Discussion
I assume since you're looking between a 997T and a R8, you mean a R8 V10?
R8 is an impeccable machine. although easy to drive, there is always a sense of occasion when driving it. However the specificaton on equipment can be quite mean and there are those who consider the V10 overkill, since the V8 is so well balanced. Also wasn't a fan of the auto i drove (R-tronic or something like that). felt jerky around town sometimes and also a bit slow on the uptake. certain details on the R8 seem over-done (i'm one of the few who don't like the sideblades) but it truly is a striking (but not pretty) looking car.
The 997 turbo however is very different. It's always left me somewhat cold - theres no real sense of occasion driving it since it feels so...detatched, however getting from point a to b in as little time, i'd take the Turbo every time. The speed and pace the twin-turbo provides really is surreal and the presentation of the package is somewhat hard to fault. The PDK is excellent, but i'd take a manual every time. My only concern with a 997 would be the residuals, since i understand that they shed value with speed that matches the acceleration of the car.
Bottom line is, can you deal with the jibes about the R8 looking like a council estate house at christmas, or the fast beetle jokes about the 911?
Either one of those choices, i'm sure you'll be happy. They're both excellent in their own ways.
R8 is an impeccable machine. although easy to drive, there is always a sense of occasion when driving it. However the specificaton on equipment can be quite mean and there are those who consider the V10 overkill, since the V8 is so well balanced. Also wasn't a fan of the auto i drove (R-tronic or something like that). felt jerky around town sometimes and also a bit slow on the uptake. certain details on the R8 seem over-done (i'm one of the few who don't like the sideblades) but it truly is a striking (but not pretty) looking car.
The 997 turbo however is very different. It's always left me somewhat cold - theres no real sense of occasion driving it since it feels so...detatched, however getting from point a to b in as little time, i'd take the Turbo every time. The speed and pace the twin-turbo provides really is surreal and the presentation of the package is somewhat hard to fault. The PDK is excellent, but i'd take a manual every time. My only concern with a 997 would be the residuals, since i understand that they shed value with speed that matches the acceleration of the car.
Bottom line is, can you deal with the jibes about the R8 looking like a council estate house at christmas, or the fast beetle jokes about the 911?
Either one of those choices, i'm sure you'll be happy. They're both excellent in their own ways.
ukwill said:
Has anyone gone from a 7TT to R8 (or the other way round) - ownership thoughts would be much appreciated. 
I went from a 997tt to r8 v8, I much preferred the r8 ,better handling...you could really have some fun ,and much better public reaction to it,just generally a better car to drive.the Porsche is ridiculously fast and competent but I honestly thought it was not as good overall as the carrera s I had previous to it.I normally keep my cars for about 1 year,I kept the r8 for 3.The v10 does not flow quite as well down the road as the v8 ,but it depends how much performance you don't want to use as to which model you go for.
franki68 said:
I went from a 997tt to r8 v8, I much preferred the r8 ,better handling...you could really have some fun ,and much better public reaction to it,just generally a better car to drive.the Porsche is ridiculously fast and competent but I honestly thought it was not as good overall as the carrera s I had previous to it.I normally keep my cars for about 1 year,I kept the r8 for 3.
The v10 does not flow quite as well down the road as the v8 ,but it depends how much performance you don't want to use as to which model you go for.
Have I read that right, you preferred a C2S over a 997 Turbo?The v10 does not flow quite as well down the road as the v8 ,but it depends how much performance you don't want to use as to which model you go for.
yes,I dont see that as unusual ,many road tests at the time commented the same,give me a n/a engine that sounds good and good handling as opposed to turbo engine with lag and a handling that is just grip grip and more grip.The GTr is better at that than the turbo to be honest.I would also point out that in the year I had my turbo it was off the road with serious issues for 6 months.
franki68 said:
yes,I dont see that as unusual ,many road tests at the time commented the same,give me a n/a engine that sounds good and good handling as opposed to turbo engine with lag and a handling that is just grip grip and more grip.The GTr is better at that than the turbo to be honest.I would also point out that in the year I had my turbo it was off the road with serious issues for 6 months.
I'm suprised you were not hunted down and burnt for that!Interesting to hear your thoughts on the 997TT though.
Koing
I like Audi's and thought i'd like the R8, for me it was very claustrophobic and I struggled with vision. It is a well built car, I drove the V8 Auto at the time and although quick, it was nothing like the 997 turbo.
With regards to depreciation, at this time either car will suffer, it just depends on the age.
For me the grip and acceleration of the 997 in Tip mode, together with comfort and space make it a better choice. Where I struggle is all of these cars seem to have rattles, I'm always asking Porsche to locate a different one just after they've fixed the last one.
As for V10, I'm sure lovely but not cheap even at present time.
With regards to depreciation, at this time either car will suffer, it just depends on the age.
For me the grip and acceleration of the 997 in Tip mode, together with comfort and space make it a better choice. Where I struggle is all of these cars seem to have rattles, I'm always asking Porsche to locate a different one just after they've fixed the last one.
