I have an opportunity to move from my slightly modded (see sig) 2006 Cayman S into 2008 R8. I understand my question is very subjective, but would this be a good upgrade? I don't track my cars, and it would be a daily driver...for the most part. Problem is, I find my Cayman fits almost all of my needs right now, so I don't want to make a move that is "upgrading" and find out that I screwed up.

The R8 specs are:
17,000 miles
Manual
Ice Silver
Nappa Leather (which is warn pretty bad on driver's hip bolster)
2 years of warrany left

While mileage isn't a big concern of mine, afterall it's an Audi, I'm concerned that with only 17,000 miles, pieces of the interior are wearing that are fine in my Cayman with alomost 50,000 miles.

So, let's get some opinions here. Would you guys make the same move? Or should I just keep my Cayman? I'm sure some questions will arise to further this discussion, but we'll start here for now.

Thank you to everyone who offers something.

Charles

 

that´s a no brainer, take the R8!
R8 is a level above the Cayman in terms of looks and performance.

 

I'm sorry but how is this a real comparison? And you should drive the R8 before buying one

 

I drove the R8 the dealer has for sale. And while I understand that the performance is slightly better, I wanted to get some opinions based off more than just horsepower, speed, and looks. Of course those things matter, but I'm more into handling than just speed. However, I want more than a Lotus or Miata. Also, I'm looking to hear about the quality of components after several years of ownership. I understand the "it's an Audi" mentality, but there were far too many worn pieces on the interior after only 17,000 miles for a company that is known for their interiors.

I figured I would get similar answers to what has been given so far, but I was hoping to hear from people who have owned an R8 (not saying you haven't...). What's it like to live with? Will I miss the extra storage of the Cayman? Will the go-cart like feeling of the Cayman be missed? Unlike many on here, I cannot afford to own both, so I just want to be certain before I not only trade up, but get rid of a Cayman that still brings a smile to my face 6 years later.

Again, thanks for your opinions.

 

If you can handle the financial upkeep on the R8 over the Cayman S, do it!

I wish more people bought cars like R8's and used them as daily drivers.

Example: 2009 Aston Martin DBS Coupe for Sale in Great Neck, NY 11020

I just got this DBS listing earlier this week. 33,000 Miles! Finally someone had the nerve to rock a DBS to work and back every day.

Buy the R8 and sell it with 80,000 miles in 5 years and you will probably sell it for more than expected.

 

Thanks for the advice. When you say "financial upkeep", are you talking about the payments and insurance? Or are you talking srtictly about servicing? The service expenses were going to be another question of mine.

 

I have owned four Audi's and Boxster S. As a rule I would say Audi interiors are very good. It's possible you have a car that was not looked after. Perhaps th previous owner had a jacket with buttons on it, that just scaped away at the seats? I have one that does that. Have to be carefully getting in and out.

I would really look into the other elements of the car to ensure the driver was the kind of person that looked after stuff. Audi interiors don't wear badly when treated well.

I have driven my friends R8 V10 and when daily driven it is a much quieter car, far less viceral than the Porsche was. The acceleration however is fierce. The sound when pushed is awesome. The R8 does feel a bigger car, but it handles VERY well. It has fantastic steering and is predictable at the limit.

The Cayman has more storage but is likely less of a DD than the R8. It's very easy to trundle about in the Audi. I love the look, but I wish it had just a bit more attitude when you arent driving it hard. You may end up feeling the same way. My friend bought the R8 because of that split personality.

I would take the R8 (unless it was not in good repair)

 

One of the guys on the Ferrari boards has a great saying:
"Buying a Ferrari and not driving it because you don't want to put miles on it, is like NOT sleeping with your girlfriend because you don't want to ruin her for the next guy"

 

I read that quote somewhere else on here...love it! I've also tried to live by a similar rule: Don't buy/change a house or car for the next guy.

