What to buy - R8 v AMv8 cab v 997 turbo v Maser GranTurismo

[max b]

Need some help from the pistonheads massive.
My budget is 50k (including any manufacturer extended warranties) and I'm happy to buy private but I'm unsure on which to pull the trigger on?

Which every I pick will be my daily driver, so my criteria is based on vocal noise (I had a rs4 cab previously and desperately want to re-create the vocal pleasure the car offered), day to day usability - can be up 70/80 mile round trip 3/4 times a week with work (incl some on street parking sometimes) and stability on residuals, as I might need to be out if it within the next 6 months, incase we need to move! (got another little one on the way so may need to upsize) Not asking for much am I!

Anybody any opinions on my selection or know of any personally up for sale still within manufacturers warranties?


Thanks
Max

[Neil1300R]

wrong forum to ask, you will only get one answer here.
you will not re-create the aural pleasure with an Aston. The Aston sound will make you realise what a proper engine sounds like! Its waaaayyyy better

[bl5150]

I'm not sure the Maser is very comparable with the other three. If you're looking for more of a powerful GT for daily driving (some would argue the Maser GT is too much of a lump to even feel powerful) then I'd be looking more towards an Aston Db9 or Jaguar XKR.

[Little Lofty]

I swapped my RS4 Cab for a Vantage, but due to it having some mechanical problems I only kept it for a month and got my old car back.I did look for another, but the AM dealers were offering peanuts for the RS4 so I decided on a R8.I missed the torque of the Audi V8 in the short time I had the Vantage but loved the sound of it.I paid a lot more for the R8 than I did for the Vantage even though it was older, so for residuals the R8 is probably the better bet ( not so sure over 6 months) but they are both great cars.

[theno23]

I don't think you'll get a V8V still within manufacturers warranty for 50k, but if you buy one from the Approved Used scheme you do get a 1 year warranty from Aston - it's not as good as the original one, but it seems OK.

[krisdelta]

Realistically you'll only get one answer here in the main. If you are buying a roadster now - and you only keep it 6 months you'll be selling at the "right" time - so if you sell private you shouldn't lose too much (if you buy private). The R8 is an interesting proposition, but haven't been that wowed by the noise during normal driving when I've seen them up in London pootling around.

Sounds like you have a bone-fide excuse for some serious test driving, at a time when dealers will be only too happy to chat with you.

Happy shopping!

[max b]

Little Lofty said:

I swapped my RS4 Cab for a Vantage, but due to it having some mechanical problems I only kept it for a month and got my old car back.I did look for another, but the AM dealers were offering peanuts for the RS4 so I decided on a R8.I missed the torque of the Audi V8 in the short time I had the Vantage but loved the sound of it.I paid a lot more for the R8 than I did for the Vantage even though it was older, so for residuals the R8 is probably the better bet ( not so sure over 6 months) but they are both great cars.

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Lofty, I think yours was the sprint blue cab from rs246? You maybe best placed so far for my next question then and that is, in real terms do either the v8v or r8 justify the extra 25/30k over say the v8's available in the rs4/e90 m3 or even c63?

Part of me wants to go into the 'supercar' ownership side of things but considering my circumstances and the travel I'm having to do at the moment with work, parking etc, the other side of me is thinking why not only spend 25/35k and get another rs4 or c63 et?

I know any of my original choice of cars would be something special but I don't want to spoil the experience of any of them by always thinking have I parked in a safe place, damage, etc

[Mako V12V]

Not too many R8s for under £50k. Why not get a TT RS? Great sounding engine by all accounts.
A 997T is a fast A-B car but without the thrills.
A V8 Roadster may depreciate more unless you buy now and sell at the height of the season.

[Zod]

Four very different cars.

One guy I knew, replaced his M5 with a 997TT and was bored stiff by it. I'd get a GT3, not a TT.

Most people seem to like their R8s, but it's an Audi.

People seem to like the Maserati too, but it's a huge, heavy thing, more comparable with a Conti GT for me.

It'll have to be the Aston then.

[Wozza]

The noise from an R8 is a little disappointing - it's way too quiet! You would definately require an after market exhaust to hear it properly.

The 997 Turbo will offer no aural pleasure at all - standard 997 with a sports exhaust would be a better bet.

Considered a GTR? No exhaust note of any note again but its performance is mind boggingly good and I found it perfectly comfortable and easy to drive for day to day useage.

Anyway, I've driven all of these cars over the last year and a half courtesy of Club GT, in addition to Ferraris and Lamborghinis, etc and I've decided my favourite of the lot was the Vantage Roadster. Dynamically its a long way short of the R8 and a 997 Turbo would leave it for dust but who cares? It looks beautiful and sounds epic. Its much more muscle car / TVR like than I was expecting and you really do feel like you're actually driving the thing...

I've got the club's car for a week over Christmas and I'm going out for yet another drive this evening with no destination in mind - haven't enjoyed driving a car so much for many years

[Little Lofty]

max b said:

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Lofty, I think yours was the sprint blue cab from rs246? You maybe best placed so far for my next question then and that is, in real terms do either the v8v or r8 justify the extra 25/30k over say the v8's available in the rs4/e90 m3 or even c63?

