Absolutely stunning vehicle that would be in my garage without hesitation. Even more appealing than the exterior is the interior, one of if not the world's best sports car interiors. Only Aston-Martin's DBS and certain Ferrari's are arguably any better.

M

I'd buy one of these without ever thinking twice about it. It's such a beautiful car and also it drives great. It's the best car I've ever driven, even on track. It's so well planted that it's not even funny.

I would love to say that this car is daily drivable but it's not. Not because it isn't drivable, but the fact that it's such a beautiful car you'd attract too much unneeded attention.

I would take one in a heartbeat if I had the funds, and I'm not just saying that because I'm an Audi enthusiast and have been since my teens. With the R8, Audi have proven that when they set out to do something with full conviction, they can do so at least as well as anyone else. When it was announced the naysayers were queueing up to write it off, claiming that a volume manufacturer (albeit a premium one) would be out of their depth and punching above their weight taking on the likes of Ferrari and Porsche. Now that the car has proven itself on the road and on the track - often giving the competition a bloody nose in the process - those naysayers are curiously silent. The badge snobs have been proven wrong and Audi have shown that just because they build a 1.6 A3, this doesn't mean that they cannot produce a serious 'supercar' worthy of comparison with the best. One can only imagine what a car as technologically advanced as the R8 might have cost if it hadn't have had the R&D might of a successful volume manufacturer behind it?

I understand that the order book here in the UK is full up until the end of next year, and lightly used examples are changing hands for several thousand pounds over list. One enthusiast I know was one of the first to put his name down for one, and has owned several Ferraris as well as a string of high performance Audis over recent years. He says that the R8 is the first car he's ever had that actually makes him sad when he arrives at his destination. He has the means to buy virtually anything and isn't easily impressed, and yet when his R8 arrived he virtually slept in it. The only downside to ownership in his opinion was the constant, never ending attention it attracted (as mentioned above) - something he never quite got with his Ferraris.

Looks are of course subjective, but in terms of its design I find it extremely hard to find fault with the R8. Every curve, every line makes sense and has its place. I would urge anyone who isn't quite sure but who hasn't seen the car to reserve judgement until they finally do see it in person. It's extremely difficult to describe the presence this thing has, and photos don't always do it justice. I'm a big Porsche fan and have enormous respect for their cars, but next to the R8 the various iterations of the 911 just look, well, old to me now.

When the R8 is compared to the likes of Ferrari etc., one aspect which is often overlooked is one of build quality, fit/finish etc. In my experience and opinion, this is one area in which the R8 comfortably eclipses Porsche and especially Ferrari. The latter seem rather 'fragile' to me, and owner experiences would seem to back this up. Being British, I wish I could say that Aston Martin are worthy of comparison too, alas I cannot. As for the interiors, I would echo the sentiments of many others and say that to date I haven't seen anything from Stuttgart or Maranello which measures up to the standard set by the R8.

I think the fact that Audi have achieved what they have with the R8 at their first attempt is a remarkable accomplishment, and I hope that one day I will be able to realise my dream of being able to buy one of my very own!

I made it multiple choice because I felt my options weren't listed in order; that is, one person could choose two options and still make sense.

Any reason why you would rather take a Porsche?

Excellent post. I especially agree with the part about build quality. People say they see Ferrari interiors as flamboyant and inviting, but in real life the car really is quite fragile. Not a direct example but a QP that we have constantly gives us the feeling that the gearbox would malfunction or the electronics would fail. You also kinda get the same feeling in the Aston. In the R8? Not a chance, it's a German sports car, a little like Porsche but way more modern-looking and futuristic.

The Gallardo has kinda got away though because it has an Audi-engineered interior. That's one Italian-German hybrid I can't fault.

The only car I would consider over R8 in its price range is the GT3.

Well, I respect the R8 for its technical qualities.

I saw one in person, and was deceived. The front is too Audi, the side is too long, the rear is better.
Overall, it looks like a stretched TT with a strange piece of thing in the side to mask the fact that the proportions are just wrong.

Not ugly, but put it near a Gallardo and it just vanishes.

So, the V8 is ok face to the Gallardo, less pricey, but is useless in V10 because it has no chance face to the Gallardo.

IMO, this car benefits from the Wow, nem effect, but won't last.

The 911, for me, is the king and remains the Daddy here. Like I said, everytime I see one (and there are a lot of these where I work), well, wow. That car is just perfect... The noise, the look, the image...So much emotion also... Everything is perfect. It is not flashy as a Gallardo or a Ferrari, but has infinitely more class than an R8.

I love the 911, all the 911 (except the 997 Turbo, that I don't like at all, and the 996, where I only like the GT3). The 997 is one of the very few modern cars I truly love.

Concerning the finition in a Ferrari...who cares, honestly? This is such a motor...such a beast... if the dashboard has not the best plastics, honestly...

So the R8, face to the Gallardo or 911, does not stand a chance imo. The 911 appeals to rich mens who want a sportcars that does not look too much, and to drivers loving the rear motor, noise, balance and history. The Gallardo appeals to people wanting one of the most beautiful and brutal-looking cars in the world. The Aston appeals to those who wants a stunning looking sportscars, that does not look too much, and is more on the luxurious side.

The R8 is a compromise.
Not looking like a Lambo, not classy and perfect and eternal like a 911, not luxurious and wonderfull like an Aston...
it is very good in lots of things, but everytime something is better than it.

It does not look the best, does not drive the best, does not sound the best, it is everytime "almost", "very impressive"...

it is not enough.

Very impressive car. But sounds more like a showcase, than like a legend.

So do I ...!

Well, quite honestly, such means a great deal to me. I am not one who purchases a car simply based on the merit of it's engine, especially on a car like the R8. In my book, the interior is just as important as the exterior and/or engine considering the time you're likely to spend inside of it.

I wouldn't buy a car with an interior I was less than satisfied with - be it a Ferrari or a Civic.

About the Ferrari comment. Build quality gives, perceived or otherwise, the impression that a car isn't drivable for the long term. That's an important thing to consider when choosing a sports car that you can use as a daily driver. Being a perfectionist, every time I sit in an interior that isn't well put-together, it irritates me but I'm not sure if it's the same for you. The engine may be good, the drive may be marvellous but in the long-term it's not gonna work out if it can't handle the miles flawlessly like a 911 or a R8 can.

As to the R8 being a compromise, I disagree. First and foremost the R8 drives better than any other car in its price bracket. Second, it is the only mid-engined car in its price point. And third, it gets the stares from everyone. Whether the attention is long term or not we've yet to see, but I'll bet my money it's here to stay. This car is exclusive and will remain, undoubtedly, one of Audi's best cars in the decades to come.