New Arrival - 2018 Audi R8 RWS

[jasonturbo]

Hey girls,

Back in January I decided that having a sound financial future was silly and proceeded to order a 2018 Audi R8 RWS. This was only after months and months of fighting with Porsche trying to get a 991.2 GT3 for less than 25K over list... fuckers.

What's the point of this thread? I'm wondering how people feel about the price point and anticipated depreciation of the R8 RWS - I'm not interested in buying a new car, selling it in a year, and taking a 30K bath etc.

For those of you that have not yet heard of the RWS:

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...t-drive-review

Simplified: 540HP V10, s-Tronic Gearbox, RWD, 1 of 999 made globally, and not configurable beyond exterior color choice of white or black, $163,000 CAD.

By the time I had learned of the RWS it was too late, they were sold out, I left a deposit with a Calgary dealer just incase one became available, and sure enough someone that ordered a black car decided they couldn't afford it and gave up their spot. The car is now set to arrive in Calgary over the next 2-3 weeks and I have to decide whether or not to take delivery or pass on the car.

Consider the following:

1st Gen R8 V10's have held their value exceptionally well, for a car with reasonable mileage (5-6 years old and 15,000-30,000KM) you are paying about 130K. That represents about 30-40K worth of depreciation spread over 5-6 years.

2nd Gen R8's are not selling well, especially south of the border, where large discounts are being obtained by purchasers. Having said that, they are also outrageously expensive, a 2018 R8 V10+ with a few options is about 225K.

The RWS sells for 20K less than the base 2018 R8 V10.

Audi has hinted at releasing a 2019 R8 w/ V6TT to get the price point down, no pricing guidance has been provided as of yet... mind you the whole reason you buy this car is for the dirt nasty V10.

Used 2nd Gen R8's in Canada range from 174K to 233K. The cheapest car available on auto trader is a 2017 R8 Coupe with 8100KM in Quebec with half decent options.

2017 Audi R8 - BLAINVILLE $174,900 | autoTRADER.ca

Thoughts? Opinions?

The 2nd Gen R8 is super comfy, the V10 is savage (Interestingly there is no physical difference between the 540HP and 610HP variants, it's all in the tune, the aftermarket sells tuning solutions) and I tend to feel that the relatively low price point of 163K makes it a fairly safe bet in terms of not getting ravaged when I go to sell it.

For what it's worth I'm also cross shopping against a 991.1 GT3 or a GT4...

[prudz]

Coworker just took delivery of his 2018 R8 (white) with that v10. badass sound is all I have to say. He went the lease route.

Originally Posted by jasonturbo

Hey girls,

"I decided that having a sound financial future was silly and proceeded to order a 2018 Audi R8 RWS"

Yesssssssssssssssssssssss

[Badhobz]

buy a 458! the other ones (with the exception of a few high end Porsche) all depreciate like an asshole.

[white rocket]

Tough call. If you take delivery then it becomes a pre-owned vehicle and you get hit with some depreciation. But how much really? Given the stats and the quick sell out it should fly off the shelf and one would think another enthusiast would pay you at least what you paid for it given the rarity. I can't recall what happened with your GT4 but I don't remember it being a money making venture for you so you may take some sort of hit. If the end result is a Porsche GT3 of some sort then perhaps you could bomb around in the RWS for the summer and make an attempt to sell in September and hopefully not lose your shirt. Maybe even a trade-in play with a Porsche dealer to save some tax if they don't low ball you or ask the moon for the GT3.

Have any other RWS customers taken delivery in Canada? How many allocated to Canada in total? Seems like a niche market considering Audi is known for AWD so this one could go for broke as a true collector piece or completely fall on it's face.

[TouringTeg]

How much will it depreciate? Good question.

Lot's of factors here. Since I seem to like pros and cons lists right now here is mine:

Pros:

- Limited and numbered production of 999
- RWD V10 = more fun getting sideways
- Lower entry cost so it may be a bargain alternative to GT3 RS/Huracan etc. Cars often depreciate or appreciate based on what alternatives are available with a similar price point.

