R8 V10 to 991.1 S.....will it be a disappointment?

[turboman786]

Hi all!

Currently own a wonderful R8 V10 which Ive had for over a year and fancy a change......R8 has been a wonderful car to own and the V10 engine coupled with Miltek Supercup is joyous...as is the entire package....car is not the average R8 V10, as it has bucket seats/lightweight wheels/carbon etc.....its rather sexy of I may say so myself!

Alas, the need for change takes me to the Porsche 991.1 S....or 4s (prefer the look of the 4s, but perfectly happy with 2wd, having had a string of M cars etc

Now my question is, will the 991 be a decent change from the r8....or will the power defecit etc be too much to bare.....

Id be very grateful for input from anyone who has made the move or has experience of both cars.

[Big E 118]

I changed from a V10 R8 to a 997 GTS (similar power to a 991 S) about a year ago and don't regret it. The Porsche is slower and delivers it's power in a very different way. You won't have the brutal V10 noise and shove and you will miss it.

The 911 will also lack the drama in the looks department, the R8 does get a lot of looks and comments but no-one will notice a 911. Where the Porsche comes into it's own is the handling, I always found the R8 handled very well but wasn't exciting where as the 911 handling at road speeds is much more involving and fun.

The interior of the 991 will be a much nicer place than the R8 which is really showing it's years on the inside.

As mentioned the biggest thing you'll miss is the V10, I found it such a characterful engine where as the Porsches flat six very good but not exciting.

[Carlson W6]

Sounds like a downgrade to me.

Why not the Turbo?

[JasonRIx]

Carlson W6 said:

Sounds like a downgrade to me.

Why not the Turbo?

If the lack of sound going to the N/A flat six is a concern then the Turbo is even less likely to offer him the drama he needs.

Except of course in the boost department.

[pistolp]

Massive downgrade for me

[Digga]

Having driven an R8 GT V10, the thing about the engine which surprised and pleased most was not the epic din under hard acceleration, but the wonderful chorus of induction noises on part throttle, even at very low speed. It really does feel like driving with a dragon in the back of the car.

The 991 six is not a dull or bad engine by any means, but it really will lack the force of character, even if it might make up in certain areas with the quality of noise, flat out.

[JasonRIx]

I think there are various advantages and disadvantages to the two cars. A big issue for me nowadays is the width of many sports/supercars.

Driving along b roads - one of the few places you can actually enjoy these cars nowadays - I find even the 991 C2S a little on the wide side for overtaking.

I can only imagine dealing with something the width of a R8.

[AndrewD]

I went the other way to a gen 2 R8 V10 plus. Epic car - so much more of an event

[Trev450]

JasonRIx said:

Driving along b roads - one of the few places you can actually enjoy these cars nowadays - I find even the 991 C2S a little on the wide side for overtaking.

I can only imagine dealing with something the width of a R8.

Less than 100mm to be exact, but point taken.

[Digga]

Trev450 said:

JasonRIx said:

Driving along b roads - one of the few places you can actually enjoy these cars nowadays - I find even the 991 C2S a little on the wide side for overtaking.

I can only imagine dealing with something the width of a R8.

Less than 100mm to be exact, but point taken.

For me, on our local roads, I really did feel as though there was less usable tarmac, so stuff like avoiding the worst of potholes, overtaking cycles and that sort of thing were just that little bit harder compared to a 996tt. Slightly fewer options. That was probably my only 'negative' (and not much at that), that it's just not quite as compact as the 911, that's all.

[Zanderman]

I bought a 991 about 12 months ago and also looked at a R8 V10 whilst I was in the process. Preferred the 991 by a mile!

[Big E 118]

JasonRIx said:

I can only imagine dealing with something the width of a R8.

There's not a great difference but the R8 feels wider. I must admit some country lane overtakes were mirror, signal, breathe in, overtake....

[Trev450]

Zanderman said:

I bought a 991 about 12 months ago and also looked at a R8 V10 whilst I was in the process. Preferred the 991 by a mile!

Would be interested to hear why.

[Zanderman]

Long story but there were a number of things:

- The 911 wasnt an Audi (wanted a more pure bred sports car) and I prefer the Porsche brand, dont care if people disagree or what it says about me etc etc as it is a personal choice. Had a 911 a few years ago and still one of my all time favourites and always regretted getting rid of it
- I prefer the way they look both internally and externally
- I have always liked the way they handle, nothing handles quite like a 911
- with the sports exhaust on and in sports plus mode the sounds is just amazing, it pops and growls ands snarls. Again the R8 sounded great but the 911 sounded better
- There is a certain way that a 911 makes me feel and just didnt get that sense of excitement from the R8. In the end the Audi was a superb car but it was always going to be the 911 for me

Trev450 said:

Would be interested to hear why.

[Digga]

Zanderman said:

- The 911 wasnt an Audi (wanted a more pure bred sports car) and I prefer the Porsche brand, dont care if people disagree or what it says about me etc etc as it is a personal choice. Had a 911 a few years ago and still one of my all time favourites and always regretted getting rid of it

Valid point.

It wasn't something I fully considered until I actually bought a 911, but there's been hundreds of these machines, competing all over the world, in all sorts of specifications, in all sorts of motorsport, every weekend, for decades. The evidence is overwhelming and you can see a lot of it in the evolution, development and engineering of the cars.

[MagicRat]

Digga said:

For me, on our local roads, I really did feel as though there was less usable tarmac, so stuff like avoiding the worst of potholes, overtaking cycles and that sort of thing were just that little bit harder compared to a 996tt. Slightly fewer options. That was probably my only 'negative' (and not much at that), that it's just not quite as compact as the 911, that's all.

It's funny, I feel the size difference when I move between a 991 and a 981. The Boxster just feels more at home on B-roads, the 911 on sweeping As. I think because I grew up riding bikes I'm extra sensitive to how far away things are, and the widebody 911 feels like about the limit to me. I can't imagine an extra 10cm on the roads I enjoy. I do wonder whether the biggening of cars is ever going to go into reverse. Roads are staying the same size! An R8 V10 might change my mind about size though, but it's not a car I think I'd buy. Too much attention and I just don't find it beautiful.

[Digga]

Only driven a 991 on track at PEC Silverstone. It disguised it's bulk well and, driving to and from there in the 996 did not feel too different. If I had to guess I'd say the R8, back to back with even the 991, would feel bigger. But it is a lovely car and that engine is sublime.

[Big E 118]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned residuals..yet!

The gen 1 V10 R8's are holding their values surprisingly well, probably stronger residuals than the (non GT) 991's currently.

[turboman786]

Thanks for the comments so far.....

A 991 Turbo would be the most splendid replacement, but prices are still out reach for me at £120ish for an S....and they have a long way to drop depreciation wise so would be a much more expensive ownership prospect..

Residuals on the R8 v10 are very strong and I'm confident I could sell mine at very close to what I paid for it over a year ago.......theres not many junior supercars that you can say that about!

[Adam B]

so keep it

far more interesting and rare choice than a 911 where I live, great cars and only reason to change I can see is if you need small rear seats (and I have a 911)