RE: Audi R8 V8 manual: Spotted
Discussion
Ares said:
P.Griffin said:
Shnozz said:
Then you have to consider there is a very practical, 4(ish) seat TT-RS with a luggage swallowing hatchback and a very similar interior that, with a quick remap, is sat 2" off your bumper. Made the R8 a hard car to justify, even if it has many attributes that neither the TT-RS nor other cars of that price range have.
I'd be amazed if someone considering a mid engined supercar actually gives a second thought to luggage space and general practicality. If they have to compromise, the default choice is a 911, probably not a car that has a small displacement turbo charged front engine. You also can't make a fair comparison between a car that was first released in 2006 and another 10 years later. Edited by P.Griffin on Wednesday 18th October 14:44
P.Griffin said:
Hmm .. practical if you compare it to a Lambo/Ferrari...but I'd still take the 4.2 n/a V8 over the 2.5 turbo, regardless of how much overnight luggage I can carry..the Mrs can take a the train if need be.
Of course, I think just about everyone would.Edited by P.Griffin on Wednesday 18th October 14:44
Ares said:
P.Griffin said:
Hmm .. practical if you compare it to a Lambo/Ferrari...but I'd still take the 4.2 n/a V8 over the 2.5 turbo, regardless of how much overnight luggage I can carry..the Mrs can take a the train if need be.
Of course, I think just about everyone would.Edited by P.Griffin on Wednesday 18th October 14:44
cerb4.5lee said:
Ares said:
P.Griffin said:
Hmm .. practical if you compare it to a Lambo/Ferrari...but I'd still take the 4.2 n/a V8 over the 2.5 turbo, regardless of how much overnight luggage I can carry..the Mrs can take a the train if need be.
Of course, I think just about everyone would.Edited by P.Griffin on Wednesday 18th October 14:44
The V10 was a beast though.
cerb4.5lee said:
I enjoy an engine with torque...so a tuned 2.5 turbo would float my boat more I think than the high rev V8, I'm not the norm though! The V10 is a different story though for sure.
as a daily i would take the 2.5 all day long, but in an RS3, as a weekend toy i would take the V8 every time, but in a spyder so you can hear it wail 
The R8 does drive better than the TT-RS, no doubt. To the poster that suggested the TT-RS would only be up your arris on a straight road, have you driven an R8?! Hustling it down any UK country lane would be a challenge...On a race track, yes, no doubt. Real world, in the UK, with UK weather, I think the TT would be a quicker car. Better, no.
I only draw reference to the TT in that it undermines the R8 in many ways. I test drove an R8 and was very keen on one. I would never have bought a TT-RS as it simply wasn't supercar special. However, its very hard to put blinkers on and avoid the TT sat in Audi's showroom a few cars down that, on paper at least, does everything this car can do, for half the money. And with a proper boot. And with rear seats. And a seating position/wheel and general cabin almost identical. Yes, the balance of the car is different, yes the feelings it may evoke may be different, yes it is a nice NA V8 and not a turbo 5 2.5.. but if you are writing an argument for buying a 10 year old R8 over one its not an easy argument to write.
I only draw reference to the TT in that it undermines the R8 in many ways. I test drove an R8 and was very keen on one. I would never have bought a TT-RS as it simply wasn't supercar special. However, its very hard to put blinkers on and avoid the TT sat in Audi's showroom a few cars down that, on paper at least, does everything this car can do, for half the money. And with a proper boot. And with rear seats. And a seating position/wheel and general cabin almost identical. Yes, the balance of the car is different, yes the feelings it may evoke may be different, yes it is a nice NA V8 and not a turbo 5 2.5.. but if you are writing an argument for buying a 10 year old R8 over one its not an easy argument to write.
P.Griffin said:
Ares said:
P.Griffin said:
Shnozz said:
Then you have to consider there is a very practical, 4(ish) seat TT-RS with a luggage swallowing hatchback and a very similar interior that, with a quick remap, is sat 2" off your bumper. Made the R8 a hard car to justify, even if it has many attributes that neither the TT-RS nor other cars of that price range have.