Cons:

- Most people can't tell from the exterior that is a limited edition RWD version
- Huracan is available in RWD so it is not the only V10 RWD
- No manual available.

One other upside is perhaps V10s will be disappearing as more companies go turbo or hybrid. So could be some upside down the road.

If we look at really new or modern cars that appreciated or held their value the list is short.

BMW 1 Series M coupe - super limited and short production. Demand far exceeding supply.
911R - Again super limited production. Porsche is killing the speculators with the 991.2 GT3 Touring.
Ford GT40? - Way out of my price range.
Other ultra exclusive exotics like Lamborghini Centenario where demand far exceeds supply.

[jasonturbo]

Originally Posted by white rocket

Have any other RWS customers taken delivery in Canada?

Two that I'm aware of, they were just released from port a couple weeks ago, delivery to western Canada is delayed by a few weeks due to the limited number of enclosed carriers.

Originally Posted by white rocket

How many allocated to Canada in total?

40 cars IIRC.

Originally Posted by white rocket

Seems like a niche market considering Audi is known for AWD so this one could go for broke as a true collector piece or completely fall on it's face.

I would call it a gimmick more than anything, if they didn't limit supply to 999 cars I'm not sure they would have sold 1000 units. Certainly not a collector car IMO, but it should hold value better than the base car that has no unique qualities (IE: Not RWD, and not of limited supply)

Ultimately the R8 isn't a "money maker", it's not an A4, so I question how much drive they have to produce a large number of R8's... makes me slightly more confident that this initial run of RWD cars won't be followed by an unlimited supply of RWD cars.

[TouringTeg]

One more thing. I know a few people actively looking for gated 6 speed R8s.

I don't know anyone searching for an auto R8. Unless it is the stradman looking to rent his car out for profit.

Food for thought.

[The Producer]

limited limited limited

i don't think it will go down in price much. maybe a small dip for a couple of years, but it will pop right back up.

it's the BMW 1M situation at triple the price

audi should have put a 3rd pedal in these

[jasonturbo]

Originally Posted by The Producer

audi should have put a 3rd pedal in these

I thought about this, but after driving a Huracan on track I'm not sure my brain could keep up with tracking a 540HP R8 around a tight track with a manual gearbox, everything happens so fast.

Having said that, if the car magically showed up with a manual gear lever I wouldn't be mad

[Manic!]

dodge Viper ACR
V10, manual, not made any more. I think long term it will go up in value. Being manual is the key.

I don't think my manual R8 has not lost any value and will only go up.

[tofu1413]

Good value at 163k for a V10 R8.


RWD R8 will for sure be a future classic, just like the Gallardo Balbonis.

[smoothie.]

if the 991.2 GT3 is the car you really want, why bother with the R8?

Just buy what you want, and look at my signature from time to time.

[Bender Unit]

999 made is not that LIMITED
Look at 1st Gen R8 GT. It was only 333 made and they value still depreciated fast.
MT will hold their value stronger than s-Tronic.

Keep trying for 991.2 GT3 Manual IMO.

[toyota86]

If I was in your situation, I wouldn't go the R8 route. GT3 MT looks a solid bet if you can secure one. R8 depreciation is quite steep from what I've seen. If you didn't close the deal before April 1st, you're going to get hit harder with the new and improved luxury tax. That's not something you will get back unless you can offset it with an appreciating car or have a really creative accountant.

[european]

My opinion... Porsche, there is no substitute.

[twitchyzero]

I thought you concluded ITR + E92 M3 was all that you'll need around town?

[LP700-4]

At almost 100k less than a LP580 the RWS sounds like a bargain for a car with nearly the same powertrain. I don't think it can really depreciate that much considering the 1st gen R8s are still going for 130-140k. Probably the tax money but that's about it.

[jasonturbo]

I don't believe it is practical for me to hang on to the dream of a 991.2 GT3 any longer, even if Porsche opened up new build slots it would be very unlikely that I could get one of those allocations.

Originally Posted by twitchyzero

I thought you concluded ITR + E92 M3 was all that you'll need around town?