Part of me wants to go into the 'supercar' ownership side of things but considering my circumstances and the travel I'm having to do at the moment with work, parking etc, the other side of me is thinking why not only spend 25/35k and get another rs4 or c63 et?

I know any of my original choice of cars would be something special but I don't want to spoil the experience of any of them by always thinking have I parked in a safe place, damage, etc

Yes that was me with the Sprint Blue Cab
For the extra sense of occasion you get from a Vantage or R8 ,then yes they are worth the extra money.As far as the drive goes, the RS4 is 90% as good as a R8.M3's and C63 are good value at the moment so its a tough choice,but if you've got the funds you probably regret not getting something a bit more special.

[Little Lofty]

Wozza said:

The noise from an R8 is a little disappointing - it's way too quiet! You would definately require an after market exhaust to hear it properly.

I totally agree, it sounds great for 30 seconds on a cold start then drops off to something a bit too civilised for my liking.I've got mine booked in for custom exhaust, I'm hoping it will be a big improvement, but it still won't match the sound of a Vantage.

[max b]

Wozza said:

Anyway, I've driven all of these cars over the last year and a half courtesy of Club GT, in addition to Ferraris and Lamborghinis, etc and I've decided my favourite of the lot was the Vantage Roadster. Dynamically its a long way short of the R8 and a 997 Turbo would leave it for dust but who cares? It looks beautiful and sounds epic. Its much more muscle car / TVR like than I was expecting and you really do feel like you're actually driving the thing...

I've got the club's car for a week over Christmas and I'm going out for yet another drive this evening with no destination in mind - haven't enjoyed driving a car so much for many years

Wozza, was/is it the 4.3 or 4.7? You don't fancy a detour to Birmingham do you???

[max b]

Little Lofty said:

Wozza said:

The noise from an R8 is a little disappointing - it's way too quiet! You would definately require an after market exhaust to hear it properly.

I totally agree, it sounds great for 30 seconds on a cold start then drops off to something a bit too civilised for my liking.I've got mine booked in for custom exhaust, I'm hoping it will be a big improvement, but it still won't match the sound of a Vantage.

This I have to say is surprising and disappointing. I would have thought the r8 would have offered the same aural appeal as the rs4's considering its the same engine. I guess I was spoiled having the cab which made it all the better to hear, thus considering the v8v roadster. If budget permitted it would be a r8 roadster no question, job done!

[Wozza]

max b said:

Wozza, was/is it the 4.3 or 4.7? You don't fancy a detour to Birmingham do you???

Well I didn't quite reach Birmingham but you might have heard me anyway

Its a completely standard manual 4.3 but with fuse 22 removed.

Its probably no quicker than your RS4 and will certainly feel initally less accomplished the way it goes about getting its power down....crude almost but my goodness its incredibly good fun!!

The R8 I drove by comparison was like an RS4 turned up to 11. Superb car and I loved it but you're not going to be getting that much more for your money, other than a lovely body.

But then again its almost worth it just for the engine bay lighting alone

[Speedraser]

Wozza said:

... Anyway, I've driven all of these cars over the last year and a half courtesy of Club GT, in addition to Ferraris and Lamborghinis, etc and I've decided my favourite of the lot was the Vantage Roadster. Dynamically its a long way short of the R8 and a 997 Turbo would leave it for dust but who cares? It looks beautiful and sounds epic. Its much more muscle car / TVR like than I was expecting and you really do feel like you're actually driving the thing...

The 4.3 is a great car, but a 4.7 with Sports Pack is very close to an R8 dynamically (feels very different given the different layouts, of course) -- only at the ragged edge does the R8 have an advantage, IMO. Also, at anything less than the ragged edge, I find the V8V Sports Pack to be both more involving and more of an event.

I considered all of the cars on your list and I bought the Aston -- in 4.7 Sports Pack form -- and would absolutely do it again. BUT... you said you have a little one on the way. If that's a factor, I have to say go for the Maser. It's a beautiful car, it certainly provides a sense of occasion, and -- it has a real back seat. Not a fake back seat like a 911 or XK, but a back seat that's truly usable, even by adults. Or grab the Aston for 6 months -- if you buy it right the depreciation shouldn't be too bad between now and then -- and then get the Maser afterwards.

[max b]

Lots of thumbs up for the Aston so that will definitely be on the shortlist!

I've got other FAQ which I'll post as a separate question.

Keep the replies coming

[polar8]

Ive owned the 997 Turbo, 3 x AMV8s and the R8 (in V10 form). The R8 is the best car - just stick a Milltek exhaust on it for added volume.

[drcarrera]

I looked at most of the cars mentioned in this thread before narrowing down to two - R8 and V8V. I ended up with a 4.7 sportspack V8V.

I loved the R8, and if the V8V didn't exisit I'd have been happy having one, but the V8V edged it for me.
However, one of my main "problems" was that I already had an RS4 and the R8 was just too similar. Take that away and I think the decision would have been much harder.
I actually prefer the R8's engine - revs better and sounds less thrashy on full chat. Exhaust note can be improved by fixing the flaps open or better still with a new exhaust as mentioned. However, two other issues for me as a near-daily driver. The luggage space is much better in the Aston, and I'd imagine the engine noise in the R8 could get a bit wearing, as it's just behind your head. It annoyed me after 15 minutes!