I'd be amazed if someone considering a mid engined supercar actually gives a second thought to luggage space and general practicality. If they have to compromise, the default choice is a 911, probably not a car that has a small displacement turbo charged front engine. You also can't make a fair comparison between a car that was first released in 2006 and another 10 years later. Edited by P.Griffin on Wednesday 18th October 14:44
the fact you cant even manage a long weekend in Europe certainly puts me off. Putting wives on trains or posting yourself clothing around hotels would get tiring quickly and certainly not "worth" it in terms of compromise when I am not driving or riding something cutting edge driving nirvana like an Atom or sports bike, I am driving a relatively docile Audi, only one less practical than all the others in the range...only not as fast.
Shnozz said:
The R8 does drive better than the TT-RS, no doubt. To the poster that suggested the TT-RS would only be up your arris on a straight road, have you driven an R8?! Hustling it down any UK country lane would be a challenge...On a race track, yes, no doubt. Real world, in the UK, with UK weather, I think the TT would be a quicker car. Better, no.
TT RS is probably quicker around a track as well. Sport Auto tested them at the Ring at 7:48 (TT RS) versus 8:04 (R8 V8 manual). Totally irrelevant metric in the real world though.
thegreenhell said:
Shnozz said:
The R8 does drive better than the TT-RS, no doubt. To the poster that suggested the TT-RS would only be up your arris on a straight road, have you driven an R8?! Hustling it down any UK country lane would be a challenge...On a race track, yes, no doubt. Real world, in the UK, with UK weather, I think the TT would be a quicker car. Better, no.
TT RS is probably quicker around a track as well. Sport Auto tested them at the Ring at 7:48 (TT RS) versus 8:04 (R8 V8 manual). Totally irrelevant metric in the real world though.
I think that finding a low owner genuinely cherished R8 at 10 years old would be much harder than with some other marques
They do seem to have fallen into that cheap chav hire car market
Certainly in these parts they attract a certain boy racer rental crowd
I think if I was going to sink £40k into something ten years old I’d be looking at an Aston Martin .. in fact I keep looking at the classifieds and drooling
They do seem to have fallen into that cheap chav hire car market
Certainly in these parts they attract a certain boy racer rental crowd
I think if I was going to sink £40k into something ten years old I’d be looking at an Aston Martin .. in fact I keep looking at the classifieds and drooling
I've never been into the R8 in any configuration really. It makes a compelling case for itself at this price though.
No matter how good it is, how great the V10 engine is, the way it looks just seems a little too neutral. Thing is, I know it isn't. It's a V8/V10 mid-engined supercar. But I've just never been that interested. It probably drives better than anything I'll ever touch in my lifetime, but I still can't seem to get my head around liking it.
Still, at this price, it's a bit of a steal. Trackday/weekend car with that kind of chassis/development for that price? Really can't be sniffed at. I wouldn't, but I totally get why someone might.
Also, the comparisons with the TT? Really? I get what you're trying to say, the TT is a very very very competent piece of kit by any measure whatsoever. But in terms of "is it a supercar", hmm, no. Yes, this R8 is the "lowest rung" of the supercar ladder and yes, it's not that fast anymore. But neither are 90's supercars, but we still call them supercars. This R8 will probably not lose much more money before appreciating in value again, because it's a relatively low volume production supercar. The TT will be a very handy bit of kit in 10 years too, but would you expect it to be the same price as it is now? Nope. Because as capable as it is, it's still "just" a TT.
In terms of various metrics, the two are now not that far apart. But in terms of how they have been built, one, the top end of a more modest tree, the other, the bottom end of a more prestigious tree. That's the difference.
I'd have neither, because I'm not a massive fan of either, but you are comparing Oranges and Satsumas here...
No matter how good it is, how great the V10 engine is, the way it looks just seems a little too neutral. Thing is, I know it isn't. It's a V8/V10 mid-engined supercar. But I've just never been that interested. It probably drives better than anything I'll ever touch in my lifetime, but I still can't seem to get my head around liking it.
Still, at this price, it's a bit of a steal. Trackday/weekend car with that kind of chassis/development for that price? Really can't be sniffed at. I wouldn't, but I totally get why someone might.
