I have a 2011 turbo and love it.I also love the Audi R8.For anyone that has driven or knows somebody that has one how do they compare?Would it be a mistake to trade for the V10 R8.What are your thoughts on the 2 cars? Thanks...

 

For me, I looked at it before I purchased the 911 Turbo S and I am 6'2" and it was too snug. No room for anything except credit cards and although I liked the car, I did not even drive it because I knew from sitting in it, it was not for me. I also looked at the Ferrari California. Very sexy car, but not for me. It felt like my Mom's XJS. Nice and neat, looks the part and it dressed for the party, but past the DD normal driving it looses its manners IMHO. THe option in the Ferrari also put is about 40K more than the 911 Turbo S and I liked the Porsche better for a sports car for my use.

 

hey bryan, i owned one of the first r8's here on the east coast which i waited for for over a year. it was white with oxygen silver side blade - a beauty. i kept it for 18 months and drove around 10,000 miles but didnt drive it for the last 3 months of ownership b/c i knew i was going to trade it in. i guess i was trying to get the most out of it moneywise... anyway, i traded it in for one of the 1st 2011 Turbo S's.BOTH of them are beasts but the Turbo S is just nutty fast.i have to admit that i WISH i kept the R8 longer and enjoyed it more... honestly, i loved the attention it got on the streets - there isnt a car on the road that gets more looks and thumbs up than the r8. yes, the Turbo S is much more powerful (IMO) and actually more fun to drive but seems sort of run-of-the-mill amongst non Porsche enthusiasts who couldnt tell the difference between a cayman and a turbo... just my two cents. some people like the relative privacy the turbo affords - and i do at times as well - but for spending 185K on a car i expected it to be noticed a whole lot more.

 

one more comment. when you take an R8 in for service at an Audi dealership; you're treated like royalty. when i take my Turbo S in for service i am not afforded any special privellages...

 

Friend of mine had an R8, got sick of all the attention, people taking pictures with their cell phones on the highway etc. It is a beauty though. He bought a Panamera.
I'm 6'4" and can get comfortable in my Turbo for long trips plus I can put a few things in it
not so with the R8. Also there is something to be said for the "brotherhood" thing with Porsches and the relative anonymity of a 911.Both great cars, good choice to have.

 

To me the cabin on the R8 looks so comfortable and luxurious for a sports car.For example on a 300 mile road trip the R8 would seem like the logical choice.Driving or performance wise I am sure they are very close.The only issue semms that the R8 brings to much unwanted attention....

 

 

On second thought, it's not the attention I loved so much it was the feeling knowing I was in a more unique looking car that everyone seemed to love.

From reading this thread it brings back memories of highway driving when an over aggressive teen or 20 something will do anything just to get a glimpse and wave while driving nevermind almost causing a 7 car pileup. One fact you can't dispute is everyone lights up when they see the r8.

Very happy to be part of the P club now

 

Interesting....but there sure are a lot of low mileage R8's on the market.Wonder if it is the economy or the car was not as exciting as the customer thought....

 

Audi makes an awesome car....but P-cars are just Awesome.

 

I've been thinking about moving to r8 as well. There is a similar discussion in the audi section. I am shocked by how well they hold value - I guess it's all supply and demand. I am hoping for low 80s for 09 or later v8. Wishful thinking for now.

 

I got $90,000 for my r8 described above as dealer trade in in June of 2010 which I put towards the Turbo S purchase if that helps you

 

A friend of mine had an R8 for 2 years. he got rid off it cause he couldn`t stand the attention he got.
It was driving him crazy. Now he owns a 911 again and he feels fine again.
The Turbo is faster on straights and on the track, but that is mainly because
the R8`s ride is more comfort orientated than hardcore performance orientated.

R8 takes all the attention, has a sound to bow down and service etc. probably costs less.

911 is faster, has more space and is probably a bit more reliable.
(although i never heard of anything really negative regarding the R8´s quality)

 

I had an 06 Gallardo. I prefer the turbo hands down (which is why I still have it). I think the turbo is faster ,more fun to drive and more comfortable. The only thing the G had was the wow factor. Hope that helps.

 

The Gallardo is different to an R8 even if they share many things.
The suspension of the G is much stiffer and the handling is a bit tricky.
Visibility, headroom, legroom and cabin space is significantly smaller than in the R8.

For me, the Gallardo is like the rough and tricky brother of the R8.
The R8 is the better DD, easier to handle and to live with.