Cayman S Audi R8 Conundrum

**Cold Croc** · #1 (**permalink**) 04-07-2008, 12:03 AM

15 months ago I put down a deposit for an Audi R8...got a call while I was out of town 2 weeks ago saying I needed to come in immediately and select colors/ options.

Wahoo!!!!!

I sent the sales guy an email ...explained I was out of town and it would be a week before I could get in.... so he asked me to do it by email/fax or they'd have to jump me for the next guy in line...

Now mind you, I've never seen an R8 up close in real life, although a year ago I asked my salesman to call me when they got one in for those ahead of me in line so I can see one and better judge colors, etc...well, not a word from him until now.

So they jumped me, 'cause I didn't make my selection in time (48 hrs??) , and maybe now I'll have another chance in 3 months according to the Audi folks.

My conundrum: having now owned a Cayman S for 9 months, will the R8, at $120-130K ish out the door really be worth 2+ times what I paid for the CS ($58K)? Additionally insurance will be a lot more....more than 2x...and the R8 has a very ugly environmental foot print re: MPG... Last review I read indicated the authors had a tough time hitting double digits... which at $4+ per gallon becomes significant.

I've owned 4 Audis over the years (for the wife) as well as my 5 Porsches and respect both brands, but I don't feel the Audi groups share the same camaraderie as this one.

I'm really, really, really happy with the Cayman S and bought it on an impulse, (although I've desired one for some time) even though I knew the R8 would eventually knock on my door.

So......what do I do? Having both cars is not an option because my wife told me so, and she is usually right about these things...

...and at 59 yrs of age, I'm too old to be looking for a new wife...

as tempting as it may be...

**esaam ismail** · #2 (**permalink**) 04-07-2008, 12:12 AM

to really decide if the the R8 is the worth the money and giving up the cayman you have to test drive the car. i know this is practically impossible through the dealer. my only idea is to have the dealer call some of the nicer past customers of the r8 and see if they will let you take it for a drive (with them in the car). also, there has to be one used r8 in calif for sale. find it and test it. i would not pull the trigger without a test drive.

markstudy · #3 (**permalink**) 04-07-2008, 12:14 AM

I've seen them a few times.

1st time I saw one, I didn't like it (grey/black stipe... didn't do much for the car)

2nd time I saw silver and black pictured below ... car looked really good.

I just don't like Audi's low production numbers, and the games that go with it. Either build the car in numbers like the Cayman so we can drive them.... or you end up with list, and flippers, and no car for months or years

**suneet** · #4 (**permalink**) 04-07-2008, 12:16 AM

You know the R8 doesn't really do it for me, except for in white, when I think the all the black trim contrasts really well. And I think I'd rather whip my Cayman around in the back roads or at a track than an R8. But if you admire your cars more from the outside than in the drivers seat, I think it would be worth trading up to the R8. I'm sure in real life the R8 is a very capable drivers car, I don't doubt that; but it seems almost too pricey to do some of things I do with my Cayman. Plus I daily drive my Cayman and take it on several long road trips per year, which I don't think I could do in the R8.

- Suneet

**Papa in Austin** · #5 (**permalink**) 04-07-2008, 01:28 AM

How will you feel if the next year's R8 comes with a V12 TDI that has 500hp?
or would you rather have a Cayman RS?
there's always something better down the line
don't really know much about the R8 but actually saw one about a month ago get on the interstate behind me (wasn't in the Cayman), R8 was really small looking
so, happened to stop by Porsche dealer later that morning and they commented about how early R8 owners would be upset if Audi comes out with the R8 TDI

kinda reminds me of Cayman owners when the Boxster got the same engine as the Cayman
get your R8 and you'll have exclusivity, but how long will it last?

**Chris S** · #6 (**permalink**) 04-07-2008, 02:52 AM

The R8 seems like a "Super Cayman" from what I've read, so I doubt you'd be disappointed as long as you get the 6 sp. manual and understand/accept the increased ownership costs.

I think it's a beautiful, well-done car, but I'm happy enough w/ what I have.

**filahebe** · #7 (**permalink**) 04-07-2008, 03:02 AM

Just remember....you have a pretty good problem on your hands. They are quite different cars after all. It sounds like you might have gotten really excited about the R8 when you put the order down but since then your not so sure anymore (I could be wrong). I'm sure you'll find plenty to like about the R8. It will have more of the WOW factor as well. I've seen a R8 a couple of times and they are really nice. Like I said, you have a good problem on your hands.

jonathan · #8 (**permalink**) 04-07-2008, 03:15 AM

I saw an R8 yesterday parked on the street and I had a good chance to look it over. I thought it looked great! Read the reviews. One of the reputable motoring mags declared it to be the best handling car you can buy today. And they said the engine sound is intoxicating. I just learned that one of my friends ordered one. I don't see how you can go wrong. If I could afford it I would definitely own it!

**Bodhii** · #9 (**permalink**) 04-07-2008, 03:41 AM

I'm quite lucky at the moment. I have no brand loyalties to any car maker. I've loved Shelby Sunbeam Tigers, old Porsche 911's, Renault Alpines, an MR2 and a Nissan 300 ZX turbo. Right now I have both a supercharged Porsche CS, and a brand new Audi R8. I completely lucked into the R8. I first asked about the R8 at our nearest Audi dealer in December. This dealer is in a small western city, without too many sports car people, and I took delivery of my R8 just a few weeks ago. ( the waiting time for a new R8 is usually over 2 yrs.!) As the dealership advertises, they sold the R8 to me MSRP, and without the usual R8 mandatory buy-back contract. Other dealers were offering them > $24,000 over their dealer cost for this car. So I am completely amazed that I got the car, which was spot on as to my own conifg ideas, ( except for no iPod player ).

