M3 or R8 or C2S

[urbo73]

R8 interior? Yuck....No thanks..R8 is a great car, but I could do with the more spartan look of a Porsche or even M3.

[footie]

Originally Posted by urbo73

R8 interior? Yuck....No thanks..R8 is a great car, but I could do with the more spartan look of a Porsche or even M3.

Each to their own.

[DP8]

Go for a 996 Turbo! Greater performance than any of those three cars. Clean used examples of 996's are going for $50k-60k.

Hell, 2007 997 Turbos are going for $90k - 100k with under 20,000 miles. I would definitely do some searching and consider a Turbo. I sort of wish I had before I bought the M3. Superior performance in all ways.

[SlammedR8]

Originally Posted by DLin17

Go for a 996 Turbo! Greater performance than any of those three cars. Clean used examples of 996's are going for $50k-60k.

Hell, 2007 997 Turbos are going for $90k - 100k with under 20,000 miles. I would definitely do some searching and consider a Turbo. I sort of wish I had before I bought the M3. Superior performance in all ways.

Two of my VERY close friends have 997 Turbo, and they are superior in performance without a doubt.

But after being in one a lot and driving it a lot, I could say I wouldn't buy one. I have a few reasons for this:

1) I find the ride to be uncomfortable, very stiff, the seats arent very comfortable either.

2) The sound, other then when you hear the turbos, the exhaust sound is terrible IMO. It sounds way too raspy for my liking, (1 of the 2 of my friends has a TUBI Exhaust, the other has a stock exhaust - While the TUBI does sound awesome compared to stock, you still can't compare it to the sound of a v8 or v10)

3) I also wouldn't buy it because to me it is not an Exotic, such as a Ferrari or a Lambo. And its also not a daily driver to me due to the lack of comfort. If I wanted a weekend driver only, this would not be my choice because in my opinion it is not exotic looking, its a hot car, no doubt! But its not in the same league as an Italian Exotic.

FWIW, I think its a hot car and I love its power and its incredible handling, it is like nothing else out there. Im just saying that I personally wouldn't buy one for myself. I love the comfort of my M.

Put it this way, EVERYTIME I take my buddy with the stock 997 Turbo in my car, he doesn't stop praising my car and saying how much he loves everything about it, the sound, the comfort, the looks etc. (BTW, he used to have an E60 M5). He loves his Turbo, but he does recognize that it isn't the most practical daily driver.

Just my thoughts on...

[urbo73]

The 2 posts above just go to show my previous point that the C2S, R8, and M3 are just TOO different cars to really compare. The OP needs to decide what he wants - 4 seats, 2 seats, plush interior, spartan interior, RWD, AWD, rear engine, mid engine, front engine, etc. etc. Just too many variables. If one is to look just at pure performance, then the C2S wins. But it's not always about that for everyone. I can also sit here and recommend used cars at the same price, but we go on tangents again.

So OP, what are your priorities? If you list them, then the answer to what car to get is pretty simple as they are so different. One should know their priorities and likes before spending so much on a car. Do you want RWD? Then the R8 is out of the picture. Do you hate rear engine? Forget the C2S. Do you want a 2 seater? Forget the M3. On and on and on and on.

[SlammedR8]

Originally Posted by urbo73

The 2 posts above just go to show my previous point that the C2S, R8, and M3 are just TOO different cars to really compare. The OP needs to decide what he wants - 4 seats, 2 seats, plush interior, spartan interior, RWD, AWD, rear engine, mid engine, front engine, etc. etc. Just too many variables. If one is to look just at pure performance, then the C2S wins. But it's not always about that for everyone. I can also sit here and recommend used cars at the same price, but we go on tangents again.

So OP, what are your priorities? If you list them, then the answer to what car to get is pretty simple as they are so different. One should know their priorities and likes before spending so much on a car. Do you want RWD? Then the R8 is out of the picture. Do you hate rear engine? Forget the C2S. Do you want a 2 seater? Forget the M3. On and on and on and on.

Well said...and if you want to get into used cars - you can pick up a Gallardo in the states for $85 000 - $90 000.

[wuyichao]

Originally Posted by Sticky

That is like saying don't got for a Patek Philippe because most people only know Rolex.

Why buy your car with other people in mind? Who cares if someone doesn't know the difference between a 993 or 997? The cool thing is, those that know, KNOW.

The R8 looks different, stands out, but the engine is the weak point. Now, if we are talking about the V10, go all the way, but then might as well look at Gallardos and get a raging bull instead of a neutered one.

true, true and true.

[inmotion]

All 3 car's fit and finish is top notch. The R8's interior is quite different from the entire Audi line up and actually feels like a cockpit. Whether it is on a road course or for sunday brunch, the R8 can very easily be a daily driver. I would say the Rtronic system is very similar to the SMG in my E60 M5. When driving aggressively, it pounces, but when in Drive / Auto mode, it is very sluggish. The only fault I find with Audi's R8 is they did not put the dual clutch into the system....even for the R8 V10 model, which was a little surprising.

Another car I would recommend is the CLK Black Series. This is a no bs type car with minimal amenities and excellent steering response with loads of power / torque.

[KCE90M3]

Originally Posted by montreal red

hmmm.... i'd go for the R8 over the m3 if i didnt need to worry bout storage space and passenger seating...

