Has anyone owned an Audi R8
08-02-2018, 03:23 AM
#3
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Help us with your thought process, Drfootman. I'm an ex RS owner and near R8 owner but just want to hear your thoughts.
08-02-2018, 06:03 AM
#5
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This question comes up just about every year in the 991 Forum.
08-02-2018, 09:54 AM
#6
I just traded in my '12 R8 V10 and ordered a Carrera T. The R8 is an amazing car and the '15 would be the same basic car as mine but with the facelift and a better transmission. I had it for about 2.5 years. The engine is simply brilliant. The factory exhaust is too quiet and you'll probably wind up switching that out which is not cheap, but it is fun if you DiY. The electronics are updated on the newer ones, but a '15 would be a bit "dated" in this regard, so make sure you like them. Still, the interior is a surprisingly livable space - just not much cargo space.
So, why did I switch - here are my reasons. First, the attention. Porsches get there fair share, but the R8 is a "supercar" and it gets a ton of attention. That's real fun for a while, but for me it got a little old. The next reason is that while the motor is amazing, to really enjoy it, you have to wind it out a bit and you are only doing that on the track - or are breaking a lot of laws and putting others at risk. Driving around on the street just felt a little boring. The car also felt heavy on the track and I never quite got to the point of trusting it like I have my previous Porsches. Ultimately, I wanted a more engaging and involved car - thus the T with a manual transmission.
Hope this helps!
So, why did I switch - here are my reasons. First, the attention. Porsches get there fair share, but the R8 is a "supercar" and it gets a ton of attention. That's real fun for a while, but for me it got a little old. The next reason is that while the motor is amazing, to really enjoy it, you have to wind it out a bit and you are only doing that on the track - or are breaking a lot of laws and putting others at risk. Driving around on the street just felt a little boring. The car also felt heavy on the track and I never quite got to the point of trusting it like I have my previous Porsches. Ultimately, I wanted a more engaging and involved car - thus the T with a manual transmission.
Hope this helps!
08-02-2018, 11:28 AM
#7
I drove one on a track back to back with a turbo S. The Audi seemed faster but not as purpose built for the track as a GT3.
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08-03-2018, 06:20 AM
#8
Sorry for the delay in answering your questions to my post. I would be looking at a V8. I do not race. I do like to be a little aggressive on the highway but never crazy. I have had a 2006, 2013 911 base Cab. A Boxster base, briefly had a 2016 Cayman GTS but sold it because of a loud annoying exhaust drown on the highway. Went to a 2016 Macan turbo which I liked but missed a 911. My 2017 911S coupe, which was the first Porsche I actually ordered, is the one I like the most. I love the low end torque my others ( Macan excluded) did not have. The 2017 feels more nimble than my other 911's. It did provide a similar feel to my Cayman. The bottom line, like Chris-97C2 spoke about, is the WOW effect the R8 has. I've driven two R8's and IMO, my 2017 drives better.
It is funny that when I asked the question on the R8 forum about my possible switch, the R8 owners who had 911's ALL said they like the feel of the Porsche better but liked the WOW factor and exotic car experience the R8 definitely has over most 911's. As silly as it sounds, I hope I will suppress the "itch" to make the switch to an R8. I know what I have in my 911 and I would hate to give that up only to return to one. I greatly appreciate the input I received from this forums members! I'm actually thinking of "chipping" if that's the right term my 911 to make it even more "badass" I will search this forum to learn more and possibly post another thread asking for help. Thanks again and SAFE motoring to all!
It is funny that when I asked the question on the R8 forum about my possible switch, the R8 owners who had 911's ALL said they like the feel of the Porsche better but liked the WOW factor and exotic car experience the R8 definitely has over most 911's. As silly as it sounds, I hope I will suppress the "itch" to make the switch to an R8. I know what I have in my 911 and I would hate to give that up only to return to one. I greatly appreciate the input I received from this forums members! I'm actually thinking of "chipping" if that's the right term my 911 to make it even more "badass" I will search this forum to learn more and possibly post another thread asking for help. Thanks again and SAFE motoring to all!
08-09-2018, 10:16 AM
#9
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Background; i (successfully) race a 997 GrandAm Cup, a 69 911, a 997 GT3R, a 911 IROC and soon a 991.2MR. I also own a 69 911S and a highly modified 78 911SC.
My daily driver is an R8 V10 Plus (2nd generation). Money wise its on the GT3/Turbo range so that is your comparison to a 911. I personally find it to be different than a 911 but superior. Very civilized in "D" mode and manic in "S" modes. Mean sound, superb handling, excellent interior, awesome A/C, have we mentioned torque and exhaust note???, stereo is superb and I get better attention at the Audi dealership than at Porsche. At least locally, there are tons of 911 variants and that might have to do with the attitude at the dealer. Looking at used cars for sale, seems to hold value better than the 911.
Cons of the car, you better like attention (specially if you have a bright color like my solar orange). Everyone wants to race you, its a magnet for every wannabe racer out there.
My daily driver is an R8 V10 Plus (2nd generation). Money wise its on the GT3/Turbo range so that is your comparison to a 911. I personally find it to be different than a 911 but superior. Very civilized in "D" mode and manic in "S" modes. Mean sound, superb handling, excellent interior, awesome A/C, have we mentioned torque and exhaust note???, stereo is superb and I get better attention at the Audi dealership than at Porsche. At least locally, there are tons of 911 variants and that might have to do with the attitude at the dealer. Looking at used cars for sale, seems to hold value better than the 911.
Cons of the car, you better like attention (specially if you have a bright color like my solar orange). Everyone wants to race you, its a magnet for every wannabe racer out there.