before Audi later moved the model toward a different design philosophy and technology.

The standout feature of this particular RS4 is its condition and mileage.

According to the seller, the car spent most of its life stored in a garage, protected from sunlight and the elements. Its history contains no reports of accidents, mileage discrepancies or known mechanical problems.

The buyer also received service receipts, the owner’s manual, two keys and the original windshield sticker with the car.

The RS4 is finished in a pearl Daytona Gray paint color. Inside, it has Nappa leather seats with power adjustment and heating, carbon-fiber trim, dual-zone climate control and a sunroof.

The only noticeable sign of age identified by the seller was wear on the driver’s seat.

A 420-horsepower V8 under the hood

Under the hood sits a naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 producing 420 horsepower.

The direct-injection engine can rev all the way to 8,250 rpm. The RS4 accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds, while its top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.

With roughly 12,400 miles on the odometer, this RS4 sold for considerably more than many other examples from the same generation.

It also brought in more money than the original buyer paid for it 18 years ago. The car was originally purchased from a dealership for $74,135.

According to official auction information from Cars & Bids, bidding ended at $75,000.

That means the newest owner paid more for the 18-year-old Audi than the original owner paid when it was new.

There is, however, one downside to all those years spent tucked away in a garage.

The tires fitted to the RS4 were manufactured back in 2007.

Although they still have visible tread, the rubber has hardened with age and is no longer considered suitable for use, particularly under the kind of aggressive driving that a 420-horsepower RS4 can encourage.

So while the car's low mileage and exceptional condition helped push its auction price above its original purchase price, its next owner will have to replace one of the oldest components on the car before putting all that V8 power to work.