GT3 vs R8

[leemanning]

Hi all

Looking to hear from people that have owned both of these cars. Looking at buying one of the two as my only car.

Putting aside the driving experience, what are these like to live with day to day? I'm interested to see if anyone has had a problem in a multi storey car park with either of them too.

My commute is 10 miles each way of mostly traffic, is the GT3 too difficult in traffic?


Thanks in advance

[911god]

leemanning said:

Hi all

Looking to hear from people that have owned both of these cars. Looking at buying one of the two as my only car.

Putting aside the driving experience, what are these like to live with day to day? I'm interested to see if anyone has had a problem in a multi storey car park with either of them too.

My commute is 10 miles each way of mostly traffic, is the GT3 too difficult in traffic?


Thanks in advance

997 gt3 is fine in traffic once you get used to the heavy clutch. R8 also great and more comfy in traffic from my small experience of driving one. It's down to what u personally prefer.

[drpep]

Think you'll feel more alive in the GT3. R8 will draw looks but personally don't think it would set me on fire dynamically. Each to their own. I'd rather nobody knew what I was driving to make their ignorant judgements; as such GT3 wins by a mile in that regard.

[icebite78]

sorry but a track focused porsche for everyday driving?? over an comfortable revvy v8 r8?
Op asking the wrong forum,for an unbiased opinion ask the same question in general gassing and you might get a sensible answer.

[Fantuzzi]

drpep said:

Think you'll feel more alive in the GT3. R8 will draw looks but personally don't think it would set me on fire dynamically. Each to their own. I'd rather nobody knew what I was driving to make their ignorant judgements; as such GT3 wins by a mile in that regard.

I thought he said excluding the driving expierence...;)

[Steve Rance]

The driving experience is almost entirely what the GT3 is designed for. Other 911's are more practical. If you are not looking to buy a car primarily for an engaging driving experience, I'd go for the R8 or a 997 turbo

[Callughan]

GT3 another league, R8 is like driving any other Audi in traffic.

[drpep]

Fantuzzi said:

drpep said:

Think you'll feel more alive in the GT3. R8 will draw looks but personally don't think it would set me on fire dynamically. Each to their own. I'd rather nobody knew what I was driving to make their ignorant judgements; as such GT3 wins by a mile in that regard.

I thought he said excluding the driving expierence...;)

True - in which case, R8. Great cars and very tempting but not really in the same league as a GT3 other than on price. A gen 2 Carrera S is a closer comparison.

I don't think one can sensibly ignore the driving experience when considering a GT3 as that is its key selling point.

OP - a GT3 is fine in traffic if you value an epic drive once the traffic clears

Edited by drpep on Saturday 11th August 18:02

[DSM2]

Frankly, if your main concern is how they will be to live with in a 10 mile commute and MSCP, there is a long list of diesel automatics that will do the job much better.

Why would you want either a GT3 or an R8 for the job in hand? For what it looks like?

[GT3ZZZ]

DSM2 said:

Frankly, if your main concern is how they will be to live with in a 10 mile commute and MSCP, there is a long list of diesel automatics that will do the job much better

Perhaps the OP has leisure time to use his car like evenings and weekends but doesn't want two cars...

Not sure I'd want to take a diesel automatic for a blat on a Sunday morning

[DSM2]

GT3ZZZ said:

DSM2 said:

Frankly, if your main concern is how they will be to live with in a 10 mile commute and MSCP, there is a long list of diesel automatics that will do the job much better

Perhaps the OP has leisure time to use his car like evenings and weekends but doesn't want two cars...

Not sure I'd want to take a diesel automatic for a blat on a Sunday morning

Maybe, but you can be very sure that neither a GT3 nor an R8 is what you want for a 10 mile urban commute and to be left every day in a MSCP.

[leemanning]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Essentially I would rather keep one car than have the hassle of two. Living in a town centre (and having to pay for car parking) I would much rather have one nice car for my money rather than two average cars.

