Wednesday 7th September 2011

Spotted: 2007 Audi R8

Has time and exclusivity served Audi's 911 alternative well?

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R8s are knocking at the £50k door

I remember speaking to a friend after I'd seen the first pictures of the R8, waxing on about how stunning I thought it looked and how - if it drove like it looked - Audi might have given Porsche something to think about. 'Can't see it myself' he replied, 'it looks like a TT with a body kit.'

I thought that was a bit harsh, and the car did turn out to be the swinging danglies to drive, but to this day I can't mention the R8 without my friend saying 'nah, I'd rather have a 911.' We had the same conversation again recently at Wilton House and I wondered afterwards how a used R8 stacks up against a used 911, now that the fast Audi has been around for a few years.

So how does it stack up...

When it was new the basic price of an R8 compared to a 997 Carrera 4, but if you went all-out for an R-tronic car with alcantara headlining, mag' ride, carbon side-blades, vodka bar-style engine bay illumination and so on, the resulting bill would have put you closer to 997 Turbo territory.

This Audi R8 is about as modestly priced as they come at the moment at £51,995. The chrome-wrapped side-blades may or may not be to your taste, and it isn't laden with expensive options. However the service history appears to be spot-on and showing just 23,000 recorded miles it looks like decent value.

...against a used slice of Pork?

In terms of an equivalent Porker though, for just a couple of grand extra you could be rolling in this 997 Turbo. Made in the same year and showing similar mileage to the R8, the Stuttgart car also boasts full Porsche history and the ceramic brake option, not to mention a fresh set of Pilot Sports.

It's a tough one. The Porsche is slightly pricier, and is clearly a significantly faster car. However the Audi isn't exactly slow and does hold the exclusivity card.

Before you decide which one you'd go for though, it seems only fair to point out that of the same year and similar mileage and history, you could have this V8 Vantage for a full ten grand less than the R8. Okay it can't be compared directly to the 997 Turbo, but it isn't too far off the R8 in terms of performance and it arguably aces the Audi for practicality and cabin sexiness.

Or something home-grown?

So what'll it be? Out-and-out performance, exclusivity, or a cost-effective blend of both...

[A Scotsman]

I drove a 997 Turbo quite recently. It was arguably the most civilised high performance car I've ever driven. I'd have one in a heartbeat.

[Hellbound]

The R8 and AM would win on the style front.

It's the sort of decision that could only be made after spending a considerable amount of time behind the wheel of each one.

[AV12]

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



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

[LuS1fer]

I see even more R8s than I do 911s these days and the Turbo would be in far lower numbers. I wouldn't say either was exclusive particularly.

I'm not a fan of either so from an outsider's view, I'd be more drawn by the Turbo but a drive might change my mind, who knows.

[iva cosworth]

Having never driven ,or likely to,i would take the Audi as its the rarest.

[Hellbound]

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

An uninitiated PHer like myself would imagine the R8 (and 911 for that matter) as being more easier and cheaper to live with compared with the Gallardo. I'd certainly favor a 911 and R8 as more credible daily drivers.

Perhaps I'm wrong.

[pagani1]

The first question should be who made the least? AM probably, so best depreciation long term.
Cost of servicing will favour which? Reliability? Warranty? Porsche and AM have known issues in honouring warranty claims, for me that makes it the R8 just ahead on points & having seen it being built on Megafactories it would be my choice. The winner Audi R8-just from Aston Martin, Porsche 3rd.

[TomTVR500]

997 Turbo without a second thought. I have unfortunately never driven one but i love 911's have experienced a couple and have been out in a 997 Turbo as a passenger when they were almost new and laughed out loud for weeks afterwards with the performance of the thing! It was RIDICULOUSLY rapid. The only thing that i have been in recently which reminded me of the 997 Turbo in terms of outrageous acceleration was a 2009 Nissan GTR (completely standard). Which coincidently are abundant at this sort of money and for a lot less too, although i accept they aren't prestige like the other three are.
The 997 Turbo would have to be a manual (like this one) though not a Tip! Oh no!

Edited by TomTVR500 on Wednesday 7th September 11:53

[AV12]

Without doubt the R8 will be cheaper to maintain in most aspects. The 997 will be relatively "reasonable" as well. But it's a Lamborghini...

I can't speak from actual experience, maybe a Pher will step in and detail this...

My preference would be the Gallardo.

[Johnboy Mac]

On a cost basis I suspect the Audi is where the wise money would go. Somebody else picking up the bills I'd choose the 911.

[AB]

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

That there is my dream car in the colour I'd have it.

Probably a spyder though.

[vinnie83]

997 Turbo is relatively cheap to service and run - it's only if something major went wrong outside of warranty that it would be more costly than the Audi.

20k or 2 years service intervals, with prices not hugely different to a Boxter (except in the major service)

[AB]

Completely irrelevant to the thread, but the Turbo S became a car that gives me goosepimples on Sunday.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3196023.htm

I felt I needed to point this out.

[Sivraj]

Have to say as already mentioned the Nissan GTR would defiantly be a contender for me but between the two the Porsche would win.
(How do the two compare with depreciation?)

[BoRED S2upid]

Aston over the Audi for me and I could spend the £10k im saving on a second car. Although if I had that money I would be very tempted by the 911.

[Dagnut]

Can we put the GTR in this mix? The problem I have with the R8 is it's basically an RS4 in 2 seater form..not a lot more power and not a lot light either..same gearbox..same engine..same Awd drive system.

[CypherP]

Although I'm a lover of all things german-made, I'd rather have the Aston in this scenario. Not just because of price, but because of the design, sound and style. The issue with the german examples here is that although they are very VERY good at what they do, they don't seem to add enough character to the interior, and considering that's what you'll be seeing every time you drive it, it needs to be a little special.

I do love the sound of the Audi V8, but Aston's offering trumps it in this case.

[jcg]

it would have to be a GTR for me - I'm not a badge snob and the GTR would get me the fastest and best performing of the choices, whilst still a giving me a usable everyday car (and with very reasonable running costs if one uses a specialist like Litchfield) and £10-15k cash left over!

[tinyh98]

Give me the Porsche any day!

While there is no doubt that the Audi is a rarer beast, those side blades have never appealed to me. Also, the AM is gorgeous....but, all told, I'd rather have the 911.

[M666 EVO]

tinyh98 said:

Give me the Porsche any day!

While there is no doubt that the Audi is a rarer beast, those side blades have never appealed to me. Also, the AM is gorgeous....but, all told, I'd rather have the 911.

What he said...