that way...just wondering how they compare through ownership/real life trials, not the magazine article types of hype...i am sure they are nice in many ways, but there must be minuses beyond not having a back seat, or space even for...whatever...

 

Was cross shopping before I bought my porsche. Have a lot of good things going for them, surprisingly cheap, I love the looks and relatively cheap / dependable to work on for the performance level.

Cons I found were that only certain dealers can work on them, early year automatics are not DCT until 2013 and the attention you get with one.

If you are looking new I hear the new engines are a screamer, a cheaper huracan essentially.

 

I have an R8 V10 plus (first gen). I am not a convert but just like to try other cars. After driving it for almost a year, I still like my base 997.2 Carrera. They both handle differently but the Porsche is more playful. Don't give up your 911 until you try the R8 cause you may regret it! And make sure you get one with S-tronic.

 

I have an Audi RS4 so an R8 was certainly desirable...but, having back seats was more important. So, 997.1TT it was!

 

I compared a first gen V10 to my TT - the drive wasnt even close. The enjoyment and handling from the TT was far superior to the V10.

That being said, while I love the looks of the TT, the R8 is a much more distinctive car with much more street appeal (for what its worth).

 

When the R8 first came out I got a car from a local dealer to drive the first one they got, it did nothing for me. Over the years I tried to like it (I think it is an ugly thing too), and considering my intense dislike of AWD sports cars that is not easy, but I just cant, my Abarth is more fun than any R8 (I have driven a few since that first one), I have ever driven.

 

I had one... amazing car to drive. V10 is much faster than a non turbo 911. Much more focused than a 911(sans GT3) and better traction than even a 4S.

Cons - far less practical and less fun to drive. The V10 is too much to really enjoy on the street and I really recommend the v8 if you go that route. Clearance is a much bigger concern than a 911.

I recently looked at getting back into one when I sold my XKR... I got the 991 because it is the best mix on the market bar non to something that you can drive to the mountains and have fun also once you get there.

Jag XKR trumps anything[bar none] for highway cruising to the mountains. Audi v8 probably beats the 911 for mountain roads (v10 is really too much) once you arrive. 911 has back seat storage and frunk for the miss's crap that she insists on packing as well as driving enjoyment and perfect amounts of power for back roads.

Other pros for 911 are the service cost and resale. Beyond 10K miles the R8 is very undesirable like Aston, lambo, f cars, etc.

 

I have considered it and was kinda looking for a 6 speed manual but most out there seems to be auto's. I think it's a good looking car and read it's very reliable.

 

V8 is very reliable. V10 is a Lambo Huracan with an Audi badge and Lambo reliability.

 

Depends on your price point and V8 or V10. Personally if its your only car the 911 is better in terms of usability in the day to day. I loved my R8 but its low and hard to get into more so then the 911.

The V8 manual on the older cars is at a sweet point in price for what you get. If your after speed though the 911 Turbo at the same price will destroy a R8 on almost every category. Plus parts and the aftermarket making more power on the 911's are 1/5th the cost of the R8.