My GT ruined my Audi R8


J

jaxgt

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Jul 12, 2006
2,817
Well, I had ordered an Audi R8 some 12 mos ago. Actually placed the deposit before I got my GT. Just got the R8 yesterday.

I took it for a short ride yesterday and put another 100mi on it today. Having the privilege of owning 2 mid engine 'super cars' begs the comparison, even though they are very different gals.

My first observation was the R8 is a lovely, well built car. Behind the wheel - What .... it can't go 55+ mph in 1st gear (at 30mph red line approaches), What... it can't pull so hard my spleen comes out my back. Even my lovely wife says it's no GT. She also prefers the throaty GT exhaust sound over the more European sounding R8.

Honestly, it is a very nice car. Sadly, after only 1 day of owning it, I was ready to drive the GT on my next outing. More seat time is definitely needed to see what it's all about.

I hope to do a more detailed comparison in the next few weeks if anyone is interested.
 
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Bittersweet it sounds like to me...great car, but the R8 is being compared to a SUPERcar in the FGT.
I would think the better comparo for the R8 would be the current 911.
 
hi there,

i would have to respectfully encourage you to give your r8 some more "seat time". it will reward you well. i own fgt, r8, gallardo, f430, and 997 gt3rs. i have taken all the cars to the track. i can't believe i'm saying this but any given day, if i wanna go out there just drive fast and not thinking about getting off road and be one of faster cars in the track bone stock... i want r8.

you should check out the british 'evo' magazine test on their test track. it posted almost as good as time as enzo. the key of r8 is the balance.

the car really comes alive in the track. if it's wet track there's absolutely no question which car is the best car out there. not many car comes close.

take it to the track, keep esp on, sports mode on and just go. it will hit the apex any time you want and catch entire field in three laps.

enjoy, it's one of the car out there.
 
Agreed - I've only put 100 miles on it. More seat time is definitely needed. The V10 version of the R8 is supposedly soon to be released, but who knows. I think it will give it the added power to make it an even more wonderful car.
 
can you say supercharge it! :wink
 
MotorTrend says the V10 is being delayed and the diesel may not appear at all here. Apparently the chassis needs to be lengthened.
 
I also put a deposit in for a V10 R8 about a year ago and just decided to cancel my deposit last week. Will probably get the refund check in the mail this week. For some reason, I've lost interested in the R8 V10 completely, and will only get one if Audi comes out w/ the V12 TDI so that I can chip it to about 900 FT-LB of torque. I am now more and more interested in a Nissan GTR Spec V.
 
HeritageBruce said:
I also put a deposit in for a V10 R8 about a year ago and just decided to cancel my deposit last week. Will probably get the refund check in the mail this week. For some reason, I've lost interested in the R8 V10 completely, and will only get one if Audi comes out w/ the V12 TDI so that I can chip it to about 900 FT-LB of torque. I am now more and more interested in a Nissan GTR Spec V.
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nooo! you should keep the deposit! but i understand. here's what i've heard from the audi people. they said that the demand for current r8 is so high that some dealers are putting 20k to 30k premium on it. the number crunchers at the audi is not dumb. they figured why mess with good thing. so they are delaying launch of the new v10 or v12 (depending on who you ask) till mid 2009.

current r8 can easily keep up with gt3rs on the track. with extra horses and torque (assuming they are keeping the p:w ratio) it will be a beast.

in terms of gtr... my wife is due in july with our daughter and my due in same month with my gtr. lol. can't wait. the minute i get it i'm putting my name down on the v-spec.
 
jaxgt - I agree the R8 is a huge disappointment!


I can have a transport there to pick it up by tomorrow. :biggrin
 
xeviuus, sounds like you need more space all together. Garage and nursery :rofl

Talk to you soon.

BTW - saw your Alfa last week when I went to Steve's shop. RP also had his Healy there. Nice shop!

That Alfa will be great when tuned
 
xeviuus said:
in terms of gtr... my wife is due in july with our daughter and my due in same month with my gtr. lol. can't wait. the minute i get it i'm putting my name down on the v-spec.
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The GTR can run with just about any cars except in long straights at high speed and has two good size rear seats and that's why it doesn't matter how good the R8 is, I'll have to go with the GTR to take my GF and dog places. Having three mid-engined two seater is enough and it is time to get something more sensible.
 
HeritageBruce said:
..............more sensible .
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Bruce, unspeakable horrors come to those who dare utter these words...:lol
 
Kingman said:
Bruce, unspeakable horrors come to those who dare utter these words...:lol
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I'm getting old... getting old.....:frown
 
HeritageBruce said:
I also put a deposit in for a V10 R8 about a year ago and just decided to cancel my deposit last week.
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same here, although i haven't cancelled my deposit yet. eventually i'm sure i will. i just decided i don't really like the front or rear end views (3/4 view is great though), and do i really need another car of this type? i already have too many. i may cave in and do the audi experience to firm up my decision one way or the other. (haven't done it yet b/c i think the price is excessive for received value -- $2000 for 1/2 day of lead-follow only track time?)

HeritageBruce said:
The GTR can run with just about any cars except in long straights at high speed and has two good size rear seats
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have you seen / sat in a GT-R yet? if you are anywhere near avg height you'll find the back seats to be pretty useless. i have a theory that the US version will have shorter bottom cushions in the back to make up for taller US avg height.
 
I, for one, would like to read your detailed comparison once you have more seat time. Me likey comparisons :)

Something tells me that your opinion won't change much
 
I know what you mean. Among many other interesting cars, I have a Lambo Gallardo, much like the R8, but much more "harder-edged". It is NOTHING like the GT. There's something about that low-down torque and deep rumble that makes the GT special, much different from my higher-strung Ferraris, Lambo's, etc.
 
One thing about the R8 is that it definitely looks much cooler on the road than in pictures. I can say nothing of driving it, but it's not a particularly handsome car in pictures. It looked great going around the track in Florida, and those lights are unmistakable (and cool looking) on the street.
 
Solution

I do NOT recommend any more seat time in the Audi. In order to protect you, I will agree to take your "used" car off your hands with only a 30% discount for your mistake.:biggrin
 
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