My R8 V10 Spyder
Discussion
After much deliberation I've taken the plunge and traded in my much loved 997 Carrera C2S for something a bit more exotic, a 2015 R8 V10 Spyder.
After 7 years in my dream car, something I had lusted after since I was 10, I was ready for something a bit more exotic, something that would feel more special than a newer version of the car I had been driving. But I also needed something I could use for work, something I could park at the station, something that would start every morning and not need a visit to the garage every 2k miles. Ideally it would be mid-engined, big displacement and a lot of cylinders, an open top and 2 seats, a car that would score well in Top Trumps.
After excluding a Gallardo as too impractical, and a 991 Targa as gorgeous but not supercar special, a Ferrari 360 or 430 as needing too much maintenance, and a MaClaren MP12 or 458 Italia as too expensive, I only really had one car left on my list.
The R8 Spyder was very attractive having ticked all the boxes, and I immediately wanted the V10, as it was basically the same chassis and engine as the Gallardo. Despite everyone telling me the V8 was a great car and you don't really need the extra cylinders, I knew I would always regret not getting the V10, so it had to be that model. I also wanted to get the car in white, as I thought it looked great particularly contrasting with the black trim, but after seeing a few I felt the black made more of an impact, a bit more aggressive. Plus living in Brentwood, there are also quite a lot of white cars here already (being driven by orange people).
I saw and drive a few over a 6 month period, but as I was in no hurry and my Porsche wasn't exactly crying out to be replaced, I knew I would jump when the right one came along. I found this model on Autotrader, and had to go an see it due to the fact it was only 10 months old and 3,000 miles on the clock. A bit of financial wrangling (and some man maths to justify the financial outlay - keep telling yourself you're only paying for the depreciation over 3 years not the terrifying sticker price) followed over a 2 week period before we agreed numbers for my car and the R8, and the exchange was made last weekend.
I'd like to report the blissful drives I've experienced since then, but given I picked the car up in the rain last Sunday and it's been on the drive all week while I've got the train to work, I can't. All I can say is the noise from the V10 is epic in Sport mode and the car feels like it's forever straining on a lead wanting to go, and when you turn it off its as placid as an A3. The magnetic suspension is more forgiving than the PSM system in the C2S was, and it feels just as tight in corners but I've yet to really push it. The car is certainly getting a lot of attention, people stopping in the street to look when the C2S barely got noticed, which is interesting as I always thought the R8 was a bit of a stealth car - not as flashy as anything Italian, something only petrol heads would recognise. Maybe it's the rarity value, outside of dealers I've only seen 2 or 3 V10 Spyders in the wild.
So here are a couple of pictures I managed to get while the sun was still up at the weekend, more to follow when I get the roof down and really get to know my new car.
After 7 years in my dream car, something I had lusted after since I was 10, I was ready for something a bit more exotic, something that would feel more special than a newer version of the car I had been driving. But I also needed something I could use for work, something I could park at the station, something that would start every morning and not need a visit to the garage every 2k miles. Ideally it would be mid-engined, big displacement and a lot of cylinders, an open top and 2 seats, a car that would score well in Top Trumps.
After excluding a Gallardo as too impractical, and a 991 Targa as gorgeous but not supercar special, a Ferrari 360 or 430 as needing too much maintenance, and a MaClaren MP12 or 458 Italia as too expensive, I only really had one car left on my list.
The R8 Spyder was very attractive having ticked all the boxes, and I immediately wanted the V10, as it was basically the same chassis and engine as the Gallardo. Despite everyone telling me the V8 was a great car and you don't really need the extra cylinders, I knew I would always regret not getting the V10, so it had to be that model. I also wanted to get the car in white, as I thought it looked great particularly contrasting with the black trim, but after seeing a few I felt the black made more of an impact, a bit more aggressive. Plus living in Brentwood, there are also quite a lot of white cars here already (being driven by orange people).
I saw and drive a few over a 6 month period, but as I was in no hurry and my Porsche wasn't exactly crying out to be replaced, I knew I would jump when the right one came along. I found this model on Autotrader, and had to go an see it due to the fact it was only 10 months old and 3,000 miles on the clock. A bit of financial wrangling (and some man maths to justify the financial outlay - keep telling yourself you're only paying for the depreciation over 3 years not the terrifying sticker price) followed over a 2 week period before we agreed numbers for my car and the R8, and the exchange was made last weekend.