I know the GT3 driving experience is great, but let's not kid ourselves, the R8 isn't bad either.

I was more interested to find out if somebody has managed to live with these cars day to day (ideally from someone who's owned both) and also if anyone has experience with these cars in multi storey car parks - as unfortunately that's where I am going to have to keep it.

All replies welcome, hopefully will help me come to a decision soon!

[GrahamSaunders]

leemanning said:

Thanks for the replies guys.

Essentially I would rather keep one car than have the hassle of two. Living in a town centre (and having to pay for car parking) I would much rather have one nice car for my money rather than two average cars.

I know the GT3 driving experience is great, but let's not kid ourselves, the R8 isn't bad either.

I was more interested to find out if somebody has managed to live with these cars day to day (ideally from someone who's owned both) and also if anyone has experience with these cars in multi storey car parks - as unfortunately that's where I am going to have to keep it.

All replies welcome, hopefully will help me come to a decision soon!

I have a 997.1 GT3 and the ground clearance with the front splitter is very low. I don't think it would tackle the ramps in most multi storey's. Some GT3's have a front axle lifting kit and I think this would be essential, alternatively there are some after market ones. The problems is the low splitter but also the distance it sticks out past the front axle line.

Otherwise driving it day to day would be fine, clutch is a little heavy and gear change stiff when cold, but otherwise very easy to drive.

[whoami]

drpep said:

Think you'll feel more alive in the GT3. R8 will draw looks but personally don't think it would set me on fire dynamically. Each to their own. I'd rather nobody knew what I was driving to make their ignorant judgements; as such GT3 wins by a mile in that regard.

I must get one of these understated GT3's.

[Raitzi]

As a platform R8 is a better track car but the thing is that GT3 is a ready to go package for hardcore track use. R8 is also less interesting because it is so easy to drive fast. R8 would be better if you drive whole year due 4wd system. If you are not in a hurry and money is not a problem I would at least test drive the new double clutch version of R8 when it arrives. That would likely also drop prices of used R8s. Overall I think both cars will hold their value well.

Here is R8 V8 comparison to 996 GT3 (380HP) (I think prices also are fairly close to each other)
http://fastestlaps.com/comparisons/audi_r8_42_fsi_...

[Steve Rance]

Not sure I'd agree with that one. A mate raced one for a season in a high level series. He had a bloody nightmare with the car. They changed manufactures before the end of the season

[Raitzi]

Ok. People just commonly say that R8 chassis "overpowers" 420BHP engine by large margin which makes it almost boring to drive.(car can take much more power)
Some complain also that stock tires do not work well in R8.(rear tires lose grip quickly)
I would stay away from R8 GT because it seems not to be worth the extra and motor trend also complained about massive understeer on that model.

Anyways, happy driving with your next car!

Edited by Raitzi on Sunday 12th August 08:23

[535dBoy]

Haven't driven them back to back but isn't the R8 a fair bit wider than the Gt3 if it is going in MSCPs etc?

The engines won't even get properly warm in 10 miles!

[franki68]

To use daily the r8 by a mile.
To use as a weekend toy ,the gt3 by a mile.

[gd]

I've driven both in the past couple of months.

The R8 was initially quite fun in a 'supercar' kind of way (getting in reminded me of the old Lotus Esprit Turbo that I craved for as a kid), but that wore off after ten or so minutes, and it started to feel like it was a fast TT, or a cheap imitation of a lambo - in other words, it was good, but just a little fake or not quite there.

The GT3, on the other hand, was just awesome, and the RS even more so. It was uber sharp, handled very well, revved more freely and felt more like a racecar than the R8. I'd have one as a daily drive too as it would put a smile on my face on the way to work, but thats just me.

I'd have a GT3 (especially a 997.1 GT3 RS) in a heartbeat if I could make it work for me. Unfortunately I have a small child and need rear seats (hence the 997tt, as close and I can get).