Also, the comparisons with the TT? Really? I get what you're trying to say, the TT is a very very very competent piece of kit by any measure whatsoever. But in terms of "is it a supercar", hmm, no. Yes, this R8 is the "lowest rung" of the supercar ladder and yes, it's not that fast anymore. But neither are 90's supercars, but we still call them supercars. This R8 will probably not lose much more money before appreciating in value again, because it's a relatively low volume production supercar. The TT will be a very handy bit of kit in 10 years too, but would you expect it to be the same price as it is now? Nope. Because as capable as it is, it's still "just" a TT.
In terms of various metrics, the two are now not that far apart. But in terms of how they have been built, one, the top end of a more modest tree, the other, the bottom end of a more prestigious tree. That's the difference.
I'd have neither, because I'm not a massive fan of either, but you are comparing Oranges and Satsumas here...
These are large on my radar right now I think they're a fabulous car. Not stupid fast, but still a bloody quick point to point car and their values have been constant for years now, rarely dipping under 40K, so look a solid choice. Practicality ain't the best, but what the hell, it's an R8, pack light have fun.
This thing of comparing it to the TT-RS though, frankly I just don't get it. The R8 is a bespoke car, the TT is, and always will be in my book, an out and out hairdressers car, fundamentally based on the underpinnings as a Golf. If you bought a TT-RS over an R8 and you pulled up next to one at the traffic lights, would you honestly still think you'd made the right choice???
This thing of comparing it to the TT-RS though, frankly I just don't get it. The R8 is a bespoke car, the TT is, and always will be in my book, an out and out hairdressers car, fundamentally based on the underpinnings as a Golf. If you bought a TT-RS over an R8 and you pulled up next to one at the traffic lights, would you honestly still think you'd made the right choice???
You're right that the R8 will bottom out higher than a TT, but you'd be delusional to compare them to the likes of 360s, any Lambo (even ones with the same engine), etc. To do misses the point of those cars entirely.
A 360 will be beaten comprehensively by a hot hatch nowadays, but it still has a je ne sais quoi about it that currently translates to significant premiums. It is a classic in looks, theatrics and has that whole brand history and prestige about it.
I would argue that an R8 - accomplished though it is - is ultimately a halo Audi and a not particularly revolutionary looking one either.
A 360 will be beaten comprehensively by a hot hatch nowadays, but it still has a je ne sais quoi about it that currently translates to significant premiums. It is a classic in looks, theatrics and has that whole brand history and prestige about it.
I would argue that an R8 - accomplished though it is - is ultimately a halo Audi and a not particularly revolutionary looking one either.
Dave Hedgehog said:
Durzel said:
Then you have to consider there is a very practical, 4(ish) seat TT-RS with a luggage swallowing hatchback and a very similar interior that, with a quick remap, is sat 2" off your bumper. Made the R8 a hard car to justify, even if it has many attributes that neither the TT-RS nor other cars of that price range have.
until you come up to a corner and the TTRS understeers off the road, if you want to prove how much of a man you are by tailgating everyone get a GTR R8 is 100 times nicer to drive than the TT, especially the later ones, the V8 makes a fantastic noise with the sports exhaust and is more than quick enough for real world driving
TheTyreAbuser said:
I've never been into the R8 in any configuration really. It makes a compelling case for itself at this price though.
No matter how good it is, how great the V10 engine is, the way it looks just seems a little too neutral. Thing is, I know it isn't. It's a V8/V10 mid-engined supercar. But I've just never been that interested. It probably drives better than anything I'll ever touch in my lifetime, but I still can't seem to get my head around liking it.
Still, at this price, it's a bit of a steal. Trackday/weekend car with that kind of chassis/development for that price? Really can't be sniffed at. I wouldn't, but I totally get why someone might.
