R8 replacement help
Discussion
maz8062 said:
I always find these types of threads funny. How does one go from a Lamborghini derived V10 mated to a manual box to a 4 pot Alpine, Elise, Exige or whatever? You’ll be taking a huge step backwards so what’s the point really?
Practically every car is too fast for the road in 2024 but not all of them have a V10. The only car I can think of that would be remotely any good would be a V8 R8 or a Porsche.
Nobles are interesting but they’re £50k and a massive step back from your R8. Ditto a TVR.
The best of the suggestions so far in my view would be a GTR but they’re not a manual and are very fast, too fast by your metrices.
Or…
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404028...
Depends what step back means to him, in terms of pace most things will be a step back but in terms of involvement and feel it's not that hard to better an R8. Practically every car is too fast for the road in 2024 but not all of them have a V10. The only car I can think of that would be remotely any good would be a V8 R8 or a Porsche.
Nobles are interesting but they’re £50k and a massive step back from your R8. Ditto a TVR.
The best of the suggestions so far in my view would be a GTR but they’re not a manual and are very fast, too fast by your metrices.
Or…
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404028...
As mentioned, a GTR does not solve his issues.
I guess that’s the point of threads like these, and forums generally though isn’t it?
I’ve owned quite a few cars but have nowhere near the experience of the collective on Pistonheads.
The R8 was my first really expensive car and as far as I can tell, is the true supercar experience. It’s ticked a box for sure.
However, it’s isn’t fully giving me the experience I’m looking for. I’m sure it would be faster and more capable than anything I’m considering in outright terms but what I want is something more hardcore, more raw, more of an experience, a bit more edgy. Dare I say it, more fun.
A GTR just isn’t for me. I’ve never wanted one and I suspect it would be further from what I’m looking for than the R8, albeit probably “faster”.
I guess as I’ve got a bit older I’ve decided it isn’t about the badge, or the stats on paper, it’s about what I enjoy.
So maybe the post is pointless! Maybe I just need to work it out for myself.
I’ve owned quite a few cars but have nowhere near the experience of the collective on Pistonheads.
The R8 was my first really expensive car and as far as I can tell, is the true supercar experience. It’s ticked a box for sure.
However, it’s isn’t fully giving me the experience I’m looking for. I’m sure it would be faster and more capable than anything I’m considering in outright terms but what I want is something more hardcore, more raw, more of an experience, a bit more edgy. Dare I say it, more fun.
A GTR just isn’t for me. I’ve never wanted one and I suspect it would be further from what I’m looking for than the R8, albeit probably “faster”.
I guess as I’ve got a bit older I’ve decided it isn’t about the badge, or the stats on paper, it’s about what I enjoy.
So maybe the post is pointless! Maybe I just need to work it out for myself.
maz8062 said:
I always find these types of threads funny. How does one go from a Lamborghini derived V10 mated to a manual box to a 4 pot Alpine, Elise, Exige or whatever? You’ll be taking a huge step backwards so what’s the point really?
Practically every car is too fast for the road in 2024 but not all of them have a V10. The only car I can think of that would be remotely any good would be a V8 R8 or a Porsche.
Nobles are interesting but they’re £50k and a massive step back from your R8. Ditto a TVR.
The best of the suggestions so far in my view would be a GTR but they’re not a manual and are very fast, too fast by your metrices.
Or…
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404028...
I suppose it's the difference between basing car choices on stats and perception versus actual use case. On paper the R8 manual V10 is a dream, but OP just isn't finding it scratches the itch. Just because a car has a "lesser" engine doesn't mean he won't find it to be a more engaging driver experience. Practically every car is too fast for the road in 2024 but not all of them have a V10. The only car I can think of that would be remotely any good would be a V8 R8 or a Porsche.
Nobles are interesting but they’re £50k and a massive step back from your R8. Ditto a TVR.
The best of the suggestions so far in my view would be a GTR but they’re not a manual and are very fast, too fast by your metrices.
Or…
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404028...
Edited by Wheel Turned Out on Sunday 23 June 15:35
I've done the TVR thing in a Tamora, absolutely not a thrash it car. Barge like handling. Ok in a straight line, but dull.
I've done the caterham thing, too, fabulous if you get on with them. Not right from a budget pov, but my best handling and responsive road car was a 996GT3RS. Absolutely sublime!
