Considering an R8 for my only car - am I crazy?

[diablo1]

Greetings R8Talk members. I am new here, and this is my first post, aside from the new member introduction thread. I recently became interested in the R8 and started poking around on this site, and now it's time to jump in.

I live in NYC and have been car-free for over a year. I bought a condo a year ago and wanted to free up as much cash flow as possible... Plus a car is much more of a luxury than a necessity in this city. Subway, cabs, and just walking are usually all you need. That said, I have been a "car guy" my whole life, and the lack of wheels is starting to get me down. So I have been thinking about what to get next.

My previous car was a 2009 S5, and I loved it. I did have a few mechanical issues - the blind spot indicator gave out and had to be replaced, some interior door panel trim detached from the door, and the radio broke. Each problem was fixed under warranty by the dealer. Otherwise, it was an amazing car - fun to drive, practical enough for carrying passengers and cargo, AWD for the bad weather (which we get pretty often), and just gorgeous, inside and out.

For my next car I had been mostly considering 4- and 5-seat coupes and sporty sedans such as the Audi S7 and RS5, Mercedes CLS 550, BMW 650i, and possibly a used Bentley Continental GT. All have seating for 4-5 people, AWD (standard or optional), and a balance of luxury and performance. But I have seen a few R8's around here lately, and it is just such a beautiful machine. It also seems that you can get a used one in good shape, with low mileage, in the $80k-$90k range, which seems like a phenomenal value. (Used Continental GTs can be had in the same price range, which seems like a good deal too.)

So here is my question for R8 owners and drivers out there. The R8 would be my only internal-combustion means of conveyance. Am I crazy to get a car like this for this purpose? I mainly use it to get out of the city, to drive up to New England or upstate NY to see relatives, day or weekend trips in the region, etc. I don't drive to work or have any regular car-based errands. I am concerned that the lack of a backseat or much of any cargo space, plus the exotic/sporty nature of the car, might make it a poor choice if I don't have something more practical to use when needed. On the other hand, I'm getting a car because I want one, not because I need one. And the AWD and high-quality Audi interior seem to make this car more livable than its peers (I would need to drive in all weather and on some 5-6 hr freeway trips).

Please let me know any advice you would give to someone in my situation... I will certainly still be a huge R8 fan even if it proves not to be the best choice for me at this time... Thanks for your help!

[slammedr8]

I don't own an R8 yet, but am currently in the market for a 2011 V10 spyder...

It will be my weekend toy car as I will have another car as my daily driver...since you don't need a daily driver to get to work or dinners in the city even...then you getting an R8 to drive on weekends is the same thing as what I would be doing and many others here!!

Also, the R8 is super comfy from what I've been reading here and perfect for those long trips!!

I say do it for sure!!!!

Keep in mind, if you said you would be daily driving it to work and running errands and literally using it everyday for everything.. Then my advise would be the exact opposite, and that would be don't do it!!

[T-bone]

Well, I think you're probably going to be in the $90's for an R8. That being said, I picked mine up in April and drove it 500 miles home. Great car to travel in-you do learn to pack only the necessities For what you are looking for I would put it near the top of the list. Had a friend who picked up a used Continental GT. Great interior, and it's a freight train with that engine. The Bentley is even farther behind the R8 when it comes to electronics. Might as well use your phone for nav. You will hear some people complain about the nav, and lack of up to date electronics on the R8, unlike the S7 which has everything-wireless connectivity, etc.! I've driven the S7 and it's a great car. You had a S5 (me too) so the RS5 would be familiar. If you want some presence and a sense of occasion when driving go with the Bentley or R8.

[Timbo]

I was in the exact same situation some years back - NYC, no need for a car at all, but the car nut in me just couldn't rest not owning some cool wheels. So I owned a 911 and then an NSX in the city, and here's my advice:

1) check the cost of a safe parking spot - more than rent in many other cities!
2) don't ever use the car to drive within Manhattan - should be for getaways only. "Bump-n-go" method of parking, door dings, potholes, just a nightmare. Use it for cruising the hamptons, adirondacks, Jersey shore on weekends, and it's a real nice treat.
3) Avoid rush hour at all costs.

Cheers!

[diablo1]

I don't own an R8 yet, but am currently in the market for a 2011 V10 spyder...

It will be my weekend toy car as I will have another car as my daily driver...since you don't need a daily driver to get to work or dinners in the city even...then you getting an R8 to drive on weekends is the same thing as what I would be doing and many others here!!

Also, the R8 is super comfy from what I've been reading here and perfect for those long trips!!

I say do it for sure!!!!

