Wow, LA must really be different than where I live - most people cannot tell a 991 from any other 911. Believe me, not one of the 15 911's I've owned have even come near causing the commotion that my Sepang blue spyder creates. It's one of the few downsides of owing a R8. BTW, a $1500 ecu flash brings the R8 V10 to Gallardo specs. I'm not saying that the 991 is better or worse than a R8 V10, I'm just trying to inform the OP that they are both worth considering.

 

Here in NJ, where the insurance rates are among the highest, I paid $1600/ year for my 997.2 and I'm paying $1900/yr for the V10.

 

Thanks guys for all the replies. All your arguments is simply what I have been going back and forth with myself.

The R8 does feel heavy, the performance numbers are not upto par however I still think the car drives great. A different feel from the 991, yes. I've never owned an Audi let alone a R8 but something about the car just moves me.

At the end, I still need to make a decision on the better car for me. I think in the back of my mind, I am considering the R8 just because I am a little tired of Porsches and want to break into something different for a bit.

Thanks for everyones input. It's been a lot of help.

 

If wanting to try some thing different from porsche, gallardo or italia come to mind, probably not audi, though r 8 has the looks I would at least wait till the new and revised models are out with dual clutch. Meanwhile the 991s are perfect for their price range.

 

Personally, I'd strech for the 458 italia before I would go for the R8 V10.

 

+1 the 991 is stunning but everyone really knows what an R8 is. After thinking about this really hard, I will need a trophy car after the M5 novelty wears off - thinking 2014. By then the choices will be hard but the gated shifter of a R8 or a 599 are just sublime!

 

Maybe you should wait for a 991 Turbo or Turbo S then the real fun will begin

 

I just don't get it.....at the risk of bucking the trend here, i don't particlarly like the way the R8 looks. Might drive great, but I'd think Ferrari if I were going to spend beyond a Porsche. An Audi, imo, is an alternative to my bmw sedans - not to a Porsche sportscar.

 

OK I've been fortunate enough to have test driven all the cars below (some for 2 days each) but in the end when compared to the (lower perceived valued) 991 C4S cab (on order) this is what I came out with... clearly it's a highly subjective personal opinion (and in the 991 section of 6 no less).

Firstly, Porsche's price increases has placed the 991 C4S in a very competitive field.
Sure you may have to take a 1 year old car with about 15K miles on it from the competition to get "apples to apples" ($$ wise) but that's as good as new for most.

- R8
Looks stunning and sounds great but handles like a heavy car and unlike it's Lambo sibling the feel of quality is just not there.
In the end it's a very expensive "Audi" (with a new facelift coming next year as a 2014 model... so bad time to buy at full price).

- F458
Is visually stunning and a uniquely passionate ride but costs 200% more... enough said.
- F430
Is just as intoxicating to drive but at a comparable price to a 991 C4S it will be at least 2 years old, enough to start thinking about the warranty and VERY costly maintenance.

- Aston
They all look and sound amazing but is for people well under 6ft and has a truly bone-jarring ride.

- SLS (which I loveeeee)
I would consider a true "supercar" it's got loads of charisma and is surprisingly agile (for it's size) plus it has enough torque to jump start a planet, absolute CRAZY!!
But it's just is too damn small inside and has absolutely ridiculous gas mileage!

- Lambo
Is a true Italian sports car but very "look at me" and without any of the Ferrari class... plus you have to be an acrobat to get in & out.

- Maserati GT-S
Looks and sounds amazing but handles like an elephant on roller blades and the seat are very uncomfortable for long runs.

991 C2S
In the end I stuck with the 991 because out of all of the above cars the 991 is the only one which has that Jackyll & Hyde comfort & performance thing going for it, plus "back seats" and tons of legroom for the driver.
It's sleek, sexy, imposing (with those 20" wheels) but not as "in your face" as some of the others (attracting attention all the time gets old VERY quickly).
Not to mention the 911's very unique handling and when in sport+ (with PSE) it is absolutely intoxicating!
It's explosive and makes ya want to keep throwing bombs...
It was the only car I really did not want to get out of!


I was going to address the $$ numbers that have been throw around in the comparable posts... but most of you will know what is factual and what is nonsense, so I'll leave that one be...

 

^^^Very well put.

 

Dude, I am right there with you. I didn't take the R8 seriously when the GT-R came out (and at the time, I already wrote off the 997.1 Turbo), because only the V8 version was available. I must admit, I loved the way vehicle moved, but despised the R-tronic.

Now that there is a V10 version, with the upcoming S-tronic. They finally put all the pieces I've always wanted in a car. Unfortunately, I'm so enamored by the GT-R, that I've already decided that is my next car. What I've done though, and you might be right there with me - is now rethink: what car will I get to go along side my next car? Which car is a substitute? Which car offers a different experience (and I don't care who you are the R8 does NOT drive like any 911 I've ever driven... if anything it feels a little similar to the Cayman, which is my favorite Porsche).

The wife and I are seriously batting around the R8 and either a new Cayman or 991 Turbo.

The problem is - we are ONLY doing this after I choose to bite the bullet on the next GT-R. I'm not ready for an upgrade just yet. I think I'm waiting for a 600HP version that weighs 3600 lbs or something..., but that thing is just entirely too useful to not use as a daily driver. I just used it to transport 3 band members, 2 guitars, 8 cymbal stands, a bag of cymbals, and my speed cobras (plus the obligatory crap). All of these things I could NOT do in an R8. So, I need something else for the daily commute/errands, but would not mind an R8 as a weekend car. My only issue now is - when I phrase it like that, it sounds retarded - I'm not big on weekend cars. I like buying cars that I can use. So I end up right back to where I started...

 

Great post, as usual... But I've also driven most of these, and I must disagree with you about the ride quality of the Astons (when compared to the competitors listed). The DB9 was a surprisingly softer ride than I expected (very similar to the Maserati (non GT-S)).

I will add that because the R8 is facelifted, I've seen some local dealers come down in asking price of the current models, really coming down to whether or not you really like the R-tronic (very controversial within the R8 community). But the additional add-ons and extra power might be enough to lure people to upgrade, or finally make the switch. What would lure me is the 2014 V10 for a 2008 V8 price. I would switch in a heartbeat. I just can't justify the asking price of the V10, with the performance where it is. For that cost, I'd just wait for the new PDK Turbo.

 

My 6'5" brother-inlaw had tons of room and an amazing 2 1/2" of head height room. 991 is just amazing on so many levels.

 

Yes, definitely something to consider! Now back to work!!

 

I think the 458 is out of the question. How is that car even in the same price point as the Audi or the 911?

People are making the argument that it is just an "Audi." Well I think that is just BS. People disregarded the GT-R because it was a Nissan. When the NSX came out, they disregarded because it was an Acura. If people are making that argument, then the 911 C2S/ C4S/ CS is the poor man's 911 so unless its a GT3/2 or a Turbo then it's not a real Porsche. See how dumb that argument sounds?

If you were to get a lambo it be a used car compared to owning a new car because the R8 v10 and v8 are being discounted right now. That prices aren't even close compared to the 458 and gallardo.