Meeper

Would everyone still recommend the R8 if it was auto instead of manual?

AdamSanta85

I've never driven a manual R8 but have driven an E-gear... still fun as hell. That V10 sings and the tranny kicks hard.

Tough call, I love 911's... but R8 is basically an exotic.

friar93

Its unclear what you mean by 'driving for pleasure'. The other thing to consider is just the usability of the 911 vs R8.

Ever need to put golf clubs in there? ever want to go away with 2 people for the weekend? if this is truly just a for driving this wont matter. While less exotic I use the 911 a lot and the extra space makes the car a lot more usable even for stupid things like a trip to the store or more meaningful like going away for the weekend.

AAK GTS

Beware of front structural frame cracking on the R8.
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners...rod_ids=451815

911.

Maybe a RWS

himself

FYI - this is not relevant to the V10.

Also, FWIW, there were only ~700 V10 6MT's coupes and ~325 Spyders imported into the US (roughly 1,000 total). [EDIT: there were only ~100 Facelift 6MT [MY14/15] total imported into the US]. There were only 350 V10 S-tronic coupes and ~350 V10 S-Tronic Spyders (around 700 total). Way more limited than Porsche numbers. By a factor of 10 perhaps. If you have any concern about practicality, don't get an R8. There's nothing practical about any supercar. That's not their gig. Porsche is a great compromise car, for sure.

That said, if you're in the position to own an R8 - do it. You won't regret it and you only live once. And - don't fool yourself that it's like a 911 / MB / Bimmer - it's not. It is WAY more in every way. Besides, you can get a Porsche/Bimmer/MB/whatever next round.

-td

Highyo

best way to answer this is that the 911 is a better point-a to point-b car, and the audi is a better point-a back to point-a car

garfunkle

That's what I said. 911 is a better second car and R8 a better 3rd car.

2010panny4S

interesting discussion, I was actually looking at a R8 V10 plus manual as I was interested in rare monster N/A super cars, but since it was a daily driver for me, I opted for the 991 which was one of my dream cars. But the Audi R8 manual was a close 2nd for me in choosing a luxury exotic since I couldn't afford a used Lambo yet.

_RS_

If I had a 3rd garage, an R8 would have occupied it long ago.

Is OP off the fence yet?

koven

another vote for R8

Fcassells

hopefully he’s out on a road trip in a newly purchased R8. 🙃

baege

I am off the fence.

thanks for all the helpful replies...the fact that the vast majority says go r8 on a porsche forum I think speaks volumes

the search for an r8 v10 6mt begins

dchang81

Love the look of the original R8 with a gated shifter. I do know of several people who had them new but ended up lemon lawing it, which is a bummer.

Kal723

I can from personal experience tell you the R8 V10 manual is a wonderful car. I daily drove my 2012 and sold it when the clock hit 85k miles before purchasing my new 991.2 GTS targa in manual. The first thing I did was change the stock exhaust out and man that v10 screaming with the metal gated shifter is amazing.(stock exhaust is heavy and really doesn't do the car justice) As far as maintenance/repairs go you will need to do a carbon cleaning every 30k miles or so, unless you have the v10 plus the mag shocks will fail at some point,(I replaced mine with the v10 plus after 20k miles) oil pump seal will leak at some point,(around 55k miles, the AC compressor is another known issue (mine lasted until 80k miles but I know several guys that had them go bad around 20k miles) and the throw out bearings are known to eventually go( mine started around 70k miles). I can tell you it's really not that bad as it sounds car was very reliable and if you are to go for the R8 get a 2010 or newer. The structural issues mentioned were only in the 2008-2009 years. Also, do yourself a favor and get an extended warranty! the maintenance is about the same at my Porsche but the parts as I'm sure you expect are very expensive. Hope this helps.

Kal