CAR WARS! $120K Face OFF - WHICH Sports Car Would YOU Get? Audi R8 vs. Porsche 911 Carrera S

Porsche ... No question.
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— TauronB2G (View Profile)

Posted on 10/25/2012 10:07:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

I wouldn't mind either, but if, and only if, I really had to pick one, I would probably take the R8 just because its a little rarer, although I am quite sure I will kick myself in the end.

The Porsche is the logical choice, but the Audi is the emotional choice for me...

— ThierryHenry14 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/25/2012 11:08:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

At the TOP of my lungs...AUDI R8!

001

— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/26/2012 12:13:33 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

Since the Porsche being asked isn't a turbo, R8 all day long... White with carbon fiber fin's please....

— Doukas (View Profile)

Posted on 10/26/2012 12:39:27 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

That was the decision I had to make and I chose the R8 (V10 spyder manual transmission, sepang blue). I had a 991 on order, but after driving both I found the Porsche with PDK boring and the R8 absolutely intoxicating. The Porsche is technically excellent, but the R8 grabbed me in the way no Porsche has ever done.

— pcar4evr (View Profile)

Posted on 10/26/2012 2:48:59 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

If you care most about the driving experience its the Porsche. If you care more about how you look driving up to your highschool reunion its the R8.

— PUGPROUD (View Profile)

Posted on 10/26/2012 7:33:25 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7   

If it was my money I would take the Carrara S it’s a much nicer driving machine and is superior dynamically...I mean the Carrara S with 400hp laps the ring 5 seconds faster than a R8 V10 with 525hp!! Plus I love how Porsches are much more customizable out of the factory.

The most exotic looking German car on the market today is the Mercedes SLS, its presence is unrivaled.

— Phantom4 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/26/2012 9:28:13 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

It is so funny that people spew lap times on the ring or that it goes from 100-150 faster...blah, blah, blah! Both cars are fantastic and I have driven them both on the street and the track and yes the 911 is a little more dynamic. For my money; 95% street driving and 5% track time, the R8 is the better car. You can't go wrong either way!

— gwoodman27 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/26/2012 9:43:41 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Personally I would not buy a car that has hey look at me styling, that’s a big turnoff in my book. The 911 is a timeless proven design that is more low key than other exotics with similar performance. The 911 4S would be the perfect daily driver!

— DeutschlandV8 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/26/2012 10:17:51 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

the R8 is definitely way more than $120k.

— 2ndbimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 10/26/2012 10:21:33 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

R8 V8 Manual starts at $118,450 with gas guzzler tax and transportation.

— gwoodman27 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/26/2012 10:49:56 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Some more comments:

Funny thing to me is that Porsche owners decried the GTR when it first appeared because of the electronic driver aids that made it so potent. Now the 991 is out with an entire alphabet of electronic driving aids - PDK, active roll bars, electronic steering, torque vectoring etc etc. The net result is that it has lost the inherent 911 driving character that I loved so much. The steering doesn't feel like a 911 any more. The PDCC active roll bars cause the car to understeer more than any 911 before. Is it a better car? Yes and no. To me it looks like a 911, but doesn't feel like one (I've owned 14 911's). With PDK and less sensitive steering, I found it boring for street driving.
2) Actually the current V10 R8 and the 991 PDK equipped with all its electronic goodies have the same 'ring lap time, if you're into that sort of thing. But the r8 is a few years old and is still hampered by the slower shifting R-tronic transmission. When the S-tronic 2013 R8 V10 is tested, it will certainly be faster than the current car. I could care less, though, because I'll be buying manual transmissions until there are no more to buy.
3) Anyone who thinks that the R8 is all show and no go hasn't had the pleasure of driving one. Though not as quick, it is far more fun to drive on the street than the 997 turbos I've owned over the last few years.
4) As far as price. With the discounting finally available on the R8 and the newer 991 not being discounted much at all, the price of a nicely equipped 991 C4S cab is not too far from what I paid for the R8 V10 spyder.
5) The attention you receive driving a R8 is not the same as when you drive a Lambo or Ferrari. Everyone I've met have told me how much they love the R8 and I think they find Audi drivers more approachable. It really has been a pleasant experience - I haven't met a "hater" yet.

— pcar4evr (View Profile)

Posted on 10/26/2012 11:18:42 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

It's a hard one. The R8 has the exterior looks for sure. While the new 991 looks better than it did it still looks a bit pedestrian next to the R8.The performance of these cars are very similar. I think than it's about how it makes you feel while driving them. One thing for me that says it a cool sports car is how the engine sounds. The R8 has a nice classic V8 burble(like a muscle car but more cultured with a higher rev limit). The 911, on the other hand has an engine that sounds like a musical instrument, especially when you get the revs up).With the optional sport exhaust the sound seems to really fill the cabin.It really sounds special to me.The interior also seems beautifully put together. As for the steering it probably only comes into play on the negative if you've owned a lot of Porsches. For anyone else the steering would probably be fine. I'd take the Porsche.

— mini22 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/26/2012 11:29:40 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Well, how about an $85k base 911 sans PDK, sans active suspension management, sans AWD in the 4 or 4S, sans most of the incredibly expensive options, with 350 HP? I have a 2011 911 Carerra 997 with the 6 speed manual, the base seats, and less than a handful of options. Spent less than 80k. I have priced a 2013 991 and it would probably cost $85k-$90k depending on your discount.

The car is extremely rewarding to drive, even if I can only drive it 85-90 while avoiding most policy attention. The car will teach you how to drive properly. If I miss the apex on a big sweeping turn on the interstate going 80MPH, I feel it. If I hit the apex perfectly, the car rewards me with a big happy smile. On the car. On my face.

One of these days, once it's out of warranty, I'll have to take it to the track and learn to drive it at a little faster pace.

— vogeygolf (View Profile)

Posted on 10/26/2012 12:00:01 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Phantom wrote:

"I believe the site fastlaps shows the 991 S is around 5 sec quicker than the V10, but the 911 is still 125hp down on the R8 V10, and is "only" rwd!! Plus the 911 is $59K less than the V10, and $25K less than the V8. I understand you do not care about lap times, but his demonstrates the 911 is a much better performing package, at a much lower price."

They both currently do the 'ring at 7:40 and quite frankly if it's price/performance you are looking for, they both suck compared to the GTR or Z06 'vette. There is no comparison, IMO, in the driving experience, which is why the easy choice (for me) was the Audi

— pcar4evr (View Profile)

Posted on 10/26/2012 1:06:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

If you like or need to modify your car, Porsche is the way to go. Audi has taken a hard line with any modifications when it comes to warranty. Porsche on the other hand seems to expect you to modify the car and is more forgiving. They seem to understand that the end customer may need to car setup for the track, for AutoX or just for the street.
If you are stretched to buy the car and cost of ownership matters - - - Porsche again wins hands down.

— Terry989 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/26/2012 3:16:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Neither! I would purchase the Nissan GT-R super car. It blows both of these German cars off the road at a far lower price point.

— skytop (View Profile)

Posted on 10/26/2012 11:06:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

no contest: porsche. it's the better performer, classic good looks. and, well, it's a porsche.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/27/2012 3:16:01 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1