Why I may still buy an R8...(long)

[z356]

Recently, a post by a respected member of this forum who sold his R8 has made me ponder the question of future R8 ownership. And I have concluded that, given what I have read here and my past experiences with cars, I will still consider buying an R8 today. Here is why:

1. Although I have limited experience driving an R8, to me the car does have the 'presence' of a true sport car. As for the 'feel', it is all very subjective but it felt pretty good going around Infineon at speed (both in v8's and v10's) during my recent Audi Driving Experience. As for whether the R8 is 'too refined for its own good'? Perhaps. That is the most common complaint heard from many quarters, especially those drivers & reviewers addicted to the raw adrenalin rush of the Porsche gt3 or a Ferrari F430 Scuderia. But being a 'refined' sport car might be good enough for many of us willing to experience different forms of automobile architectures & technologies in the course of one's lifetime.

2. I don't think any true sport car is the perfect daily driver but the R8 is a lot more practical than say a Porsche gt3. The latter will certainly keep you in better 'touch with the road' due to its exceptional steering feel but it is a more demanding vehicle to drive anywhere near its limits. Most gt3 owners I know rarely use their 911's on a frequent basis. Most reserve its use for the track or an infrequent Sunday drive. And almost none take the chance to drive it in the rain, much less when snow flurries are in the air. One of the most important aspect of this purchase for me will be the ability (and my willingness) to drive the vehicle often and in all weather conditions. I already have two garage queens and I don't need a third. The Quattro system, plus the R8's more compliant ride, will allow me to enjoy the R8 where I live in Colorado & California...and travel the roads in between...without too many worries.

3. I have owned Porsches for most of my adult life. And have had a few outstanding BMW's ('95 M3 & '01 Z8) and one Audi ('03 RS6). I have learned to pick & choose dealers who excel at service...even if one has to drive a few hundred miles to get there. Regarding manufacturer's support & car clubs, I don't think PCNA or Porsche AG does really that much for Porsche Club of America (PCA). It is the local enthusiast-owners that make a difference - good or bad. PCA was around way before the first 911 came into production back in 1964. The first PCA Parade was in 1956 and the club had 10 years of 356 owner's enthusiasm & activities in many US communities before the 911's shape was even a twinkle in Butzi Porsche's eyes. So give Audi Clubs more time to grow. Some, like Golden Gate, are already pretty good and active at the track and socials. BMW clubs, in my experience, developed their track orientation only when the M3's became popular in the past 15 years. Prior to that, BMW sport enthusiasts had a few 2002s to brag about and not much else. The Z8 was BMW's flagship from 2000 to 2003 and had almost no support (marketing or otherwise) from BMW corporate. Few Z8 owners dare put it at risk on the track, so it was seldom seen at club driving functions. Interestingly, unlike the Z8, I think that the R8 will become a much bigger presence at club track events as used R8 prices fall and they become affordable to a larger segment of track driving enthusiasts. So the very thing many present R8 owners dread (being finally hit with significant depreciation) might be the spark that triggers the next successful chapter of the R8, as the latter becomes a more common sight at driving tracks across the nation and new class of R8 afficionados & owners are born!

