MODS- Couldnt find a general section to post in so it went here but feel free to move as needed.

Hey All,

I posted this on another forum but wanted additional perspective...

I need some advice which I know is difficult to give. I am currently looking for a supercar of some flavor. I have it narrowed down to a 06(ish or later) gallardo, a 2012 GTR and an R8 5.2. My budget is about 100k but flexible by 10-20% or so. Basically I want something that is scary fast and plasters a smile across my face everytime I drive it. The car would be driven regularly (say weekends and 2-3 times a week to work). Would play around on autocross and maybe the strip from time to time but nothing serious. The car would see mods in one form or another. Goal eventually would be an 800+ whp car that can eat up the twisties and also turn in low/sub 10 sec drag times(like I said, eventually).

Must be reliable!

I know finding an R8 5.2 for around that price will take some time for them to depreciate but not in a rush. Would just like to purchase sometime before January 2012 (turning 30 and want to do it before then). How reliable are the R8's and what are the maintenance costs like? Would likely go UGR TT on this as well sometime in the future.

I love the Gallardo but being fairly young the flashiness of it is a bit of a con. They are gorgeous and love the feel, sound and look of them. Maintenance is a bit of a worry but from what I have read they are very reliable. Think budgeting about 10k per year would be fair? Eventually would maybe go UGR TT but a few years down the road. Something about the Lambo just does it for me along with the ability to get a true manual is a big plus.

The GTR is very interesting as you can get huge power out of them and after (from what I have read) the warrany issues have been resolved it makes me more comfortable going this route. Also they seem to be an awesome sleeper where only car nuts will really know what they are. Plus I like having a warranty. Downside is I do really want a stick and this isnt an option on the GTR.

For me looks go to the G followed by the R8 then the GTR
Performance is a toss-up but seems the stock GTR is fastest, with mods it can be anyones game
Reliability I'm not sure but gut feel says GTR, R8 then G
Cost of ownership/insurance would go to the GTR I think.

Anyway, can owners(hopefully someone here has owned all three) speak up and let me know their impressions on the cars. Pros/cons/etc? Depreciation?

Any advice, counsel, information would be very much appreciated.

PS- there is a 2012 GTR nearby ready for purchase right now, will be going to see it today....

 

Your rationale is very reasoned and you've already answered many of your own questions.

I'll offer my observance of your fun problem.

For starters, you're right about an R8 5.2 for $100k'sh. It's not going to happen anytime soon. You'll have a tough time getting a R8 4.2 for 100 and you could turbo it, but ..... So scratch that.

So, a used Gallardo or GTR.

The biggest downside to the Gallardo will be the guaranteed unwanted attention you will receive. It gets old fast. It would be a fun car but an 06 is a little old and you'll be looking at one with 30k miles or more if you expect to get it around $100k. Livability definitely goes to GTR as the Lambo bonnet storage is miniscule.

As for looks, it's purely subjective.

Performance: for everything under 100mph, the GTR will trounce the other 2 as well as every other X Y Z.

I would only counter on your assessment that the GTR will be the cheapest on maintenance and insurance. I do not know the actual numbers but I'd be inclined to think the GTR will be as high if not higher than the others. You know the principle, the more pricey the car usually comes with maturity. An insurance guy explained this once why my 911 was cheaper than an Evo. And for maintenance; the "tracked" maintenance is much more expensive and needy than the non-tracked (let alone any warranty big-brother nonsense).

Despite the non-stick issue, given your parameters I would go to the GTR, even with my above reservations.

For my money, I'd keep looking. It's probably a little vanilla but you should consider a GT3 unless the AWD is important than a 2010 (or newer) Turbo/ Turbo S.

I'm not completely biased but for your parameters, those two should be at least explored.

 

KK Moto's response was outstanding.

My only question is why you believe a Audi R8 5.2 would be considered "scary fast"? Are there even any proven modification options for them out there that come close to the 800 whp range? The terms 'Audi R8' and 'scary fast' just seem very contradictory to me.

Obviously, you can make a GT-R or Gallardo VERY fast with relative ease, so I think if the ultimate goal is to have a very high-HP car, the Audi R8 should be removed from the equation altogether.

Another option is a 997TT. Making 800 or even 900 whp on the stock block is pretty simple with those cars.

 

Or save yourself all the $$$ and hassle. Buy AMS's white Alpha 9 GTR. A steal of a deal, and huge name to back the car.
http://www.nagtroc.org/forums/index....pic=48171&st=0

Or even more flashy, and a better deal, Zeus Alpha GTR.
http://www.nagtroc.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=47589
Both of these are 900 HP right now, ready to drive and enjoy. AMAZING CARS!