I've done the caterham thing, too, fabulous if you get on with them. Not right from a budget pov, but my best handling and responsive road car was a 996GT3RS. Absolutely sublime!
BertBert said:
I've done the TVR thing in a Tamora, absolutely not a thrash it car. Barge like handling. Ok in a straight line, but dull.
I've done the caterham thing, too, fabulous if you get on with them. Not right from a budget pov, but my best handling and responsive road car was a 996GT3RS. Absolutely sublime!
I think a 996 GT3RS would do what I want and would definitely be on the list if budget was there. But without budget constraint I think I’d be buying an F40 I've done the caterham thing, too, fabulous if you get on with them. Not right from a budget pov, but my best handling and responsive road car was a 996GT3RS. Absolutely sublime!
Even though both aren’t much slower than the R8 😂
So the thing is not how fast it goes, but hiow it responds. Talking about road cars of course.
The thing about the GT3RS is that it was fabulously fast, but you didn't need to drive it fast to enjoy it. The responsiveness to controls, the ability to change direction, do what you wanted was exquisite.
Even driving off the drive was an event!
Chucking around a roundabout was astonishingly brilliant.
The thing about the GT3RS is that it was fabulously fast, but you didn't need to drive it fast to enjoy it. The responsiveness to controls, the ability to change direction, do what you wanted was exquisite.
Even driving off the drive was an event!
Chucking around a roundabout was astonishingly brilliant.
Go have a shot of a mini cooper works.
I got rid of a b8 RS4 and bought a tiguan just as a sensible replacement.
We bought a JCW mini ( proper 3 door) to replace a fiesta and the mini is just so much fun.
Quick and nimble on smaller roads without hitting massive speeds.
Sticks a smile on yer face
I got rid of a b8 RS4 and bought a tiguan just as a sensible replacement.
We bought a JCW mini ( proper 3 door) to replace a fiesta and the mini is just so much fun.
Quick and nimble on smaller roads without hitting massive speeds.
Sticks a smile on yer face
Really like these
https://lpcars.co.uk/product/maserati-granturismo-...
Not sure what year it is but there is one drives past our office and the sound/ noise is impressive
https://lpcars.co.uk/product/maserati-granturismo-...
Not sure what year it is but there is one drives past our office and the sound/ noise is impressive
I have recently been playing around with similar budgets and research, and it seems that what you and most of us are craving is a special car with a usable performance window.
My 2 pence: (hear me out on the Gran Turismo (GT7) comments I am living abroad at the moment and only now in a position to start buying some of my dream cars)
987 Spyder or Cayman R - somewhat practical - raw but suited to road use - balanced - usable performance window - limited run so should hold value well similar to your R8 manual - sounds amazing - in GT7 the 981 GT4 and the 996 GT3 both perform and feel similar so maybe this is the budget option to what was suggested by another user
S2000 - Screaming engine - on-the-edge handling - plenty of customisation options if you are that way inclined - low mile examples holding value well - timeless looks - reliable
S2 Elise/Exige - solid choice but very much a one-purpose car - my worry is that I couldn't live with it and would have to concentrate all the time so my get tiered - Passengers probably wouldn't enjoy it the same
Tuscan - Raw - big sound - some special colour interior options - They should hold their value well and potentially go up now that they are starting to be allowed into the US (25-year rule) and desirable to the gran turismo generation like me - my GT7 testing has it perform similarly the Vantage S but with a bit more lary handling
The TVR is probably the only one. I think both petrolheads and the general public would notice. I have only ever seen a few in the wild, and I remember everyone.
The M12 I just can't get over how bad the interior looks - I think it is quite important given that it is what you look at the most and how you interact with the car.
Although all the cars mentioned are manual, I am starting to come around to the idea of an auto - if you go a nice long drive somewhere or take it on a trip then there are going to be motorways, traffic, city/town driving and times when you are tired so maybe having an auto would help me enjoy the car more of the time.