+1....the M3 is probably the most practical, with the Porsche 2nd and the R8 last. I'd personally take the R8 if I didn't have practical issues I HAD to deal with...but all things considered the M3 is the best all around. Sure be hard to pass on that R8 though ha....they are beautiful works of German engineering.

[ersin]

Originally Posted by inmotion

Another car I would recommend is the CLK Black Series. This is a no bs type car with minimal amenities and excellent steering response with loads of power / torque.

I guess if I had your money I'd recommend that too. But don't they start at around $300,000?

[inmotion]

Originally Posted by ersin

I guess if I had your money I'd recommend that too. But don't they start at around $300,000?

I am talking about the CLK63 Black Series that retails for $138k, not the SL65 Black Series that was released weeks ago for $300k. For the CLK63, I just bought another one (after the other being totaled) and brand new, it was $30k off msrp.

[youyou]

Originally Posted by montreal red

hmmm.... i'd go for the R8 over the m3 if i didnt need to worry bout storage space and passenger seating...however, the m3 coupe and covertible is the only that can still seat 4 relatively comfortably among the 3 you mentioned. price is another factor.... the C2S and the R8 are more similarly priced so if i can afford the R8, i'd love to go for it.

the m3 and 911 are relatively common nowadays and it doesnt have the R8 supercar look that makes people turn heads... of course if you drive around in an R8, you better not park your car in any bad neighborhoods since youre going to be the first one to get car jacked/robbed.

+1
I would take the R8 without a doubt. It's absolutely stunning

[Driver72]

There's a decent size price gap between those three cars.
Clearly for style and performance the R8 would be your choice.

I agree the P-car is awesome, but at $90-100K it's not "special" enough when compared to the outgoing 05-08 model (and every other for that matter).
And it has little practicality.

The M3 vert, a great car no doubt, won't wow you like the R8.

Here's a thought:

Aston Martin Vantage V8.

The new more powerful engine makes it respectably fast. It is a seriously good looking car. It is as rare as the R8, but has some practicality and your lady will undoubtedly love to ride in (and get in and out of) the Aston more than the R8.

[HBspeed]

Assuming you are speaking of the face lifted C2S, that would be my choice out of your options. If you aren't considering a 3-pedal manual, then I would avoid the R8 for reasons others have mentioned. The the new C2S is an impressive and much improved car and would get the nod for me over the M3 since I prefer non-convertible sports cars.

The CLK 63 Black Series is significantly cheaper than 300k. Actually under 100k for untitled examples on dealer lots, and even less on the used market. The removal of the rear seats in such a heavy car is an odd choice, and the standard automatic transmission is less sporty than the other options. Its sure a beast though.

Nice car collection inmotion, I've seen those cars throughout Newport numerous times and I guess I know who drives them now! All your missing from the collection now is the best BMW sports car on the road, a Z4MC.

[inmotion]

Originally Posted by HBspeed

Assuming you are speaking of the face lifted C2S, that would be my choice out of your options. If you aren't considering a 3-pedal manual, then I would avoid the R8 for reasons others have mentioned. The the new C2S is an impressive and much improved car and would get the nod for me over the M3 since I prefer non-convertible sports cars.

The CLK 63 Black Series is significantly cheaper than 300k. Actually under 100k for untitled examples on dealer lots, and even less on the used market. The removal of the rear seats in such a heavy car is an odd choice, and the standard automatic transmission is less sporty than the other options. Its sure a beast though.

Nice car collection inmotion, I've seen those cars throughout Newport numerous times and I guess I know who drives them now! All your missing from the collection now is the best BMW sports car on the road, a Z4MC.

Actually, my son's looking for a nice daily coupe that can enter the track with his pops. The Z4MC was in mind along with a used Z06

[inmotion]

Here's a shot of my R8 interior

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by footie

I don't know if your comments are in a direction reaction to mine but I would have classed the R8 to be the Patek Philippe and the C2S to be the Rolex.

P.S.
The only real area were the R8's v8 engine is a little lacking is all out acceleration and even then it's just behind the M3 and C2S, apart from that the R8 engine hasn't stop it from posting some of the quickest times around tracks all over the world.

Even if I could justify the cost of either the LP560 or the R8v10 I would still take the R8. It's better looking, has the better appointed interior and will be the better overall car to own.

The R8 V10 is an amazing automobile, probably my favorite car under 200k, but it can't possibly hope to compare to the LP560 in terms of looks, interior, and performance. The ride quality of the LP560 isn't that much worse than the R8's either, from what I've read.

[Sticky]

The R8 looks cute.

The Gallardo looks like a bull ready to fight.

[KonigsTiger]

R8 all the way!! And by the way, 911 C2S PDK is wayyyyyy different than a Cayman, I´ve driven them both and though the Cayman is for sure great on curbs etc... it really, really lacks power and the like. I´s also consider the C4S as its got the bigger ass that looks stunning. R8 IMO is a tad underpowered (as is the M3) but its got amazing looks, pretty amazing handling and you can always tune it for more power (as the M3) that together with the great chassis are great cars.

[michaeldorian]

If money is taken out of the equation, R8 hands down.

[04S]

Originally Posted by michaeldorian

If money is taken out of the equation, R8 hands down.

+1

[Driver72]

I love how when someone is looking to spend $80-120K on a car people throw in 'don't get one of those three, get this $200k car instead'.

If he were looking to spend $200k on a car don't you think he would of included the $200k car in his list? And be looking at other $180-200+k cars?