Keep in mind, if you said you would be daily driving it to work and running errands and literally using it everyday for everything.. Then my advise would be the exact opposite, and that would be don't do it!!

The difference is, you still have the option to use your daily driver on the weekend if you want to... I'm sure there will be some occasions where I'm annoyed that I can't bring more than one passenger or cart around a normal trunk-full of stuff. I'm just trying to balance that against the awesomeness of having an R8.

Well, I think you're probably going to be in the $90's for an R8. That being said, I picked mine up in April and drove it 500 miles home. Great car to travel in-you do learn to pack only the necessities For what you are looking for I would put it near the top of the list. Had a friend who picked up a used Continental GT. Great interior, and it's a freight train with that engine. The Bentley is even farther behind the R8 when it comes to electronics. Might as well use your phone for nav. You will hear some people complain about the nav, and lack of up to date electronics on the R8, unlike the S7 which has everything-wireless connectivity, etc.! I've driven the S7 and it's a great car. You had a S5 (me too) so the RS5 would be familiar. If you want some presence and a sense of occasion when driving go with the Bentley or R8.

There are half a dozen pre-owned R8's on cars.com that are asking < $90k... It might make sense to spend a little more and get a newer/lower mileage one, but that is a decision I'll make later.

I test drove the S7 and it was definitely nice. But it actually is the opposite problem compared to the R8: I found myself thinking, what am I going to do with all this space? I also don't think I would use the wireless router function and Google maps that much. The nav on my S5 was a little annoying but it got the job done. I'm fine with that level of in-car tech.

As for R8 vs. GT... I'll list positives of each, since I'm in a positive kind of mood. R8: better looking, slightly better mileage, more modern cabin tech; GT: room for 4 people, large trunk, super luxurious interior.

[stevenr8v10]

I live in Brooklyn and had 911 turbo before my r8. It's definitely hard to drive in the city and the pot holes and roads will drive you nuts. But let me tell you it's worth it. I drive it everyday to the city and absolutely love it. I'm very anal so I drive it really careful. Good luck.


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[exhilR8]

Yes, you are crazy. You clearly prioritize the fun and passion of driving over fiscal prudence, passenger practicality, cargo space, fuel economy, and just general common sense. I say go for it, you'll love it.

[PC R8]

My 2012 V10 is my daily driver. I am in the Los Angeles area which is similar but not as congested as NYC. Be it traffic or open road the R8 is more than well suited as a daily driver.

[m_coupe1999]

I recently bought an R8 and its my daily drive now. I simply love it! Its very comfortable! My only problem is that its a bit lower than I expected, I always have to watch out when approaching speed bumps, parking ramps, etc. I even had plans to lower the car with springs, but I dont think I will be heading in that route!

Pot holes, etc will always be there I guess. I've driven in the streets of NYC, and I think you just have to be a bit careful. If you are the inpatient type, then maybe a car like 6 series, cls, s7 is a better choice for you. Sometimes I drive my friend's mercedes C63 and I have to say i do feel more relaxed as its not a big deal to hit a small pot hole, meaning wont feel it as much as in the R8.

I knew buying an R8 meant I have to be careful and always pay attention to see if the road has cracks or pot holes, but the ride and feel this car gives makes up for it! haha!

Best of luck.

[achan]

I've driven in NYC with my spyder for roughly two years now with ~24k on the odometer... rush hour, early morning, late night, weekends you name it. Outside of trying to avoid potholes and general city type stuff (pedestrians, cabbies, etc) it really isn't as impractical as you may think. I've never actually blown out any stock 19" tires from potholes, but I have picked up flats from nails and such. Clearance isn't a huge issue as long as you are careful and approach/exit at angles to avoid scraping. Like a previous poster has mentioned, make sure you can find a decently price parking garage nearby and also make sure that the garage entrance/exit is not too steep for the car. I also park on the street occasionally, common sense should prevail in that situation.

As far as storage space, I have gone grocery shopping and the like with the R8, but you will have to get creative. If you are not too tall you can fit dry cleaning behind the seats, I've used a bungee around the headrest posts as an anchoring point. I've managed to pack enough into the trunk for trips with the girlfriend as well.

I say if you're this enthusiastic about an R8, go for it. You can always rent an SUV if you truly need the space. FWIW, I've had an SUV at my disposal since I've bought my R8 and it rarely ever gets used. I'd say I spend over 2/3 of my time driving the R8 vs the truck.

Have you driven an R8 yet? I know the Classic Car Club of Manhattan has a daytona 6 speed V8 R8 in the fleet. Perhaps a weekend/week with the R8 would help you make up your mind?