4. Is the R8 not exclusive anymore? Well, even in tony Carmel I don't see many around. Loud v12 just got one there, so it's a start! And we have perhaps two in Vail! The statement that mostly sticks in my mind from the referenced post was "I really needed to sell before taking a bigger bath in depreciation". The days when a manufacturer could almost guarantee low depreciation by modulating production are gone. Look what happened to Ferrari's F430. Porsche discounted their left-over 2009 911's by up to $20,000 just last summer in order to move them out. Let's be honest, R8 owners until just recently lived a charmed life, suffering little depreciation on their vehicles in the first few years of ownership. Now, a world-wide economic downturn has changed just about every paradigm in the car enthusiast's world. So if you sold your '09 R8 for $109K consider yourself very lucky. You had two wonderful years of use for an outlay of perhaps $25K. I just came off a two year subsidized MB lease on a lowly '09 Mercedes E350 4Matic and, in total, I paid $18K for the 'small' pleasure of driving it 20K miles. I would have gladly paid an extra $7000 to have been driving a 2009 R8 instead! Unfortunately, I also have some personal experience with depreciation. I recently took a $35,000 hit from what I paid new on a BMW 650 convertible that was only 1 1/2 years old, with fewer than 10,000 miles of use. I also only recouped two thirds of the original MSRP when I sold my 'in demand' Mini Cooper S Cabriolet, which was touted as one of the least to depreciate vehicles in America! So if depreciation scares you away from the enjoyment of the modern driving experience, there is little hope for you car-wise. Depreciation is the norm, not the exception, in today's automobiles. And there is little Audi (or Ferrari, Porsche and BMW) can do today to materially change that equation in the near future. The ultimate 'modulation' of supply is halting production. Beware of what you ask for, it could be a double-edge sword for all current R8 owners and the future value of your vehicle. Personally, I think sometimes you don't need to have (or give) a 'good' reason to sell a car you have enjoyed. We are here on earth for a limited period of time and there are many good sport cars yet to experience. Thus, in conclusion, I may still buy an R8 just as some of you start thinking of selling yours. That is the definition of a viable & healthy market. z356

[smoothy]

z356,

very well thought out post, it would be grand to have you pick up an R8 and stick around!

[SteveR]

Geat points about the balance between exclusivity/production limits and community development. I hadn't thought of that. For me, I am willing to accept some depreciation as an acceptable trade off for having a car I will actually use.

[Jeff]

I fully expect my R8 to outlast me -- and my kids are already politely arguing about who will get it when the time comes.

[Bodhii]

z356, good post.

The thing that is often missed about these great, hi performance sports cars, like the Audi R8, Porsche GT-3's, Ferrari's etc... is that most of the owners are absolutely fanatical about keeping their cars in extreme top condition. These are usually the most babied cars in the world. Because of this, buying these cares used, can be a very intelligent thing to do. I did buy my R8 new,.. since, at that time, there were no others out there to buy. But for years I have bought Porsches. And I always bought low mileage, used Porsches. And they have always been perfect cars in every way.

The myth about being a car's very first driver, is just that; a myth. With the purchase of any new Audi R8, several AUDI and shipping employees will always have driven that car before you. And one Audi guy will have driven the car a little vigorously during its factory check out drive. You will simply be the very first one to actually PAY to drive it. That is hardly a distinction I hold with any value.

The gist of this is that much of that considerable depreciation hit can easily be avoided by purchasing low mileage used. Its what I would do, if I were now buying a R8.

Cheers,.. and again, good post.

[TonnyG]

If depreciation is a concern of any car purchase, then you need to buy the cheapest possible car you can or not have any car at all. I'm in the process to sell of all 4 of my current cars to be able to get my R8 V10. Hopefully when I'm ready I can find a car with a few thousand miles on it for at least some discount. The only real reason to buy new is that you get to order it just like you want it and you have the possibility to pick it up at the factory.
I really want a Samoa Orange V10 but I will settle for pretty much any color if the deal is right when I'm ready.

Tonny

[krpman]

"I" believe "I" was mentioned over 25 times....even more than HARRISON's record

[mmaturo]

Good post. I will buy an R8 regardless of depreciation and being late to the party I will suffer more depreciation over the same period than all current owners. Oh well. I will love the car and probably drive it nearly daily in summer months. I did the same with buying my RS6 a year and a half used (in theory saving $13K off new sticker) and didn't sell it when others bailed as leases expired and prices plummeted. So have kept the car rather than recognizing the whopper depreciation number but i have certainly enjoyed 5 years of daily driving that i know no other vehicle would have been as incredible. Its not an investment. It is improving the quality and daily enjoyment of my life.

[TonnyG]

Mmaturo, this is right on.
It is improving the quality and daily enjoyment of my life.

That is totally what certain cars are to me.

Tonny

[Whirlinturbin]

Somebody just demonstrated the value of leasing a high-end car....I'm just saying.