how good is the r8 ?

[franki68]

I have had mine now for 3 years by August,this is very rare for me as usually a car lasts 18months maximum with me.
I have over the last few months driven to name a few a ferrari 430,Lambo Gallardo (520bhp model) ,Maserati Granturismo S,Audi RS6,NIssan GTR,BMW m3,,every single 911 you can think of (turbo,gt3,carrera,carrera S ,v=carrera 4 s etc etc) bentley GT and Aston Martin 4.7 vantage,Aston martin v12 vantage.,Jaguar xkr (500bhp) and more I cannot even recall.

With 1 exception all are cars I have enjoyed but getting into the r8 immediately afterwards ,I have never once thought (with 1 exception more of that in a bit) the audi was inferior.Ok it is not as fast as most of those but with the revo chip the car is seriously quick ,more than enough for the UK roads.
The rs6 was a marvellous bit of kit,but so heavy and the nissan GtR was immense ,but it was clinical like a 997 turbo.Having spent a full day blasting all the 911s around silverstone the r8 is simply miles ahead,the 2nd generation 911s have had most of their soul removed ,the handling feels antiquated.
The ferrari and lambo are thrilling but not every day cars plus they have serious image issues and huge running costs..
The only car I would swap the r8 for is the Vantage,it is just pure beauty ,very good to drive and full of character,the v12 is simply an astonishing car and has become the object of my desire.
But back to the point,after all these drives,[I] get back in the r8 and seem to love it evenmore,the noise (the milltek exhaust helps) the precision and feel of the controls..the looks ,even now after nearly 3 years I still get tthe best reaction everywhere,people giving me thumbs up,asking to take photos etc...I thought i would get tired of it ,but I could be driving a ferrari and getting tosser signs thrown at you all day ,the r8 just picks you when you are down and is quite simply one of the very finest driving machines ever made.I might end up in an aston in a few months time ,but I have owned some fabulous cas and driven hundreds (I used to finance a car dealer so I always used to try some of the stock) the r8 is my top dog.

[geffers]

franki - as I read thru your list at the top and I've only driven half of the cars u mention I thought ASTON v12 (other than another R8 that is) would be the only upgrade for me if i could afford it. Glad to read on and have you confirm that.

[CPBRI]

Interesting point of view. Have been a Porsche guy for a long time and while I don't agree with your "soulless" comment, I have had an itch for the R8 V10 that I just can't scratch.

Can't help but think I will swap the 911 for the R8 at some point.

[StuM]

Franki, Have to agree with you. The R8 just has that "something". A completeness about the car, the handling, soul, ride comfort, sound, beauty and quality. Re the Vantage, I just got rid of an '09 V8V and moved into a new DBS coupe. While the V12 coupe is very nice, if I have to decide which one to take on any given day, the R8 would win out on most days.
Only thing I now lust for a bit more is the upcoming V10 R8 convertible. That just might be the replacement for the current R8.

[drbf]

I went fron a 911TT to the R8 with NO regrets

[dailydriver]

I had considered ordering a new XKR (more hp and better brakes addressed my two major gripes on my current car) but after driving the R8 it was no contest.

Thanks for sharing your considerable insight franki.

[danko]

Franki, Been in same dilemma, as time comes by, fingers get itchy and want to change the car, but after driving Lambo, GTR, Vantage, M3, the R8 is still the best and I love it more each time I drive it.

Lambo: Great on track, but running cost and not really your everyday car..
GTR: Insane, but Rich Boy Racer toy? anyways its not German.
Vantage: Elegant, and simply beautiful, but so many around its not as special and drives don't compare.
M3: Insane power, pulls and faster then R8 and rear wheel drive fun.

But if I want to change the R8 now, It seriously have to the the Spyder, the Pimpness of the folding roof and the monstrous V10 in R-Tronic

Thanks
Dan

[franki68]

Franki, Have to agree with you. The R8 just has that "something". A completeness about the car, the handling, soul, ride comfort, sound, beauty and quality. Re the Vantage, I just got rid of an '09 V8V and moved into a new DBS coupe. While the V12 coupe is very nice, if I have to decide which one to take on any given day, the R8 would win out on most days.
Only thing I now lust for a bit more is the upcoming V10 R8 convertible. That just might be the replacement for the current R8.

That dbs is beautiful,they had a white v12 vanatge and a black convertible dbs in the showroom,they are such amazing eye candy,automotive works of art.
I don't think the r8 is as beautiful,but it is sexy.

[harrison]

Put Bodhii behind the wheel of an R8 and get that Clarkson (fellow with penis on his face) on the track together and lookout. Clarkson will be in the pits sitting with his tea and crumpets (crying). \"/

[ianerrid]

Put Bodhii behind the wheel of an R8 and get that Clarkson (fellow with penis on his face) on the track together and lookout. Clarkson will be in the pits sitting with his tea and crumpets (crying). \"/

What kind of crumpet did you have in mind exactly Harry ;-) [don't know if that word translates into US english...] :-)