Talk me out of a R8 V10

[m1980k]

I suspect I may get a negative reaction to this, but there's a bit of me that thinks Maserati's are cars for posers (or at least people who like to be noticed)...

I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing, but it's interesting that most of us accept there are cars that are quicker, better to drive, have better technology, are more reliable, etc, but we are still willing to pay large sums of money to drive something which is (if we're really honest) sub-standard when compared to many of it's competition. The Audi R8 is a perfect example - it's almost certainly a better car by pretty much any objective measure....

It's also the case that when we (including me) talk about what we love about the cars, there are lots of references to how it sounds, how it makes people turn and stare, and the reaction the car gets from others.. As such, if we're being honest, we're all a little bit vain, and get a buzz out of people looking at us and thinking what a nice car we drive...

I've really noticed this over the last three days, as for the last 6 months my Maser had been my daily, but since Friday I've been driving my little Mini around, and it has surprised me how used I've become to having people notice me in the Maserati, and how it feels odd (and less nice) to be invisible again...

So - Is this just me?....

People want different things from cars. It's possible that at some time in the near future I'll swap the GS for a Lotus Evora because the Lotus is 250kg lighter and will handle better and be more suited to track days. I'll probably get more enjoyment from driving it fast, but not from looking at it or listening to it. I don't think any car is 'the best' but there are cars that will be your favourite because they suit you.

 

[conaero]

I suspect I may get a negative reaction to this, but there's a bit of me that thinks Maserati's are cars for posers (or at least people who like to be noticed)...

I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing, but it's interesting that most of us accept there are cars that are quicker, better to drive, have better technology, are more reliable, etc, but we are still willing to pay large sums of money to drive something which is (if we're really honest) sub-standard when compared to many of it's competition. The Audi R8 is a perfect example - it's almost certainly a better car by pretty much any objective measure....

It's also the case that when we (including me) talk about what we love about the cars, there are lots of references to how it sounds, how it makes people turn and stare, and the reaction the car gets from others.. As such, if we're being honest, we're all a little bit vain, and get a buzz out of people looking at us and thinking what a nice car we drive...

I've really noticed this over the last three days, as for the last 6 months my Maser had been my daily, but since Friday I've been driving my little Mini around, and it has surprised me how used I've become to having people notice me in the Maserati, and how it feels odd (and less nice) to be invisible again...

So - Is this just me?....

Or another way, people with style, but yes, we all like to be noticed....well more so, people to notice the beautiful car.

 

[Corranga]

So - Is this just me?....

Yes.



I don't like standing out from the crowd, it makes me feel uncomfortably self-conscious.
I already own an Elise S1 which is louder, and in brightest green, erm, louder than my silver 4200 is.
I love the subtle nature of my blend in Maserati. The class it has, the joy it gives me.

This thread is entitled 'talk me out of an R8'
The generic public buy over grown Golfs with 4 circles on the front to show off. "I have an Audi, I'm better than you in your *insert not German 'prestige' car here*"
We joke about it, but they often seem to think they can drive it anyway they like too - in a we're better than you sort of way.
Audi represent perceived build quality, perceived prestige, perceived style, perceived performance (in most cases). They are reassuringly expensive. They define fashion.
So, I'd say that the R8 has to be the current ultimate posers car.
The halo model of the brand that stands for fashion and posing - perhaps more than any other in the public's eye.

I look at Maserati drivers and see them as wanting to be different, of appreciating beauty and design, and not being afraid to veer away from fashion and trends.
I look at R8 drivers and wonder if they once owned a TT.

Maserati's are for people who know better.

All that said, I think we're just different. Your dark blue GT will stand out a LOT more than my silver 4200, especially with the dark wheels, just as your Cooper S Checkmate will stand out more than my daily Panda

 

[Ebenezer]

I think that there's something a bit mythical about a Maserati, that other marques just don't seem to have. A bit like a unicorn. People have heard of the name, but rarely see one. There's a lot of "pub lore" both bad and good, which keeps the name alive. And then when you do see one, it generally comes thundering past, looking gorgeous and leaving a smile on your face....
Eb

 

[m1980k]

So, I'd say that the R8 has to be the current ultimate posers car.
The halo model of the brand that stands for fashion and posing - perhaps more than any other in the public's eye.

I look at Maserati drivers and see them as wanting to be different, of appreciating beauty and design, and not being afraid to veer away from fashion and trends.
I look at R8 drivers and wonder if they once owned a TT.

The thing is, though, I've driven an R8 V10 and liked it. If I could justify spending the cash on a 2 seater, I'd get one. I wouldn't give a toss about what anyone thought. A significant % of Ferraris, Lamborghinis and even Maseratis are driven by absolute bellends - look at some of the modified GTs that come on the market. I judge a car on how good it is to drive, look at, listen to, whatever. But an A3 or TT has no impact on my view of the R8, neither does the existence of the Juke or Note affect how I feel about a GTR. There's a fine line between having an eye for aesthetics and spending £10,000 on a handbag because you've been swayed by advertising and you want people to see how much money you have...

 

[Felonious Crud]

How has the Jag F-type SVR not been mooted on this thread as a viable alternative to the Audi? It's blisteringly quick and looks the bollox. Sure, it doesn't have quite such a premium name badge or "mythical" (good choice of word, Eb) quality that the Maserati has, or the supercar look of the Audi or a Gallardo, but I'd be amazed if it was anything lesss of a car.

