Our last, great Golden Age, and face-lifts, etc.

[zondar]

I keep hearing people stress about facelifts, but 2012 isn't just around the corner, it's here in automotive terms, including the R8. Or maybe it's 2013, or 2014.

Waiting for the next car is rarely all that great an idea. In the name of fuel economy laws, the next R8 could do away with the naturally-aspirated engines or the manual transmission (if not the next, then the one after that for sure). It could also come with over-the-top squinty headlights or an edgy "I'm failing my anger-management class" face, etc., that you might detest. And on and on.

We are living in what is almost certainly the last golden age of exotic internal-combustion automobiles. The next big wave will be increasingly-constricted small-bore turbocharged, auto-everything cars with fake engine sounds played through the stereo. The wave after that will likely be exotic electric torque-monsters that can't leave the city.

If there's a car out there that calls your name, buy it. Interminable waiting will only lead to regret, for we live in the last great era of freedom with regard to internal combustion. Not that that's a universally-good thing, but it's here, now, so enjoy it if you want to!

Cheers.

[phlabrasca]

Could not agree more!

I just bought a 2008 daytona gray pearl V8 from Lamborghini Carolinas. They just fitted my tubi and it is arriving on Tuesday. I have absolutely no concern about the face lift or any additional changes they make to the vehicle. If the face lift really looks that great and it fits, I'll fit the new changes to my R8... I personally don't think it's tacky to do such a thing... It's only tacky when you are trying to fool somebody into thinking your car is something it's not, like kitting an Sl500 and slapping on AMG badges. I see a lot of 04-06 Gallardo owners upgrading their front bumpers to the newer models and I think it looks great and tasteful.

[desperado]

I If there's a car out there that calls your name, buy it. Interminable waiting will only lead to regret, for we live in the last great era of freedom with regard to internal combustion. Not that that's a universally-good thing, but it's here, now, so enjoy it if you want to!

Perfect. Many asked why I bought the ZR1 when I already had the R8. Now, I'll just point them to your post when they ask, as you explained it perfectly!

[gazza1]

Facelifts just kill the value of your current stock.

As someone who churns cars regularly I loath them.

For me its not waiting for the latest and greatest but how much is my back pocket going to hurt if I buy now.

Totally agree re your sentiments about a Golden Era.

I have pasted something below that I posted on another forum in 2009..and it still holds true today I believe.



Life's Deep Thoughts-The Golden Era Is Now


I am sure most of us sometimes reflect back to what use to be the great things in era's gone by,but we sometimes overlook our current times.

Growing up thru the first golden era of Muscle Cars as a young kid in the late 60's/70's before emission regs and politicians killed most of our dreams, I think we should sometimes pause and think of what we have now.

We are now living thru another truly FANTASTIC golden era of performance cars that are available to us.

We have come back the full circle with cars that offer much much more Performance,Better Handling,Better braking and are much Safer.

Buy a 911,Nissan GT-R,ZR1,R8,Ferrari,Lambo or whatever takes your fancy - BE EXCITED AND LIVE THE DREAM NOW - as we are in another Golden Era and it will not last forever!!!!

In the future we will all look back and say... I remember the days when --



I for one are not looking forward to the Era of performance based electric cars which are a sterile environment with lots of G's.

I watched a episode of "My Car Rules" last week which had a Telsa Sports and it was quite sad to see the owner had installed N/A engine noise through his stereo.

[timborama]

I couldn't disagree more. Nothing wrong with waiting for what one really wants. If I bought now, I feel I'd be compromising. I can't live with the current state of electronics, etc. We're pretty much assured the next one will have the improvements like DSG, so I'll happily wait.

[SoCalR8V10]

You may be missing the point... You also may be spending most of your time "happily waiting", while every one else is enjoying & driving what we have...

I couldn't disagree more. Nothing wrong with waiting for what one really wants. If I bought now, I feel I'd be compromising. I can't live with the current state of electronics, etc. We're pretty much assured the next one will have the improvements like DSG, so I'll happily wait.

[timborama]

You may be missing the point... You also may be spending most of your time "happily waiting", while every one else is enjoying & driving what we have...

My point is, I wouldn't really enjoy the R8 in it's current form. I'd be giving up some things I enjoy in my current vehicle.

[harrison]

Timborama, what are you rolling in that's so much nicer than our "OLD" R8s?? If the R8 came equipped with all the goodies, it will cost as much as a more desireable car. The economy should be better off in 8 more years. Are you willing to wait more years ??

[timborama]

Timborama, what are you rolling in that's so much nicer than our "OLD" R8s?? If the R8 came equipped with all the goodies, it will cost as much as a more desireable car. The economy should be better off in 8 more years. Are you willing to wait more years ??

Don't get me wrong, the R8 is a nice car and I do want one, but does lack features that I won't compromise with my current: keyless start, better nav, DSG, etc. I'm in queue for 458, but that may be a LONG wait. If the updated R8 (with the expected changes) arrives before the 458, I'll likely go with it.

[harrison]

The 458 Italia, better yet the new 458 Spyder is on my bucket list. Sexy is not a word I use often, but MAN the 458s are SEXXXXY !!!!!!! (not triple X but quattro X).....