And that is what makes the R8 a superior car right now. It holds it's value better than a 911 and just about every other car in it's price range.

Audi just did it right with the R8. A competitively priced exotic, low production car that is actually a very credible sports car. Not bad for your first foray into the high end sports car market.

btw-Paying 40-50k over MSRP for any car is nuts IMO

 

Straight up my boy is crazy. You don't even want to know what he's dishing out to get the first 458 Spyder which BTW he made a substantial deposit on more than 2 years ago!

 

Yeah that's just crazy. At the end of the day us 911 guys looking at R8's aren't in such a bad situation because we still have great cars. If I can't get a good number on an R8 I can keep my 911 no problem.

 

Out of curiosity, what do you consider to be a "good number" on an R8?

 

For V8 would need to be well equipped low mileage around 100k.
For a V10 around 125k

 

Just wanted to chime in w/ my opinion on the R8. I owned a 997.1 C2S for 2 years before switching into a 4.2 R8 last September.

1.) Exterior: be prepared for a lot of attention, at least in Boston. Pretty much every stop light you will get a thumbs up from pedestrians gawking at your car. And I have no idea what people are talking about girls, in the Northeast it will only be dudes. I upgraded partially for the flashiness (young, rich, and tasteless!) but like "celebrity" it's nice when you want to be noticed but really annoying when you just want to get groceries.

2.) Interior: hands-down the R8 is better but that's not without sacrifices. It's really spacious inside, but that's because there aren't back seats and the car is enormous in comparison to a 911. The fit/finish is MUCH more luxurious. Between the dash layout and the engine right behind your ears, it feels like being in the ****pit of a fighter jet. My only complaints would be 1) the generic Audi key feels cheap and 2) the sun visors are completely useless.

3.) Electronics/sound system: R8 wins. The R8's B&O sound system is 10x clearer than the Bose in my C2S, though that's partially because there's less road noise in general w/ the R8. I didn't have a multi-function steering wheel in my 997.1, so having that + BT standard in the R8 are nice, as is having a standard AUX input for an iPod. That being said, I thought the GPS in my 997.1 was garbage, but the one in my R8 is somehow worse (and both are inferior to a $100 Garmin).

4.) Everyday driveability: mixed bag but R8 wins. The R8 is substantially quieter and smoother over bumps. However the R8 is much wider (harder to park, navigate through narrow streets), eats premium gas like there's no tomorrow (I'm averaging 8 mpg), and has substantially less storage space (not only is the trunk in the R8 smaller than a 911's by volume, which is crazy considering their relative size, the R8 trunk is laid out really poorly, so many objects won't fit).

5.) Racing: R8 wins, particularly if you're less experienced. I haven't had a chance to track it yet, but I can tell I'm much more confident in my "spirited driving" in the R8 than I was with my 911. Quattro + mid-engine layout makes you feel glued to the ground and the V8 lacks power only in comparison to a V10. I think in the hands of my really experienced friends, the R8 may be a push vs. the C2S, but in mine I'm definitely going to be able to get on the gas earlier exiting corners w/o fear of the tires breaking loose.

Unfortunately I didn't look at V10s, since it seemed silly given my plans to buy a 458 two years out (made a goal in high school to buy a f-car by 30, and time's a tickin'). I did consider moving into a TT, but that seemed silly given the only time I'd notice the difference vs. the C2S was going to be on the track (in which case, it'd probably be cheaper to just buy a track-specific car).

All in all, I really love my R8 whenever I'm in "sports car enthusiast" mode. I really start noticing its deficiencies though when I'm trying to do anything practical (it's my only car). Given that you have another car though, the more pertinent question is whether you value the supercar looks + smoother everyday driving/improved interior + easier racing at the limit for the $30k differential you're probably going to pay. In my mind, you're probably paying $15k for the looks, $10k for the daily driving, and $5k for the racing. Many would say $15k is a lot to pay for looks, but given the number of 911 owners vs. GT-R owners, I'm going to say that counts for something. I personally figured you're only young once ...

