Yesterday, a middle-age guy in a current-generation 7 Series was checking out the R8 while I was driving on the freeway. Today, it was a Gen-Y dude in an Eclipse GT on city streets. Both had their driver-side windows down while giving our long-term Audi R8 -- and me -- a long look. In both encounters, I spurred the R8 a little to, you know, show them that there's more to the mid-mounted V8 than pretty artwork. And both drivers were all grins and thumbs up when they caught up to the R8.
No doubt Mr. 7 and Mr. Eclipse assumed the R8 was my car. But I'm wondering how other R8 owners react to the constant attention. Does prolonged ownership generate a nonchalant attitude towards the car's celebrity status? Maybe they just drive "cool" because they are cool -- I'm pretty sure R8 owners at least have nicer teeth and better cable TV packages than I do.
With most of our test cars, it's pretty easy to emulate the driving style of the stereotypical owner. The Audi R8 owner is harder to pin down. So I guess I'll continue to feed our long-termer its oats until somebody tells me otherwise.
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor @ 27,659 miles
edubya says:
12:04 PM, 02/ 3/09
I always offer a cheerful wave, maybe a quick toot of the horn. We wealthy few have to do our part to keep the proletariat content. Those lesser mortals would riot in the streets if they knew how much money I spent just on butter (for my daily clarified butter baths) last year.
kubica says:
12:50 PM, 02/ 3/09
I don't think too many would assume it's your car, considering the fact you're driving in California with a Michigan plate.
epbrown says:
02:22 PM, 02/ 3/09
Can't help you with the stereotype - I still haven't seen one of these on the road here in Chicago, where I pass Maseratis, Bentleys, Rolls-Royces, Porsches and the like all the time. Maybe the true R8 owners have them in the garage on a lighted dais, and come home to sit in a directors chair with a glass of Merlot, admiring it.
estreka says:
02:46 PM, 02/ 3/09
I don't think anyone that makes 5 figures is every going to understand how the other half lives. I don't think I'd ever want to reach the point where an exotic is "ho-hum" to me.
huyracing says:
03:51 PM, 02/ 3/09
Most "owners" of such cars don't actually own the car. Its usually a lease. I get these offers in the mail all the time and it is definitely affordable for the average person who is able to save and make some sacrifices for a car.
edubya says:
06:58 PM, 02/ 3/09
Huyracing, I agree with that assessment. I think the same is true for most luxury cars.
johnnyr3 says:
03:30 AM, 02/ 4/09
I've seen at least three of these bad boys in my arena, The Biden home state of Hellaware. These things are even more impressive in person and as difficult to keep up with when the driver isn't really trying. And the GT-R is faster than this?!
The last time I saw one of these I figured the guy was keeping it in third or fourth and dippin' in and out of traffic like everyone on the road was parked. Its funny. The R8 was moving at speeds typical of the "I'm-in-a-hurry!! Outta-my-way!!" V6 Accord/Camry driver, but the Audi just look SOO much more controlled. I'm a fan.
Also saw one GT-R on the road in DE. I nearly shit my pants. It really does look like a Gundam.
Given the choice, I'd go with the GT-R. I can't throw the two year-old in the trunk of an R8. I mean, theoretically, one could but...I kinda like my daughter.
ttummy says:
05:22 AM, 02/ 4/09
I've seen two of these in, of all places, Cleveland / Mayfield OH, in summer 08. One was driven by an old geezer in the office building next to ours, who also drives a Continental GT, SL55 AMG, and Continental Flying Spur. The other one I saw was on the highway.
dougtheeng says:
05:58 AM, 02/ 4/09
I've only seen one in Southern Ontario so far. I still haven't seen a GT-R.
audisport says:
06:44 AM, 02/ 4/09
Ive seen a handful of them on the road, usually right down the street from my home by what used to be VW/Audi North American HQ. But they moved out of Michigan like everyone seems to be doing these days. And when I had my A4 in at the dealer a few months ago, a guy was taking delivery of a black one. Of course he was old and probably will never drive it properly. Bummer.
sgude says:
10:32 AM, 02/ 4/09
The funniest old story I have is when I was 30, I was driving my '86 GTI, lowered with Neuspeed springs and Momo 15" wheels (which were hot back in the day). I was prematurely gray because of a nagging (ex) wife. One day while driving down a major street in Portland, OR, I noticed another GTI full of girls driving quickly through traffic. They came up to my passenger side. Looking over, the driver said, "Oh, he's old," then sped off.
I was too stunned to do anything but laugh.
On the R8, I have yet to see one on the road, even here in DC metro.
dragonflight says:
11:41 AM, 02/ 4/09
First time I saw the R8 on the street, it was straight out of an Audi commercial. It was a foggy November day (read: parking lights necessary) and I saw an LED beam cutting through from opposing traffic while waiting at the light. As he pulled up to the intersection, I nearly rolled into the intersection, when I lifted my foot in shock. I quickly opened my window for As soon as it hit green, he punched it full throttle, it was like a symphony that only the driver and I appreciated- no one else was even looking at it.
And this is coming from someone who regularly passes/"races" with porsches/bentleys/benzes/bmw. This machine is simply stunning.
vegaspeed says:
04:16 PM, 02/ 5/09
I had been in lust with the R8 ever since I saw them on the road during an Audi event in Las Vegas a couple years back.
Finally pulled the trigger on one in December.
It is an amazing car, and YES I do feel like a rock star when I am driving it.
It always great to see people taking pictures next to it, or asking questions. Even if someone just wants to hear it rev a little for a video they are making.
Even if the car puts a smile on someones face for a second or 2, I am glad I could do my part to make that happen.
sweder8 says:
08:14 AM, 08/21/10
Having an R8 is tremendous!! Hey How about setting up a R8 Owners Club ?? Mine is Brilliant Red with Graphite sideblades and all engine graphite accessories. Police sure notice the Red and I get challenged a lot by the New Cameros of which their are a lot of them on the road--I just laugh and let them pull away--I don't need a speeding ticket in VA.---The attention goes with the territory-- Let's face it people--Isn't that why you bought an R8?--To Be Seen??--Be honest!!! --Just picked mine up Dec. 2009-it was used but I saved a "ton" of money and with some hard bargaining I really saved a lot of money over a new one.-got free delivery from Cleveland to VA, new tires,etc--I got a Fantastic Deal from an Audi Dealer!!!
I get a kick out of the Teens and 20's when I drive it to get ice cream or just lose my frustrations from my job and company I work for--The young'ens are always taking pictures and really are excitied!!!
This takes me back to when I was in High School and had a 1969 Red Roadrunner--To all the R8 Owners--We've come a long Waaaaaay!!!