[ksa]

This is where I am finding myself. Been cycling through vehicles rather quickly and on my 30+ vehicles in the past 15 years. More recently coming from a new Vantage, to a 2016 AMG GTS, to currently 2020 Porsche 911 4S and tomorrow I am supposed to be picking up my 2017 R8 V10 Spyder.

What can I expect? I am definitely torn and never had to think this much. I know value proposition wise 911 is a better option as it will hold its value better and all that but something about that R8 I couldn't forget after test driving it. I know I am over paying (also getting decent return for the 911) for it right now, except maybe after they discontinue I am hoping the v10 will maintain its value. I think every box checks in favour of keeping 911 except the looks/curb appeal factor as I feel R8 is more of a supercar than the 911 (though I don't really consider either of them a supercar).

Anyone else made similar movies one way or the other? My decision has been made, though I am still getting double minded, but I guess it might help to hear opinion one way or the other. Perhaps some of you were glad making the switch to R8, while others regret it? Thoughts in general are welcome.

Let me know if I need to look out for anything on the 2017 R8 V10 or 'must-do' mods etc.. I will be getting a 2 yr aftermarket warranty for peace of mind, so I think I have to take it easy with the mods. Some pics of my 911 and R8 at the dealership.

 

[ksa]

 

[dinkman]

wow that wrap is gorgeous!

cc @jbusa95te who went through a similar transition

 

[baege]

I doubt you will ever regret moving from a turbocharged flat six to a normally aspirated v10
the engine is the soul of a car

 

[ExpertRanch]

I doubt you will ever regret moving from a turbocharged flat six to a normally aspirated v10
the engine is the soul of a car

I normally would agree, but have you heard some of those 911 turbo's? some of them sound ridiculously good. Better than stock v10 R8 with no after market exhaust. And that 911 looks pretty awesome too. If I didn't get an R8, I would have gotten a 911 turbo. It's got the wide butt I like (not as nice as the R8, but still good). The only reason, the 911 was not on the table for me is that they are literally everywhere out here (So. Cal). I like that the R8 is exotic for it's rarity.

As far as the value of the R8 not holding as well as the 911 (to the OP) I have a hard time believing that. My R8 has gone up considerably since I bought it. It's gaining value and will only gain more as they stop production.

 

[ksa]

The biggest reason I am going this route is actually because of how common 911's are. I have personally never been a Porsche or a 911 fan, but of course enthusiasts all around the world revere them as one of the best vehicles out there so figured I'd try one out when I was getting out of my AMG GTS. Now that I have had it, don't get me wrong, it's amazing. The pops and crackles the v6 does are actually pretty nice in sport mode (have sport exhaust). And it's a fast freaking car. I launched both 911 and R8 back to back and though R8 launch is more theatrical with the sound, the 911 just locks in and shoots off like a rocket. But I seem them everywhere. Of course diff. gens and not 992's mostly but still for a 'regular' person you probably can't even tell what is what. The wrap of he R8 is pretty sweet too (it's Red underneath) and even though there are R8's in my area, you see them much less.

 

[ksa]

I have never been a convertible fan and always thought coupe's look better, but until I checked this one out closely, I do enjoy the side profile quite a bit, and more so than coupe. Only negative is I am 6.1 and I have to sit pretty upright to make the legs work and I read coupe is more roomy. I guess it is what it is and the space will work. I am pretty excited for delivery possibly happening today but it's deff. a bit of bitter sweet scenario. Haha. Can't wait for the day when I won't have to choose between the two and just can have both. Haha.

PS: I have videos of launching the 911 and R8 (small clips), if someone knows a way I can upload them here, please let me know. Thanks.

 

[ExpertRanch]

Just upload to youtube (you can start a channel with an email), takes about 2 minutes. Then you have a place for free, to pose all your vids. I'm personally interested in seeing that. Did you use one of hose apps like (forgot the name, just got one for my wife)... Racey or something like that.

 

[JuddS]

Now that you have the R8, you can throw out the Viagra in the glove box of your 911 and put the golf clubs in storage. 911 may be a superior car in all respects on paper, but who really drives these cars at the limit and has the skill to do that. Cars are emotional and this one you are buying screams emotion. I think you are going to love it and not regret it. Enjoy and best of luck.

 

[drivingon9]

My experience in a nutshell : I was super excited when I got my first 911 Turbo, but ... I grew bored of it fairly quick (couple of years). Outstanding performance, but just lacked the soul and uniqueness that I wanted.
I've had my R8 for twice as long now. Even though I feel it's a slight downgrade in performance, I still feel the same excitement driving it as I did on the first day I bought it.

 

[V10MANUAL]

Now that you have the R8, you can throw out the Viagra in the glove box of your 911 and put the golf clubs in storage. 911 may be a superior car in all respects on paper, but who really drives these cars at the limit and has the skill to do that. Cars are emotional and this one you are buying screams emotion. I think you are going to love it and not regret it. Enjoy and best of luck.

As Judd's says - throw out them blueys and enjoy it. A V10 R8 is definitely a supercar and you wont be disappointed.

 

[vdpmjb]

911s are two a penny, obvious choice for too many imo.
Nothing wrong with the cars but for sure don't have the presence of the v10, tbh i don't think any modern 911 comes close to the noise out of a sports exhaust equipped v10.

 

[ksa]

I of course didn't expect people to support the 911 on R8 forums or anything like that, but still reading all the positives for the R8 certainly makes me feel better with my decision. Now I can't wait to take delivery and I am hoping that I enjoy it for at least a year or two until I can move into a Ferrari, Lambo or McLaren of some kind. My biggest concerns was if I am downgrading from the 911 but I think not, in all respects, regardless of slightly less performance, I feel as a car, what it stands for, what it conveys, it's an upgrade from the 911. Sort of like moving from a luxury sports car to an entry level supercar/exotic.

