# My Audi S5 Sportback


![Audi S5 Sportback](/images/audi-s5.jpg)

On February 5, 2019, I picked up my brand new Audi S5 Sportback!

I had been driving my old 2005 Acura TL for fourteen years, I thought it was
time for an upgrade. I was getting tired of the old technology and the worry
that my car may have an expensive problem at any time.

After about a year of research, I finally decided on an Audi A4. But after a
series of events, I ended up buying the 2019 S5 Sportback.

# Acura TL

I had been driving a 1992 Honda Prelude for about 11 years (not purchased new),
when, in April 2005, someone rear-ended me, totalling the Prelude. It was a sad
day -- I absolutely loved that car.

At that time, I would have wanted to transition to a BMW, but with life
events going on, I couldn't afford that, so I bought an Acura TL. It black
inside and out. And manual transmission. It was fun to drive, but not as fun
as my manual Prelude was. But I enjoyed that car for many years. I bought a
Bluetooth adapter that plugged into the XM Radio input so that I could stream
music from my phone and really enjoyed the car.

I knew that many car companies were no longer making manual transmission cars
and thought that my ability to get one when the TL actually died was not going
to be good. So I started researching new cars.

# Audi A4

In 2018, Audi's A4 was one of the last manual transmission luxury sports cars.
I wanted all-wheel drive, nice technology, and Android Auto. That meant no BMW,
though I think they changed their stance on Android Auto since.

So I test drove an A4 and really liked it. And that was it: I was going to buy
one. So I told the dealer that I wanted an all black, with black interior,
Prestige model: manual transmission. He searched everywhere in the country:
there was not one that met my specifications for sale anywhere. So I said,
"That's OK, I'll wait until the 2019s come out and order a brand new manual
transmission A4 next year" and the dealer agreed that was a good idea.

But then he called me a couple weeks later to tell me the news: Audi announced
that no 2019 vehicles would be made with manual transmission. I was devastated.
But after a few days, I decided on a compromise: I'd get an automatic, but I'd
get an upgrade that made it more fun to drive.

# Audi S4

I went to the dealership and ordered an all black Audi S4 Prestige with all
of the bells and whistles (Black optic package, warm weather package, S sport
package, Dynamic steering).  I was excited.

Until one day I was driving along (in my TL) and saw an S4 drive by and was
underwhelmed.  The S4 looked to me like an old man car. Boring lines and it
didn't look exciting.

So I went back to [Audi's website](https://www.audiusa.com/) to look at my
options and took a long, hard look at the S5 Sportback. A friend had purchased
an A5 Sportback and I liked it a lot. So I sent a couple days looking at
pictures of the S5 Sportback online. I watched a bunch of reviews on Youtube.

That was it!

# Audi S5 Sportback

![Audi S5 Sportback](/images/audi-s5-2.jpg)

I called the dealer and said, "I need to change my order -- is it too late?"
At first he responded, "Yes. It's too late", but then said that it was his
first priority to make sure I'm happy and said that even though it would delay
my new car by up to a month or so, he could change my order.

So I got all the same stuff as I ordered for the S4, but for the S5 Sportback:

* Prestige
* Mythos Black Metallic
* Black optic package (with the 20" premium wheels)
* Audi Sport Seats, black with grey stitching
* Warm weather package (ventilated front seats)
* S Sport package
* Dynamic Steering

It took FOREVER to get here. It was built in Hungary and Germany and shipped
on a boat to the US. There were delays in starting manufacturing that day and
there were further delays due to Trumps import tariffs. It was supposed to
arrive in the US in November 2018, but actually got here in late January. I was
able to pick it up in the beginning of February and have been in love ever since.

This car is so special that, after spending about 5 minutes total in it, my
brother bought almost the identical car: just in grey instead of black.
And he loves his almost as much as I love mine!

After driving the car for almost 3 years now, I can safely say:

  * I do not miss driving stick (not because I hated stick, but because I LOVE
    this car)
  * Every time I get out of this car, I look back while I'm walking away to
    admire it

I have a [whole gallery of pictures](https://photos.erdelynet.com/s/audis5) of my car.