Close to picking up an i8, my thoughts

So I test drove an i8 today for the second time. Here are some thoughts.

Exterior Looks: wow, I mean wow. Maybe the most striking car I've ever seen in person. I don't know if every angle is beautiful but every angle is striking. I looked at a white one and, while I typically don't like white cars, I liked the white paint job a lot. I give looks a 10/10.

Interior looks/quality: looks were nothing too special, but it was very easy to operate. I'm not a fan of complicated interiors. The building quality was very, very good. Stitching all lined up. Car felt very solid. Ride was compliant, better than my 458, closer to my Bentley CGT.

Performance: Good, 8/10. I think the car is quicker than it feels. I'd floor it and be going 90-100 but feel as though I could have been going 70. The car is so well built that it just doesn't feel out of control during acceleration. I thought the car pulled harder from 50-100 than from 0-50. The steering is very precise and car felt unshakable in the corners. I did not turn off TC and didn't engage launch control which I was told makes a big difference in initial acceleration. Straight line performance felt about halfway between my Bentley CGT and my Ferrari 458. Which is a good place I think. It could use about 10-15% more performance but that's only a couple years away.

Noise: honestly, great. So much better than I was expecting. Sounded great from the outside and inside. No body could be disappointed from the sound unless you were expecting something ludicrously loud.

The car also felt pretty quick in electric mode and the transfer from electric to sport was seamless.

I'm test driving a Mercedes AMG GTS tomorrow from the same dealer family. I'll make a choice by middle of next week.

 

Did you hear that they are comming out with a convertible by the end of the year?

Joe

 

Yep, I've always been more of a coupe fan. I'll be leasing this to trade up for the refresh with more power in a couple years.

 

Well, at least you didn't misspell 'coming' with a 'u'.



Do they 'supplement' the IC engine sound with the speakers or do you hear the IC engine (3 cylinder?)?

 

Car is cool but why not nsx instead? Much more performance oriented.

 

They supplement the car inside the cabin but outside they don't and it still sounds impressive from the outside.

 

NSX's have wait lists, I don't have enough pull with an Acura dealer to get a car this year and I want it ASAP bc I have no patience. Plus i8 is a good mix of GT and super car and I think NSX has much less daily driving capability. I also have a Volvo XC90 (2016, also pls note these are my Pittsburgh cars) as my winter car/poor weather car. Also, if you haven't seen an i8 in person pls do bc it's amazing to behold.

 

OK...

Have not heard one, but have heard a Geo Metro 3 and a Triumph 3 bike... better than those, hopefully.

 

I picked one up a few months ago. I could probably wax poetic about the car for days. Initially, I just liked the looks, but it's quickly becoming my favorite modern sports car. I use it as a quasi daily driver and there is just nothing it can't do. It's fast and feels much faster than it is due to the electric motors instant torque, handles extremely well on back roads, and can sit in traffic in full electric mode in complete
Serenity. It's also not nearly as low as it appears. I've yet to bottom it out. The more time you spend with the car the more fun it is. You begin to feel like a fighter pilot working with all the different modes. I have a two hour round trip commute consisting of highway,
City and back roads. I get 45mpg. The more time you spend with it the more efficient you can be just by understanding the car. It's technology that works with you. I've put 4K miles on her since May and looking forward to many more. Below is a picture of mine that my detailer took for me.

Good luck. Feel free to PM me if I can answer any questions!

 

Im surprised by this as nsx intro had more internet hate than any car in history. Wouldve thought dealers would be having fire sales.

 

Test drove an AMG GT S today. Loved the looks, loved the sound, loved the performance. But....the car felt cramped inside and it seemed too quick and manic for terrible Pittsburgh roads and low speed limits. So i8 it is. I'm picking it up this week. Picking between white or blue. Thoughts?

 

Great choice


I vote white

 

There is so much black on the i8 that I think it looks best in hueless colors: white, grey, black.

The blue is a gorgeous color, but I think it makes the car look two-toned. In my opinion.

And I hear you about Pittsburgh streets!

Matt

 

In post 9 you say you got one in May and now have 4000 miles on it, and in post 11 you say you are picking one up this week and asking about color ?

I'm confused.....

 

I'm post #9. I picked mine up in May and put 4K on it. The OP is getting his next week.

 

If it still matters I'd go blue, because I think it suits the car better, although black is my fvorite color for the i8. I love that car, I think it's phenomenal. Congrats!

 

I loved this car. I did not love how much it depreciated. I got it early but, it still dropped about 1/3 value in one year. Be sure and drive and enjoy.
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Ooops sorry about that, just scanned thru the thread too quick I guess.

 

Me too.

If that's the case, a gently used one may be hitting my garage sometime soon...

Matt

 

Well, white looked amazing, blue looked even better. I'm picking up the car Thursday. I'm very excited. I'll post pics this weekend.

 

Are you getting it at Bobby Rahal?

Let me know if you need anything if you are.

Matt

 

Are you getting it at Bobby Rahal?

Let me know if you need anything if you are.

Matt

 

Yes I am. My dad has done business there (mostly Mercedes) for years and the service has always been tremendous. So I'm joining the Rahal family as well.

 

Dealer sent me over a sneak peak. Picking up the car tomorrow.
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I looked at these in my search for a weekend car, hard to get into/out of, hard for other drivers to see you (really low car), and I did not like the engine/motor sounds.

I've only seen two on the road, one broken down, the other one in an accident. Weird.

But they do look great!