Anyway, the prices for the R8 are crazy. I can sell it tomorrow for $50,000 over the MSRP that I paid. I have just finished the recommended break in, and I start tracking it next week at a special Audi track session in Utah. I know I can put a few thousand miles on it, and then sell it and still make an easy small profit on it.. Certainly enough to cover the cost of the insurance, taxes and investment opportunity costs.

My plan is to try both cars for a few months, and then decide which to keep and which to sell. To be honest, for me, and for most true high performance motorsport lovers, the Porsche CS is more of a fancy "kit" car. The CS comes stock with only some very great and pleasant suggestions of its actual potential. But it is totally up to the individual owner to pursue the journey for their ultimate CS. This reality is probably the main reason that the CS has this most wonderful CC forum and support group. ( BTW, the best R8 forum is a complete joke ). ... As it is, my supercharged CS is much faster than the R8,.. and my thinking is that my supercharged CS will actually equal or even best the R8 as to being my preferred car.

The mid-engine, all wheel drive, Audi R8 comes much more complete in almost all ways than the Porsche CS. ( and thus the addition expense?) It is faster and quicker with 420 HP, and its also heavier... It is much more refined. The luxurious cockpit area is so spacious in comparison, and much easier to live in hour after hour. But this mid-engine car does feel a little bigger and wider than the CS. The R8 does corner so well!.. but NOT with the scalpel like sensitivity and clarity of the CS. It is a mid engine car, and it feels 100X better than any 911 ever made at cornering. Just not quite as perfect as the CS. ...The R8 is so quiet and tame as a normal street car. Maybe even easier to drive than a stock CS as a daily driver. And when driven fast, the R8 doesn't seem quite so physically aggressive as the CS. The R8 is way faster, and with more deep exhaust growl, but it is so easy to handle and control!. Also Audi Corp. has a great owner's support system and an 'after sales' program especially for the R8. All in all, the Audi R8 is one of the all time Best Ever!

The worst ( best?) thing about the R8 is the attention. The R8 looks so much better in real life than in any fotos. Luckily I live just outside of a famous western ski resort town that is very comfortable with higher end everything. But even here I get people following me for miles just to get a pic of the car, or to ask me questions. However most of the time I have nothing but great beautiful open uncongested winding mountain hiways to drive through...(Almost completely without the speed police!) Luckily, for about 8 months a year, I live in a sports car driving paradise.

Right now my CS is down south awaiting the spring thaw. ( Yes,.. here we still have freezing winter temps, and great skiing! What a crazy spring!) I hope to be reunited with the CS after next weekend's track days with Audi. Within the month I should have both cars ready for same day track comparisons. I'm excited that it looks like I can have interchangeable track wheels /tires for the CS and R8! I will save my judgment for that time, and I will then pass my thoughts on to those who may be interested.

Cold Croc, if you get a chance to buy any R8 for near MSRP, do it! You will always be able to sell it for profit after some super, super fun. Audi is not going to mass produce these cars, and there are fewer and fewer R8's going to USA due to USD values. The demand will remain crazy high. It's a great, great car.

.

Sammy_G · #10 (**permalink**) 04-07-2008, 04:54 AM

I have driven the R8 for about 10 Laps on Firebird raceway in Az. and rode with a driver who was MUCH better than me and I have to say I was VERY impressed, the cayman, SLK, new TT, Z4, DB9 and 911 were all on the list of cars to drive and I think the R8 puts the blend of sports car and comfort perfect. If I had the chance to get an R8 over a Cayman S I would in the drop of a hat jump on the car. The R8 is a beautiful beast to drive and enjoy!!! Good luck with your decision but personaly I would jump and the idea of an R8

Heres the one I got to drive!! sorry for the bad pic, phone camera

**arctic993** · #11 (**permalink**) 04-07-2008, 06:28 AM

I was lucky enough to spend an afternoon with an R8 including some track time. As a CS and 911 owner, I was very very impressed with the R8...it is civilized when needed and an amazingly trackable car when you push it. Yes, the premiums are absolutely stupid but if you have a chance to get it w/o getting gouged take it, drive it, and if you don't like it...sell it and buy another CS down the road. Who knows...by that time, they might even have a Cayman RS....er....maybe. Either way, it's great to be in a position in life where you have a dilemna like this to ponder over...cheers!

**caySman** · #12 (**permalink**) 04-07-2008, 06:36 AM

i've driven both and the 2 cars are very different.

The R8 is a much more sophisticated car, and the suspension is magical - the car sucks to the ground during cornering and it is an easy car to drive very very fast. The suspension compliance is such that on mountain roads, 1G cornering is easy to achieve without any scary feeling whatsoever.

However, the R8 steering is uncommunicative, the engine is almost silent and the exhaust note uninspiring from the inside. It is so sophisticated that you feel that the car could drive by itself. Not to mention the weight of the R8 is definitely apparent to the driver at all times.

The Cayman is to its credit much more involving machine though less sophisticated.

If anybody were to GIVE me a car free of charge, which I cannot sell for 3 years, thereafter I would have to return it - and that is the only car I could drive for 3 years - I would take the Cayman.