USED Audi A8 Saloon (03 - 10)

My car

I bought a 12-month-old 3.7-litre petrol model (at almost half price) and have had nothing but pleasure from it. The car came with a five-year service and warranty plan, which reduces the cost, so I am just left with the fuelling costs (which can be high).

The build quality and standard specification are top-notch, much better than the other luxury cars I also tested. One of the best features is the boot, which is more of a cargo hold.

Long journeys pass quickly, but the A8 struggles as a run around, due to its size. Other than that minor issue, I could not recommend this car more.

My car

No matter how far B may be from A, you get there refreshed and relaxed. This car handles heavy traffic and open roads with equal ease.

If you are lucky enough to find some open road the big diesel just goes like stink every time you ask for it, while with suspension set in "sport" mode the handling remains as reassuring and sharp as you could want from a luxo-barge.

Speaking of which, it swallows the family (two teenage children) and their luggage easily and with no compromise to the ample cabin space.

All round great car - but so it should at £60k! Driven with a modicum of restraint however, you get a little of that back in fuel consumption which rises to the low-mid 30's (mpg).

My car

A quantum leap compared with the BMW 7 Series which I owned previously.

Excellent performance and quality of build and first-class dealer service (so far!)

The only niggle has been the virtually useless intermittent windscreen wiper operation, but I am assured this is about to be rectified.