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Coupes & Convertibles Porsche 911 Article Comments - 2008 Audi R8 vs. 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo
25 messages, Last post on Jan 25, 2008 at 5:13 PM
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Article comments for Comparison Test: 2008 Audi R8 vs. 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo - Aside from their six-figure price tags, no two cars could be more different than the new 2008 Audi R8 and the 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo. And yet here we are at the drag strip of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway with a shiny, new example of each. (more)
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Check out the comparison! Do you agree/disagree? Comparison Test: 2008 Audi R8 vs. 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo |
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I have driven the R8 in Las Vegas and owned 911's. Each car has its distinct advantages and disadvantages which should make choosing one easy. The Porsche is the better bargain (hard to imagine)since, from a performance comparison, the 911 C4S is the more relevant competitor. The Porsche can be outfitted with a more special interior (the R8 is nice but generic Audi). The Porsche is more fuel efficient. The Porsche engine sounds better from the driver's seat. The Porsche has better visibility than the Audi. The Audi is the latest, greatest and for some, that will tip the scale in its favor. The ride quality is outstanding for a sports car and is much more agreeable as a daily driver. The handling is more forgiving. The brake feel on the R8 is outstanding while the 911 brakes require a lot of effort to engage. If I had to choose which to own for five years, I would probably lean towards the Porsche. However, if I have the opportunity to acquire an R8, I would definitely jump at the chance.
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Maybe sounds a bit strange, but the Cayman is Porsche's mid engine offering, while the 911 is rear engine. Performance-wise, the Cayman absolutely destroys the R8 on the skidpad (.98 vs .96), slalom (72.2 vs 69.2) and braking (106 vs 115). The Audi is .4 sec quicker in the quarter mile. Imagine how great the Cayman would be if it got a power boost - would never happen as it will then steal 911 sales. Oh yeah, it is half the cost of the R8. Pose factor? R8 wins hands down.
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Replying to: desmolicious (Mar 13, 2007 11:39 am) Pull a 911 Turbo and a R8 up to the valet curb, and most everbody's jaw will drop and go for the R8. It's that stunning of a car in person. Considering the heritage for Porsche and how long the 911 has been out, the R8 is an incredible car for Audi and will do wonders for their image and prestige, especially in the US market.
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Replying to: rjlaero (Mar 13, 2007 1:52 pm) |
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Replying to: rjlaero (Mar 13, 2007 1:52 pm) Beauty is clearly in the eye of the beholder. That said, IMO the Audi is NOT what I would ever consider a good looking car. The exterior looks like it was designed by a uncooperative committee of young CAD dependent computer geeks and old farts who spent their youth playing Rock em Sock em Robots. Having as much "presence" as the over the top "fast and furious" Lamborghini models of late may be a quality some admire. Not me. And the Audi design doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of ever being as classy, beautiful or enduring as anything that came out of Ferrari, even on Enzo's worst days. If you really want to have "presence" - and world class performance - save your $120k, borrow or steal another $50k and buy a Ferrari 430 coupe. You'll make big money on the resale. Or, if you really want to have exquisite creature comforts in a 2 seater, buy the much better looking Aston Martin V8. Or if you really like the discombobulated look, save $45-65k and get a Lotus Exige or Dodge Viper if that's your cup of tea. But $120k+ for the Audi is, IMHO, a horrible waste of money for an ugly car with mediocre performance (by $100k+ sports car standards). Like I said, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I respect that some may see it in the R8, just not me.
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Replying to: habitat1 (Mar 13, 2007 6:19 pm)
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Replying to: rjlaero (Mar 15, 2007 4:58 am) Performance isn't my objection as much as looks. The Audi looks like a Cadillac designer snuck a few lines in the CAD system. Just not for me. And I really don't get the suggestion that the Audi is a better daily driver than a 911. I've logged 12,400 miles in my 911S Cab over the past 17 months, during which time i've only put 3,000 miles on my Acura TL 6-speed. And my duaghters have logged more miles in the back seat of my 911 than 95% of drivers would put on an R8. Again, haven't been in one, but sitting in a Lambo or even the much better Ferrari 430, the visability sucks, it's two seats, and the maneuverability around town is tough. My daughters refer to our 911 as the "family car". Maybe Edmunds should interview them the next time.
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Replying to: habitat1 (Mar 15, 2007 10:56 am) I don't see any Caddy in the R8 lines. I think if you took a staw sample of 100 people, 95 would say the R8 is a drop dead gorgeous car. But you'll never please everybody on styling.
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Replying to: rjlaero (Mar 15, 2007 11:49 am) I think your pricing on the 911 coupe is a little pessimistic. My new 2005 911S Cabriolet carried an MSRP of $102.8k and I got it for $92k even as the 2006's were heading over on the boat. It had $13k worth of options that included more items (sport exhaust, aluminum sill plates, etc.) than I would have ordered, but because of the great discount, I took them. The base MSRP for a 2007 911 Coupe is $72,400, the 911S Coupe is $82,600. Even with $10,000 worth of options and a pretty average $5k discount, you would be at $78k +/- for a 911 coupe and $10,000 more for an "S" model. Or less, since the S already includes some standard features not found on the base car (Xenons, 19" wheels, etc.) in addition to the bigger engine. I'm not trying to sell anyone on the 911. But from a performance standpoint, it will match or beat the Audi for about $35k less (going with an "S" model), and give you room to pop your kids in the back, if you have them. If I was intent on getting a 2 seat sports car with power and looks that are beyond compare, the Ferrari 430 for $50k more than the Audi is just light years ahead of it. In all respects: looks (IMO), performance, prestige (if that matters), heritage. I have no doubt that the R8 will sell, as looks are subjective and there is always somebody that wants to be "different". But in this case, I don't personally think different is better. |
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