[baege]

So I've been searching for an R8 v10 6mt for a while now and found a nice example recently and test drove it over the weekend.

I surprised myself a little when I walked away from the test drive unsure of the purchase..

here's why I was unsure: as I drove the R8 I realized what I really enjoyed about the R8 was that insane naturally aspirated v10...it is an absolute master piece, buttery smooth, instant power at pretty much any rpm, immense low end torque, absolutely insane instant throttle response, and a very unique howl and sound.

But when I got back into my M2 comp, the immediate thought that crossed my mind was I wish that v10 could be stuffed into my M2C. Really the only thing i preferred about the R8 was that amazing engine. Obviously it is a beautiful car, I appreciate a nice looking car, but it;s not the most important thing to me. The R8 has so many other attributes that make the driving experience not as enjoyable...it has a bigger footprint, it has worse clearance, it rides rougher, it has worse visibility, it attracts unwanted attention.

The R8 is just much more of a chore to drive (especially in a city). The M2c is just good easy fun. You can park it easily, you can see out of it, you can get in and out easy, you don't have to worry to much about clearance issues.It doesn't get much attention.

I really wonder for those of us who are really about enjoying the drive, whether supercars are more fun than a smaller simpler sports car. I think some people are attracted to supercars for the drama, status and attention that comes with them. But for those of us who are not into that and really just want enjoy the drive, I seriously wonder. I saw an audi tt rs drive by later in the day and I immediately thought if only that came with that v10!

When i think about which car I would rather have parked in my garage on a regular basis, I can't help but think about the hassles that come with the R8 and how good and easy fun the M2C is...and I am seriously unsure about the right direction. If that V10 could be had in something more simple like my M2c, it would be a no brainer for me...

anyhow interested in hearing people's perspectives on this...I find myself still lusting for that v10, but wonder if I will actually be happier in the end, all things considered...

[The__J__Factor]

Buy a e60 m5. V10 goodness and practicality

[M5Rick]

I know what you're saying but comparing an R8 to an M2 is no comparison anyway and ppl who buy R8's want to be noticed very much with the money they've shelled out on it.
One bugbear for me is why didn't Audi didn't just call it an R10 and be done with it.

[thebmw]

Originally Posted by M5theonlyone

One bugbear for me is why didn't Audi didn't just call it an R10 and be done with it.

I don't think they called it R8 because of the cylinders. That said, it was a V8 to start out with. The V10 came out after.

As an owner of "supercars", there's no comparison between those and mass-produced cars with similar performance. There's something that's special and unique with a supercars, especially hand built ones. They all have their own individual personalities.

[ntg44]

Well, hello again

Glad to hear you drove the R8. Yes, it is much more of a chore to drive than the M2C in the wrong environment, but it's not the commuting where the R8 shines. The car really presents its case better on winding roads and open straights. If you're in an urban setting, I can see how M2C would be more comfortable and livable. I live in suburbia with rural roads less than 10 minutes away, so that's where I always take it along with the highways.

But either way, it's a good thing you drove it and came to that conclusion. There is no right or wrong answer, and you shouldn't feel like you were missing something or that you should have felt differently. The car is just one piece of the experience. The driver and environment are just as important in determining if a car is right for you.

On the flip side, if you decide to keep M2C instead, you probably just saved quite a bit of money

[Alfisti]

Why you don't just get a 2015 GTS is fucking beyond me. Other than torque, it has everything you want and you can daily it. And I don't get wanting torque on these shitty roads, the only fun we get is on ramps so torque just ruins the fun.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by ntg44

Well, hello again

Glad to hear you drove the R8. Yes, it is much more of a chore to drive than the M2C in the wrong environment, but it's not the commuting where the R8 shines. The car really presents its case better on winding roads and open straights.

We do not have any, the first decent bit of road is a SOLID 2 hour drive away. Toronto is barren for roads, absolutely barren.

