Some people buy the car just as a car while others buy for the social experience. I'm sure that type of guy has never been to a car show or on a car forum

 

that guy was a douche. You are not. i think no matter what car that guy drives he'll always be a douche. On the other hand no matter what car you drive you will appreciate the camaraderie between fellow enthusiasts.

for the record i'm not a douche either.

 

Hmm...a bit quick to judge just because the other guy doesn't feel like carrying a conversation?

Sometimes pple can be in a hurry, no? Don't take it too personal. Not everything is about you. No one else is obligated to socialize just because u want to.

Dude, there are days I don't feel like communicating more than 5 words. Then there are days I feel like 50,000 words.

If I have to uphold my image of not being a douche bag and entertain every conversation from every stranger I meet, I don't think I have time to do other things. [emoji11] [emoji12]

 

I have been here amost six years and I can say the guy and girls here are good people.

 

I am a car enthusiast to the core, and I frequently talk cars with both friends and strangers. That said, I don't always have the time or desire to talk cars . . . particularly when I am focused and/or busy with something else. I would take offense if I received a derogatory label solely because I declined to talk cars with a stranger.

R8 owners are no better, or worse, than non-R8 owners. There are a-hole R8 owners, fabulously kind R8 owners, and everything in between.

 

Geez, now I feel like a douche for suggesting that guy was a douche.

I stand corrected.

 

Well, I usually talk to all R8 owners I meet... except guys who drive white ones from Seattle. Kidding, kidding! Perhaps the fact that he chose to drive a Gen-2 over a Gen-1 was a warning, though? OK, I kid AGAIN... please accept my apologies, Gen-2 brethren!

But in all seriousness, I've only ever approached (unsolicited) ONE other fellow R8 owner. I was in a quaint little CT town (as we have many here), and a Daytona R8 pulled up literally where I was walking. Out jumps a young dude and his girlfriend. I immediately complimented him on the car. He came over, and I explained I was also a fellow owner. We got into what was probably a good 10 minute chat while his girlfriend started to befriend my wife and son. He was a very friendly guy - even chatted about R8Talk quickly.

So, while I don't have a lot of data points, my one experience has been a positive one. On the flip side, I know that I'VE personally entertained every single person who's ever cared to approach me. True, none of them were R8 owners (that I know, at least), but nonetheless I'm polite and personable with everyone. The way I see it, I don't care what it is someone is talking to you about - your car or your socks - if another human being is trying to interact with you, you treat them as you'd want to be treated. Unfortunately, I don't think everyone thinks the same way. And for better or worse (in this case, probably worse) people with money are the ones who can afford to buy flashy things... and when they treat people poorly, the "flashy thing" becomes a symbol of that poor character. And that may be part of the reason that I'd go FURTHER out of my way to come across as a decent human being (which I hope I am!) if someone specifically approaches me about the R8. That last thing I want to do, as a car enthusiast and someone who knows how great true car-people are, is feed a stereotype about exotic owners.

But at the end of the day, I wouldn't take it personally. It's impossible to know what was going on there. For all you know, he was in the middle of reading an e-mail from his wife asking him for a divorce. I'd give it the benefit of the doubt. For what it's worth, there's a forum here full of R8 owners, and I've got to say - there are some really awesome people here... to the extent that I'm pretty sure I'd enjoy talking to the majority of people here about much more than just the R8, as we just have so many interesting people - intelligent, all sorts of walks of life, generous with their time and advice, etc.

 

You don't drive a Gen2 R8? Talk to the hand!

 

I could talk to a tree about cars so i wouldn't have reacted the same way he did, however he may have been busy or preoccupied on the day!

Don't sweat it. For the most part all the R8 owners I've met are pretty nice. There are some who are up themselves though, but they can be found behind the wheel of any car badge!

 

I am quick to make first impressions but would caution against labeling someone based on a 10 second interaction- you never know what's going on in someone's life

 

regardless of r8 owners. i think majority of people are nice in this world, but there are always the lemons. personally i talk to everyone who talks to me, except when i'm in a hurry

 

Enthusiast R8 owners are probably all nice people who are also comfortable chatting unless occupied. I chat with grandmas down to drooling teenagers about the car

 

So far I have only bumped into two other R8 owners. One was a member of the local Audi chapter and was very happy to chat away. The other was a facelift owner that had very little to say except that he was selling the car LOL. I would have expected him to have said more given that at that time I did not yet have my car. Then again, I do not carry a look of exuding wealth so he may have been quick to judge.

I tend to agree that the world is full with many different types of owners. Some are social enthusiasts. Others are private enthusiasts. And no doubt there are others that are elitists who only have the car to fit their social circle and do not care about the additional camaraderie that can come with the car. As a long time member of BMW Club in both the US and Australia, affiliation with Porsche club and soon-to-be Audi Club NA member, I thoroughly enjoy crossing the different walks of life that are enthusiasts irrespective of brand. There are many great cars and stories out there. Not everyone is out to embrace it and each to their own...

 

All the owners I've met in our R8 Club have been nice.

 

Just got my first R8, and all seems friendly on here!

 

Congrats and welcome, but you can leave your first post like that. We want details

 

I have met some of the best people on earth via driving an R8. The trip that mngolfer, desperado and I did a couple of years back (four tracks three weeks) including the time at Sears Point (incorrectly known as Sonoma) was incredible. I've only met one person that was R8 related that I don't care for and he was nice at the time - just ripped me off and stole a track specific bar from me.

So, yes - most R8 owners are nice people in my eyes.

 

I come from BMW's... we have no friends. So R8 owners are definitely and improvement.

 

some are not the best unfortunately. From a long line of M3's there are a lot of angry people lol

 

i like to think i am a very nice guy in an R8...maybe even nicer than when i am a in porsche or lexus since i am self conscious it's a bit more special car and people will make certain assumptions about you
i cant say much for others though

 

You were expecting a hug? ???


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

I was expecting a kiss on the cheek.

You were expecting a hug? ������


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

A salesman once asked me what the difference was between a porcupine and a BMW, and responded with, "...with a porcupine, the pricks are on the outside..."

But in seriousness, after a long running history with M3's and an M6, I've actually met a lot of friendly bimmerphiles. maybe I was a lucky exception?

In terms of my own behavior, whether it has been a 3000GT VR-4, STI, M3, M6, 911, or R8, I have always treated every meeting with an admirer as an ad hoc car show.

I let them take pictures, see the engine, sit inside, listen to the exhaust as I rev, and generally just share in their conversations.

 

A lot of people will judge you based on your home, your car, or whatever. What separates the "nice" person from the a-hole is the interaction. I am more of a quiet person, but when it comes to cars, I will look at, admire, appreciate and talk about anything car related to anyone. More times than not, I have people approaching me about the car and I always feel humbled. I always talk to them and am very open about things, until they start asking how much the car cost me. One time, I came out of the store and two kids were taking pictures of my car, so I stood next to them and we started talking cars. One of them asked me for a ride, so I said, why not. Gave the kid a short ride, he gushed over the car, then I went back home to everyone waiting for me to return. Most of us here have similar interests, but are all very different people. The car definitely provides some common ground. I've personally spoken to a bunch of guys on this forum, all were very open and easy to talk to; good people. Even got to meet and hang out with one, a very nice day.

 

Just be thankful we don't drive Ferraris... Completely kidding! For the most part, the guys I run into are very excited to talk cars and I try to be social with anyone who asks me about the car I'm driving. I can understand it becoming overwhelming at times... My Lambos attracted insane attention and it was honestly very hard to drive them every day. The R8 is a bit more subdued but still brings people over to talk cars and ask why the engine is in the back, lol!