Current used prices for v8/v10 and a few other questions.

[damage]

For those that are in the market for a used R8, I had a few questions:

1. Are you seeing the prices hold pretty steady? I've done occasional checks and prices don't seem to be dropping much. I joined this site in 2008 when I first was interested and the prices are holding up well.
2. Those that have upgraded to the v10, is the price different worth it? I know this is a hard question and really depends on a lot of factors, but wanted to throw this out anyways.
3. What are things to look out for when checking out a used R8? Any particular problem areas?
4. How has the reliability been?
5. Any particular year to avoid?

The wifey will be inheriting my ISF, so I'm looking for a new fun toy.

[rawg]

My 2 cents (as an owner of a v8 model):

1.) Kept watching for prices for nearly a year then got a high mileage (mine is prolly one of the highest mileage R8s around) Brilliant red. Prices were somewhat steady except I was able to clinch a good deal using the high mileage factor of the car (paid in cash but don't tell that to the dealer of course). You know you have a deal when the sales man keeps calling you multiple times in less than 2 hours as well. Sticker price is not the end all. I f I only had a way to get numbers on Manheim then I would be in heaven.
2.) No comment
3.) I never did a PPI though I did an Autocheck and Carfax. I believed, prior to the purchase, that the R8 was "stable" and after 6 months of ownership it remains "stable" with no electrical and engine problems (ZERO). Believe it or not, my trust in the car was highly influenced by numerous viewings of its original race model in the 24 hours Le Mans, lol (plus I also have a Q5 which has been reliable too).
4.) See #3 and it has been reliable. Use it about 2-3 times a week at the most. Again my car is HIGH MILEAGE (low 30 grand miles). There was a free service update done to my car within a month of getting it and had to do with repositioning the antenna which I believed fixed the bug on my car's intermittent loss of the Bluetooth signal.
5.) In hindsight, I would have gotten a 2010 (so as to get the Ipod function which I don't have on this year model 2008) but then I would wait for depreciation to set in first. I believe there is a 3 grand fix for this through one of the vendors here and has to do with changing the NAV unit. I am hoping that there will be something less drastic as a recourse.

BTW, my experience with my local dealership has been excellent (great customer service/VIP treatment type) and I hope that you are treated as such after your future purchase.
Funny thing about you mentioning the ISF; reminds me of the purchase attempt several years ago I tried on Lexus IS 350. Salesman wouldn't budge on my offer for the car then towards the end of the month they leave a few calls saying they want to take me on my offer (already got the 328 by then instead).