I've really grown to appreciate comfort and tech, the ITR lacks both, the M3 lacks tech... though I did just buy another E92 M3 in January.

Originally Posted by LP700-4

At almost 100k less than a LP580 the RWS sounds like a bargain for a car with nearly the same powertrain. I don't think it can really depreciate that much considering the 1st gen R8s are still going for 130-140k. Probably the tax money but that's about it.

Fortunately I'm currently residing in Calgary where the sales tax is only 5%.

25% sales tax on new "luxury" vehicles is insanity

[Robert Stack]

I have no idea about the status of 997.1 GT2 pricing but..... https://edmontonporsche.ca/inventory...+Black+1822869

[GabAlmighty]

My uneducated opinion is that the "older" 6spd V10 R8's are the ones which are truly going to go up in price. You mentioned tracking the car and not being able to keep up with the speed (hence a pro for it being auto), but is your goal to be the fastest or have the most fun? I think an older R8 rowing its way around a track would be more fun, hell just more fun in general. Although you would be sacrificing the "I have a limited production run brand new car" boasting points.

One man's opinion to add to the others.

[jasonturbo]

Originally Posted by GabAlmighty

I think an older R8 rowing its way around a track would be more fun, hell just more fun in general

In terms of fun factor I would suggest that a manual is certainly more fun on the road.

At the track I would say the fun factor of auto/manual is roughly equivalent.

However, the difference for me with an auto on track is that I can push a lot harder without struggling to shift my own gears and keep things smooth. If I'm racing I will inevitably want to go as fast as possible, I will always want to set new personal best times, fun be damned.

It's ironic, Porsche was celebrated for offering the GT4 w/ the manual trans, however, immediately after launch people were crying for the PDK. If I could have any car for the track it would be a GT4 w/ PDK, I'm certain that would be a brilliant combination.

[Mr.Money]

do it and its buyer remorse part 3...i never found the R8 to have any sex appeal compared to other cars for the price range but some buyers love the fact its a low key exotic.

again,eye candy is highly prized by me so my take on r8 is a grain of salt,i'm sure the speed and exhaust is amazing.

[Badhobz]

ditto. i looked into a R8 when i was buying my maz. Thought it looked like a frigging egg.

In someways i find the new one even uglier than the old one. Maybe ugly isnt the right word, its ummm more sedated on a car that was already pretty sedated to begin with. Kinda looks like a giant audi TT now.

The old one with manual tranny is going for 80-90k so they haven't really dropped off a cliff like a bently or an aston or even my own maz, but i still think you are better off with a lambo/ferrari if you are worried about resale.

If i had to do it all over again id 1) not buy one 2) just ponied up for the ferrari instead of my maz. If i bought the 458 from the get go i wouldnt have taken as much of a bath as i did. Tried to save money by convincing myself the Maz is like a Ferrari (same engine) but more practical and has 4 seats but instead lost out on the depreciation.

[TouringTeg]

The PDK vs manual is pretty interesting. I was a diehard 3 pedal for life kind of enthusiasts until my first real track experience last month.

My ITR is pretty slow and yet every thing happens so fast on the track. While you are heel and toe down shifting and focusing on keeping the transmission in the right gear to stay in the best rev range for a fast exit, this takes some of your attention away from your racing line, throttle, braking etc. The result is that you simply can't be as fast as those with lighting fast PDK.

For weekend drives the manual is more fun but for the track I see the benefit of PDK or other ultra fast shifting auto/paddle system.

I still don't know if I would choose a 2018 GT3 PDK or 7spd manual. Ideally you have an antique manual car and a modern PDK in garage. 1st world problems.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/michael.../#37f27ef1a8cd

[noclue]

The new R8’s look bad compared to the first one IMO. Rather get a 1st gen V10 R8 with a manual.

However I will rather get the R8 then kissing ass and waiting 1+ year to buy a GT3 at a markup. Even a 911 GTS with decent options cost more than the R8 RWS. Only time will tell if there’s a stigma against a R8 without quattro.