2008 Audi R8 (6-speed, 5k miles) or 2004 Ferrari 575M (F1, 11k miles)

This is a 575 section so by definition the R8 is a mass produced POS and I do not believe they cost less than a 430

All cars depreciate and cost money to run

They are two very different cars but only one is more boring than your Porsche

 

Very nice post. Obviously you have never driven an R8. Those of us that have and own them disagree with you.
Also, you need to check your productions stats. There have been around 6,000 R8s produced by Audi. Ferrari has produced 9275 430s.


BTW , I traded in a 2006 C4 Cab on the R8. I loved the Porsche but agree with you on the excitement . Go drive a R8, they are truly amazing.

 

R8 6 spd hands down. Best handling high performance sports car I've had the privilege of having many weeks of seat time in.

 

Since you asked for opinions

Here are mine:

I suspect the Audi would be less to maintain. I would also by far prefer a manual transmission car. I know a lot of people like the F1, but personally I will never own a Ferrari of that vintage with F1 (my 360 is manual). Anyway, I think you need to drive the 575 F1 - maybe you will love the F1.

Aren't the two somewhat different cars? 575 is a GT, while the Audi is more of a sports car, and probably compares better to the 430.

Try drive both and see what you like better. Oh, and I don't think either is a good investment, and don't buy based on expected favorable response from women. Buy it for the driving experience.

Just my opinion, of course,
Jes

 

Do you want a Ferrari or an Audi?

 

I have had both an R8 and a 575M.

For the R8, if you want to get some road feel and excitement out of it you can put on some H&R springs. All reports are that this will really tighten it up and bring it to life.

The R8 will hold value better, be less expensive to maintain, and is a phenomenal daily driver. Maybe the best daily driver out there.

The 575M is Italian. Passion, timeless style, hand made. There is no substitute for a 12 cylinder front engined GT.

Neither of these cars is an investment. They are expenses. In terms of what the general public prefer, for most people here that is not important. It's what we as drivers prefer.

 

+1 thats what it really boils down to. I couldnt care the R8 may be more capable but opening the garage and seeing a Ferrari there would excite me much more than seeing a nice Audi.

 

AWD and best handling doesn't compute....

 

When you use words like "wow factor", "mojo", "sexier", and "more exotic", I get the sense you're not overly interested in the car's daily driving characteristics or how good of a long-drive GT car it is.
I'm thinking you're mostly looking for the car's "swagger factor" as it is seen going down the road or pulling up to park at an event, club, hotel, or restaurant.

A Ferrari has a lot more swagger going for it than an Audi, even an R8 Audi.
And these days, the mid-engine Ferraris are more recognized by the public at large than the front-engine ones.

So, the best car for your criteria is a new Ferrari 458 Italia. It will make the kind of "wow factor" impression you're looking for.
The reaction people have to it is probably similar to what would happen if you drove up with Carmen Electra in the passenger seat.

The next best car would be the Ferrari 430. It is highly recognizable by the public at large and exudes sleek design and driving performance.

 

+1 Sounds like your primary goal is to be seen and get attention.

The 575 is a lot less flashier and wont grab attention like the R8, but its a great car. The R8 is an all weather car like your TT, but its much more in your face and gets noticed easily.

 

better investment ?

neither.

 

buy the R8. the 575 is ten year old technology. i don't think you can compare. the R8 likely does everything better. you'll lose your ass on a R8 - but that's the case with most news cars.

 

If you have to ask the question, buy the R8.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Sounds like the R8 is definitely the right choice. Get the V10 model if you can, its much more fun to drive and doesnt drone with an exhaust on it.

 

Is a Lamborghini Gallardo a good alternative to an Audi R8?
They share a lot of technology and the Gallardo is also AWD.
I'm thinking for the "wow factor" the Lambo would be the better pick.

BTW, porsche911tt, what part of the country do you live in?
.
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I drove both transmission models of the Gallardo and the R8. I love both of them but for me the R8 was a lot more fun to drive- just my opinion.
The only down side is, my wife would never be seen in a Lambo, but she is now driving the R8 as her daily driver and loves it. Not sure this is a good thing.
As usual, I am demoted and driving the family suv.

 

....but I can't see myself driving something so unattractive. It make be fantastic but it just doesn't please my eye.

 

If you want a warranty and newer technology you should seriously consider the 430. You will get all the performance you will ever need and it will allow you to have the Ferrari you have always wanted. The R8 is a fantastic car but I think like your turbo it will lose it's mojo after a while. The 430 or any Ferrari for that matter doesn't lose it's mojo. But between the 2 cars you specified, the R8 is for you.

 

Bob- I just do not see shopping a 575M and an R8. About the only similarity is they are both GT cars. The R8 is in no way comparable to an F430, which is a real sports car.

The R8 actually looks a lot better in person than it does in photos, but no, it is not pretty like a Maranello.

Which car does the general public prefer? Give me a break.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

The R8 uses a Lamborghini Gallardo chassis, suspension and driveline. Gallardo's came out in 2003, making the R8 only 8 years old technology. The 575 came out in 2002, so the oldest is now 9 years down.

Oh and I didn't even get into the VW switches and controls they use on the R8.

R8's depreciate like a led boot because they are mass manufactured, plain, and mundane. nothing bad but nothing special. Ever sat inside a 575 and noticed how gorgeous the interior is?

 

For me, the 575 is the nicest looking GT V12 car out there......a true gentlemans sports car. This is only my opinion though.
The R8's don't have any appeal and lack character for me.

 

A 2004 to 2006 Gallardo is in the same price range as the R8 and 575 and certainly has the swagger factor--really over the top, along with tremendous acceleration. Cheaper than a Ferrari to maintain.

However, in the time I've spent behind the wheel, the interior feels closed in and can't match the 575M for its special classy feel and the sense of participating in an event every time you drive. Also I feel, at my age, I'd look a little silly in a Gallardo.

 

I understand all that but for me, I need something that excites me visually if I'm going for an exotic. Exotic ownership is more than merely numbers. Its emotional.