[ezmaass]

Disclaimer - Off Topic!

So, I've been looking for over a year at what to add to the garage that will scratch my itch for a fun car. I traded the 335 back in December and picked up the 550xi as my new daily driver, and my wife has an Audi Q5, which works well for hauling our 1-year old. But there's been a gap to fill - and I've been trying to figure out with what.

I've always been a Ferrari fan, so I looked at everything from my teenage dream car (the 355) to the 458. What I ultimately learned was that the 355, while still beautiful, is now 15 - 20 years old, and with that comes way more maintenance than I'd like. Don't get me wrong, while expensive to maintain, the cost wasn't the big detraction but rather the idea that my fun could be interrupted by having a car that visits the shop more than the open road.

I also looked at the 458, which is just an amazingly stunning car in both looks and performance. I've never been a big fan of the 360's and 430's, so the 458, to me, is a return to what I loved about the 355 - excellent proportions. However, I had a hard time imagining how I'd drive it. Well, not so much HOW but when and where. When I did the mental gymnastics of imagining ownership, I came to the conclusion that I'd really probably take it very, very few places.

I cross shopped other brands, including other cars I love such as the AM Vantage, 12C, and 911. But in the end, it was the R8 that won me over with its incredible mid-engine design (just stunningly beautiful IMO), superb performance, and best of all - driving accessibility. This is an exotic that can easily be driven wherever and whenever, which is exactly what I was after. I wanted to make sure that the car wouldn't sit in the garage waiting for the "perfect day" a few times a year, but I could take it out for a spin to the bank, a 200 mile trip to a client's office, or a night on the town. The R8 was one of few that could check all of the right boxes.

So, now I'm patiently waiting on delivery - which should hopefully be within a week or two. The car as optioned:

- 2015 R8 V10
- S-Tronic Dual-Clutch Transmission
- Brilliant Red Exterior
- Black Full Leather Interior
- Carbon Sideblades
- Carbon Trim
- Sport Exhaust
- Contrast Stitching
- Illuminated Doorsills
- I-Pod Interface

When the car gets delivered, I'll certainly post some pics and driving impressions. I'm hoping to get good use of it before the winter weather arrives - which here in CT can vary widely but hopefully late this year!

[613Bimmer]

Congrats! Can't wait to see some pics. Hope you enjoy it. By the way, did you consider the new Huracan before buying this?

[The X Men]

Congrats ezmaass, I must say I am jealous, I always wanted a R8 but could never swing it financially. You certainly right the R8 being able to use to all occasion, put on some snow tires and you can even drive it in the CT winter.

[CJPatel]

Hello, you and I seem pretty similar in our car lineups. Enjoy the R8, a few of my friends have them, and its a seamless car to drive. I've driven stock V8s, TT V8s, and one V10. Great cars.

I think you should have gone Ferrari .

[twelve535i]

GREAT car choice. Lamborghini performance, and Audi reliability. The newly redesigned transmission has made the R8 a true super car.

Wonder if it's going to be tough to get back into your daily driver on Monday after a weekend in the Audi. Not saying your 550 is a slouch, but its not V10 R8......

Are you getting an exhaust? You really can't go wrong with any of the options. The V10 makes them all sounds intoxicating.

[bkM3]

way to rub it in our faces! jk congrats on the pickup, iv seen a bunch of R8s around but never in red. cant wait until you put some pics up.

on a side note, i would get rid of your 550 (unless you need the ******* and drive the R8 full time, throw some snow tires on in the winter and its just as good if not better than the 550. i wouldnt let that thing sit in a garage for one day!

[bake]

Congrats. R8's are sweet. When I get to the point of being able to afford a "fun" car, it will be a 911 for me!

[ARC550]

Congrats! I am actually in the SAME situation. I have a 2014 550xi and I got my wife a 2014 Audi Q5 for the kid. I have a void and I think I may follow in your steps good friend!

[badblack550xi]

Damn! Congrats one of my fav super cars

[Alan l.]

Congrats! I love RED R8's. Rare and looks amazing.

Alan

[mike@x-ph.com]

Congrats!

[Bbb34]

Congratulations, very impressive - great choice.

[The Beast]

Red on carbon will look great, I take it your going for black rims to finish it off?

[Russkey]

Congrats! The only Audi I like

[ezmaass]

Originally Posted by bkM3

way to rub it in our faces! jk congrats on the pickup, iv seen a bunch of R8s around but never in red. cant wait until you put some pics up.

on a side note, i would get rid of your 550 (unless you need the ******* and drive the R8 full time, throw some snow tires on in the winter and its just as good if not better than the 550. i wouldnt let that thing sit in a garage for one day!

Yes, they're much more rare in red, but it's becoming a more popular color due to Audi using it more in recent publicity. I'm definitely going to keep the 550xi, though. I need the room from time to time for business, family, etc. Plus, there's no way I'd be comfortable driving this car in the snow - even if capable, it's quite expensive, and it's not worth the risk. I'll take it out on a clear winter day (no snow) for a run here and there just to keep it exercised.

Originally Posted by CJPatel

Hello, you and I seem pretty similar in our car lineups. Enjoy the R8, a few of my friends have them, and its a seamless car to drive. I've driven stock V8s, TT V8s, and one V10. Great cars.

I think you should have gone Ferrari .

I'm a very big fan of Ferrari. I would have bought the 458 - second choice in this case. The R8, as optioned, ran me around $191k with tax. A lightly used 458 would have been another $50k - $80k more. While not terrible, I just couldn't justify it as necessary to get the exotic experience I was after. And then I also felt I'd be even MORE cautious of where I drive the car. I really want to be able to drive the car frequently, and the 458 felt just a little too high profile for me. Plus, I think I'd be less concerned with racking more miles up on the R8 - Ferrari resale appears to be majorly depressed when the car has more than a few thousand miles a year (sad). Maybe next time.

Originally Posted by The Beast

Red on carbon will look great, I take it your going for black rims to finish it off?

No black rims. The car will have the Y/10 spoke wheels (made popular on the V10 models) in a lightly polished look.