Need some help..

[godspeed]

First of all, I've really enjoyed this place and thanks to you all, learned tons about the beloved R8 and I'm ready to take the plunge!

I need a bit of help deciding, as I've narrowed my choices down to two cars:

Car #1, 2011 5.2 manual, with 1300 miles, stickered at 161K. It has the usual goodies, including CF blades, inlays, Alcantera roof, nav, etc. The car is local to me, and it appears flawless

Car #2, 2010 5.2 manual, 1500 miles, LOADED with a sticker of 178K. Carbon Fiber Sigma Exterior Package, Enhanced Leather Package, Carbon Fiber Sigma Interior Inlays, Carbon Sigma Sideblades, Carbon Fiber Sigma Exterior Mirrors, Carbon Fiber Sigma Door Sill Inserts, Audi Exclusive Package, Titanium Finish Wheels.. plus it has DTM 20" wheels, aftermarket titanium exhaust and a bunch of other things. Overall, more than 200K was invested.

I am buying this car with the intent of selling it after a few years, so resale value is important. I am not sure if the 'value' that has been added both in the original sticker and aftermarket accessories of car #2 will offset the fact that it is 1 year older.

Both cars are priced EXACTLY the same.. except that I will have to ship Car #2 into CA from out of State and have it smogged. It will cost me an extra 2K to get it here in an enclosed trailer.

I'm looking for some guidance in making my decision.

Any help will be greatly appreciated, and I look forward to contributing to these forums in the near future!

Best,

Thomas

[SteveR]

Get the 2011 if it isn't missing any options critical to you. Minor things can be added later if you like.

The mods and even the options on the 2010 add little to resale and may even turn some off when you eventually sell it.

[godspeed]

I was thinking the same thing. I guess I was blinded by the 17K difference in original window sticker price. This is just a difference in factory upgrades, not including 'personal' upgrades added later.

Thanks for your input Steve, definitely helpful.

[drifting]

Buy a car for you not the re-sell

Like Steve said mods will put some people off as they are always to personal tastes. You will loose a fair bit on ether car its the way cars are .

So my advice would be go for the car you like the most and suits you.


Your no connection to godspeed parts are you? They are based in CA too

[godspeed]

No connection to godspeed parts! Just a new R8 enthusiast looking for some good sound advice. Thanks!

[NVRL8R8]

How about colors?? Are they of any concern to you at all?
I personally would go for the 2010 if not. All the carbon fiber goodness, AND the extended leather would have me sold.

[godspeed]

Both are Ibis White- which is my color of choice. Yes, there's tons of CF on the 2010, both aftermarket and factory installed. Love your choice of wheels BTW! Maybe be looking to get some in black after the purchase of my R8

[Yspokes]

Regardless of price, get the one you wish you could have ordered the way YOU want it. I never buy a car based on future resale value over what I really want to DRIVE (just the way I roll). The out of state car has some challenges passing smog in our fair state, as well as extra registration fees for coming in out of state, but the truth is, you need to pick one and negotiate, negotiate, and negotiate the price some more before purchasing either one. I bet there is some more wiggle room on both of them.

[godspeed]

Thanks Yspokes. Both are, IMHO, priced quite fair after a bit of negotiating. I have them both at about 152K, before all the other fees.

The reality is, I will be glad to be in either of these cars-- but I'm sure that the significant extra amount of CF in the '10 will be something I will miss if I went with the '11. I don't care too much about the aftermarket stuff that's included, and will most likely sell it off. I do however, like all the factory equipment that bumped the sticker to 178K.

[CALBenzo]

If they are now at the same price, go with the '10. All the CF with the CF exterior package is $. You also already have an aftermarket exhaust, and if you don't like the DTM wheels, you can sell them.