997 Turbo or R8....

[marks62]

I am sure this debate has been here before but I am now ready to spend £50k or so on either a 997 turbo OR (and I had not thought of this until I began the search) an R8. Just wondered if anyone here had the pleasure owning both? I did have a 996 a while back and I still miss it today, now I have a bit more disposable income I feel like a serious step up from the 996 (although I had no issues with the one I had to be fair). Are the running costs of the 997Turbo ruinous? I managed to grab a test drive in an R8 today (manual 2009) and was suitably impressed by the ride, the power and a comfortable ride. I would use the car as my daily so it will be out in all weathers and on all roads. The R8 was very planted on the road, had a great sound - did feel somewhat dated inside to be honest, but the sound was tremendous!! Kit levels were good on the R8 too. I am driving the R-Tronic variant next week as I actually spend lot of time on the dreaded M25 so not really wild about the idea of growing an over developed clutch leg.
I am looking to drive a 997 T Tip S to try and get a decent comparison - I did have a manual for week a couple of years back courtesy of a fool crashing into my 996 and I recall it being a "visceral" experience - in fact I spent most of the week driving the car with friends alongside so we could grin like fools as we sped past the countryside. The R8 reminded me of that and it did feel as every day usable as the 911 - it certainly drew a lot of looks (which to be honest the 911 didn't as there are a lot of them about and only those "in the know" seem to know when they are looking at a particular variant). I am not necessarily swayed by that fact I just noticed it happening.
Appreciate folks views please!

 

[clarkes]

My personal experience of the R-tronic 'box is that it is a right and proper dog, the worst thing that I have driven. Hence I bought a 997 tt tip and really enjoyed it (but the PDK in the Gen II is even better). The Porsche doesn't have the same pronounced sound as the R8 but it is a more normal sized car. My neighbours bought an R8 and sold it within a few months because it was so wide that they had problems in (supermarket and other) car parks. Add to this, the 997 tt is faster in both acceleration and top end than the R8 (even a V10) and I think that the choice is clear 997 tt EVERY time.

 

[Dylan1]

And going away in the R8 anywhere is laughable as literally no luggage space to speak of

 

[ChrisW]

There is now the S-Tronic ... PDK-like.

 

[clarkes]

ORIGINAL: ChrisW

There is now the S-Tronic ... PDK-like.

but these are the new ones and a good £30k more than a decent Gen II tt PDK and 50k+ more than a Gen I tip. They still have the size and luggage problems that afflict the R8.

 

[dhossack]

What price would you get a 991 C2 for? The C2 and the C4 both beat the R8 on Fifth Gear in the last few weeks and both also beat the M6.
D.

 

[marks62]

Think I will go back to where my heart is and stick with 911. Did drive a tt, today, nice but actuator arm (?) gone on one of the turbos so no boost above 0.4 hence it felt flat, going to go back when its fixed.
I also sat in 2010 C4S PDK... now I know its not the same and I didn't get a proper feel for the tt BUT it was very impressive they seem to have really worked well to get the most out of that 3.8.