Corvette C8 or R8 V10 ?
Discussion
I've been saving up for a good few years with the intention of buying my first 'supercar' - which should come to reality next year or the year after.
My criteria is quite strict but I've narrowed it down to the following options - between either a Gen1 V10 R8 manual or a brand new Corvette C8 automatic.
I will have a budget of around £45k-50k - which I think will be near enough the base entry point of the new C8 , but which also can gain a decent V10 R8.
Of the above options, does either one stand out as the "no brainer" choice?
Criteria was originally a list of these must haves :
Manual gearbox
Rear wheel drive (or significantly rear biassed drive if 4wd)
Limited slip diff (mechanical rather than electronic)
Reasonably reliable - it won't be used as an everyday car, more a weekend toy and short trips over to mainland Europe.
Min bhp of 500 (or thereabouts)
- Now the R8 ticks those boxes, but the C8 doesn't offer the manual box (at the moment), but with the car being brand new I was planning to let this slide.
- The R8 seems to be approaching the bottom of its depreciation curve, but will have mileage on it which will no doubt lead to some maintenance costs.
- The C8 may or may not have depreciation, I guess this will depend on the UK purchase rate of these cars and the rarity of them come a number of years later.
- One other negative of the C8 is that I think I saw a review video showing that it had fake news engine sound delivered to the cabin via the speakers. (Something that would irritate me to the nth degree - but something that may have a work around to stop it and deliver natural engine sound to the cabin)
Anyway, over to you guys for comments.
My criteria is quite strict but I've narrowed it down to the following options - between either a Gen1 V10 R8 manual or a brand new Corvette C8 automatic.
I will have a budget of around £45k-50k - which I think will be near enough the base entry point of the new C8 , but which also can gain a decent V10 R8.
Of the above options, does either one stand out as the "no brainer" choice?
Criteria was originally a list of these must haves :
Manual gearbox
Rear wheel drive (or significantly rear biassed drive if 4wd)
Limited slip diff (mechanical rather than electronic)
Reasonably reliable - it won't be used as an everyday car, more a weekend toy and short trips over to mainland Europe.
Min bhp of 500 (or thereabouts)
- Now the R8 ticks those boxes, but the C8 doesn't offer the manual box (at the moment), but with the car being brand new I was planning to let this slide.
- The R8 seems to be approaching the bottom of its depreciation curve, but will have mileage on it which will no doubt lead to some maintenance costs.
- The C8 may or may not have depreciation, I guess this will depend on the UK purchase rate of these cars and the rarity of them come a number of years later.
- One other negative of the C8 is that I think I saw a review video showing that it had fake news engine sound delivered to the cabin via the speakers. (Something that would irritate me to the nth degree - but something that may have a work around to stop it and deliver natural engine sound to the cabin)
Anyway, over to you guys for comments.
Gary Woodland said:
The C8 will be ~£80k so that should make your mind up for you.
https://www.theweek.co.uk/supercar/100896/chevrole...Seems to state £46,800 for base spec, going up to £55,800 for the 3LT spec.
ZeroGroundZero said:
https://www.theweek.co.uk/supercar/100896/chevrole...
Seems to state £46,800 for base spec, going up to £55,800 for the 3LT spec.
They've just directly converted US pre tax prices which are nothing like realistic unfortunately. Seems to state £46,800 for base spec, going up to £55,800 for the 3LT spec.
Speak to Ian Allen or Clive Sutton etc and they will tell you the same
AC123 said:
A number of Gallardos and Ferrari 360s will be in your budget next year
Yeah I did have a 'very brief' look at the prospect, but I want something that is much more affordable to run. I don't wish to own a 'garage queen' whereby I fear adding mileage to it and fear every squeak or sound whilst driving.
Pioneer said:
AC123 said:
A number of Gallardos and Ferrari 360s will be in your budget next year
This. Running costs aren't that far off running a V10 Audi. What would you rather have in the garage! Plus depreciation is likely to be less. I don't think I would feel comfortable picking the bottom priced examples just because I could buy them, I would rather be buying on condition and I think I would get better value on the R8 by comparison.
On top of that I think mileage is less of an issue on the R8's value. Although having a number of common parts between the R8 and the Gallardo, I think that it being an Audi just gives more peace of mind when it comes to ownership issues.
