Ended up not buying the Ferrari but something else

Congrats!
Gorgeous car.

 

Enjoy your new car, I'm sure it's a fantastic car and incredible to drive, and in many ways, is probably better than many a Ferrari.

I genuinely hope you manage to get a Ferrari one day though because, as good as the Audi is, it will be lacking an intangible quality that only a Ferrari can provide!

It may sound like a cliché, and some romanticised nonsense to those who have never owned one, but there is something about a Ferrari that just makes it feel more special than anything else on the road, that makes it feel almost as if it's alive, as if it actually has a spirit, and seeing that prancing horse on your steering wheel will always make you smile!

It can't be put into words easily, but if you ever get to own one, then you'll know what I mean!

 

Another factor to consider that should keep the Ferrari flame glowing in your heart is the connection every new(er) Ferrari gives you with the unparalleled (except perhaps for Porsche) history of the vintage models, including racers. While the R8 is a terrific car in and of itself, beyond that there is not, at least to me, much to get fired up about. Yes, Audi has had a couple of interesting models in past years, as well as some sporadic forays into racing, but those are small cheese compared to the stellar 70-year history of Ferrari that you can see, hear, and feel at shows and national club events. Walk the field at a Ferrari Club of America national meet and you may have to take pains to not hyperventilate from the emotions--if you are a real piston head--bubbling up in your head: Le Mans; Mille Miglia; Targa Florio; Fangio; Moss; Surtees; Testa Rossa; Tour de France; GTO; P4; Daytona; 512; on and on and on. THIS is what you get with a Ferrari.

 

When I got my vintage Ferrari a while ago, I was motivated by the heritage/history of the marque as well (It is a very deep history.) and made the decision of which particular car to get because I liked its styling.

When it came time to get a newer car, I chose based upon the styling as that is what interested me for a daily driver. I could have chosen a 430 for about the same money, but I love the looks of the R8 and got that. Congrats on your new acquisition. I sure you will enjoy it. Did you get a manual?

 

Awesome! Love the R8!

 

Such a great car the R8 and a wonderful daily driver. I bought my 2011 V10 6MT for the same reason. Congrats and drive it in good health.

 

I detect an under current of regret.

 

i was so very close to pulling the trigger on the V10 R8 but then decided on the California.

The R8 was more comfortable and felt faster, but the sounds the California put out won me over.

Im sure you will love your R8

 

Nice colour, congrats and enjoy man.

 

Beautiful R8. As an owner of a 2014 V10 R8 as well I can tell you its a great car, especially as a DD. I've been recently looking into the Ferrari world and hope to someday make the jump but for now very happy with the R8.

 

The R8 is a great car and I'm sure you're going to love owning and driving it (and I suspect the service bills are quite a bit more palatable than some of the equivalent Ferrari bills too!). In fact, should you ever compare the R8 to a Ferrari, you may well feel that the R8 is the more solid, substantial car of the two (Both manufacturers achieve similar results but in very different ways).

My best advice is to take your time learning about the cars personality, and build up your confidence gradually when it comes to driving it hard and fast (track days are not a bad way to learn about how the car handles near/at the limit as tracks are [usually] more forgiving if you get it wrong than the public road).

Have fun and be safe!

 

Not a bad choice

 

Actually, it might be a better 'car'. But the Ferrari people, clubs and total experience are unmatchable.

 

Just a terrible choice.

458 leagues above what you bought and I have no idea what you mean by 'just not ready for a Ferrari as my first exotic'. The 458 is hands down incredible in terms of useability, offering large interior space and best in it's class luggage compartment for longer trips. Maintenance wise the 458 requires service every 20,000KM, what is the interval on the R8? Let's not even get into drivetrain, which is the best ever produced for a midengine chassis. 9000RPM shifts with a short geared DCT that is outrageously well setup dwarfs the dated V10/Slow-tronic found in the R8.

'German design' is more of a marketing gimmick these days absolutely no reflection on maintenance or reliability.

Your post sounds like an attempt to justify a bad decision.

 

Bro , really ? Grow up man.

 

Ak , nice rig in a very nice color man. Please post some interior shots too. All the best and don't pay attention to the haters , they have to live with themselves.

 

Congrats! Beautiful car, and a very "safe" choice in an exotic....I really wanted to lust after an R8, but could never get over the side blade thing, personally.

 

+1

Congrats on the new car AK, and I wish you good luck with it.

 

Now what was that other guy saying about the wonderful Ferrari people....LOL

 

Now this is FAR from the truth.....the value retention continues to be outstanding....I know because I keep waiting for a 6-7 year old car to hit $150k and it ain't happenng. From Winter 2015 to Winter 2016 there was absolutely no downward movement in prices.

You will suffer MUCH more depreciation in the R8 than a 458 if that was a buying priority.

I like R8s though as an exotic version of a 911 Turbo, just without the easy HP expandibility potential.

 

I like the performance of the R8, I just find the exterior design to be somewhat underwhelming. Wasn't even a consideration for me when looking for an exotic.. but I wanted a Ferrari and wasn't willing to compromise.

Nothing wrong with your choice, but the Ferrari is a whole other experience over the R8 IMO.