Am I mad considering an old r8

Am I mad considering an old r8

Author
Discussion

gilliambot

Original Poster:

141 posts

131 months

Sunday 7th February 2016
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I always like to hear my fellow Porsche PHers thoughts and opinions. So I have another question for all of you... I currently have a 997 GTS, which is a fantastic machine, I find it hard to fault. It is also the best Porsche u have ever owned. But, I have always been swayed by the beauty of the R8. Would I be mad thinking it a good idea to swap my GTS for an R8? The only R8s in my budget would be the 4.2L entry level versions. I worry that, although I would have an r8 which would feel like perhaps a more exclusive machine, that ultimately I might come to regret the swap. I know this is all subjectiveI, but I just want to know what you lot think on the subject.

v8ksn

4,711 posts

183 months

Sunday 7th February 2016
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gilliambot said:
I always like to hear my fellow Porsche PHers thoughts and opinions. So I have another question for all of you... I currently have a 997 GTS, which is a fantastic machine, I find it hard to fault. It is also the best Porsche u have ever owned. But, I have always been swayed by the beauty of the R8. Would I be mad thinking it a good idea to swap my GTS for an R8? The only R8s in my budget would be the 4.2L entry level versions. I worry that, although I would have an r8 which would feel like perhaps a more exclusive machine, that ultimately I might come to regret the swap. I know this is all subjectiveI, but I just want to know what you lot think on the subject.
You would be mad to swap IMO.

The 4.2 V8 is a great car but its not as rewarding to drive as the 997 GTS.

I was toying with the idea of selling my 997 GT3 for a V10 R8 a while back but after a long test drive I changed my mind.

As a side note, looking at the current market, the V10 R8 would be a more of a comparison value wise to the GTS.

ellroy

7,006 posts

224 months

Sunday 7th February 2016
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I can't help, but think of the r8 as as slightly larger, squashed TT.

They also look very wide to my eye and I'm not so sure how much of a handicap that could be on some of the smaller British roads I tend to get most enjoyment from.

I do understand that they drive brilliantly, but I'd keep the GTS every day of the week.

Edited by ellroy on Monday 8th February 11:49

Heaveho

5,279 posts

173 months

Sunday 7th February 2016
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I've come at it the other way........we've had two R8s, an early V8 and a V10 plus. I've had an extended drive in a 997 C4S and couldn't possibly contemplate the Porsche as an ownership prospect after the Audi. Very subjective discussion, but I couldn't live with the steering in the 911, and would rather have another Boxster for that reason alone.

I loved both Audis, and will consider another when it's feasible, just lovely things to drive, imo.

Dr S

4,995 posts

225 months

Sunday 7th February 2016
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Chalk and cheese? I could never imagine owning an R8, but that is a subjective matter. Given that you are intrigued by them, go for an extended test drive and make up your mind

gilliambot

Original Poster:

141 posts

131 months

Sunday 7th February 2016
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Cheers for all the replies guys. Always good to hear other opinions. My curiosity has gotten the better of me, test drives here I come.

leemanning

557 posts

151 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
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Good luck with the test drives!

I haven't owned a 997 GTS, but I have owned a 997 S and a 997 Turbo and now have an R8 V10. I would say the Porsche's are better to drive. However, the ownership experience is not just how good they are at driving and the R8 offers alternatives that the 911 can't match - such as presence and curbside appeal.

If it's an itch you want to scratch then go for it, however I wouldn't go in there thinking the R8 is going to be any better. It's just different.

If you can get a good price on your GTS and a fair deal on an R8 then make it happen. Neither car is likely to lose much money in the near future, so if you do want to go back then that option should still be open to you.

One thing I think you will notice most is induction noise. The R8's engines in the cabin are very quiet compared to the N/A 911's and it is personally something I miss.

Go drive a couple of R8's and see what you think.

v8ksn

4,711 posts

183 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
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Another thing to consider is the R8 is like a wet dream to some yoofs!