Finally, the additional price tag of the Lambo and Ferrari badge/brand - I think once again that better value for money is found in the R8.
All purely in my own opinion of course !
blueg33 said:
Of the 2 i the Op the R8 every time - but its not s supercar.
For me, if not being used as a daily, I woul dlook at something like a Ferrari 360, slower but more character, and more likely t be a classic (note th F 1 box is isn't my favourite gearbox)
Thanks. For me, if not being used as a daily, I woul dlook at something like a Ferrari 360, slower but more character, and more likely t be a classic (note th F 1 box is isn't my favourite gearbox)
I take everyone's opinion on board.
But for me the V10 R8 is a supercar
It seems to tick my criteria for being one anyway.
You mention the F360 - a friend of mine used to own one and I drove it a couple of times, but I just didn't get the 'buzz' from it that I thought I was expecting from a Ferrari. I guess because it was the F1 gearbox and probably would have been a much better experience if it had a clutch pedal.
Last year I showed interest in the R8 and took both a V8 manual and a V10 manual out for a test drive. The R8 felt much more refined than what I remember the F360 to be, and the interior is much better for longer journeys and for taking the missus out on day trips etc. The V10 sound though, this is something to behold !
Appreciate the replies guys - by replying I am hoping to also confirm in my mind that I am looking to buy the right car - and for the money.
ZeroGroundZero said:
blueg33 said:
Of the 2 i the Op the R8 every time - but its not s supercar.
For me, if not being used as a daily, I woul dlook at something like a Ferrari 360, slower but more character, and more likely t be a classic (note th F 1 box is isn't my favourite gearbox)
Thanks. For me, if not being used as a daily, I woul dlook at something like a Ferrari 360, slower but more character, and more likely t be a classic (note th F 1 box is isn't my favourite gearbox)
I take everyone's opinion on board.
But for me the V10 R8 is a supercar
It seems to tick my criteria for being one anyway.
You mention the F360 - a friend of mine used to own one and I drove it a couple of times, but I just didn't get the 'buzz' from it that I thought I was expecting from a Ferrari. I guess because it was the F1 gearbox and probably would have been a much better experience if it had a clutch pedal.
Last year I showed interest in the R8 and took both a V8 manual and a V10 manual out for a test drive. The R8 felt much more refined than what I remember the F360 to be, and the interior is much better for longer journeys and for taking the missus out on day trips etc. The V10 sound though, this is something to behold !
Appreciate the replies guys - by replying I am hoping to also confirm in my mind that I am looking to buy the right car - and for the money.
Nice choice to have and I'm sure you'll end up with an R8. There are countless threads on here which are repetitive and get a bit boring about whether an R8 is a 'supercar' or not.
It doesn't matter what it is classed as as long as you like it, I know several people who've had them and they loved them.
As for a C8, it sure looks like a supercar, and it will turn more heads than an R8, but I specc'd one on the online configerator (just for something to do after watching the Jay Leno review of the convertible) and soon ended up at nearly $100k. You'll have to wait 5 years to get one for £50k (look how well C7's are holding their price - £50k will get you a 3 year old LHD import)
Quick curveball if I may (unbiassed of course ) but a Viper will give you 500bhp, manual box, hold their money (or probably increase) and cheap to run - yes really - the downside is LHD if it bothers you, and they're hard to find in the UK. Not sophisticated, plasticky, a bit clunky maybe, but bags of fun and a genuine poster car.
Supercar? Who cares? It is what it is - and I can't think of anything I would swap mine for at the same price
It doesn't matter what it is classed as as long as you like it, I know several people who've had them and they loved them.
As for a C8, it sure looks like a supercar, and it will turn more heads than an R8, but I specc'd one on the online configerator (just for something to do after watching the Jay Leno review of the convertible) and soon ended up at nearly $100k. You'll have to wait 5 years to get one for £50k (look how well C7's are holding their price - £50k will get you a 3 year old LHD import)
Quick curveball if I may (unbiassed of course
) but a Viper will give you 500bhp, manual box, hold their money (or probably increase) and cheap to run - yes really - the downside is LHD if it bothers you, and they're hard to find in the UK. Not sophisticated, plasticky, a bit clunky maybe, but bags of fun and a genuine poster car.Supercar? Who cares? It is what it is - and I can't think of anything I would swap mine for at the same price
Thanks for the replies everyone.