Also, the comparisons with the TT? Really? I get what you're trying to say, the TT is a very very very competent piece of kit by any measure whatsoever. But in terms of "is it a supercar", hmm, no. Yes, this R8 is the "lowest rung" of the supercar ladder and yes, it's not that fast anymore. But neither are 90's supercars, but we still call them supercars. This R8 will probably not lose much more money before appreciating in value again, because it's a relatively low volume production supercar. The TT will be a very handy bit of kit in 10 years too, but would you expect it to be the same price as it is now? Nope. Because as capable as it is, it's still "just" a TT.
In terms of various metrics, the two are now not that far apart. But in terms of how they have been built, one, the top end of a more modest tree, the other, the bottom end of a more prestigious tree. That's the difference.
I'd have neither, because I'm not a massive fan of either, but you are comparing Oranges and Satsumas here...
Interesting comments. No matter how good it is, how great the V10 engine is, the way it looks just seems a little too neutral. Thing is, I know it isn't. It's a V8/V10 mid-engined supercar. But I've just never been that interested. It probably drives better than anything I'll ever touch in my lifetime, but I still can't seem to get my head around liking it.
Still, at this price, it's a bit of a steal. Trackday/weekend car with that kind of chassis/development for that price? Really can't be sniffed at. I wouldn't, but I totally get why someone might.
Also, the comparisons with the TT? Really? I get what you're trying to say, the TT is a very very very competent piece of kit by any measure whatsoever. But in terms of "is it a supercar", hmm, no. Yes, this R8 is the "lowest rung" of the supercar ladder and yes, it's not that fast anymore. But neither are 90's supercars, but we still call them supercars. This R8 will probably not lose much more money before appreciating in value again, because it's a relatively low volume production supercar. The TT will be a very handy bit of kit in 10 years too, but would you expect it to be the same price as it is now? Nope. Because as capable as it is, it's still "just" a TT.
In terms of various metrics, the two are now not that far apart. But in terms of how they have been built, one, the top end of a more modest tree, the other, the bottom end of a more prestigious tree. That's the difference.
I'd have neither, because I'm not a massive fan of either, but you are comparing Oranges and Satsumas here...
When I drove the V8 and V10 R8s back to back, I was underwhelmed by the V8, but loved the V10.
Both were sanitised, accessible, practical supercars....supercar pace, Audi simplicity. In a crazy way the V8 reminded me of the MGF, mid-engined sports car that was as easy to drive (and drove like) a normal standard saloon car/hatch - and that became their appeal for people.
Owners wanted supercar looks and performance but without the temperamental behaviour that supercars used to (and should?) come with.
The V10, just through it's raw pace and s-tronic gearbox drive like a different animal, and was a lot more supercar than saloon car in a posh frock.
My pal has just got a the latest V10, and that ups the game even more - but it's still accessible and comparatively easy to drive. He has come from a 991 Turbo S and his only negative comment about the R8 is that it is a little sanitised after the 911.
As for the TTRS/R8, the overlap between the two is obvious, and can't be ignored. It happens with all brands (e.g. Cayman to 911) and even more across brands. Do you decry an M4 CS as a poor alternative to a bog standard, base model 911 because it is 'only' a glorified repmobile?
TheTyreAbuser said:
In terms of various metrics, the two are now not that far apart. But in terms of how they have been built, one, the top end of a more modest tree, the other, the bottom end of a more prestigious tree. That's the difference.
I'd have neither, because I'm not a massive fan of either, but you are comparing Oranges and Satsumas here...
I don't disagree with you in many respects. I'd have neither, because I'm not a massive fan of either, but you are comparing Oranges and Satsumas here...
It was the nagging thought in the back of my mind when test driving one. Sat inside it could be either car. Outside, yes car geeks know straight away and little boys who watched Iron man, but they are clearly very related.
So parked in the blue corner was a car that looked similar on the outside and near identical on the inside. Quicker. Half the price. More practical and from the same manufacturer.
In the red corner was the big brother. Only it was slower. And had a very small bonnet boot. And no rear seats. And was older. And twice the price.
And it was parked two cars down.
I am being a bit disingenuous to be honest. I do view the R8 as a baby supercar and the TT as, well, a TT. However, I do think the abilities of the RS make it hard to buy a non-V10 R8, and accept its foibles for the sake of a better chassis.
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