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The looks and stares....

748K views 2K replies 507 participants last post by  Tupper 
#1 ·
Everyone on this forum knows the reactions an R8 elicits. Ive had my car about 2 months and have driven it a dozen times or so. When driving through a small town, all eyes on the sidewalk are transfixed my way with mouths agape and fingers pointing. In parking lots, the questions, the camera's, the wide eyed gazes. Kids in SUV's climbing over backseats to look at the car behind them, open windows with fists pumping out... the whole nine yeards. You really do feel like a rock and roll star. Given the rarity of the car, those reactions are unlikely to wane.

Perhaps this is a stupid question but... are these reactions beginning to, in some way, take away from the experience? The joy of driving the car is undeniable but I find myself not wanting to drive it to certain places and in certain situations because I find the reactions to be, at times, unnerving. Sometimes, its a bit uncomfortable. People have actually pulled into my office parking lot, parked their car and gotten out to circle the R8. Another guy stopped his car as he finished a left turn while I was at the light.... put his car in park, rolled down his window and started asking questions while others honked. Many of you have or had other exotics and have become accustomed to similar reactions but for me, its a somewhat new experience.

Any comments?
 
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#402 ·
Ditto, Happens everyday............for the last 3 years.
 
#405 ·
I have a spyder and have driven a coupe, like ajag said its the width, stance, shape, and most definitely the headlights
 
#406 ·
Oh yes, definitely the headlights. I love coming up on someone in the left lane at night and having them start fidgeting until then can get over. These cars look wicked at night when coming up on your rear view mirror. :)
 
#408 ·
Got followed to the parking lot of a health institution this morning by a nice couple who immeidately asked me upon my exit from the car to take pictures of it; after getting through the initial surprise I offered them to take pics seated in the front seat and they very much obliged and a few pleasantries later made it known to me they were Audi fans on account of having a TT model.
 
#409 ·
I think the best part of driving an R8 and the looks you get is; when you get stopped by the state patrol for speeding, and all they want to do is talk about the car. That and a concealed carry license have gotten me out of alot of tickets.
 
#411 ·
Had my car for about a month now, in that time, the good:

Two neighbours that have not spoken to me in the 5yrs I lived here have stopped me in the street to comment on the car.
One lovely young lady ran up to me in a car park and donated her ticket with time remaining whist complimenting the car.
A truck driver drove alongside me through a tunnel holding his Bluetooth phone earpiece out of the window for whomever he was talking too then “honked horn” in appreciation.
Have had quite a few shouts of "nice car" from a number of kids at the roadside.
I had a C6 RS6 before so I’ pretty used to people moving over for me on the road but the R8 more so, as said it’s the wide low stance.

The Bad:

One nice chap "mooned" his ar5se at me as I passed a pub he was smoking outside off.
Another nice chap gave me the w4nker wave as I passed him and his mates.
If you find yourself needing to cut into a traffic lane it seams 50/50 you’ll be aggressively forced out or welcomed in.
Finding parking spaces I’m comfortable with leaving it in is tricky.

All told.... maybe it’s my big un-disguisable smile that stands out to these people! :)
 
#412 ·
Nudenut said:
All told.... maybe it’s my big un-disguisable smile that stands out to these people! :)
Perfectly stated! It's hard not to have perma-grin when you get behind the wheel, isn't it.
 
#414 ·
I traded my 2006 Ford GT (Red/White Stripe) for a 2012 Audi R8 Spyder (Blue). To be honest, I think the Ford caused more of a ruckus due to it's iconic lineage. The Audi R8 gets about 70-80% of the overall attention the Ford got. Demographically, the Audi is liked by more of the younger kids and the Ford appealed more to the older guys. I also think women in general like the Audi better. The Ford also appreciated in value and I was able to sell it for almost what I purchased it for after owning it for 2 years and 8,000 miles. Needless to say, it was kept in pristine condition.
 
#421 ·
I have both cars and would agree. The FGT get more overall attention, but from an older crowd. R8 gets more of a younger reaction. Never have had a negative reaction so far.

Otis
 
#415 ·
I've also had my car for a month now. Got a w4nker sign the 2nd day but that's the only negative so far. Do get lots of looks and appreciation but I had a black "Bad Boys" style Widebody 911 before the R8 and I think that used to get a lot more attention. I always put it down to the rarity and the old skool classic looks which you just don't see in comparison to newer 911's which seem to be everywhere.
 
#418 ·
I'm guessing they meant WANKER... If you act like a wanker you get flipped off.('Da (middle) Finger)
 
#422 ·
Just came back from a 2 hour fun drive with my wife.

Stopped at a country Dairy Queen to get a few Blizzards.

Two men walked out and stood around the Audi (open top today 87 degs)

I went out and they said, "what's an R8?". Amazing how folks not into cars have no clue.

They both admired it and of course asked me the price. Since I was a bit out in the country I said, "OVER $40,000" and they were satisfied. lol. "VWs have come a long way!!"

First day I had the RPMs over 7,000 and it was super thrilling.

When the wife gets comfortable driving it I will follow her just to hear the sound on the highway when it gets over 6,000 RPMs. Just wondering how lloud it is.
 