But these are the responses I've been looking for. Still not sure what I'm going to do, yet. I didn't get to drive the R8 as much as I would've liked, but in the short drive, I wasn't overwhelmed. In other words, if my car is worth $25-30K, and the R8 is priced at $90K, it didn't feel like a $60K upgrade. I'm going back to speak with the GM as I did not have a good experience with the other sales guys. Plus, I'm hoping to get some more seat time.

 

fantastic quote! rep. points 4u!

P.S. if it´s just about the driving experience then it`s NOT worth the upgrade, cause the R8 (V8) is not light years faster or much better round corners.
however, together with the sound, the looks and the supercar prestige it´s definitely worth it imho!

 

See? This is why I'm struggling with this. For as much as I've enjoyed the Cayman, this seems like the Cayman with a bit more. But how much more? It does have a two-year warranty, though. Cayman is out of warranty.

 

What you will gain with the R8:
- a great V8 sound
- more frequent stops at gas stations
- more people gawking at the car, touching it, drooling on it
- greater acceleration

What you will lose with the R8:
- the razor-sharp handling
- lots of storage space
- the ability to park anywhere without concern
- the glorious flat six sound
- a pile of cash (sorry, I don't borrow money for toys)

I've driven both extensively. As much as I like the R8, I can't bring myself to buy one. I have a 2011 Carrera S that has performance similar to the V10 and better than the V8. It's lighter, more agile, and gets better gas mileage. Plus has lots more storage space. And I'm not as concerned about where to park it.

If you have never owned an R8 and have the cash, go for it. For me, it's not $60k better than a Cayman. I certainly wouldn't buy one with the seat bolster worn - that doesn't happen if you are careful, only if you don't give a crap about the car. Not the sort of prior owner I'd want.

What about an Audi TT-RS? It would be a great DD.

 

[/quote]...For me, it's not $60k better than a Cayman....[/quote]

yeah, but then a 911 isn`t 60k better than a Cayman as well.

 

I'm trying to find out more about the previous owner. There are a few things that concern me, but I'm not sure if he literally beat on the car or was just careless a few times, or had some genuine mishaps. The dealership is willing to fix most of the imperfections, but I'll pass if I feel like he beat on the car. Heck, as careful as I am with my car I've still had people open the door into it and key it, doesn't mean I'm careless or beat on it. But truthfully, I'm more concerned about the performance.

Dr. Bill, thank you for your insight.

 

I just came out of a 2011 997 C2S into a new V10 R8. Dr. Bill is correct, there isn't alot of performance difference between my new car and the Porsche, but in reality for street driving, there isn't alot of difference between any of these cars mentioned in this thread. The on-street driving experience between a Porsche and a R8 is very different however, as Dr. Bill stated correctly. Either car more than gets the job done brilliantly, but the R8 makes you an instant celebrity, if want that sort of thing. Every traffic light is a cell phone photo op for 20 year old guys in their Hondas.

As far as the interior pieces, I have light silver leather seats on my R8 and I wasn't thrilled to see that the dye from my blue jeans continues to show up on the seats. OTOH, it comes pretty much right off with a leather cleaner. The left side of the driver's seat seems to be vulnerable to wear since the high seat bolster takes the brunt of getting in and out of the car. Other than that, the quality of the interior materials is as good or better than my recent Porsches. Ask the dealer for a copy of the car's service record (a print out from the OBD computer would be nice as well) and see if there has been any history of abuse or problems. If that checks out OK, make the dealer fix the interior pieces and give you an extended warranty.

By frame of reference I have driven Porsches pretty much continually for 40 years (owned about 17 of them) and have recently owned boxsters, 993, 996 and 997 turbos, etc. Porsches are clinically brilliant, but the R8 is as well, and it adds "emotion" to the equation. It depends if "emotion" is part of your equation, because on a $ to $ performance comparison, your best bet would be (ugh) a GTR. If you like to be anonymous on the road, the R8 is the wrong car.