 

[ExpertRanch]

I of course didn't expect people to support the 911 on R8 forums or anything like that, but still reading all the positives for the R8 certainly makes me feel better with my decision. Now I can't wait to take delivery and I am hoping that I enjoy it for at least a year or two until I can move into a Ferrari, Lambo or McLaren of some kind. My biggest concerns was if I am downgrading from the 911 but I think not, in all respects, regardless of slightly less performance, I feel as a car, what it stands for, what it conveys, it's an upgrade from the 911. Sort of like moving from a luxury sports car to an entry level supercar/exotic.

I also think that unless you are a very good driver (you race or track regularly) you most likely will not notice any performance "downgrade" the R8 is a pure blast to get on the throttle. As for hairpin turns and the like. I have a turn near my house (which is on a road many people travel to, to drive their sports cars, super-cars, hyper-cars of all makes on any given weekend) ... anyway there is a almost 90 degree turn into the mountain, pretty hairpin... I've hit it at 55 mph so far... all that to say, the car feels stuck to the road and it's ME that is the limitation, not the car. It sticks like it's on rails as far as I'm concerned. My mind is just to afraid of crashing to push it much further. If you don't race (and I don't) it is just mind blowing and defies all prior experience so my mind won't let me do it. I need more time to build tolerance.. ha ahhah a

 

[ksa]

^That's exactly it and was also my thought process. In city roads, especially Edmonton roads where I am from, they are terrible and you can't push the cars much. I don't do track driving so the 911 would have never been used to its full capabilities. One Youtube review really sold it for me...they said the 911 is an amazing car in all aspect and that is what they would pick, however, getting into the R8 each times feels more of an occasion and that much more special. That's exactly what I am after. This is not my daily driver as I have other vehicles so a car that you get based on emotion, should feel like an occasion rather than being focused on comfort like the 911 is. Even going from the GTS to 911, I felt like the 911 was way more comfortable and less 'special'.

@ExpertRanch To answer your earlier question about using an APP when I was trying launches, unfortunately no. They are also just very short 6-7 seconds clips as I wasn't on a track or anything when trying it out and had limited space, so didn't really even get to fully send. But I do have a Youtube channel that I had started with the intentions of doing something with it as I have been swapping cars non-stop over the past decade or so. But never had the time so didn't really put much content, but I will upload them on there and post a link in due course.

 

[low2ground]

This isn't apples to apples IMO. The two cars are as unalike in feel and appearance as they are alike, the one not a logical successor to the other, and vice versa. I honestly like both about as much but for different reasons. Because I currently drive an R8, I'm partial to it. It feels planted, sturdy and heavier, like it was built to last, and it's sleeker. It'll turn more heads. I'm not convinced the 911 is any better at staving off depreciation or rallying appreciation, esp now with the R8 slated for extinction. Then again, maybe I'm wrong. The 911 won't be offered with an internal combustion power plant in the not-so-distant future.

 

[JuddS]

There are a few R8 haters. I feel like once a year or something someone talks about how their engine blew up or how they are sick of changing the mag rides or AC condenser on the Gen 1's. Of course, this site is biased towards the people who like the r8.

Also, I've never been to Edmonton but met a few guys from there on ADV bikes last month down in the mountains of N Carolina. They kept talking about how all the roads were on a grid pattern. Sounds good for high speed runs but less so for turning. That to me makes the R8 better than the 911.

Either way, enjoy the car and drive it often!

 

[ezmaass]

Where can you get a 6-cylinder engine mated to some turbos? That's right... everywhere. And a naturally aspirated V10 revving to 8,700 RPM? Well, you've got one place left and it's going, going...

In all seriousness, though, the 911 is a fantastic car. The history and performance speaks for itself. But, it's also true that they're not very rare - 911s are everywhere. They're also a bit less aurally stimulating - personal opinion, of course, but it's hard to compare the sounds of a turbo-6 to an NA-V10... especially in that wonderful upper register. The R8 is going to be truly exotic - something that's not seen by folks on a daily basis. It's also quickly becoming an extinct formula and one that a car enthusiast should experience. Yes, I think you'll find it harder to come by down the road, as well, especially as reality catches up to the broader enthusiast community that you can't just place an order for one any longer.

 

[Audi ole]

I am what they call a "snowbird." 6 mo. in Washington in the summer, drive a 2015 v10 coupe, 6 mo. in the So Cal. desert, where I drive a 2017 Porsche 4s coupe.
I really enjoy driving both cars, I think overall performance very close. There is no doubt that the R8 is more unique and the v10 sounds great. The Porsche so far has
been the more reliable car, nothing has gone wrong with it. Can't say the same for the r8, have had it 2 years now, needed the catalytic converters replaced, thankfully under warranty,
and replaced 2 leaking shocks with Ohlins coilovers, obviously not under warranty. So, if you don't mind some potentially higher maintenance bills, it seems that the r8 generates
more excitement and passion for you.

 

[NYG]

Porsche fan boy here. You should have absolutely zero regrets. All-wheel drive on a rear engine 911 is not my thing. Yeah, the Turbo S accelerates fast but so do electric soccer mom cars.

I'm not saying their AWD versions handle poorly or anything but it's an enormous bottleneck for that legendary car. They're still amazing but you did the right thing.

GT3 conversation would probably be a bit different.