For the sake of your comparison shopping, mine was a private transaction with a guy from R8talk for $97k for an '09 4.2 R8, white w/ CF blade, 12k miles, pretty much every option except CF trim, a built-in Escort 9500ci, and brand-new PZeros.

 

Thank you for the informative response. I found a 2008 phantom black R8 on the left coast with 8K miles that looks pretty loaded but unfortunately has R-tronic for 105K which I'm sure could be negotiated down.

Unfortunately, I desire neither black nor R-tronic. Will I be able to get an extended warranty through Audi if the OEM hasn't expired?

I do have an Element which I use for surfing, the C2S is my DD. I go shopping at Sam's Club with the C2S and have become adept at utilizing it's space for 36 rolls of toilet paper, 2 cases of beer, a few magnums of Goose, etc. I live on a small island, don't track, and don't care to push a car to it's limits.

I'm in my 30s, unmarried, and not flashy. I certainly don't want other doods' attention. However, I will have had my C2S for 4 years soon and am in an unhurried position to move into a different vehicle.

I feel like an M3 hardtop convertible would be a step backwards although I could get a good deal on one.

I am intrigued by the Maser Gran Turismo but feel like I would get bored quickly with it's more sedate driving experience.

White R8 would be my color of choice. I'm not prepared to make the plunge to an F430 in the near future because of my frugality, the purchase price doesn't terrify me so much as the maintenance.

 

I'm pretty sure not, extended warranty is a designed to be a huge bargaining advantage for the dealers.

You really don't need a TT or a V10 for that matter. Not saying you shouldn't get one if you want one, just that they'll probably be underutilized.

Both are pretty terrible in comparison to a 911 or a R8. The M3 is a solid car for the price, but "for the price" is a pretty key part of that statement.

The GT is beautiful but overpriced (and auto only, if I remember correctly). If you get a new one, be prepared for a huge drop in depreciation - they simply aren't sought after by sports car enthusiasts.

 

All of this V10 vs. V8 talk has me yearning for a V10. For those who've been watching the market, have you seen any white or silver V10s in the 130s (CPO a must)? Great write ups, by the way. Really captures why this is such a special car.

 

With the additional money it costs to get into an R8 above a 997.2 has anyone considered getting a third car instead and keeping what they have?

In my situation I am looking at least an additional 60k for a 5.2.
I could have some fun with that budget if I had the space.

What would you get new or used for that price if you were looking for a capable fun car?

I will throw out a few. CPO - GTR, AMG Benz, XK-R, X-FR, M5..
New- M3 coupe, Audi S5, CTS-V, Mustang GT-500...

Of course the extra cost for maintenance and insurance does impact that decision.

 

I will offer this... Out of those cars you mentioned, I have heard everyone one of them being called sterile, not fun, uninvolving, etc...

... One thing I have never heard of the R8.

 

No doubt the R8 is a great car that many would gladly have in there garages including myself, but to say cars like the M3, CTS-V and others mentioned are sterile and boring is ridiculous. I have owned an M3, C6-Z06, and driven all the cars mentioned except the GT-R. All of them were fun to drive. It is impossible to compare them to the R8 just different cars. I was just wondering if anyone has decided to add another car to the garage instead of getting an R8 or any other much more expensive car than the value of there trade.

 

Hey, I'm with YOU. I never get bored in any car... (although I didn't see the Z06 mentioned).

I'm just saying that preferences differ. And that people have said that about every car you listed, except the R8.

*edit: According to what I've seen/heard.

 

Yeah I failed to mention the Z. That was a fun car. I agree the overall opinion of the R8 is very impressive. It seems to be the car that is not a champ in any one category but it just does so many things right.

Being a GT-R guy no doubt your looking at the 2012 model. 91k with that level of performance is impressive.

 

After a couple months of ownership you just can't go wrong with the R8.

My only concern is that Audi starts to produce too many of them and the market bottoms out.

Other than that its an amazing car. So easy to drive, the interior is many times more spacious than a 997, I guess part of that is its width and the lack of rear seats.