I am really considering moving from my 997.1tt into an Audi R8 V10 and just curious if anyone else moved from one to another. I am really loving the turbo, but just feel like making a change and love the exotic looks and sounds of the R8.

On the short list is also a 991 GT3 or perhaps a 997 GT2 if I can find my dream car.

 

I was just about to post the same thing. I'm headed out today to test drive a V10. I have driven several 4.2 R8's and I like the look and drivers position in the car but performance wise it felt like a dog coming from the 911 turbo.

 

Exactly! I drove a 2011 V10 model with the R Tronic transmission. The car felt quick, but not nearly as quick as my turbo. I just feel like it needs a little more power to really be an awesome car. However at this point, I really don't need that much power and the looks may win. I have a car in mind, if I can sell my turbo I am really considering picking it up and giving it a shot.

 

The sound of the V10 engine is at another level. It's worth it. DIY maintenance not as easy as 911's.

 

Just finished driving the 5.2 for the first time. I love the sound even in stock form. I have a tune and exhaust on my turbo and love that sound but you need to really lay into the throttle to get it to wake up. The V10 sound is there in nearly every rev range. I was able to bring the engine up to around 7k on the drive and the sound was addicting. I have searched you tube for exhaust and there are some really nice options out there that would bring additional glory to this motor.

The car felt and looked exotic. The turbos tend to get mixed into the crowd (depending on the part of the country you live in) this is good and bad for me. I feel like I can get away with the turbo taking it to work or with the kids for school but I would fear the R8 draws a bit more attention on the daily duties. On the plus side the R8 would give you that special feeling on a date night (something my wife thinks the porsche lacks)

I also liked the more modern interior and seating position. I think it's the way the dash sets or the hood seems to drop off that makes the R8 feel lower, faster and sportier when driving. The R8 did feel bigger to me. It's obviously wider and looking at dimensions it's not too much different that our 997tt but the 911 has a more classic feel to it when driving.

The R8 I drove had the 6sp gated shifter and I have to say I love that. The sound and feel shifting that car is spot on. I have driven the r tronic models and didn't care for the shifting. They felt very clunky. I have heard you can tune these for a better performance but I would go for the 6speed manual or a newer model with the s tronic (smooth like pdk)

In conclusion I'm leaning more toward keeping the 997tt and adding an R8 to the mix later. I think there will be a good time to pick one up in the next year with the release of the next feb R8, nsx, and McClaren 570. These will all put pressure on cars like the R8 V10 and MP12C (I may wait for those to hit the 120's)

 

I agree with you on all points, the one I drove had a custom exhaust, ADV wheels and a custom DCT CF steering wheel which are all nice additions and would save me a ton of money. I am really torn on keeping my turbo, or making the jump.

 

Make the jump......you can always come back to a 911. I know you have missed the V10 sound since selling your M6!

 

unpopular opinion: i don't care for the looks. Sure it looks more exotic than the 911, but in the exotic league in which it finds itself it's one of my least favorite.

 

It was one of the cars i cross shopped but at the end of the day i chose the 911 because it was just more useable. Like you said it kind of blends in and has the back seats and more storage. Plus the 911 is easier to mod and at the end of the day is faster for cheaper.

I love the way the R8 looks, definitely a head turner. It is marketed at the exotic you can drive every day. Even though they are basically the same price these days, 997.2 vs v10 r8, 100-130k... if you ask pretty much anyone that is not a porsche enthusiast they would say the R8 is a more expensive car. I think the same applies even for the v8 version.

 

Longboarder < can't stop thinking about a UGR TT R8 v10

 

I know your feeling - I lust for the V-10 R8 as well. There aren't many cars that look at nice as the R8. The 997 GT2 was the only 911 I lusted for. Mine's a bit tweaked and it's unreal how it performs. It pulls like the world is coming to an end, turns in, corners, handles and brakes like nothing else. The slight downside is it's noisier in terms of road noise. Comfort is fine. You could even daily drive it. Before you leap to the V-10 R8, I'd suggest trying a 997 GT2 and see how it thrills you. You might find it thrills you enough to be appealing. If it doesn't, and the R8 has enough thrill, go for it. You can always come back to the 911 Turbo, as they are easy to acquire, modify, and enjoy. If you do go for the V-10 R8, you owe us a full run-down on how it compares to your Turbo experience!

 

You maybe right. Audi use the R8 design to help sell more Audi TTs. I have also heard, some says, the car looks "ugly".

 

Honestly no one really buys an R8 over a 997TT for the engine note/sound! Usually it's when 'that time' comes, you know the time when no matter how intoxicating the rush of the torque felt when you first bought/tuned/modded the TT, you are now used to it. The car still feels 'special' but for the first time you start to notice the 'shortcomings' of the TT, the most obvious of which is looks! At this point the F430 and/or R8 start looking particularly attractive for no other reason than they draw attention to themselves...!!!

Looks are fleeting, but if you must go R8 there are worse cars out there! 991 GT3 is a purpose built car, the GT2 is a better alternative, if you can find one (but it won't help in the looks department).

 

I just traded my 997TT for an R8 V10 Spyder. Hardest car decision I've ever made in my life, completely unlike when I sold my M3 and wife's X5 4.8is. We had an abusive relationship with BMW...

Anyway, to me the R8 is more relaxed, softer, not as twitchy or hard edged as my 997TT was. Horsepower is nice but I lost over 100lb-ft of torque. R8 stock exhaust note is very nice.

The R8 feels, and I think IS, heavier, nevermind that I went from a 997 coupe to an R8 convertible which is heavier still. Stock for stock performance? 997 hands down IMO but then I'm beyond trying to buy the fastest, etc or I could have saved money and bought a GT-R or Z06 or...

Things I miss: Torque, discrete TPMS for each tire, torque, the fact that when asked what I drove I could answer 'Porsche' and now answer 'Audi'(I'm joking here), did I mention TORQUE?

I like the updated electronics but then a new Porsche would have 'em too, I like the balance of mid vs rear engine, I like that my handling doesn't seem to change as much as my gas tank empties.

Bottomline: I'm enjoying the R8 immensely but am not done w/owning 911TT's by a long shot. Unlike that whole BMW thing...

YMMV,
Nels

 

"The car still feels 'special' but for the first time you start to notice the 'shortcomings' of the TT, the most obvious of which is looks! "

IMHO the 911 turbo has a classic look. My car gets positive comments from friends and strangers all the time. I do like the looks of the Audi, but I would not trade my 911 for one. IF I had room for both in my garage, I would consider and R8-V10........or maybe a GT3.....or a GT3 RS....or a Cayman GT4......or......oh, well you know where this is going.