Does it ever stop feeling special?

[geeks]

I am 3 weeks into ownership of an R8 (Gen 1 V8 Manual) I know there is some debate on if its really a supercar or not but to me it is and I am completely smitten with it. Took it out today, parked up and just kept looking back at it as I was walking into the shops to do my errands, it just kept making me smile. To those who have been at this longer than me, do you still do this? Does it stop feeling special?

[cerb4.5lee]

If you love it then it will always feel special I reckon. Not the same of course, but I had the Cerbera for 6 years, and that still felt special to me right up until the very end for example.

[jonathan_roberts]

If I was to own a petrol super car it would be an R8 v8 manual. They’re so rude. What a great car. Enjoy it!

[Trev450]

I think the secret to keeping them feeling special is not to drive them everyday.

I worked for Lotus many years ago and had an Esprit Turbo SE as a company car. It quite quickly lost its appeal when I was using it in all weathers and doing circa 2k miles a month.

In contrast, I recently sold a V10 R8 that I had owned for 7 years and put an average of 1500 miles a year on it. Because of that it still felt special every time I drove it and was one of the main reasons for keeping it so long.

[macdeb]

Doesn't stop for me. Bought my 12C four years ago yesterday and it still feels so special everytime I look at it, let alone get in and drive it. Just amazes me and still can't quite believe I've got it.

[Spindoctor]

That excitement when you go to drive the car, taking the very long way home, doing A to A journeys, that need to keep looking back at it, they're all healthy symptoms of special (not just super) car ownership. If it stops feeling special, stop. You may as well get a Kia.

[maura]

Never in the F12, but yes in the F8 Spider..

[Redshed]

if you don't look back at your special car when walking away then it's not special enough to you.

Always considered an R8 a supercar. It looks like one, sounds like one and performs like one, albeit probably more reliable than most.

Congratulations on the purchase and enjoy!

[Bispal]

My NA MX5 still feels special after 10 years, as does my 675LT after 6 years. I look back at both of them and enjoy every drive. If a car doesn't feel special it goes, doesn't matter if its an everyday car or a weekend toy.

[Zippee]

Trev450 said:

I think the secret to keeping them feeling special is not to drive them everyday.

I worked for Lotus many years ago and had an Esprit Turbo SE as a company car. It quite quickly lost its appeal when I was using it in all weathers and doing circa 2k miles a month.

In contrast, I recently sold a V10 R8 that I had owned for 7 years and put an average of 1500 miles a year on it. Because of that it still felt special every time I drove it and was one of the main reasons for keeping it so long.

Absolutely this. Until March this year my AMG GTC was my main car and whilst I love it the feeling of it being an event wore off pretty quick when driving in all weathers or just sat in traffic when off to the shops.
Getting a comfy daily in March and so only driving the big merc for fun has made it feel special again.

And yes, I do often park it up and look back at it

[WCZ]

for most, no but for some what is special changes to more expensive/ltd cars as funds permit as you get a weird tolerance

[geeks]

A couple more weeks in, many smiles per mile still, the novelty of revving a V8 to near 9k RPM has not even remotely worn off

Going to tuck it away for winter shortly. Might put a readers car thread together too.

[bigmowley]

I’ve had an R8 RWS from new and I still bloody love it. Still look back when I walk away, still get the hairs up on the back of my neck when I rev it out through the gears. Fantastic car, brilliant power train.