Its not one for shrinking violets thats for sure!

sparta6

3,689 posts

99 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
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v8ksn said:
Another thing to consider is the R8 is like a wet dream to some yoofs!

Its not one for shrinking violets thats for sure!
+1
If you like the attention of teenage boys, R8 does it

jakesmith

9,461 posts

170 months

Friday 19th February 2016
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Just about to go to R8 from 997 c4s
911 is ordinary to look at
R8 is a supercar
To drive... not much in it having driven both I'd give up a bit of steering feel for mid engine, v8, glass engine cover and Ferarri style gear gate

Edited by jakesmith on Friday 19th February 00:31

acey81

177 posts

109 months

Friday 19th February 2016
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If you were going for a V10 manual, then maybe!

Beaky59

176 posts

165 months

Friday 19th February 2016
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Bonkers......only kidding,

Seriously its very subjective, you are the only one that will know, and that'll be by the seat of your pants feel driving them back to back

Good luck

Digga

40,207 posts

282 months

Friday 19th February 2016
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Own a 996 turbo, and have driven a mate's R8 GT (V10).

I can quite easily see what attracts people to the R8 in terms of aesthetics; there's certainly much more 'theater' and show to an R8. They drive very nicely - IMHO the feel is not a million miles from a turbo - and sound good in both V8 and 10 guise; the latter being sublime and very swift. I think they're pretty reliable too.

It really ought to be a case that these sorts of cars are bought as much with the heart as with the head; as other people here say, have some test drives and allow yourself to make a genuine, personal decision.

v8ksn

4,711 posts

183 months

Friday 19th February 2016
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Digga, I think I saw you in your silver turbo this morning on the M4, you went past me as I turned off at Jct 12

The turbo looked lovely

JeffC

1,685 posts

211 months

Friday 19th February 2016
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briefly Had a R8 couple of years ago, typical Audi, good build quality, engine makes a very nice noise, Sadly not quick enough for the fuel it used and for me totally uninspiring to drive, felt huge when was driving it about town, certainly didnt push my buttons. Few of my pals drove the R8 and all came to the same conclusion , in the same breath had a 997 but was a C4 and didnt like that either so Im prob the wrong man to advise !

Digga

40,207 posts

282 months

Friday 19th February 2016
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v8ksn said:
Digga, I think I saw you in your silver turbo this morning on the M4, you went past me as I turned off at Jct 12

The turbo looked lovely
Not me driving it (I'm in a VW van today!) and Mrs is working in London, so I hope it wasn't mine. biggrin

v8ksn

4,711 posts

183 months

Friday 19th February 2016
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Digga said:
Not me driving it (I'm in a VW van today!) and Mrs is working in London, so I hope it wasn't mine. biggrin
hehe

I took a guess it was you as the reg plate was something similar to D1 GGA biggrin

Digga

40,207 posts

282 months

Friday 19th February 2016
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v8ksn said:
Digga said:
Not me driving it (I'm in a VW van today!) and Mrs is working in London, so I hope it wasn't mine. biggrin
hehe

I took a guess it was you as the reg plate was something similar to D1 GGA biggrin
I've got a D16 on the VW T5, but the 996 came with a T9 plate on it already. I'll have to keep an eye out for that car!

Sine Metu

302 posts

125 months

Friday 19th February 2016
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I think the curbside theatre of the R8/10 is starting to fade rapidly actually. They didn't keep pace with styling evolution. Very dramatic impactful car when it came out but that was a long time ago now. And it'll always be, an Audi. Porsche is timeless however imo. It's not going to turn heads but neither will the Audi anymore. So it's down to which is the best to live with, love and enjoy at the end of the day.

Swede123

452 posts

191 months

Friday 19th February 2016
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Isn't the thing we buy Porsches for is that they are not so, in your face. The general public see them as rich boys toys, but not as much as a mid engined super car. Porsches are a bit of an upmarket VW, lots around, few in silly colours, nobody really knows how much you've spent.