Are you dreaming of a beautiful V8 coupe with a manual transmission for under $10k? You might just be looking for a used Audi S5. In many ways, it was the only car of its kind when it came out. And depreciation has made it one killer bargain.

First: the numbers. The Audi S5 is a high-performance trim of the A5 coupe. It features a 4.2-liter V8 and is available with a six-speed manual transmission. Every A5 and S5 also features Audi’s Quattro AWD. So, while the S5 isn’t the smallest or lightest V8 coupe around, the AWD can pull it through corners.

There are precious few vehicles in the category of V8, AWD, manual coupes. Sure, Dodge made AWD Challengers, but that drivetrain was only paired with the V6 engine and came only as an automatic. The closest German competitor might be the rare 2007-2013 BMW M3, but it wasn’t nearly as reliable, isn’t as cheap, and certainly never offered AWD. With the A5’s and S5’s current prices on the used market, I’d say buyers are more likely to be cross-shopping Subarus.

So, what are the downsides of the Audi A5 and S5? Almost any A5 you find has the two-liter turbocharged I4 VW dropped in a million vehicles. The upside is well over 30 mpg on the highway. A downside is the slight turbo lag in power delivery. Also, this more complicated engine may give you trouble at high mileage.

Note that the S5 coupe had a V8 from 2007 through 2012, while the Cabriolet and Sportback versions switched to the turbocharged V6 in 2010. Audi owners on forums rank the rare early A5’s 3.0-liter V6 as the most reliable engine in any 5-series. The S5’s V8 is also a simple, naturally aspirated option. This V8 is much more reliable than Audi’s infamous 4.2-liter S4 engine, but repair bills will still be Audi prices—not Honda prices.

Some drivers may consider AWD a downside. Quattro and the curb weight will make this car harder to get sideways than a Mustang or Camaro. But if you are looking for a winter beater to drive when you take your V8 Mustang or M3 off the road, this is a major plus for the Audi. Or, if you want a single do-it-all car to drive all year, a stick shift A5 is a great option. It doesn’t hurt that it has a very usable back seat. The back seat also folds flat for maximum cargo space. Finally, reviewers point out that the A5 is a lot more comfortable than comparable BMWs, whether navigating some bumps or for long road trips.

So what about the looks? I’ll never forget the first time I saw one of these parked on the street. I said, “Is that an Audi!?” Then I walked around it three times. I was struck by its wide front fenders and the sweeping beltline connecting the front headlights to the taillights. This may be sacrilegious, but it reminded me of a mini Dodge Charger.

I’m not claiming the looks of the first-gen Audi A5 are for everyone. This two-door coupe is built on the A4 sedan’s chassis, and its full back seat makes it look heftier than an Aston Martin Vantage V8—even though it’s actually lighter. But as sedan-derived coupes go, it’s an awfully fetching one. In fact, designer Walter De Silva, who had worked at Fiat and Alfa Romeo before moving to Bugatti and then Lamborghini, said the A5 was the most beautiful car he’d ever penned.

So how much will you pay for one of these? Honestly, I have seen multiple A5s with issues such as a salvage title listed for under $2,000. High-mileage examples that are ready to go start at $3,000, and the nicest ones seem to be worth up to $8,000. What about S5s? They’re listed at prices ranging from $8,000 up to $18,000. Curious if a used Audi is your perfect winter car? Browse used Audi listings near you to find your winter wheels.