As for V10, I'm sure lovely but not cheap even at present time.
franki68 said:
yes,I dont see that as unusual ,many road tests at the time commented the same,give me a n/a engine that sounds good and good handling as opposed to turbo engine with lag and a handling that is just grip grip and more grip.The GTr is better at that than the turbo to be honest.I would also point out that in the year I had my turbo it was off the road with serious issues for 6 months.
No I actually am in complete agreement, I could have stretched to a 997 Turbo, but in the end went with a well spec'd C2S, aerokit, ceramics, X51 etc. 
I've owned or driven just about every iteration of the 997 911, and for me the V10 R8 is the better car. Sounds so much better than a turbo, and for me more involving than the gen II cars. Don't even consider the R-Tronic though, terrible gearbox. The manual is a delight though. R8 gets a lot more attention, but I find it is 'good' attention.
Ive not driven an R8 yet myself and pretty keen to do it.
its a hell of a car and personally i think the V8 sounds better than the V10 model. Clearly Audi wouldnt allow the v10 to sound as good as the Gallardo 560! If it did then I would be thumps up.
However my only point to add is that the Porsche is a better badge with more pedigree and you can just about fit someone in the back of it too!
R8 owners dont take offence here, but the ones in London/ Chelsea when they came out were the worlds biggest show offs Ive ever seen driving them flat out in 1st gear around town. Ive yet to see a 997 Turbo driver doing that... what Im trying to say is its a bit attention seekerish!
When they start falling in value in the next 8 months... thats when they will start looking good money!
Martian O said:
Don't the R8 V8 engines have engine coking problems like the RS4 does?
i ran mine for 3 years,it is the only car that i have ever bought new that never broke down or had some major problem.In fact in 3 years it cost me £400 for a service and £400 for 2 tyres both of which were punctures ,in terms of reliability it pisses on every other make I have ever owned.I went from a GT2 (I know this is different from a Turbo)to a V8 R8 and although the R8 looks cool as hell and is an occasion (although not as much now as more and more are being seen on the roads) it is definitely lacking. In the lower gears it feels fast, but on motorway speeds, it struggles to feel faster than a boxster S in my opinion. It does stick to the road, but the handling did feel a litte numb, probably just the 4 wheel drive though. R8's drink fuel like nobody's business and you will be filling it up with oil every 600 miles. I used mine up and down the M6 and it would struggle for 15mpg on a motorway run. I think the Turbo is by far the better car, but that is just my opinion and obviously it depends what you are looking for. I have done the R8 thing and I probably wouldn't go back again. Now a GT3 RS.... I need that in my life :-)
I'd say they're different cars. The R8 is Audi's very efficient take on a mid-engined, 2-seat, junior supercar. The 997 Turbo is a 2+2, GT, junior supercar.
The Audi probably makes a bolder design statement, but the 997T has that evolutionary heritage.
I've had limited experience of the R8, which was nice enough, but as an everyday prospect I'd prefer a 997T.
What I would say to any 997T doubters is to try the Gen 2 model, particularly the 'S'. It has a far more involving chassis and I found it really is lovely to drive, with staggering performance.
The Audi probably makes a bolder design statement, but the 997T has that evolutionary heritage.
I've had limited experience of the R8, which was nice enough, but as an everyday prospect I'd prefer a 997T.
What I would say to any 997T doubters is to try the Gen 2 model, particularly the 'S'. It has a far more involving chassis and I found it really is lovely to drive, with staggering performance.
f1ten said:
Ive not driven an R8 yet myself and pretty keen to do it.
its a hell of a car and personally i think the V8 sounds better than the V10 model. Clearly Audi wouldnt allow the v10 to sound as good as the Gallardo 560! If it did then I would be thumps up.
However my only point to add is that the Porsche is a better badge with more pedigree and you can just about fit someone in the back of it too!
R8 owners dont take offence here, but the ones in London/ Chelsea when they came out were the worlds biggest show offs Ive ever seen driving them flat out in 1st gear around town. Ive yet to see a 997 Turbo driver doing that... what Im trying to say is its a bit attention seekerish!
When they start falling in value in the next 8 months... thats when they will start looking good money!
R8 sounds good in 1st;)997 Turbo driver can't do that as it sounds awfulits a hell of a car and personally i think the V8 sounds better than the V10 model. Clearly Audi wouldnt allow the v10 to sound as good as the Gallardo 560! If it did then I would be thumps up.
However my only point to add is that the Porsche is a better badge with more pedigree and you can just about fit someone in the back of it too!
R8 owners dont take offence here, but the ones in London/ Chelsea when they came out were the worlds biggest show offs Ive ever seen driving them flat out in 1st gear around town. Ive yet to see a 997 Turbo driver doing that... what Im trying to say is its a bit attention seekerish!
When they start falling in value in the next 8 months... thats when they will start looking good money!
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