YellowBull

I wouldn't count on it. With such a limited amount being produced, you can be assured that the value will be maintained much greater than a mass produced Audi. The demand is so great that many Audi dealerships have stopped taking deposits.

Ash

Just saw the first R8 on the freeway yesterday. Personally speaking, I think it's a pretty handsome car.

I'll be at the Audi Performance Driving Event at Infineon this Sunday where I'll get some seat time in an R8 and RS4. Looking forward to it.

~A

cabrio993

Really?

That was probably true back in the 80's. Audi reliabilty reputation is one of the highest nowadays.

I had 3 Audis in the past 12 years. Not one single problem, and they are driven hard daily. Just scheduled oil changes.

I wish I could say the same for my wife 2 Lexuses or BMW's that we have had.

nota_troll

BWHAHAHAHAHAHAA!

CP

That is good to know. I stand corrected then. I did not read the Audi forums nor check the JD Powers scores before I wrote my post. My impressions were strictly based on my boss's comments on his LS 1000 back in 1985. Times are passing me by here.

May be I should include Audi in my future interest list. I just saw an RS6 on the road. Darned aggressive fender flares and tire/wheel package.

CP

creator8

No issues on Audi reliability. My Dad has my old 2001 A6 4.2 and he's put 60k miles on it without a single problem of any note.

The RS6 (old model) is a twin turbo monster w/ 450hp and easily tuneable to 550 w/ a chip and exhaust. And only 800 or so on the ground in the US.

cabrio993

Yes, they have really come a long way.

They also had a really bad rap with the "unintended acceleration" deal of the 80's which turned out to be nothing more than an issue with their accelerator/brake pedal spacing, few drivers with big feet and a 60 minutes TV report that gave them their bad reputation.

Because all that, they had to earn their reputation back the old fashion way by being better than the rest, while others - without naming brands - have rested on their laurels.

Check them out when you are in the market. I don't think that you'll be dissapointed. I think a RS4 would go really nice parked next to your RUF

SCMomentum

CP,

I was in the same boat as yourself for quite a long time. Not anymore. I love my A4. This is my second one and I have truly become a believer. I just got back from three weeks in Germany and drove an Audi the whole time. Very solid on the Autobahn....which, by the way, could be the greatest invention of all-time. All I could think about the whole time I was on it was "wishing I was in my 993".

Cheers,
Dave

WHB Porsche

I saw an R8 in the window at night in one of the high-dollar, snooty NYC dealerships (I don't think it was MMC). It was a dark blue and looked downright mean from the front quarter. quite impressive.

leonardjohnr

I saw it back in Jan at the Detroit Auto Show...

It's definately cool, but cool in the way the NSX was in it's day... You want to like it, but it seems to be missing some sole (or heritage) or something... maybe power...

The fit and finish seemed amazing... 110% Audi... The move to super-sportscar legitamacy (for any company) is a steep one... a v10 will go along way to help, but it will need some critical mass... and takes more than a high-price and a name from the racing program...

That being said... I hope it doesn't befall the same fate as the NSX...

axl911

R8 + NSX. Taken from NSXPrime.

From seeing pictures of the R8, the more I look, the more I don't lilke. The front and back ends are too busy. What's with the slats? Seemed they are added on with no real function or purpose. Worse is the different color/material on the side panel. Looks like some designer at Audi went through the K-Mart aisle of automotive design with a blank check and nothing in mind.

Terry Adams

Looks like a Gallardo did the wild thing with a 350Z, and they put the panel in the middle to cover up the "union".

Franklin229

Audi was certainly after the retro look-

tjangi

I saw one today on park avenue approaching a red light. As it slowed down it rev'ed the engine to show off? I must say it is a nice looking car, but the mufflers sounded a bit like the LPMM mufflers that I just installed (or was it the other way around)

B-Line

$120k is not well optioned C4S money. $120k is lighly optioned 997 Turbo money.
In order to spend $120k on a C4S, you would be checking every option in the book.
I have, Upgraded Color, Short Shift kit, Sport/Chrono and a few other options and my turbo was only a few dollars more than the $120k C4S dollars you are suggesting.

I am also eager to see what the residual values of this car will be. Because usually there is two prices for factoring the ownership of the car, Sale Price when you buy and Sale Price when you sell.

I love the Audi S8 and seriously considered buying one. Until I learned that the three year residual is 40%. And they wanted close to 9% interest rate.
So, a $100,000 Audi after 3 years is only worth $40,000. (And that's if you lease, if you own it, consider another $3k-$7k "back of book", putting the resale value of the car at $33k-$35k.

Yes, we all know new Porsche's also have a steep depreciation, but no where near those numbers.

I also do understand that you can't put a "price or value" on owning an exotic sports car. They are luxury items and are subject to the market. But if I could own a Porsche Turbo for $20,000 less than an R8 (notice I said "own", not buy.) imho, there is no comparison.

Now maybe the R8 is going to be the "highline" Audi, the breaks the mold and has a high resale value/residual. Especially with the premium it is now commanding. But once the "welcome wagon" has worn off and the dealers are selling them for $500 over invoice. What is going to be the true "Cost of Ownership" to be in this car?
My guess is, the Porsche 997 is still going to be the better car for the value. Maybe the 997 isn't the new guy on the block, he's the benchmark by which all other sports cars are judged. But if I were making a decision not just based on the "gotta have it now".. Based on Audi's past resale performance's. I would say Pcar is the way to go.

B