#423 ·
Then someone needing to show the world they are ready to 'WANK it", after seeing you or your car, should be quite the compliment ! (being facetious) Reminds me of the words "car porn"
 
#424 ·
Interesting to read this thread because it covers a number of years. As a new owner (<2 months) I can say that in 2012, the excitement "on the street" over this car has not waned. In the automobile press, the R8 is old hat, and has been supplanted by the next new toy like the 991 etc. - but not in the eyes of the people you meet on a day to day basis.

What I really hate though, is the guys that drive behind you at highway speeds with one hand on the wheel and one hand holding a cell phone for a couple of minutes doing a video. I hope I never have to stop quickly.
 
#439 ·
That is the biggest issue. I have seen that more and more lately. Whenever I knowtice an odd driver out there I look and he is doing a video or pic via cell phone.
 
#425 · (Edited)
Today I was minding my own business when a police car pulled up and the officer rolled down his window:

"That car must attract a lot of attention!"

Well, I wondered if he meant "from the police", yet I had to restrain myself from saying "yes, from all the ladies!"

I love talking to people about cars, so we had a very nice chat. It's always a little hard to answer "is it fast?" when asked by an officer, but if he wasn't on duty, I would have offered a ride. In fact, I jokingly suggested a trade for an hour, and he said his cruiser was mine. Of course, I would have needed his shotgun and would have ran the siren...

There are moments when life can be so sweet. In a small way, this was one.

Cheers.
 
#426 ·
good one zondar
The other day, two thumbs up from 2 young men, another guy shouts "amazing car" from a distance
 
#427 ·
Zondar,

That story reminded me of my encounter with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. I was visiting a relative at the lake and was inside the cottage. The R8 was parked at the end of the driveway. Someone calls me and tells me that I better get outside because the cops are there and walking around the car. So out I go, and not only are they walking around the car, but they have parked across the driveway right behind me.

I was not sure what to say as I walked out so I just said hi. I had exceeded the speed limit a couple of times in the drive out and was wondering if this was them somehow catching up with me. They asked if I was the owner so I said yes, and then they asked if I minded them taking a closer look because they had never seen one before. After that we had a ten minute conversation about the vehicle. One of them had a seat inside and both wanted a closer look at that engine under glass.

Funniest thing was one of the telling the other "if that thing went by me on the highway, I wouldn't even bother trying to run it down". Not that I believed that line for a minute.
 
#428 ·
Two Funny Stories. One today and one next time I log on.

Was filling up with gasoline yesterday when a Buick Le Sabre pulls into the pump beside me. An old Codger gets out and says nice car. "Oh it is a V10, do you know who makes that engine?". I said yes Lamborghini. He said NO, its Dodge Viper engine. He went on and on how Dodge invented the V10 and assured me it was a Dodge engine. I respect my elders (82 ish) and said thanks for enlightening me Sir. He walked around the topless car and said it was a beauty even though he reiterated he only buys American.

This car draws peoples attention.

Four hours before this I went to a general car event in south Fl and was the only R8, the next story is very interesting on my reception and treatment. It was amazing!
 
#429 ·
A couple of days ago the guy who purchased my 09 TT said he had a policeman come up to him on one of those Segway two wheeled scooter things.

The cop pulled up by him and proceeded to inform him "We're going to have to take your car, but we'll leave you one of these." (pointing at the Segway) The other cop with him then threw in "He's not kidding. We have to take your car."

Too funny!
 
#430 ·
All of the attention is new to me as well. I have had porsche and other audi products and nothing has come close to drawing as much attention as this car. When I purchased the R8 I expected some attention but nothing to the extent that it is occuring. There are certain times I do not drive the car because I don't want the attention. Sometimes the attention is fun, other times it can be a bit much. It is a bit uncomfortable to come out of a store and find 5 or 6 people surrounding your car with camera phones. Unfortuneatly you can't pick and choose.
 
#431 ·
Last week drove down to S Fl to the Auto Geek Detail fest with 2 Porsche Turbos,, one a brand new white Turbo S Cabriolet.

We went just to learn about detailing and see the cars in the concurs.

When we came to the place there were 4 Police Officers monitoring traffic and telling everyone where to park.

I was in the middle of the group. The first turbo passes and the cop said to go to the back parking lot.

He see me and says,, STOP. OK OK,,, he said, that car is unbelievable. You are in the concurs. I said I am not registered, just visiting and he said NO.. Told the attendent monitoring the gate to the field to let me in and get me a space.

The new White Turbo S started to follow me and the Cop said,, BACK LOT PARKING.

I was a bit embarassed but as I told the guys, Can't disobey the Police when they give an order... LOL

As soon as I parked I was swarmed with people. In the three hours I was there 100s of pics were taken,, I let the girlfriends of the guys sit in the drivers seat. No men allowed.

The guy from the Speed Channel, Dennis Gage came over and chatted about the car for 20 minutes.

In 16 years of owning new Porsches this has NEVER happened to me.

What a car!!!

ps.. The P guys werent too happy with me.
 
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