Please help a new guy

[ptaylor_9849]

Hey guys, first post here. I currently have a C6 Z06 and was considering trading up to an R8 but I have a question. How is the depreciation so far on the R8? If I bought a used 08 for say 110, could it really drop to 50k in say 4 or 5 years? I know it's impossible to tell the future but with all your experience I was hoping you could give me a better feeling about buying one. I would love an R8 but I don't think I could stomach losing 60 grand in five years. Please share.

Thanks,

Patrick

[jh001ace]

Hi Patrick

I guess you live in te US, here in the UK all cars have taken a big hit, I paid £93k for mine in Sept 08 and have just been offered £67,500 as trade-in against a V10. Car has only covered 2,250 miles. So yes, be prepaired to swallow hard. Good second hand would be your bet bet.

Good luck

Jerry

[ptaylor_9849]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I live in the states. I don't want that kind of depreciation. I think I will have to wait till the prices drop a bit more as used 08's are still going for anywhere from 110-130 here. Other than that, how has your experience been with the R8?

[Rob A]

It's absolutely great. Fun to drive, fast, surprisingly spacious and comfortable and 100% reliable.

I've used it as a daily driver until we moved to a farm.

[wedouglas]

If it's an exotic car, prepare to eat at least $30K in depreciation in the first 10k miles.

[Jeff]

Regarding depreciation, my dealer routinely asks buyers new to them to sign a contract stating that the dealer will buy back the car at sticker in the first year and that they have first right of refusal should the buyer sell.

That seems to conflict with the other statements of drastic and immediate depreciation on R8s.

Perhaps the global economic meltdown has forced people to sell at a lower price than they would otherwise.

[HovyR8]

I am pretty sure the R8 would depreciate about 5-10K a year easily. Another important factor, other than the economy, is the fact that the R8 has newer "models": the V10 and V12 (I know it's not in production yet). If you think about it: current R8 V8 owners will likely sell or lease return their cars to get the V10 and there will be a hell lot more R8 for sale on the market (there are already so many!), resulting in depreciation of the car.

The most logical thing for you would be to lease one so at least you don't have to worry about depreciation.

ps: Have you driven the R8 because your Vette and the R8 are 2 different worlds.

[ianerrid]

Don't worry about it mate, once you have one you won't want to sell it ever ;-)

[randombloke]

That seems to conflict with the other statements of drastic and immediate depreciation on R8s.

the depreciation is in plain view in the UK on sites like autotrader.co.uk and the audi.co.uk approved used lists. lots of used r8's that have lost around 20% of their value.

Regarding depreciation, my dealer routinely asks buyers new to them to sign a contract stating that the dealer will buy back the car at sticker in the first year and that they have first right of refusal should the buyer sell.

any dealer offering a guaranteed buy-back that they would actually honor regardless of market conditions is running as a casino rather than a solid business.

[ptaylor_9849]

Actually, I have not driven an R8 but my jaw hit the floor the first time I saw one. I think it would be the right fit for me as I'm looking for an exotic looking car but I don't want to sacrifice ride quality. Please correct me if I'm wrong but the R8 seems to fit these requirements perfectly. At least from what I've heard anyway. I bought my Z06 a year ago and have done nothing but throw money at it trying to soften the ride. I also think that the V8 R8 would be plenty fast enough since the roads where I live are horrible. Please tell me more about your driving experience in the R8. One more question also please: Were R8's available in the U.K. in 2007? I don't think I could get one in the states till 2008. Is that correct?