[ducks and runs for cover]

 

[azapa]

FWIW just spoke to the chap who sold me the strad. He went on to an immaculate (3K miles) 12C. Is now selling it and going back Italian (Lambo). Why? "never connected with the 12c like I did with the Strad, too clinical"

just saying. ultimate performance and sensible stats is only a part of this game.

 

[safrane]

I must be driving with my eyes closed or in areas where no one notices because I cant recall the last time someone pointed, turned round, stopped or anything else at my car... maybe this is why so many want to equip their cars with silly boom box eexhausts.

I did however turn to look at an F Tyoe driving down from Belgrave Gardens in London today... nit because it looked special or stood out (its a rather posh area) but because of the almost constant pop pop pop coming from it when he took his foot off the gas...just looked puerile.

 

[Andyk]

Or another way, people with style, but yes, we all like to be noticed....well more so, people to notice the beautiful car.

Interesting this as Maserati's have been very restrained looks wise...Well up to the GT that is.....QP, 4200, 3200......myself and Liz were talking about the 4200 we say in Lille at the weekend and she said she really didn't see what I saw in this model....Her reaction was it looks dated and old......and she said if it drove like my 3200 it wasn't a nice car to drive either. She was never a fan and also found the interior not a comfy place to be..?...So maybe a GT is a good poser car .... maybe as its has those looks but could you say a 4200/QP is....Probably not. But then for me I buy cars as I like the way the go and look and I have never really been concerned about image or what others think as long as they make me smile.

 

[JJbing]

I must be driving with my eyes closed or in areas where no one notices because I cant recall the last time someone pointed, turned round, stopped or anything else at my car... maybe this is why so many want to equip their cars with silly boom box eexhausts.

I did however turn to look at an F Tyoe driving down from Belgrave Gardens in London today... nit because it looked special or stood out (its a rather posh area) but because of the almost constant pop pop pop coming from it when he took his foot off the gas...just looked puerile.

I think that's because it's London and lambo's are everywhere

I've been stopped at fuel stations and been filmed in york! And no not by the police

 

[Andyk]

How has the Jag F-type SVR not been mooted on this thread as a viable alternative to the Audi? It's blisteringly quick and looks the bollox. Sure, it doesn't have quite such a premium name badge or "mythical" (good choice of word, Eb) quality that the Maserati has, or the supercar look of the Audi or a Gallardo, but I'd be amazed if it was anything lesss of a car.

[ducks and runs for cover]

I've had a passenger ride in one....A lovely car and sounded as good as anything else on the road. All F types sounds the ******** to be honest.

 

[hashluck]

F-Type gets a bit wearing after a while though. And then you notice the amount of plastic inside, and the lack of boot space and then that the various grilles and vents are fake and have no engineering function (I am ignoring the dreadful 4200 stick-on ones in another thread in this argument
Great on the test drive, less great to own would be my guess.

 

[iainw]

F-Type gets a bit wearing after a while though. And then you notice the amount of plastic inside, and the lack of boot space and then that the various grilles and vents are fake and have no engineering function (I am ignoring the dreadful 4200 stick-on ones in another thread in this argument
Great on the test drive, less great to own would be my guess.

The brand new well specced f type (V6) I had as a courtesy car felt noting like it's Italian contemporaries. Much more plasticy feel and a tinny exhaust sound IMO. The v8 however sounds a real drivers car.

I think it definitely depends on where you are geographically and how disinhibted the locals are.
It would take something jaw dropping for people to stare at a car in London.

I have had some uncomfortable moments recently in wales however..

 

[Andyk]

Uncomfortable.....that's just Wales Iain...

 

[hoyin]

I must be driving with my eyes closed or in areas where no one notices because I cant recall the last time someone pointed, turned round, stopped or anything else at my car... maybe this is why so many want to equip their cars with silly boom box eexhausts.

I did however turn to look at an F Tyoe driving down from Belgrave Gardens in London today... nit because it looked special or stood out (its a rather posh area) but because of the almost constant pop pop pop coming from it when he took his foot off the gas...just looked puerile.

You are in London though. Put it his way on my cycling home I passed 4 Granturismos. One was a horrid brown wrap with gold emblems.

So too many for anyone to care. You might only get a look if you in a Veyron or similar.

I don't second glance at a Porsche or Aston Martin or even a Ferrari now. Too many everywhere and all parked on the streets.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[iainw]

After spending the weekend in central London. I couldn't wait to get home. I can't believe what it is like now. So different from the early to mid 90s.

I was amazed at some of the car showrooms squeezed together in Knightsbridge - I couldn't work out how you could get some of the cars off the showroom and into the road. And the street parking! I saw at least 3 150k + cars with Wing mirrors dinged and taxis literally scraping past them.

 

[iainw]

Uncomfortable.....that's just Wales Iain...

Should have said cringeworthy rather than uncomfortable. After living in Manchester, Cambridge and London for 2/3 of my life- It's certainly one Of the most comfortable place I have been. I do miss Cheshire, but the population are so much more straightforward and good to work with / for than elsewhere. . Agree It takes more of an effort to find the right places though!

 

[mattjevans]

I work right above the Veyron showroom in Mayfair so they bore me but I'll pretty much always turn my head for a Ferrari

 

[zagatoes30]

An R8 V10 passed us on the A5 coming out of MK today, what a noise - if you can afford one go and buy it

 

[Rags]

Honestly just forget both. The Maz is pretty but just old and slow. The Audi is crazy and OTT.

Get a Porsche Turbo S. Proper car thats very comfortable and would eat most Ferrrari's for breakfast. I think you are getting into Chiron territory to beat its 0-60 time. And they dont depreciate much. The 997 ones have appreciated through the roof (especailly the Gen 2 Converts).