Gen 2 C2S Manual Vs R8 V8 Manual

[justboxsters]

Hi guys,

Old story I know, but i'm looking at replacing the M135i in a few months and wonder what you're options are.

I love the M135i. It's got the ZF 8 speed auto. Its great when you're up it, but coming out of a 996 C2 I still feel detached from the driving experience due to the 'box most of the time. Absolute speed isn't interesting to me, but fun and involvement is number 1. So its manual for me.

Budget is around £40k. Id love a 2wd GTS Coupe with 6 speed and PSE, but the extra cost right now is a bit prohibitive. Porsche wise, I've driven a 996 C2 and I used to have a 2.5 boxster. Both 2 of my favourite cars I've owned. I remember the boxster used to feel so fast. I'd look at the speedo and I'd be doing about 60! I used to have and Audi S4 with the 4.2V8 but thats as close to the R8 as I've got.

Any thoughts?

PS (Just go and drive them isn't advice).

[PorscheGT4]

Cayman R for £40k

[MDahmen]

have not driven an R8, but i think the C2S is the much better looking car and they are good to drive

[justboxsters]

Agreed about the Cayman but it's a bit too hardcore for me. I must admit I like the more premium feel of the higher up the range models.

[PorscheGT4]

justboxsters said:

Agreed about the Cayman but it's a bit too hardcore for me. I must admit I like the more premium feel of the higher up the range models.

my cars no different to a 85k(when new) 997 GTS inside, so not sure what you mean, the R8 is also very dated and bare inside.

Are you after fun or premium looks/status ?

as you did say this
"but fun and involvement is number 1. So its manual for me."

[justboxsters]

You can keep going down the stripped down route though, through to Elise and caterham. It's 911or R8 for me

[PorscheGT4]

justboxsters said:

You can keep going down the stripped down route though, through to Elise and caterham. It's 911or R8 for me

but I don't own a stripped out Car

My R is full leather (most 997.2 911 are not) has Bose, PCM, etc etc the R8 is very basic inside.

So you are not after fun like you stated, you are in fact after status/looks.

Nothing wrong with that, just need to be clear if you post you want a fun car and imo the R is about the best car this side of £60k for a usable car which is also fun.

IF you want to look cool and people to stare then the R8 wins, saying that my pediot R makes every one look and give the thumbs up.

[justboxsters]

Ok so I'm not after a 100% fun car. I had a 205 1.9 gti. That was fun. Rx8 prodrive was fun. I just don't want auto is all I guess. Prestige is part of it to be 100% truthful. So I'm set on 911 or R8 as I say.

The 4 seats of a 911 is also a plus on the r8 (and Cayman). I regularly take my 4 year old out in the back with me and the missus.

[Shewie]

997.1 Turbo?

Never liked the looks of the R8 initially but it seems to have grown on me over the years, to the point where it looks more special than the 997. Fantastic car, but lack of back seats proved to be the deal breaker. Toyed with the idea of a 997.2 but in the end plumped for the lunacy of a manual turbo which I don't regret.

[diabolik]

Very difficult call. Great, great cars. I own a 997.2C2S and, thanks to a supercar club I have driven several times a R8 V8 manual.

In synthesis:
- 911 more understated, more economical to run, more luggage space (plus extra seats), more special because of the layout.
- R8 stunning looker, absolutely lovely manual gearbox, extra grip, more special because at the end of the day it is a junior supercar whilst 911 Carrera is not.

Both very easy to live with, compact, stunning driving position, good comfort, nice noise (tho none of them excel in this area)

I would choose 911 if you have a 911 itch, if you do not want to attract much attention, if you need the extra space and if you intend to use it as daily drive, otherwise R8 manual.

Good luck!

[justboxsters]

Thanks,

I think unless i'm going for all out flash then its C2S all the way. Do you think you'd justify an extra £15k up to the C2 GTS?
I think that might be worth being a real long term keeper. Its just £55k minimum!

[IMIA]

Strange thread. Fellow asks re experiences C2S vs R8 and three Cayman owners suggest a Cayman lol which is a lovely car but not really the question or answer!

OP they're both amazing. If you can stretch to a GTS then you should but if you want a car with road presence the Audi R8 always gets a lot more wow stares and compliments. Driving wise whilst the R8 is 4wd it drives like a rwd car most of the time and the V8 engine is perfectly matched to the R8s chassis. For me the R8 would win if I did not need the rear child seats as its more of an occasion to drive and feels more special. Gen 2 C2s is probably the best practical/reliable everyday sports car out there and whether you buy a GTS or a good low miles manual C2s will hold their value very well going forward as more and more drivers do not want a car which virtually drives itself with a PDK or auto gearbox. R8 more expensive to run as Audi dealers are extortionate but Porsche are catching up when it comes to taking the piss on servicing some older cars. On 996 the give you reduced service rate but not on the 997.

[jackwood]

I paid less than £55k for my C2 manual GTS with every option ticked. From OPC with 2 year warranty.
Ok, it was still slightly over £50k but they also threw in a load of extras like GAP, wheel insurance, paint seal etc.

Fantastic car, by the way.

[IMIA]

jackwood said:

I paid less than £55k for my C2 manual GTS with every option ticked. From OPC with 2 year warranty.
Ok, it was still slightly over £50k but they also threw in a load of extras like GAP, wheel insurance, paint seal etc.

Fantastic car, by the way.

v.nice indeed!

[justboxsters]

jackwood said:

I paid less than £55k for my C2 manual GTS with every option ticked. From OPC with 2 year warranty.
Ok, it was still slightly over £50k but they also threw in a load of extras like GAP, wheel insurance, paint seal etc.

Fantastic car, by the way.

Hoohoo. That is gorgeous!

Well perhaps they'll dip south of £50k at OPC by the time I'm due to swap. The 2 yr warranty is a real pull as I'll be financing about £20k so repair payments wouldn't be a nice surprise. I noticed 911 Virgin is cheaper than OPC and they do good levels of prep. I wonder if it makes sense to go OPC vs Quality indy. Then at 911 V I might be looking Mid to late 40's.

[justboxsters]

IMIA said:

Strange thread. Fellow asks re experiences C2S vs R8 and three Cayman owners suggest a Cayman lol which is a lovely car but not really the question or answer!

I thought that! They cayman sure is a great car. I just don't want one thanks.

[Matt Seabrook]

justboxsters said:

Hoohoo. That is gorgeous!

Well perhaps they'll dip south of £50k at OPC by the time I'm due to swap. The 2 yr warranty is a real pull as I'll be financing about £20k so repair payments wouldn't be a nice surprise. I noticed 911 Virgin is cheaper than OPC and they do good levels of prep. I wonder if it makes sense to go OPC vs Quality indy. Then at 911 V I might be looking Mid to late 40's.

I can't really help with the R8 v 911 thing as I haven't driven a R8 but a big thumbs up for 911v. You will not have the OPC warantee but the money you save could be stuck aside and used if things did go wrong 12 months down the line. Tom and team was spot on when I brought my car from them so I can only speak as I find.

[J-P]

In your shoes, I'd definitely go for the GTS. It's a wonderful road car, great to drive and a brilliant ownership proposition.

It's also a much nicer car to drive than a std 997 (IMHO). Having said that I've never driven an R8, so I suppose I could try one and think it's utterly epic. It does look very nice.

[justboxsters]

Any R8 owners want to chip in?

[SkinnyPete]

Not gospel, but given the gen 1 997 was faster than the R8 on Top Gear I can only imagine that the gen 2 is notably faster.

Also in your price range isn't that warranty for the R8 three times that of the Porsche?