We’re pretty used to the formula here: take a limited edition or special production 911, slap a neat color on it, and watch the price rise. Even brand new cars – ones that you can roll down to the dealership and order up yourself – are demanding a strong premium in the used marketplace. Insanity? A ‘bubble’? Bad economics? It doesn’t matter what the cause is, it’s the way life is for the foreseeable future.
But there’s a really compelling alternative, I think – for about the same money as most of the modern Porsche range, you can jump into near supercar-level performance and exotic looks with the Audi R8. The ‘regular’ V10 cranked out 540 horsepower, and hooked to the S-Tronic 7-speed gearbox is good for 3.5 second blasts to 60. And that speed is linked to all-four wheels with a gorgeous body and interior full of the most modern electronics. Sure, this isn’t a ‘Plus’ model, but there are a few reasons to like this one, and it should be pretty obvious.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2017 Audi R8 V10 Exclusive on eBay
Year: 2017
Model: R8 V10 Exclusive
VIN: WUAEAAFX5H7903456
Engine: 5.2 liter V10
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch S Tronic
Mileage: 22,790 mi
Location: Miami, Florida
Price: Reserve Auction
2017 Audi R8 V10 Coupe Exclusive Color!! Carbon Fiber!! Low Miles!! Audi Care!! Factory Warranty Till 2022!!
Someone went through a lot of effort for this setup. The $3,900 Audi Exclusive color almost seems like a good deal, and goes unnamed – but I think it’s either Papaya Orange (LY2B) or Porsche Signal Orange (L20E). Special options didn’t end there, as this car also has $12,450 worth of black fine Nappa leather covering the interior accented by Signal Orange stitching (which might give a better clue to the exterior color and cost $500) and with $5,000 of diamond stitching, $4,500 worth of exterior carbon fiber trim, $3,400 worth of interior carbon, dynamic steering, and red brake calipers – which are no longer red, but still cost $700 to paint. The total out the door on this one was $198,400.
Of course, the R8 isn’t the 911, so special colors don’t seem to have the same draw here, though condition appears to be near new. The dealer has this one on its website at $126,999, and I bet if you showed up with a bit less it’d be yours before winter. That’s right around the same price as a base 911 Carrera 4S stickers for today – which would you take?
-Carter
At times I daydream of upgrading from a 996 to a 992 Targa 4S. I think of it as All The Fun On The Planet. And while I can also think of wiser things to spend money on, given the choice between the 992-4S or an R8-V10, I take THIS R8-V10. The color is a giant hook, as is the tied-in stitching. Silver and black? Meh, no thanks (no disdain; just doesn’t float my boat). But I love this one.
I must be the only person on the planet that can’t stand this silly diamond stitching obsession that has taken over the planet.
That color though! Awesome color. It’s bright but has depth to it. Porsche needs to re-think their Miami Blue, as it’s just pigment–no depth or shine IMO.
I was out doing the grocery shopping, and there was a black R8 Plus with black wheels (no window tint which was nice). Very nicely styled cars. Restrained styling. And in black the center grille doesn’t look so comically oversized.
Excellent color and options. Great deal. I agree…at that money I would take the Audi..although I would price out similar years Porsche Turbos first…
Our reader Carl chimed in with some insider info: The color is Solar Orange.