My 2 pence: (hear me out on the Gran Turismo (GT7) comments I am living abroad at the moment and only now in a position to start buying some of my dream cars)
987 Spyder or Cayman R - somewhat practical - raw but suited to road use - balanced - usable performance window - limited run so should hold value well similar to your R8 manual - sounds amazing - in GT7 the 981 GT4 and the 996 GT3 both perform and feel similar so maybe this is the budget option to what was suggested by another user
S2000 - Screaming engine - on-the-edge handling - plenty of customisation options if you are that way inclined - low mile examples holding value well - timeless looks - reliable
S2 Elise/Exige - solid choice but very much a one-purpose car - my worry is that I couldn't live with it and would have to concentrate all the time so my get tiered - Passengers probably wouldn't enjoy it the same
Tuscan - Raw - big sound - some special colour interior options - They should hold their value well and potentially go up now that they are starting to be allowed into the US (25-year rule) and desirable to the gran turismo generation like me - my GT7 testing has it perform similarly the Vantage S but with a bit more lary handling
The TVR is probably the only one. I think both petrolheads and the general public would notice. I have only ever seen a few in the wild, and I remember everyone.
The M12 I just can't get over how bad the interior looks - I think it is quite important given that it is what you look at the most and how you interact with the car.
Although all the cars mentioned are manual, I am starting to come around to the idea of an auto - if you go a nice long drive somewhere or take it on a trip then there are going to be motorways, traffic, city/town driving and times when you are tired so maybe having an auto would help me enjoy the car more of the time.
- I have owned none of these cars, so I would love to hear from someone who has maybe owned any of the above.
This one on AT looks like good value
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405280...
Recent Intercooler comparison against the 911 R: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDvDccu6K84
Everydaydriver comparison of Cayman generations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxikL9CxBiM
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405280...
- Also, you can now upgrade these with an official head unit from Porche Classic that has wireless carplay/android auto as well
Recent Intercooler comparison against the 911 R: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDvDccu6K84
Everydaydriver comparison of Cayman generations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxikL9CxBiM
DC2 (maybe not this one as it's bloody expensive!)
https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1730424
DC5
https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1152777
Renault 5 GT Turbo
https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1718391
R26
https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1729611
Golf Clubsport S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405029...
https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1730424
DC5
https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1152777
Renault 5 GT Turbo
https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1718391
R26
https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1729611
Golf Clubsport S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405029...
smckenna92 said:
I have recently been playing around with similar budgets and research, and it seems that what you and most of us are craving is a special car with a usable performance window.
My 2 pence: (hear me out on the Gran Turismo (GT7) comments I am living abroad at the moment and only now in a position to start buying some of my dream cars)
987 Spyder or Cayman R - somewhat practical - raw but suited to road use - balanced - usable performance window - limited run so should hold value well similar to your R8 manual - sounds amazing - in GT7 the 981 GT4 and the 996 GT3 both perform and feel similar so maybe this is the budget option to what was suggested by another user
S2000 - Screaming engine - on-the-edge handling - plenty of customisation options if you are that way inclined - low mile examples holding value well - timeless looks - reliable
S2 Elise/Exige - solid choice but very much a one-purpose car - my worry is that I couldn't live with it and would have to concentrate all the time so my get tiered - Passengers probably wouldn't enjoy it the same
Tuscan - Raw - big sound - some special colour interior options - They should hold their value well and potentially go up now that they are starting to be allowed into the US (25-year rule) and desirable to the gran turismo generation like me - my GT7 testing has it perform similarly the Vantage S but with a bit more lary handling
The TVR is probably the only one. I think both petrolheads and the general public would notice. I have only ever seen a few in the wild, and I remember everyone.
The M12 I just can't get over how bad the interior looks - I think it is quite important given that it is what you look at the most and how you interact with the car.
Although all the cars mentioned are manual, I am starting to come around to the idea of an auto - if you go a nice long drive somewhere or take it on a trip then there are going to be motorways, traffic, city/town driving and times when you are tired so maybe having an auto would help me enjoy the car more of the time.
I’ve owned 987 Boxster Spyder, Elise S2 111S, S2000 and TVR Griffith 4.3 BV. My 2 pence: (hear me out on the Gran Turismo (GT7) comments I am living abroad at the moment and only now in a position to start buying some of my dream cars)
987 Spyder or Cayman R - somewhat practical - raw but suited to road use - balanced - usable performance window - limited run so should hold value well similar to your R8 manual - sounds amazing - in GT7 the 981 GT4 and the 996 GT3 both perform and feel similar so maybe this is the budget option to what was suggested by another user
S2000 - Screaming engine - on-the-edge handling - plenty of customisation options if you are that way inclined - low mile examples holding value well - timeless looks - reliable
S2 Elise/Exige - solid choice but very much a one-purpose car - my worry is that I couldn't live with it and would have to concentrate all the time so my get tiered - Passengers probably wouldn't enjoy it the same
Tuscan - Raw - big sound - some special colour interior options - They should hold their value well and potentially go up now that they are starting to be allowed into the US (25-year rule) and desirable to the gran turismo generation like me - my GT7 testing has it perform similarly the Vantage S but with a bit more lary handling
The TVR is probably the only one. I think both petrolheads and the general public would notice. I have only ever seen a few in the wild, and I remember everyone.