I'd like to report the blissful drives I've experienced since then, but given I picked the car up in the rain last Sunday and it's been on the drive all week while I've got the train to work, I can't. All I can say is the noise from the V10 is epic in Sport mode and the car feels like it's forever straining on a lead wanting to go, and when you turn it off its as placid as an A3. The magnetic suspension is more forgiving than the PSM system in the C2S was, and it feels just as tight in corners but I've yet to really push it. The car is certainly getting a lot of attention, people stopping in the street to look when the C2S barely got noticed, which is interesting as I always thought the R8 was a bit of a stealth car - not as flashy as anything Italian, something only petrol heads would recognise. Maybe it's the rarity value, outside of dealers I've only seen 2 or 3 V10 Spyders in the wild.
So here are a couple of pictures I managed to get while the sun was still up at the weekend, more to follow when I get the roof down and really get to know my new car.
northwest monkey said:
For me, the R8 is one of those cars that can look fairly underwhelming in a photo - not s
t by any means, but just a bit "normal".
In "the flesh" though, completely different - they look gorgeous!
Lovely car OP & looks ace in black.
Absolutely. Pictures don't do the R8 justice. When you see one on the road you realise they're far lower and wider than expected.t by any means, but just a bit "normal".In "the flesh" though, completely different - they look gorgeous!
Lovely car OP & looks ace in black.
Awesome car OP although I'm not 100% on the wheels.
Looks like it entirely fits your bill OP. And I really like the man maths of "I'm only paying the depreciation over three years", especially if the car doesn't depreciate.
I wonder if my bank manager will buy that? "Yes I know it looks like the sticker on the windscreen says £80k Mr Bank Manager, but essentially it's just three zeros, so can you lend me £80k to spend nothing?"
Anyway, for me the sypder version is a much better reconciled design as it does without the silly side strakes of the hard top. Excellent choice!
I wonder if my bank manager will buy that? "Yes I know it looks like the sticker on the windscreen says £80k Mr Bank Manager, but essentially it's just three zeros, so can you lend me £80k to spend nothing?"
Anyway, for me the sypder version is a much better reconciled design as it does without the silly side strakes of the hard top. Excellent choice!
Get2Jaime said:
Interesting decision moving from 997 to this, clearly you considered the 991 but you believe this to be in the supercar category? Not sure I agree, is it really an upgrade?
Nice looking though...
I drove a 991 and it was just too much like my (then) 997 - although i did consider a Turbo Cabriolet, but I'm not a fan of the looks. And Porsche GTs a bit hardcore for regular use. 991 wouldn't have been an upgrade, just newer.Nice looking though...
For a couple of days I consider a 930 turbo, after seeing one in London - but couldn't see me driving this every day.
northwest monkey said:
For me, the R8 is one of those cars that can look fairly underwhelming in a photo - not st by any means, but just a bit "normal".
In "the flesh" though, completely different - they look gorgeous!
Lovely car OP & looks ace in black.
Totally agree - difficult to get a perfect angle on a photo but people stop in the street to look. What other cars don't do so well in photos? t by any means, but just a bit "normal".In "the flesh" though, completely different - they look gorgeous!
Lovely car OP & looks ace in black.
Hackney said:
Looks like it entirely fits your bill OP. And I really like the man maths of "I'm only paying the depreciation over three years", especially if the car doesn't depreciate.
I wonder if my bank manager will buy that? "Yes I know it looks like the sticker on the windscreen says £80k Mr Bank Manager, but essentially it's just three zeros, so can you lend me £80k to spend nothing?"
Anyway, for me the sypder version is a much better reconciled design as it does without the silly side strakes of the hard top. Excellent choice!
That's exactly the logic - and I'll hand the car back at the end to cover the baloon, maybe even have a couple of quid to put a deposit on a new one! Fail to see what could go wrong with any of this I wonder if my bank manager will buy that? "Yes I know it looks like the sticker on the windscreen says £80k Mr Bank Manager, but essentially it's just three zeros, so can you lend me £80k to spend nothing?"
Anyway, for me the sypder version is a much better reconciled design as it does without the silly side strakes of the hard top. Excellent choice!
vanman1936 said:
Damn you! Soooo tempted by a coupe V10.
I have a 996 Turbo at the moment and about the only real thing I could just about afford that is kinda sensible.
I would be looking at an earlier on about £60k, have prices levelled out properly yet??
I've not seen anything dipping below 60k, not at retail anyway. I loved the 996 Turbo, and the 4S with the Turbo body. Silver?I have a 996 Turbo at the moment and about the only real thing I could just about afford that is kinda sensible.
I would be looking at an earlier on about £60k, have prices levelled out properly yet??
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