RE: Spotted: 2007 Audi R8

[Henry Fiddleton]

Three pages in, and not one you tube clip of the Hamster oversteering his C2'S' and the R8 in the front shot looking tame.

Well done (clapping smiley required).

[muthaducka]

It would be nice to have the choice but a test drive of each would have to be in order. I'd want something pretty special and I reckon the GTR fits the bill. It's got to be all the car you could ever want for mooching around and and throwing it into the odd european trip and track day. Get your weekend luggage in there.

Then again, if it was my money, I would be under the spell of 'what's mine is yours' and the wife would probably be happier the the shnazzy looking Aston.

Now this would really screw the relationshiphttp://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2934919.htm

I can't think of many other cars that would fit the bill for £50k. I thought of a CL63 Black but it looks ordinary compared to the selection. Is this a pukka GT40 for £50k...http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3113196.htm

[Gusto]

nickythesaint said:

Stuff, and ...the R8 for example has got no where to put any luggage of any kind. So if you wanted a nice spirited drive in the country or overseas for a weekend, you'd have to strap your luggage to the roof.

That is odd. I've taken mine all over the UK, OK not overseas, for weekends/weeks away. It lugs about all our luggage, (albeit the wife being a light traveller), fishing tackle, and I hate to admit it, it has been to the driving range with clubs in the back behind the seats. Unless you cannot go away for a weekend without taking your whole wardrobe with you I'd suggest another look.... or maybe you just don't like them.

edit to add... My R8 was my first 2 seater "proper" car (without wanting to upset anyone!) I like the Porsche and the AM - but want to try an AM soonest if that makes sense....

Edited by Gusto on Wednesday 7th September 16:04

[spoodler]

Sorry but I've had a problem with the R8's image since I went to London recently. Lots of them about and two shocking examples - one in colour coded white with white alloys (looked like he really wanted a Range Rover sport), and far, far worse a German registered example in chrome. And I mean everything chrome...except, maybe, the tyres... I'd have the Aston or something shocking and colonial...
Then again nobody has ever accused me of having good taste.

[soad]

AV12 said:

The R8 has grown on me, but, I'd budget more and get the real deal:



http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3181347.htm

V10 power too, lovely

[mikey k]

let me throw a curved ball in here

My old 4.7 sport pack Vantage Roadster

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3125307.htm

Still the current model with the flappy paddles, later 4.7 engine, superb sports pack upgrade AND a convertible

But then I'm biased

[Dagnut]

muthaducka said:

It would be nice to have the choice but a test drive of each would have to be in order. I'd want something pretty special and I reckon the GTR fits the bill. It's got to be all the car you could ever want for mooching around and and throwing it into the odd european trip and track day. Get your weekend luggage in there.

Then again, if it was my money, I would be under the spell of 'what's mine is yours' and the wife would probably be happier the the shnazzy looking Aston.

Now this would really screw the relationshiphttp://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2934919.htm

I can't think of many other cars that would fit the bill for £50k. I thought of a CL63 Black but it looks ordinary compared to the selection. Is this a pukka GT40 for £50k...http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3113196.htm

Exactly the same only missus would have me in the 911

[355f]

Johnboy Mac said:

franki68 said:

I changed from a 997 turbo to an r8 v8 prior to my current car,and I drove pretty much every viable option.I am a big porsche fan,and have had numerous variations of the 911.It all comes down to taste and preference but the 997 turbo is not a great car,it is biblically fast but does nto feel special,out of the 997 range the turbo was the worst car imo.THe r8 was a nicer drive in pretty much every respect.YOu also get treated much nicer in the r8 than you do in a 911.When i was tired of the r8 (after 3 years which is a record for car ownership for me) I test drove ferrari's maseratis gtr's astons and not in one instance did I come away from any test drive desiring the car more than the r8,in fairness I tinkered a bit with it with a miltek exhaust and remap so it was noticably quicker than stock.HOwever when invited to test the gen 2 997s I spent the entire time on the track wishing i was in the r8,handling wise it is on a different planet to the 997,and most other cars to be honest.
I changed to a gallardo purely because I hankered after one ever since i saw one and my needs changed i didnt need a daily drive sportscar,and truthfully although it feels much more special and is truly beautiful whereas the r8 is merely attractive,the r8 drives better.

Great post. Love it when people call it the way they see it from first hand experience.

Have to agree with this post.

My Gallardo replaced a 355 and the Gallardo was a reliability disaster, its unfortunate that the drivetrain could have been a lot better, the worst thing on that car was steering feel- lacked any sensitivity.

Just sold my V8V ;you must have a sports pack, mine had the engine upgrade as well, but poorly put together, thirsty ford cologne engine, lots of volvo electrics, all packed together in something that doesnt work terribly well. Lots of problems, sensors, electrics ect and the sound makes one believe its far far faster than it is. Heavy depreciator.

The v8V - bit long in the tooth, more interestingly, what will Aston do for a new model and power plant, or will it be another revision- change the headers, call it the V8SE and charge another £5K for it!

Audi R8 I tried as a demo some time ago, very capable but never really wanted one, 911 turbo fast but lacking in involvement.

[Dagnut]

355f said:

Have to agree with this post.