The M12 I just can't get over how bad the interior looks - I think it is quite important given that it is what you look at the most and how you interact with the car.
Although all the cars mentioned are manual, I am starting to come around to the idea of an auto - if you go a nice long drive somewhere or take it on a trip then there are going to be motorways, traffic, city/town driving and times when you are tired so maybe having an auto would help me enjoy the car more of the time.
- I have owned none of these cars, so I would love to hear from someone who has maybe owned any of the above.
The Griffith was the biggest event, but really wasn’t all that competent despite poly bushes, coilovers and a good set up. I got back from every drive out or track day and breathed a sigh of relief.
The Elise was great but too competent. It had no vices and it was a question of finding my limits, not the car’s. Fun in a fair ground kind of way, but didn’t reward my driving “skill”.
The Boxster was an awesome car but blighted by the electronic throttle. On odd occasions it did what it wanted, not what I wanted and chastened the experience. Also see Elise comments, turned up to 11.
The S2000 is the last I bought and is the one I’ll keep. I love it. Usable, amazing engine, enough of a sense of occasion, and needs to be driven well to get the best out of it. It’ll go out in any weather and drop the roof or put it back up quickly and easily. It’s not got the wow factor of the others, but from the driving and owning seat it’s the best of the lot IMHO. It’s also the cheapest!
Another advocate for a 987 Cayman as an all-round great car. Plenty of room for a long trip, relaxed enough at motorway speeds but still capable of putting a smile on your face on country lanes.
They feel like an old, more analogue car, firm communicative steering, mechanical gearchange and a nimbleness you don't find in most modern cars. Pretty compact and light and as they are 'slow' by modern standards that means they are also fun at vaguely sensible speeds.
The R is a good shout. I have a base 2.7 which is quick enough to allow you to rev it out in 2nd/3rd without being totally reckless. It has a great soundtrack and feels like you are getting a move on even if you aren't. Personally that is one of the best things about it - I am not constantly checking the speedo, just enjoying the drive.
They feel like an old, more analogue car, firm communicative steering, mechanical gearchange and a nimbleness you don't find in most modern cars. Pretty compact and light and as they are 'slow' by modern standards that means they are also fun at vaguely sensible speeds.
The R is a good shout. I have a base 2.7 which is quick enough to allow you to rev it out in 2nd/3rd without being totally reckless. It has a great soundtrack and feels like you are getting a move on even if you aren't. Personally that is one of the best things about it - I am not constantly checking the speedo, just enjoying the drive.
gopherboy said:
I guess as I’ve got a bit older I’ve decided it isn’t about the badge, or the stats on paper, it’s about what I enjoy.
So maybe the post is pointless! Maybe I just need to work it out for myself.
Yes you may have to, we all go through similar swings in attitude, sometimes we just have to have a change?So maybe the post is pointless! Maybe I just need to work it out for myself.
Your wide spread of cars (bike engined mini and V10 R8) means when you say raw etc it's hard to pitch where that is!? Also you have a high bar on feel, handling etc etc from these specialist cars.
Then you have the semi contradiction of something you can thrash around but then it'll probably wear thin over time because something like that will ultimately frustrate in time? But that may just be part of the cycle or chopping and changing and ultimately 'fun'.
You could focus on the 'possibles' that are also depreciation wise flat ie an easy(ier) flip to the next 'could be perfect' !?
Probably one day you'll drift into a GT car or even a barge, it can be just what happens, despite feeling now it'll never happen to you, so enjoy the Journey.
One thing that popped in my head is perhaps one of those project cars where someone of similar mind has tried to make their own raw/perfect feeling car?
I'm not sure what that is, in my lower priced world it'd be MR2's with conversions 2ZZ-GE, or V6's, GT86 charged/turbo etc
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