Well, I just went to the Audi dealer, right next to the Porsche dealer. I looked at the R8 (test drove one in 2009), then looked at the 991 GT3 just across the parking lot. I know the R8 is more exotic, but the GT3 just grabs me more. I guess I like the curves more than the angles (think Ferrari vs Lambo). I have been looking at R8s for sale on line all day and really have the bug, just never looked at them both in the flesh in the same five minutes. The other thing is that I ordered the GTS Cab, and spent countless hours picking colors, option, etc. I feel like I created it--even birthed it. Crap, this is hard. Maybe I will just remain Porsche--keep my tracked-out 997.2 GT3, and maybe sell the GTS for the 991 GT3 RS.

 

... BTW, hearing everyone's comments is helpful and appreciated. All of the comments seem tomimic all the thoughts I have had banging around in my head for the last week.

 

It's not unusual to be tempted by other brands. I actually considered a Lotus Evora S 2+2 before I bought my 997. The exotic look and the sexy lines really made me think...

It sounds like you know in your heart that you're a Porsche guy...

 

If it had a V10 I might love it, hold it and caress it. Might even write it a poem.

 

Another angle. One of the highest profile personal injury attorneys in my home town has been a Porsche buff forever. I drive by his office almost daily and have seen turbos, GT3's, GT2's and I forget what else. Then one day there was a V10 in his parking spot. Didn't last long. A month later it was replaced with a 991 turbo and it's still there.

 

Actually, it is an aluminum Lamborghini that has substantially improved reliability. I am curious what the new R8 will be like when it is based on the new Huracan. The R8 has substantially more street presence than the 911. However, it really does not bring greater performance than the 911.

 

That's a load of crap and this coming from a guy who owns 2 Porsche cars (997 and 981). The R8 looks exotic and the 911, well looks like a 911. I love how the R8 looks, my only problem is, that is all I love about the R8, it's not faster than my 997 and it doesn't handle better.

 

"Just an Audi"....No. R8 is as exotic as any supercar, looks amazing on the road.

 

I particularly love the R8 Spyder. That car looks awesome going down the road. My neighbor has one and invited me to sit in the car. I'm glad I did, as I can now take it off of my bucket list as it's too cramped inside for my 6'4" stature.

 

LOL
I think that R8's are more exclusive and at least as "special" as most P cars.
But I too choose P over A.

 

I thought the R8 interior had plenty of room. I'm also 6'4" and I fit into the R8 with no problem while wearing a helmet.

When I drove the car on the track, it was part of an exotic car experience track day. The other car that I drove on that day was a Ferrari 458 Italia. There was no comparison between those two cars, but one interesting fact: My top speed on the straightaway was slightly faster in the Audi than the Ferrari. My lap times were considerably faster in the Ferrari.

Again, I think the Audi is very nice looking, very fast and certainly unique. I simply didn't find it as compelling as Porsche vehicles, especially less common variants like the turbo, GT3, etc.

 

I didn't have enough room, and maybe the Spyder has less interior seating space as compared to the coupe? Or, maybe our legs are different lengths? My inseam is 36". I couldn't use the clutch pedal because my leg kept hitting the steering wheel no matter how I positioned the seat.

 

I hate to jump on the bandwagon of those that have issues with this because I am positive that I've said equally as silly things but . . .

By this logic you could say that a Ferrari is now just a Chrysler, a Porsche is just a Volkswagen, etc. And with this logic the Mona Lisa is just a painting, made with the same materials that my daughter used for finger painting. The only problems is that The R8, the Porsche, the Mona Lisa are not "just" cars or a painting. The sum of their parts are more than the whole - and by the way, this generally corresponds to a branch of Philosophy called Emergentism.

 

Same here. 36" inseam. Maybe you're right about the coupe... The car that I drove had a dual-clutch automatic transmission, so I didn't notice the clutch pedal issue that you mentioned.

I did also have the option to drive a Lamborghini, but I wasn't even close to fitting in that thing!

 

First, foremost a new Audi R8 is out of my price range for a fun car. There are a few floating around my area/dealers etc but they've always look dated to me. All Audi cars seem to visually appear out of date rather quickly in my eyes.
My first new Porsche (a 2000 Boxster S) also seemed to become visually dated quickly. So I jumped back to a 911 (997) again, and couldn't be happier. It seems as if you may be O.D.'ing on the Stuttgart experience though with more than one of them...maybe?