 

997.1 Turbo, manual if you want the driving experience or Tip if you want the deadly consistent 0-XXXmph performance that it can offer when properly modded. I have seen the Tip's go for quite a bargain lately.

The GTR with our P800 package (designed from the ground up to offer the best performance and value for the stock powertrain) would easily handle all of your performance needs on 93 octane pump gas. Being in San Diego, your power level would be between 620-630awhp on 91.

If you are more immune to acceleration, say your weekend car is a 8 second mustang, then something a bit more powerful would be in order for the GTR, like our R1K package.

 

Just so you realize, a car which meets all of your parameters really does not exist. The greater the horsepower, the less reliable. Accord reliability with Veyron performance; we all want that!

But being in the GTR forum, your looking in the right place. I just don't consider the Tommy-Gun of sports car reliable. So-many-moving-parts!!!!

 

Thanks for your response. It has given me some food for thought,

I am pretty confiednt I could get into an 06 or later G for 100k. I have seen 04's with 20k on them at 80 sell fairly slowly. I am not in a big rush so could just wait for the right deal. Something about the lambo just calls to me but like you said, the attention will get old quick. I am a pretty low key guy.

I do really like the GTR and am a fan of having a warranty. That and the extra improvements/mods on the '12 make it pretty attractive. It is easy to mod to extreme levels but no stick!

I have a line on an 03 low miles babied 996 Turbo that I could literally steal but it is tip and have heard this model had some gremlins in it? Furthermore, I have driven it multiple times and it just doesnt do it for me. Maybe if it was stick it would? Just feels kinda plain.

Have never been in a GT3 do they feel more exciting (for lack of a better word) that the 996T?

AWD isnt a deal breaker but for the amount of power I want to get out of this in the end feels a bit dicey.

Currently own a e36 M3 that is NA but has all the mods it can while staying NA. Have toyed with the idea of dumping 30k into it and TT'ing or SC'ing it but it will never make the kind of power safely I am looking for I think without quite a few trade-offs.

 

I was thinking if I went R8 I would eventually send it to Underground Gracing for their built engine and TT treatment (700-1000hp on pump and they are also playing with ethanol as well which bumps those numbers).

For some reason, porsche doesnt do it for me. Likely I just havent been in the right porsche.

How much of a leap ahead is the 997 over the 996?

 

I was actually looking at your E900 package as the gas out this way sucks. Mailed a question in asking if I could flip back and forth (on different maps of course) between etoh and 91 octane but havent heard back yet.

How do you see the changes made for 2012 factoring into your kits? Will it up the HP? Any other affects?

 

HUGE!!!! Actually it's a couple of evolutions. The 997.2 is a big leap from the from 997.1, which was a huge leap from the 996TT.

Like I said, Porsche can be rather vanilla for some, but if it's about performance, reliability, and price, I would bet money the longevity of a Porsche will surpass that of a GTR, given same mod expectations, wear, and maintenance.

And, FWIW, I'm a big Porsche fan but I would not touch a 996 anything.

 

The '12 GTR looks like a fantastic package. Just keep in mind if you plan to do the mods you wish to do, your warranty that you desire will only work if a plastic molding falls off. Nissan will deny your 800+ hp GTR anything claim.

 

Yeah, I know, was going to keep it mild(wheels, intake, exhaust, maybe a chip which can be flashed back to stock for return to dealership... basically nothing that will stomp on the warranty) for the first year or so while the aftermarket ramps up on the '12. Also so that I can ring out the car under warranty for any issues which may be inherent to my specific vehicle.

 

One other thing, seems the big guys in the GTR tuning space are Switzer, AMS and to a lesser extent SP. Is that correct? Any others who deserve mention?

Don't want to get into a pissing contest but I know all tuners have their pros and cons, would someone mind getting me up to speed on how they stack up? PM would be fine also.

For example, when I was in the BMW world, Dinan was known as the most reliable and close to stock but also the least power gains while someone like Active Autowerke was really pushing the limits but had reliability isues?

 

As will Porsche, Audi, BMW, Lamborghini, Mercedes, Ferrari, GM, Ford, etc...

As you and I both know, once you start modding any car to that level, all warranties are out the window. If he wants a fast car with a warranty, I say buy a 2012 GT-R and leave it alone.

 

You are so right on both counts. '12 GTR looks great out of the box.

I've been duped more than once by my Porsche dealer, selling me aftermarket parts and installing them. Woops, CEL, $145/ hour. Hum, it was ....... we installed. Oh well, here's your bill.