[dgoldenz]

There’s a reason the 911 is so popular. It’s by far the best “in between” car that isn’t quite a supercar with all of the potential issues you mentioned while still being an amazing drive, looks great, inconspicuous (98% of people don’t know the diff between a base and GT2RS), and doesn’t have supercar maintenance and repair costs.

[eljay]

If I had Mosport around the corner, I'd get one!!

[VisualEcho]

A friend of mine called me literally just last night to tell me that he had driven a new McLaren 720s and was very disappointed. Not so much in the car, but that he had sold his Lotus a few years back, and the cars felt similar enough that he couldn't justify the price difference.

Clearly he liked the 720s, but not +250K over his previous $50K Lotus. He's now in the market for an '07/'08 Exige.

Personally, when it comes to "fun", nothing beats my old Miata for me. Everything else is just too damn serious, and can get you in such trouble in such a hurry that it's all I tend to think about driving top end cars.

[..Rush..]

I think alot of the Super Car appeal is the whole "look at me!" effect. This weekend, I drove around Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall, and saw a McLaren and a Ferrari both rocket out of the parking area and onto the major streets. Both pedestrians, and passing traffic all gawking & staring.

[Alfisti]

You need REALLY good roads for a Miata, the lack of power means you need to have fun tossing it about, GTA not conducive to this in any way, shape or form.

[kyriian]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

You need REALLY good roads for a Miata, the lack of power means you need to have fun tossing it about, GTA not conducive to this in any way, shape or form.

Having had 2 (NB with a FM turbo, and a NC with MX-5 cup coilovers), I can say this is 100% not true, a Miata makes every journey a joy, offramps, onramps, left turns, right turns, it doesn't matter, because the limits are well within attainable on the street for most drivers, it is forgiving and it is never scary, and tail out motions are easily correctable.

It's what James May once said about the Fiat Panda, you get to those upper limits more of the time, and they are not scary, wet your pants, remortgage the house if you crash kinda scary.

It's the same when you see supercars on a track day, they get all the admiring glances and everyone wants to see it, but VERY few gets driven at the limits it can achieve precisely because of the above reason.

[Josh-PA]

Others have already mentioned, but there is a reason 911s are so much more popular than R8s or Astons. Check out a 991.1 and 991.2 (they are both great with their own pros/cons.. I preferred and went w/ a .2 car because the added torque and significantly better interior).

Its a great compromise between GT and pure sports car. I did a 300 mile road trip with it last Monday without any discomfort. Then Tuesday - Saturday it was top down back roads each day and very fun.

From a GTA perspective, a bunch of 911ers w/ C4s throw snows on and use it as a winter daily as well.

[dgoldenz]

On a side note, if you can afford it, try driving a Ferrari FF, especially if you can find one with a full aftermarket exhaust. It's in the ballpark price range of an R8 V10 6MT, sounds unbelievable, way more luxurious, can actually fit 4 human adults inside, is very, very comfortable for daily driving, flies under the radar because it doesn't look like a 458, and is incredibly fun to drive. Some potentially very expensive repairs (PTU and transmission sensor are the two big ones) but there are warranties available. They are going up in price, chances are they won't come back down much. Absolutely loved the way mine drove for the time that I had it, on the hunt for another.

[m630]

The thing about supercars is that they are mostly point A to A cars and not fun in the city.

@baege, if you recall your orig post we discussed the dilema, and I believe you only add a supercar when you have everything else. Meaning, if you cant keep your daily and have to compromise, then its not the right time. Also, if all of your driving is city/urban, again I see no use for a supercar, just too much traffic, crappy roads with limited clearance and yes the onlookers in local settings can become a nusiance.

I say keep the M2 and if you can one day add a supercar to the stable, go for it, but dont ever give up your daily fun for something that you may use sparingly and for which may bring stress in your life. If you didnt feel wow, its def not right.

Because, yes, they are amazingly fun when done right!