That Viper does look amazing.
I've been for a passenger lap around the Nurburgring in the red coloured Viper (with the white stripes, if you know which one I mean) and was mightily impressed by its capability. Obviously it was all set up for track with roll cage and race suspension etc., but for some reason I was expecting it to be a handful for the driver, but instead it seemed to cope with the bumpy nature of the Nring quite well. It was a very "raw" feel and the driver mentioned that it was a car that you had to be "on top of" even when it wasn't near the limit. Which is a positive in my mind because driver involvement is something I am looking for, rather than having computers taking away all the fun.
That Viper does look amazing.
I've been for a passenger lap around the Nurburgring in the red coloured Viper (with the white stripes, if you know which one I mean) and was mightily impressed by its capability. Obviously it was all set up for track with roll cage and race suspension etc., but for some reason I was expecting it to be a handful for the driver, but instead it seemed to cope with the bumpy nature of the Nring quite well. It was a very "raw" feel and the driver mentioned that it was a car that you had to be "on top of" even when it wasn't near the limit. Which is a positive in my mind because driver involvement is something I am looking for, rather than having computers taking away all the fun.
ZeroGroundZero said:
Thanks for the replies everyone.
Which is a positive in my mind because driver involvement is something I am looking for, rather than having computers taking away all the fun.
The “romantic” notion of too many driver aids soon wears off, when navigating the crap surfaces of B roads and lanes in the south east. Which is a positive in my mind because driver involvement is something I am looking for, rather than having computers taking away all the fun.
ZeroGroundZero said:
You mention the F360 - a friend of mine used to own one and I drove it a couple of times, but I just didn't get the 'buzz' from it that I thought I was expecting from a Ferrari. I guess because it was the F1 gearbox and probably would have been a much better experience if it had a clutch pedal.
That's a fair point, and the R8 will be a fine car. What I've found from the 360 is they seem a bit pointless on UK roads if you're tootling around or having a quick drive. However, warm one up, open it up and it'll sing and dance in a way I've never experienced from another car. Any other car. A little raw but no overly so, gorgeous, sublime, a joy to own and yes, ours is the F1. The three pedal variant may edge it in stop start traffic but the F1 is mighty on the open road, in the territory a sportscar is designed for..blueg33 said:
Yes the F360 needs to be a manual,
No, this is total bs, see above, no offence.Kyodo said:
ZeroGroundZero said:
You mention the F360 - a friend of mine used to own one and I drove it a couple of times, but I just didn't get the 'buzz' from it that I thought I was expecting from a Ferrari. I guess because it was the F1 gearbox and probably would have been a much better experience if it had a clutch pedal.
That's a fair point, and the R8 will be a fine car. What I've found from the 360 is they seem a bit pointless on UK roads if you're tootling around or having a quick drive. However, warm one up, open it up and it'll sing and dance in a way I've never experienced from another car. Any other car. A little raw but no overly so, gorgeous, sublime, a joy to own and yes, ours is the F1. The three pedal variant may edge it in stop start traffic but the F1 is mighty on the open road, in the territory a sportscar is designed for..blueg33 said:
Yes the F360 needs to be a manual,
No, this is total bs, see above, no offence.blueg33 said:
Kyodo said:
ZeroGroundZero said:
You mention the F360 - a friend of mine used to own one and I drove it a couple of times, but I just didn't get the 'buzz' from it that I thought I was expecting from a Ferrari. I guess because it was the F1 gearbox and probably would have been a much better experience if it had a clutch pedal.
That's a fair point, and the R8 will be a fine car. What I've found from the 360 is they seem a bit pointless on UK roads if you're tootling around or having a quick drive. However, warm one up, open it up and it'll sing and dance in a way I've never experienced from another car. Any other car. A little raw but no overly so, gorgeous, sublime, a joy to own and yes, ours is the F1. The three pedal variant may edge it in stop start traffic but the F1 is mighty on the open road, in the territory a sportscar is designed for..blueg33 said:
Yes the F360 needs to be a manual,
No, this is total bs, see above, no offence.R8 all the way, i went italian route and now its winter shes all tucked up for nice sunny days only, if it were the R8 id be out in it any weather as its tougher and mileage addition wouldnt effect it as much, ok, the ‘occasion’ would be less but thered be more of them.. looking at R8 v10s for next year..
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