Audi R8 or Gallardo

[propaganda]

I have my name down for the new Audi R8 , and now it is time to spec the car and pay the deposit. However by the time the car is specced you could buy a 2004 Gallardo - is this a sensible alternative? Are the issues re: warranty etc a time bomb? What is the reliability like on the early cars, and are they really a good buy? There seem to be a few 2004 cars available but all with little warranty left which makes me a little nervous. I know these cars are expensive but I don't want to lose my shirt.

[Sharief]

I'd get the R8.

I've read quite a bit about clutch problems with the early Gallardos, and IIRC the warranties on them have already run out? Also, the new Gallardo is coming out next year (I think?), so depreciation is going to be pretty bad.

If I were you, I'd get a 997 C4S, but it's your choice...

[andy355]

how much is this R8 and when does it get launched in UK?

[propaganda]

UK cars available May-June AFAIK. List 76k-81k - optioned anything from 80-95k. Audi are learning from Porsche.

[northo]

R8 would be a good bet if you have an early car. Gallardo clutches on the early cars were bad.

[lambochick]

Sharief said:

Also, the new Gallardo is coming out next year (I think?), so depreciation is going to be pretty bad.

Depreciation on most new cars isn't usually user friendly either. Most will lose several thousand pounds as soon as you drive them off the dealer's forecourt.

[lambojim]

I had an early (2004) Gallardo and the clutch needed to be reprogrammed - it took an hour and the car was fine. Don't let that put you off the car - not sure on the looks of this R8 to be honest - looks a bit odd from most angles to me.

[360stimo]

propaganda said:

UK cars available May-June AFAIK. List 76k-81k - optioned anything from 80-95k. Audi are learning from Porsche.

Am i the only one who thinks thats a ridiculous amount of money for an Audi, especially when you consider wat you could get for that money.? Surely it will depreciate like a stone?

You'd have to be mad or really really want an R8 to spend 80-95K. Im sure you could get a 997 Turbo for 90-95k

Edited by 360stimo on Sunday 7th January 14:43

Edited by 360stimo on Sunday 7th January 14:45

[lambojim]

totally agree, if it was 55k to 60k, fine but these will be bad news at that kind of money.
I reckon even M6 owners might feel sorry for the first buyers of these things. On another note, sorry to hear of the M3 episode - not nice. Let's hope the scum get what they deserve at some point their lives.

Edited by lambojim on Sunday 7th January 18:49

[northo]

Given the rarity of the R8, I reckon it will hold its value. Just don't go for a mad spec, like people did with the AMV8. I suppose it is possible that it could go the same way as the Aston - people got wildly excited and paid up to £20k over list for them for November delivery, and by March you could get them at list because the novelty had worn off and people realised it wasn't quite the drivers car they had hoped.

[lambojim]

I was speaking to Dion at Elms collection about this and he thought that it would go the same way as the Aston V8. I only mention it as he's in the trade and knows the prices these things are really trading at/likely to trade at, I asked him because I was tempted too initially.

For £90k, I'd rather have a 996 turbo and £45k cash....

Edited by lambojim on Sunday 7th January 18:59

[propaganda]

So if I go for an R8... don't overspec and either keep long term or dispose of before the market gets too saturated.

One of my other options is the AMV8 which I note you can get at up to 10k off list only six months and a few k miles on the clock. Is an 04 gallardo (or 04 360) well down its depreciation curve?

so to reset the question R8, or new/used AMV8 or 04 Gallardo?

Edited by propaganda on Sunday 7th January 20:18

[tony h]

www.autozeitung.de/online/render.php?render=0038887&size=

buy the R8, drive it for a few mths and flip it quick, with only 500 UK cars coming you'll do well . Then buy the gallardo

[Adam B]

propaganda said:

so to reset the question R8, or new/used AMV8 or 04 Gallardo?

do you not like 911s? why no 997 GT3 or TT on the short list? Gallardo so much more "special" than all of them but Porsche more usable and cheaper to run.

[propaganda]

I suppose the 911 seems a bit safe and boring to me. I know this statement will viewed by some as heresy. I really should have bought a 911 rather than my previous Maserati 4200 but I just couldn't get the enthusiasm together - the 911 is the smart choice, but my heart ruled my head on that occasion. Perhaps should at least consider it again, of course there is a new Maserati coupe due for launch soon, apparently they had private viewings at the Paris Motor Show - anyone see it or have any info?

[northernboy]

I agree with you about the Porsche. I wish I could fall in love with them, but the Gallardo, for me, just pushes so many buttons that the Porsceh does not.

My mate has an early R8 order, so I will have a play in that, but I think that it might cost more over a year than tha Lamborghini. Premiums can disappear very quickly sometimes.

[crikeymikey]

Sharief said:

I'd get the R8.

I've read quite a bit about clutch problems with the early Gallardos, and IIRC the warranties on them have already run out? Also, the new Gallardo is coming out next year (I think?), so depreciation is going to be pretty bad.

If I were you, I'd get a 997 C4S, but it's your choice...

If you think a Lambo depreciates, an 80K Audi will lose a ton more than an 80K Lambo.

Propaganda. In truth, clutch problems weren't that common (and often attributed to poor driving rather than an inherently dodgy clutch) but complaints were high profile. Most early G's will have been sorted by now and the necessary checks are well documented. If it hasn't been done, have a new clutch factored into the purchase (the latest one is VERY strong and I haven't heard of a single failure). An R8 will be no substitute for the Gallardo I'm afraid.

A nice 360 would also be sweet.

I agree that a C4S would make a superb alternative, albetit a very SAFE one, but the Turbo could be a more appropriate choice than the Carrera.

Life is for living.. so live a little!

Whatever you do, don't forget to enjoy it. Good luck to ya, fella.