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by kyriian

Having had 2 (NB with a FM turbo, and a NC with MX-5 cup coilovers), I can say this is 100% not true, a Miata makes every journey a joy, offramps, onramps, left turns, right turns, it doesn't matter, because the limits are well within attainable on the street for most drivers, it is forgiving and it is never scary, and tail out motions are easily correctable.

We will agree to disagree. I have driven them a few times, wonderful feel and handling but without and left/right or flowing corners, there is simply not enough power to make it fun. On a winding road it'd be brilliant but ere, i couldn't get excited.

[R N M]

I chose a 991.2 T over other cars I was debating like R8, MB AMG-GT, Ferrari 360 Modena / F430, Jag Ftype, AM Vantage etc.

One thing about 911 - you NEED to test drive various versions to find the one that is for you. The different models really have unique characteristics.

The 911 offers superb driving position and visibility, excellent interior build quality, sports car prestige, decent practicality, and most of all incredible driving experience. You really need to start pushing it to see why it commands the price premium over the M cars.

The one I have has Rear Wheel steering which really makes it incredible handling car.

[dgoldenz]

Originally Posted by R N M

I chose a 991.2 T over other cars I was debating like R8, MB AMG-GT, Ferrari 360 Modena / F430, Jag Ftype, AM Vantage etc.

One thing about 911 - you NEED to test drive various versions to find the one that is for you. The different models really have unique characteristics.

The 911 offers superb driving position and visibility, excellent interior build quality, sports car prestige, decent practicality, and most of all incredible driving experience. You really need to start pushing it to see why it commands the price premium over the M cars.

The one I have has Rear Wheel steering which really makes it incredible handling car.

Don't forget that you can drive it for a couple years and sell it for what you paid for it, or more if you're buying the right cars. On my 4th 911, made money on 3, lost $1k on a GT3 I drove for over a year.

[Fined]

Originally Posted by baege

But when I got back into my M2 comp, the immediate thought that crossed my mind was I wish that v10 could be stuffed into my M2C. Really the only thing i preferred about the R8 was that amazing engine. Obviously it is a beautiful car, I appreciate a nice looking car, but it;s not the most important thing to me. The R8 has so many other attributes that make the driving experience not as enjoyable...it has a bigger footprint, it has worse clearance, it rides rougher, it has worse visibility, it attracts unwanted attention.

The R8 is just much more of a chore to drive (especially in a city). The M2c is just good easy fun. You can park it easily, you can see out of it, you can get in and out easy, you don't have to worry to much about clearance issues.It doesn't get much attention.

I really wonder for those of us who are really about enjoying the drive, whether supercars are more fun than a smaller simpler sports car.

I have had a similar experience in a car that was dominated by its amazing engine. In this case, maybe not as amazing as a V10. But an inline 5 cylinder with fully built internals... Very similar feedback from me. I loved the engine and years later I still think about it and miss it. The rest of the package was not something which I loved. For me, it isn't worth it without the rest of the package being something I want to use easily, like mentioned here. The joy of a thing is somewhat diminished if using it starts to come with a list of caveats.

That's one thing to enjoy about the low-key nature of the M2. It's not attention grabbing, not too low, not too pricey to be parked just about anywhere, great outward visibility, and even an engine that won't cost an insane amount if for whatever reason you lose one.

Me personally.. I wouldn't get much use out of a supercar. Because I love to take my high performance car to the track, and I wouldn't take such a car to the track regularly. Just driving a supercar around on the street.. isn't rewarding to me since I do not want the attention and being so far from the cars capabilities is sort of frustrating if you never even get past 3/10ths because the car is such a monster.

[Eternalthinker]

"Fun" is somewhat subjective. It is great though, to be in a country where we can have so many options.

[thebmw]

Another interesting point to consider is that every car I own now is faster than virtually every "supercar" that I could only dream of in the 90's. I still think some of those cars are beautiful. It's not all about speed. It's about lust and the connection with the car. That's what you are paying for.