C&D "Everyday Supercars"

[TheIntrepid]

1st Place
Audi R8 - 220 Points
Base Price - $109,720
Tested Price - $120,970
0-60 - 4.3
0-100 - 10.7
1/4 Mile 12.8 @ 112 mph
5-60 - 4.8
70-0 - 160 feet
300 ft skidpad - .97
Willow Springs International Raceway Lap Time - 1:35.76/94.0 mph
Lane change (mph) - 66.7
Observed miles per gallon - 14

Highs
Ballet-dancer balance and grace, eager responses, telepathic steering, internal combustion rarely sounds better.

Lows
Proportions awkward from some angles, uncomfortable dead-pedal height, blind in the rear quarters.

Verdict
Sports-car perfection from an unexpected source.

2nd Place
Porsche 911 Turbo - 210 Points
Base Price - $123,760
Tested Price - $141,510
0-60 - 3.8
0-100 - 9.2
1/4 Mile 12.2 @ 117 mph
5-60 - 4.8
70-0 - 159 feet
300 ft skidpad - .98
Willow Springs International Raceway Lap Time - 1:38.53/91.3 mph :boring:
Lane change (mph) - 65.0
Observed miles per gallon - 14

Highs
Omigawd thrust, never-fade brakes, limpet grip, gorgeous interior treatment, maximum Porsche mystique.

Lows
Spooky at the limits of adhesion, high interior noise levels, Prussian ride quality, snoot scrapes on driveway ramps.

Verdict
For 911 addicts who have no wish to be cured, Porsche Sturm und Drang just doesn't get any better than this.

3rd Place
Aston Martin V8 Vantage - 191 Points
Base Price - $117,150
Tested Price - $129,110
0-60 - 5.1
0-100 - 12.3
1/4 Mile 13.5 @ 106 mph
5-60 - 5.8
70-0 - 165 feet
300 ft skidpad - .93
Willow Springs International Raceway Lap Time - 1:40.73/89.4 mph
Lane change (mph) - 64.1
Observed miles per gallon - 13

Highs
Appealingly edgy update on classic GT-coupe shape, smooth operator on rough payment, irresistible V8 growl.

Lows
A bit too much body roll, nervous under hard braking, short on muscle among these heavy lifters.

Verdict
A stylish GT sophisticate that's a little out of its depth among these thoroughbreds.

[TheIntrepid]

And unexpectedly, the R8 is 3 whole seconds a lap faster than the 997TT!!!

[SVT666]

And unexpectedly, the R8 is nearly 3 whole seconds a lap faster than the 997TT!!!

There, fixed.  How are these everyday supercars?  I was thinking this would be Corvette, GT500, Boxster, Exige S, etc.  Those are everyday supercars.

[heelntoe]

i agree with you hemi except the 911 is more of a DD than the exige.

[SVT666]

i agree with you hemi except the 911 is more of a DD than the exige.

True.

[SVT666]

When I think of "Everyday Supercars", then I would have to think it could be a car I would be ok with driving year round.

[TheIntrepid]

There, fixed.  How are these everyday supercars?  I was thinking this would be Corvette, GT500, Boxster, Exige S, etc.  Those are everyday supercars.

That's the title of the article.

[SVT666]

That's the title of the article.

I know it's the title.  I'm not questioning you, I'm questioning C&D.

[Raza]

The R8 is only the second car that I've ever heard of that has a mid engine, AWD layout.  From my virtual experience with that layout (and I mean virtual, as in video game), it seems to be a very special application of AWD stability and mid engine dynamincs.  Rotate on the way into a corner, and then "catch" and power through.  Very interesting concept.  I can't say that I wasn't rooting for the 911 Turbo, but the R8 definitely is a strong entry. 

[SJ_GTI]

When I think of "Everyday Supercars", then I would have to think it could be a car I would be ok with driving year round.

I'd imagine the R8 would be fine driving year round. You may not want to take it out in a blizzard, but it should be fine in normal winter weather.

I saw a fair share of Porsche 911's driving in Montreal's winter.  The R8 should be just as capable as a 911 4.

[ro51092]

Fuck this, I'll take the 911, anyday.

[TheIntrepid]

Fuck this, I'll take the 911, anyday.

