R8 as a £40k used buy?
Discussion
DocW said:
Good morning andy97, I’m an interloper here but enjoying/interested in your dilemma. I would be on the “go for it” side of things. I my line of work the saddest thing I ever hear is “we were going to...” when their life has changed in the blink of an eye. Even if you have a two or three year spell with the car it’s not a worthless asset and you could sell for say £32000. There’s a few years of fun for the cost of a decent holiday in the Maldives. PS I went for an Aston V8 Vantage as I needed more luggage space than the R8. Best wishes.
Im an advocate of the "you are a long time dead" argument and that why I have 2-3 toys already, and why I try to race 3-4 times a year. Not sure I can justify another toy, and something would have to go, but if someone wants to buy a Porsche 944 turbo race car then let me know........Because I have a couple of toys I am also aware of how muc things can cost. Plus a mate of mine had a clutch go 300 miles into his ownership of a 20 k miles v8 R8 and another had to spend £2k on a new head lamp unit about 2 months into his ownership of an v10!
caymanbill said:
Just out of interest Andy why is a 911 not in the frame? Not special enough looks wise?
In some respects I am a Porsche fan, but 944/968 rather than 911! I just don't fancy the rear engine architecture and the well documented engine issues in the n/a 996. A 911 Turbo is a possibility but generally I think that 911s are just a bit too popular and the R8 just that bit more special. I also quite like 4WD if only for the sense of security in real world conditions.I have recently driven a Nissan GTR and was very impressed, surprisingly so, as I expected to hate it but that's a possibility. However, I'm also an Audi Quattro fan/ owner, so I'd like to keep it in the family!
andy97 said:
In some respects I am a Porsche fan, but 944/968 rather than 911! I just don't fancy the rear engine architecture and the well documented engine issues in the n/a 996. A 911 Turbo is a possibility but generally I think that 911s are just a bit too popular and the R8 just that bit more special. I also quite like 4WD if only for the sense of security in real world conditions.
I have recently driven a Nissan GTR and was very impressed, surprisingly so, as I expected to hate it but that's a possibility. However, I'm also an Audi Quattro fan/ owner, so I'd like to keep it in the family!
I was in a similar spot. Sold a 993 S for good money. Don't like 996 or the engine worries, drove a 600bhp GTR which was insanely quick but didn't feel special at all. Test drive a brand new Alfa QF which was ace but I don't want new car depreciation etc. The R8 is a very nice tool with an exhaust fitted if you can get a high spec low miles go for it.I have recently driven a Nissan GTR and was very impressed, surprisingly so, as I expected to hate it but that's a possibility. However, I'm also an Audi Quattro fan/ owner, so I'd like to keep it in the family!
andy97 said:
Road tested an RTronic this afternoon. I have driven them on track before (I instruct occasionally for a Supercar experience company) but this was first time on the road. Ok at moderate speeds and revs but very clunky at slowish speeds around town and on a ring road punctuated by lots of roundabouts! Not that pleasant really.
It was also,wrapped, which I don't like as I'd rather see what the bodywork condition is actually like. But it was very local so a useful experience.
I had an R-Tronic V8 for a couple of years, and grew to quite like (but perhaps not love) the R-Tronic box. I found that as an auto box, it was utterly rubbish, BUT, if you drive it like a manual, by which I mean using the shifter or paddles all the time, and lifting off slightly before changing gear, it'll reward you with very smooth changes. You might even argue that it is more involving from a drivers point of view than the later S-Tronic boxes.It was also,wrapped, which I don't like as I'd rather see what the bodywork condition is actually like. But it was very local so a useful experience.
robbom3 said:
I had an R-Tronic V8 for a couple of years, and grew to quite like (but perhaps not love) the R-Tronic box. I found that as an auto box, it was utterly rubbish, BUT, if you drive it like a manual, by which I mean using the shifter or paddles all the time, and lifting off slightly before changing gear, it'll reward you with very smooth changes. You might even argue that it is more involving from a drivers point of view than the later S-Tronic boxes.
Probably why the car-Tronic feels ok on track because that's the way it was driven. Manual change and lift off between changes.V10 clutches are good for around 50k miles if they've been treated with respect.
Generally, manuals will attract a £3-5K premium over an auto as they are not only rarer but starting to be seen as one of the last with a big N/A engine. Price-wise, closer to £60K for the right spec car at the bottom end of the market at the moment. Any less and you will be getting something that's either high on mileage and/or basic spec/colour.
Generally, manuals will attract a £3-5K premium over an auto as they are not only rarer but starting to be seen as one of the last with a big N/A engine. Price-wise, closer to £60K for the right spec car at the bottom end of the market at the moment. Any less and you will be getting something that's either high on mileage and/or basic spec/colour.
V8 Animal said:
F type cheaper to run and in that price braket, just.
Hmm, but I don't want an F Type, I want a mid engined Supercar that i can use every day if necessary, and that will do high mileage.Ok, plenty of people will argue that no Audi is a Supercar, but I would argue that a mid engined car with over 400 bhp and race pedigree (GT3), and proper modern Supercar styling fits the bill.
I have never even considered an F Type, I would consider a Porsche 996 Turbo and maybe a Nissan GTR (have driven both) but that's about it, and neither of those are mid engined!
Edited by andy97 on Wednesday 7th March 20:47
rayyan171 said:
I'd argue a R8 is definitely a supercar. It's similar to it's brother(?) the Lamborghini Gallardo, and they too were at one point £40k, but were talking about early models, all of which seemed to have gone up in value anyway. It's performance is good too.
That argument will rage. I love mine, I will now be selling up later this year purely because I'm buying a classic Alfa. Kev78 said:
These are starting from £30k now.
I’m really tempted by a manual
There's a reason they are starting from £30k. Look v carefully and avoid anything without FASH.I’m really tempted by a manual
it's still got £80k car running costs. Clutch will set you back £3-4k fitted so that and the a.c. should be your first checks as the £30k car then becomes a £36k car immediately
rayyan171 said:
I'd argue a R8 is definitely a supercar. It's similar to it's brother(?) the Lamborghini Gallardo, and they too were at one point £40k, but were talking about early models, all of which seemed to have gone up in value anyway. It's performance is good too.
Try a 996 turbo if you want sure footed all weather performance. Incredible in the wet and an R8 wouldn't see which way it went!Kev78 said:
These are starting from £30k now.
I’m really tempted by a manual
There are very high mileage cars or insurance Cat D/C. At this price you should expect to get what you pay for - poor condition cars with no FSH and large bills to follow.I’m really tempted by a manual
Decent v8 cars with around 40,000 miles will still cost you £40k upwards.
Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff