Hi all,

I'm filling out my Order Guide now per my Audi dealer and could use some advice on whether to order the Nav system.

Here's my situation:

- On a personal level, I don't use nav and have no interest in it. If I only had myself to think about, I wouldn't order the option (which I'm assuming will cost $2000+). But:

- I don't know how long I will hold onto the R8 w/ V8. It's a ton of money to have sunk in an (underpowered, in my view) car, especially with all the lower-cost choices that may exist in 1-2 years (M3, GTR, etc). So, I have to take into account that there's a real possibility I could sell after 1+ years while there's still a lot of demand for the R8.

Given this, I would like advice as to how important it might be to order Nav as far as resale goes. I know a lot of people seem to like Nav... But do people like Nav enough that they might not buy a used R8 if it didn't have Nav? Or that they would discount the price of the used R8 by as much or more than what I'd pay for Nav now ($2k+)?

Quick feedback is much appreciated as I'll be getting my order in shortly.

Thanks!

Well, since you asked so nicely :), I may or may not choose to sell it that quick.

I think the R8 is a great car and will make for a fun and unique commuter + occasional track car.

I also think that it seems like a lot of money to have sunk in a car that has a non-exotic engine.

But with the upcoming M3 and GTR as alternatives that should have all of the R8's performance for a little over half the price (though admittedy not nearly as exotic)... I think at some point I will find tieing up that much money in the R8 as questionable.

In my opinion, the R8 will be able to command a high price due to supply and demand -- not because the car is going to be priced well for what it offers. $120k for the loaded V8 is simply too much as far as I'm concerned. For that money it should come with a V10. I think Audi was stupid to engineer the car to be hand-built, limiting their output so badly. If they want to win new customers over to the Audi brand, they have to be able to sell the car to the customer.

If Audi sold the car for $95k I'd likely hold onto it. The various strengths that the R8 offers over the upcoming M3 and GTR are worth a $20k - $30k premium to me and I could justify it. But the extras the R8 offers isn't worth $50k+ over those cars.

With Audi's (frustrating) decision to limit production so greatly, it should make it pretty easy to sell the car 1-2 years later at or very close to what an early buyer pays for it (assuming they don't pay higher than MSRP). Certainly this has worked for me in the past.

If the R8 turns out to be such an amazing car that I don't want to part with it, then I guess Audi will have priced the car right for me and this conversation will have been nothing more than an exercise.

If not, though.. Anyone care to answer how important nav might be for whether or not someone would buy a used R8? :)

it comes standard in my turbo - never use it. I personally think NAV is one of the most over-rated "advances". All personal opinion, though -others will probably swear by it.

I use my turbo as a daily driver and the prodigious acceleration and amazing torque makes getting around and through traffic a breeze. But it is relatively rare that I am driving the car even at 9/10's around curves and twisties. So whether the R8 is the best handling car at the limit isn't relevant to my daily driving, but the power is.

I've decided to wait for the V10.

oh. and what do you know about the CF trim for the engine? is it standard or optional? because, in fact, that is a VERY important option to pick re: resale. did you think of it?

chassis would most certainly classify a car as an exotic by most standards. And since a Lamborghini Gallardo costs around $195K before options (the R8 comes standard with more kit and has more otpions than the Gallardo), a discount of $80K for not having (the Audi V8 derived) V10 out back should more than make up for it. So what you might "lose" in engine output, you make up in chassis and exclusivity. The kiddies who buy from Wings West won't ever be able to slap fenders, bumpers and badges on their base whatever car to make it look like the top of the line Audi, but they can do that with the BMW because it's based on a regular production car.

Frankly I don't care about drag race numbers in traffic - preferring a tuneful engine with a nice wide power band. But your screen name indicates your priorities I guess;-)

On the other hand, I can't help but cringe just a little to think you might be a speculator taking up the spot of somebody who would jump in with no qualms at all about the power:-( I hope that when you get it, you will fall in love and never look back.

As for Nav, it's 50/50. Some people love it. Others will never turn it on. Your call. More important is to choose the colours inside and out, that will be hot.

wait for the M3? Plus, if you could get the R8 you would effectively be "stealing" the ownership opportunity from a person who really cares about the car which frankly is kind of offensive.

Thanks RXBG. I'll call that out specifically in the order (carbon fiber trim for the engine compartment). Any idea what the cost is generally projected to be?

I have a lot of posts to try to sort through today to assemble a list of all the potential options that *aren't* listed in that initial order sheet, to make sure something key isn't forgotten in my order..

You know, at first I was going to respond with a bit of a dig based on your comment about being offended. But then I realized that I really haven't given much background on my situation so perhaps your response was warranted. Here's the scoop:

I love the R8 and have been quite passionate about it for some time. I am really looking forward to driving it and I think about it plenty.

But unlike some of the other folks on here, I am not made of money, and this is more of a "stretch" car for me than something I can comfortably buy and keep. I'm not in the position to be driving a $120k++ car year after year, I have things like a growing family and a house that needs work to worry about.

There is always some greyscale for a car enthusiast regarding "what they can afford". Certain cars will evoke so much passion and pleasure that it's worth taking the financial hit and making sacrifices, at least for a certain period of time. Some cars inspire us to follow one's heart rather than what might make the most financial sense.

Now, that said, take a look again at my gameplan. I'll stretch for this car and pay the $120k++ to have that enjoyment. On paper maybe I shouldn't. So at some point, it may make the most sense to get out, especially if there are other cars that have the same performance for significantly less money. I am not discounting the exotic & exclusivity factors, I'm just saying that everyone has their own valuation of how much extra that's worth and my threshold may be lower than yours.

I think if the car had a V10, it would keep my passion going even further and make me delay selling longer. Just as important, I think the car with a V10 would hold its resale value better. For the V8, $120k+ is a lot of money to risk being hit by significant depreciation when the V10 comes out and everyone orders that rather than a V8.

So yeah, if I had actually fit the definition of a speculator (which I don't believe I do), I'd tell me to go take a hike. But this isn't a rich guy who has the $$ for buying the car casually as a play thing to flip. This is a car enthusiast stretching to buy a pricey (in my view, overpriced) car but trying not to forget fiscal responsibility entirely. Holding the V8 car for several years may not make financial sense. So I'll enjoy every second I have with the car until I need to sell or am otherwise enticed away by another car that gives me 9/10ths of what the R8 brings for 5 or 6 tenths the price. Time will tell.

In other words, don't think of this as someone displacing another R8 buyer. Instead, IF I sell after 1-2 years, it means 2 R8 enthusiasts got a chance to own and appreciate a great car instead of 1.


[Edited to add: With regards to sales/guzzler tax & insurance.. Yes, I'm considering that as well but thanks for pointing it out. I never expected to drive the R8 for free. I'm willing to lose money for the experience. There's just a limit on how much..]

be careful with what it appaers to be that you are ordering. that's all i can say for now.

will fall through the floor. You can get nice ones now for $140K. Other than some issues with the first year cars ('04 - and mostly with E-Gear), they have been remarkably reliable by all accounts (I personally know 3 owners). The only "issue" one person has had, is needing a new battery.

Yeah, it won't be as exclusive in some ways, nor will it have the latest gadgets on the R8, but you'll get your V10. If that still isn't fast enough for you, get Heffner to turbocharge it.<ul><li><a href="http://videos.streetfire.net/video/b42ee0e2-9536-498c-97be-7965c84b8455.htm">http://videos.streetfire.net/video/b42ee0e2-9536-498c-97be-7965c84b8455.htm</a</li></ul>

"Options Required On All Orders" section.

it's a fabulous way to save $120k.

financially (why stretch on cars in general if you have a family relying on you). Given your explanation, I think April's Gallardo suggestion is great. The day a Gallardo comes out of warrant it loses $20k-$25k or so. I am hoping life goes good for me and in a few years I can dump my budget Viper and grab a Gallardo myself.

on a $140k car.

for roughly 1% of the cost of this fine machine I think its worth it.