Leased an Audi SQ5. It's not at all what I thought. What would you do?

Ask the Hackrs
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Hi Hackers,

Bit of a unique situation here where I just leased a new Audi SQ5 a week ago only to find out there were some features missing that should have been then included according to my salesperson. Also, I was test driving one with functioning exhaust tips only to find out the one I selected does not have real exhaust tips (unforgivable, Audi!).

Here’s the bad, I’ve only had to car for a week and my family needed it for a road trip of 1,000 miles in total, so they’re telling me the car is no longer new (which I get) and cannot be sold as such.

So the dealer has given me three options:
#1 - They offered retrofitting the leased SQ5 with sport exhaust at no charge to me.
#2 - I can return the leased car and and they charge me $4K.
#3 - I choose another Audi or Porsche (sister dealership).

I’m coming from a 2019 BMW 330i with xdrive and really liked how well that car handled and performed. Since my family is in need of something with more cargo capacity, we were exploring SUV land.

I’m now thinking perhaps a BMW X3 m40i would be the way to go. However, leasing sucks on these right now. I am worried about getting washed if I choose another car from this dealer since there won’t be much room for discounting as they will try to recoup any losses on the SQ5.

Curious if there’s an Audi that you’d recommend? And/or which of the 3 options above would you all choose?

Thanks!

2

What are the missing features? if it’s just the exhaust I’d take the free retrofit and be happy. I’m actually surprised they’re offering you that.

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Seems like the missing exhaust may be on you. I’d take the exhaust if they are willing and call it a day.

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4

For the low price of $10* I will shout vroom vroom into a tape recorder and provide the tape for you to play anytime you feel the “need for speed”.

*nonrefundable!!!

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5

I’m guessing there are text messages and/or emails confirming.

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Agreed, it’s very generous of them. But there was also a false representation at play and the sales rep could not explain to me what the exhaust add-on on the other model was other than summing it up to acoustics prior to the sale went thru.

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Prob an uneducated salesman then, I would just take the free exhaust

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Covid supply chain option delete

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Yeah the other options sound completely unappealing.

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Obviously it is a personal preference but the car still looks and probably nobody would know they are real or not other than you.

If it is really important to you let them install the exhaust. If not ask them to compensate you a reasonable amount.

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So the only feature missing is the exhaust?

…? :eyes:

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Might be a long shot but have you checked on your equity position? If you’re hell bent on getting out of an Audi, might be worthwhile to see how much in the hole you are. Would be a better option if the neg equity is less than $4k. Otherwise go with #1 and try to offload at a later date if that ever becomes feasible.

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#3

Get another Audi or Porsche after they get you out of the SQ5 for a small amount that is rolled into the absolute smokin’ deal on a new Cayenne or SQ7/SQ8.

All just because…you know…the “f” word when it comes to the salesman, misrepresentations and all.

Good luck!

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Are these fake exhaust tips?

Screenshot_20230711-222952
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Probably need to use this for EV car chases in motion pictures once ICE cars are banned :laughing:

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TIL fake exhaust tips are standard on the SQ5, and real ones are a port-installed option:

Seems like you can also buy them for $1,285 retail from an Audi dealer’s parts counter, sans installation.

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Can’t beleive you have to pay if you want real exhaust tips…

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I know, that nuts! I just saw some SQ5 listings from one of the LH brokers, and, much to my confusion, most of them featured a port installed “Exhaust Retrofit”…now I know why.

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I didn’t even know you could now get a “real” exhaust setup from the dealer on an SQ5. These have had the fake exhaust forever.

If the real exhaust is really the sticking point then OP take the dealer up on offer #1, have them install it free to you, and move on.

This is a leased car you’re just going to turn in in 3 years after all.

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When you picked up the audi for the first time how come you didnt check through all the features and exhaust tips then??