2021 Audi RS7 vs. 2016 Audi RS7 Poses Classic Question: Is Buying New Worth It?

We've all heard the cliche line saying any new car's value drops 20 percent the moment it rolls off the dealership's gate, and even though the actual figure may vary, the jest of it is true. Rationally speaking, a new car is a bad investment.

But the thing is, we don't necessarily think rationally when it comes to cars, not by a longshot. Have you ever set a maximum budget for your next vehicle, only to end up buying something a lot more expensive? You probably did, and that's just one of many examples.

The smart thing then is to buy a used car - not old, just used. Something that is only a few years old, preferably, just to make sure there are no important technology leaps you're missing out on. Right now, you can probably look as far back as - let's say - 2016 without any fear, though the launch year of that particular model is also important.

In the case of the Audi RS7, 2016 is pretty late. The model changed generations only two years later, but much like the original Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, the A7's design has aged rather well. It's only the interior really that will feel significantly older than the new model's, so it's up to each individual to decide whether that's a deal-breaker or not.

Performance-wise, you'll be surprised to know the old model surpasses the 2021 Audi RS7, yet that's definitely the exception rather than the rule. Plus, the 2016 model in this comparison has the Performance Package installed, lifting its power from 560 PS (552 hp) to 605 PS (596 hp), which is 5 ponies more than the new RS7 Sportback produces.

As a result, the older and much cheaper car is actually quicker to 60 mph. However, since the RS7 is more of a GT in spirit than an actual performance vehicle, a lot of people might choose to ignore that detail and focus on the extra comfort and safety features. Still, as the owner of a brand-new RS7, you wouldn't want that piece of information popping up during a friendly conversation over a beer.

And now we go full circle and return to where we started, which is money. If finances aren't an issue, the obvious choice would be the 2021 model, even if its Performance version isn't available yet. What you lose in acceleration, you more than make up for in other key aspects of the car: safety, refinement, tech, soundproofing, and more.

There's no end to the possibilities you have when you're willing to spend over $100,000 on the new Audi RS7, but if you're even considering the model, that means you like it, and you want something new. In that case, go for it, you'll probably love it anyway. Or you could buy a 2016 RS7 and still have money for a Porsche Cayman of roughly the same age. Click play on the video below to see what the guys from Throttle House think about this conundrum.