When I say practical, what I mean is, even though it has no storage space, it's more comfortable to drive as an everyday car. I think 90% of this is because I don't scrape. On my non-modded 997 Turbo, I was always concerned about pulling in and out of gas stations, driverways, etc. The R8 hasn't scraped once since I own it. It also doesn't have any of the annoying issues like the hood opening up because the button is lightly depressed. I also don't have TPMS lights flickering all the time.
- It's as if the R8 doesn't have a lot of the minor annoyances that constantly irked me during my 997T ownership. It's also an easier car to drive without sacrificing performance or in the seat feeling. It's just easy and fun.

Haha, yeah, I kind of am. The R8 community is so small, I don't have many enthusiasts to share my fun with. I still love the 911/Rennlist community so I probably just came here to share my fun. Not bashing the 911. It's the second best car ever made

Yeah JMA, I'm still around... Just with a little less hair and a little more belly fat.. lol. How you been? Still have my 993 C2S after all these years! I'll probably have that car forever.
Funny thing is, when I bought the R8, I didn't realize it was conspicuous. I thought it would draw the same type of attention that a 911 or AM or BMW M series would attract, they are all in the same price range and readily common in LA... But boy was I wrong. People treat the R8 like they are seeing something they have never seen before. It took ownership of one for me to realize, you don't often see coupes, let alone spyders.
Between us, even though I don't like that sort of attention, I've kinda been enjoying it. The car really makes people smile and gives them joy.
I feel like some supercars turn people off, send the wrong message. The R8 does the opposite, it gives everyone a smile.

In conclusion... When all my 911 friends are out shopping for a new toy, don'y bypass Audi. For a first generation flagship exotic.... They delivered and then some. I'm sure on paper we can find things that are better on the 911 or vice versa... But in my 13 years of 911 ownership, I have found an alternative in the same price range that has accomplished everything and is a comfortable, sporty, performance brethren... Without having to buy a Corvette, GT-R, BMW-M, etc.

It's a 911 alternative with lots of it's own merit.

 

One thing about R8 spyders that drives me nuts is the aluminum windshield frame. I wish they had an option to have it painted properly.

 

Congrats on your R8 and thanks for sharing thoughts

 

R8 is a fantastic car! Actually, it's the car that made me buy a 997! As part of Audi club, I was invited to test drive the new just revealed R8s in Catalunya F1 Circuit in Barcelona back in 2008, and I was so impressed and in love with it, that after I got home I did all I could to find out... but those days they were asking 25K over MSRP for one of these! and I simply couldn't afford one. So, while trying to find an RS4 (same V8 engine), I expanded the search and just fell in love with 997 (in a different way), and managed to get one of those instead and haven't looked back.

I still like to own an R8 at some point, but it definitely not as daily due to the attention it generates.

 

 

The guy I bought my C4S from had bought an R8 Spyder with the 10 cyl, I'd rather have a Turbo or Turbo S over the Audi. Even if I could put 3 in an Audi.

 

 

I have both. Could not give up my 997 for the R8. 2 totally different drives.

 

Meh.. owned a couple Audi cars, one of which was quicker than the V8 R8 (bone stock), no thanks. Just don't have kind of feel I look for in a sports car. Far too numb.

 

Agreed. Driven both previous gen R8s (V8 and V10 6MT) and neither really did it for me. The new RWS, however, is fairly compelling.