Aston > That

[Raza]

You see that episode of Top Gear where the Stig ran the V8 Vantage, M6, and 911 S down the same stretch of road?  The V8 and M6 tied (very impressive since the M6 has 9021bhp and the V8 has 163), but the 911 S beat them by six seconds. 

[ro51092]

Aston > That

The 911's the enthusiast's ride, the Aston's for the sissy who wants to look cool.

[S204STi]

You see that episode of Top Gear where the Stig ran the V8 Vantage, M6, and 911 S down the same stretch of road?? The V8 and M6 tied (very impressive since the M6 has 9021bhp and the V8 has 163), but the 911 S beat them by six seconds.?

I love that bit.  I saw it on Youtube though.

[SJ_GTI]

Fuck this, I'll take the 911, anyday.

I'd probably be happy to have a regular 911 (or even a Cayman) and save the money compared to an R8, but if it was simply a choice between the 911 Turbo and the R8 I think I'd go with the R8.*


*Note: opinion is based purely on magazines, since I have never driven either of the specified automobiles.

[SVT666]

I'd imagine the R8 would be fine driving year round. You may not want to take it out in a blizzard, but it should be fine in normal winter weather.

I saw a fair share of Porsche 911's driving in Montreal's winter.? The R8 should be just as capable as a 911 4.

If I spent that much money on a car, I wouldn't be driving it in the winter...especially in all that salt Montreal uses.  But that's just me.

[r0tor]

I'd probably be happy to have a regular 911 (or even a Cayman) and save the money compared to an R8, but if it was simply a choice between the 911 Turbo and the R8 I think I'd go with the R8.*


*Note: opinion is based purely on magazines, since I have never driven either of the specified automobiles.

i agree and i'll add once I saw the R8 in person at the autoshow, i finally understood how outstanding the design looks in person

[Tave]

Remember right when the Turbo was comming out they kept it in the Northern Hemisphere and made journalists drive it on the snow.?It was putting down some insane numbers, even handicapped by conditions.

If it can handle Sweden it can handle Montreal, though like you, I'd be hesitant to put a car that nice on bad roads.

A regular Carrera on the other hand...my uncle sold his in part because it couldn't make it up his driveway during Wyoming winters.

[Raza]

Carreras are known for their ability to handle snow.  Rear engine means great traction.  How steep was his driveway? 

A kid I knew in high school had a steep, gravel driveway.  The E320 had trouble making it up that in the dry. 

[Tave]

Carreras are known for their ability to handle snow.? Rear engine means great traction.? How steep was his driveway??

A kid I knew in high school had a steep, gravel driveway.? The E320 had trouble making it up that in the dry.?

Steeper than some, not as steep as others 

[SJ_GTI]

If I spent that much money on a car, I wouldn't be driving it in the winter...especially in all that salt Montreal uses.? But that's just me.

you could say that about any car. heck, some people called me silly for keeping my alloy wheels on during winter.

For me, I figure if I am going to spend the money to buy a nice car, I am going to drive it as much as possible. 

[565]

Wow that R8 performed excellently.  I totally underestimated the Audi, thinking it was just a halo car and not a real competitor.  It's quite a bit slower than the 911 Turbo in a straight line, but still so completely beat it on the track.  The Audi's handling must be pure magic.  It's also cheaper than the 911 Turbo as well.

Before I always thought the R8 would be a performance match for the 911 4S, thus the R8 would have been an overpriced alternative.  This review shows that at least on a track, it can obliterate a 911 Turbo, and suddenly it's looking like a bargain.  I have alot more respect for this car now.

Now I wonder what the V10 version will do.  F430 killer?

[Raghavan]

I"ll take the Vantage.

[TheIntrepid]

I"ll take the Vantage.

As my uncle, and Rohan would say; "Good man."

[ro51092]

As my uncle, and Rohan would say; "Good man."

Rohan=me?

[850CSi]

The 911's the enthusiast's ride, the Aston's for the sissy who wants to look cool.

[850CSi]

The R8 is only the second car that I've ever heard of that has a mid engine, AWD layout.

If you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. Put the engine in the middle and have it power all four wheels...

[TheIntrepid]

Rohan=me?

Yep.

[the Teuton]

Where's the lovely Zed-oh-six?  That's far more of an everyday supercar than the R8--and about $50,000 cheaper to boot.

Gimme a 997 Turbo out of these three.