My Gallardo replaced a 355 and the Gallardo was a reliability disaster, its unfortunate that the drivetrain could have been a lot better, the worst thing on that car was steering feel- lacked any sensitivity.

Just sold my V8V ;you must have a sports pack, mine had the engine upgrade as well, but poorly put together, thirsty ford cologne engine, lots of volvo electrics, all packed together in something that doesnt work terribly well. Lots of problems, sensors, electrics ect and the sound makes one believe its far far faster than it is. Heavy depreciator.

The v8V - bit long in the tooth, more interestingly, what will Aston do for a new model and power plant, or will it be another revision- change the headers, call it the V8SE and charge another £5K for it!

Audi R8 I tried as a demo some time ago, very capable but never really wanted one, 911 turbo fast but lacking in involvement.

I only have the experience of a few laps in a Gallardo but I have to say it was a massive let down after driving a 360..its faster than the 360 but it doesn't feel as sharp..I'd say an F430 would be a much better car

[British Beef]

Gallardos are now dipping below £60k, but despite having significant Audi input seem to get really bad write ups in the reliability stakes, plus the usual complaints of A3 swithgear in a £100k supercar are still valid.

Me, I would take my £50k to AM or Audi then after a few years consider a sensible 911 C2S.

[Defconluke]

£50K is knocking on the door of 5.0 XKR's too.
I'd still prefer a Morgan Aero 8 though. Even the cross eyed ones look fabulous to me.

[thewheelman]

For the dare to be different crowd, this for under £30k

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3173744.htm
& one of these with the change....

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3051461.htm

[redseal]

Had this debate with myself two years ago: AMV8 vs R8 vs Sagaris

Sagaris won. At the time the R8 was double the money (Sag has actually appreciated over the period, now going for ~40k for a good one) and discounted it on that basis. Decided the Aston was a bit too civilised.

Performance wise the Sag is faster than both the R8 and the Aston, wouldnt keep up with the Turbo though I dont think.

Sag is cheaper to buy but more expensive to run than all the above. Bogie (posts on here a bit) has owned the Aston and the Sag, said the Sag was 2x more a year to run.

There's all the usual TVR worries etc out there but to be honest, it's not relevant IMO. Yes they came out the factory 90% complete but that 10% should have been sorted by most owners, 5 year engine warranties available now etc. just do your homework and go into it with your eyes open...

So, for sheer fun, grins and exclusivity (~120 of them) the Sag beats all three hands down. The R8 is lovely looking but apparently, a bit dull to drive (cant comment havent driven one). The Aston is undoubtedly the classiest of the bunch and the Turbo overall the most capable.

Would love to have an R8 and the Aston in the garage with the Sag, the Porkers are just too common for that kind of money. (And the turbo is the motorway car, for me it'd be the GT3 every time).

All fantastic cars and incredible to see what you can get for this kind of cash.

Oh, I almost forgot. Would also want the Lambo and the 430 in garage too. Not that i'm greedy...

[va1o]

As much as I love the R8, I'd take the Aston and £10k in the bank. All three are excellent cars though!

[PaulFontaine]

What an awesome dilemma to have right? I am sure the turbo would thrash the other two. I really dont think aston's really are all that. i don't know the R8 would be my choice out of these but for similar money I would probably go the viper or 360 route. That's me though i don't think these cars has enough of a sense of occassion to them. It is something to be said for level of refinement that would allow them to be driven daily but i think the 360 or Viper however much more impractical just seem more special somehow. If i had to get an every day driver maybe a maserati their values seem to drop like a rock at least in the US at least and it would have that little touch of exoticness to it.

Hopefully in 2-3 years when these type of cars have dropped a little and i get back on my feet I will have such a dilemma

[Foggy748]

I was considering an R8 after owning a B7 RS4 but trying to get a test drive with Audi has proved very dissapointing so my interest has faded. I was fortunate enough to own a 911 C2s whilst trying to sell the RS4 but in the end the 911 went and the RS stayed. I was dissapointed with the Porsche, it just didn't do much for me and I absolutely hated the snobiness that seemed to surround the marque from existing owners. The RS4 finally went in favour of a GT-R. A lot of people (those who haven't driven one!) say that it's not a drivers car but I'm sorry, you're all wrong. With traction control in race mode you can have an absolute ball with this car. It's an unbelieveable piece of kit for the money.

[snotrag]

This particular ones 10% over budget but with 50k, id be wanting a test drive i'n one of these -

www.pistonheads.com/sales/3141375.htm



Yum

Edited by snotrag on Wednesday 7th September 20:03

[Plainview23]

Have to say, I think I'd go for some type of R26R for messing about town and an M6 (with warranty) at about £24k for cross country weekends and the like; it has the boot, the space and the n/a V10 in front of you. Bit of practice with the SMG and it is a momentous car for half the price. Grab that R26R for 14k and you're £13k better off than in the R8 with a lot more usefulness and one of the greatest modern engines sitting in your driveway.

[tosh.brice]

Johnboy Mac said:

Great post. Love it when people call it the way they see it from first hand experience.

exactly!

[fun4all]

I have owned the amv8 and still own the 997. AMv8 is too slow and fragile for me. The R8 as a daily driver is not as good as the 997 - no back seat which i use a lot and very little space - which I use a lot too. ..... but the R8 is very pretty, a good car - just not for me...........