Hi all,

TLDR: should I sell my minter Scoob and get an R8 V8?

To set the scene, I’m 43 and have owned Scoobys since early 2000s. I’ve had my blue/gold 05 UK STI for 7 years now. In that time I’ve put 12k miles on it and she’s now on 48k. I SORN it for the winter and it’s kept in a heated garage year round. It’s completely standard with PPP…got a ridiculously good service history and almost immaculate. Basically it’s a belter!

Out of nowhere I’ve started to hanker after a manual V8 R8. They seem to be an excellent mix of usable performance (not silly quick but quick enough) and great looks. With an after market exhaust they also sound terrific. Servicing seems
reasonable too. The more I read/watch about them the more a manual non mag seem great value at the moment. I know their “super car” status is debatable but for me it would be a huge step up and make those weekend blasts that bit more special.

I definitely can’t afford both, so the Scoob would have to go. Has anyone jumped in an R8 from a Scoob as a weekend car? Would love to get opinions from the SN hive mind.

Guess my main concern is that if I let the scooby go, it’s probably unlikely that I’ll be able to find another one like it should I miss them and want back in.

They’ve been under my skin for so long that even considering selling is becoming a much more emotional process than I was expecting 😆

cheers

 

Go drive one...they are wide, very wide. Entirely different proposition from a Scoob.

Once you have driven a proper two seat sports car its like a light goes on in your brain and you recognise all the compromise in something like an Impreza

 

ive driven a couple of r8s (on & off track) and view them as a perfectly reliable usable weekend car - and much more of an experience driving it and although i was driving a v10 r8 but equally id be happy with a v8 variant. id sell my scoob in a heartbeat for a move to an r8.

the width isnt that big a deal unless you drive a classic scoob or likes - they phase 1 R8s are only 10cm wider per side (measured from mirrors) than my 09 hatch sti for example (already been checking can i squeeze one into my drive lol) - but like anything you get use to it very quickly

i also think the series 1 will start to appreciate over years to come

 

A difference that needs to be considered in the context of a UK B road...

mkI R8 1904
classic 1690
Blob 1695

 

Hatch STI 1740

and then consider that r8 width against all the chelsea tractors...only looks really wide because its really low

 

OP has a 2005 car though...don't see many Chelsea tractors on a B road thrash around here

 

By the sounds of your subaru, I'd keep it. You're right in that you'll never find one again. Doesn't the R8 have a ridiculous oil change procedure & cost's or am I thinking of another car.maybe try win one dream car give away, rent one or at least drive one before selling up.

 

any of these 'supercar' or luxury motors have crazy servicing as well as repair costs so be very wary as it makes any Subaru issue look budget basement.....

 

£450 for an oil change from Audi dealership on a v8 or v10 for reference annual or 10k mile

£295 for an RS3 just as comparison.....

 

Probably 1/2 that at a specialist and really who would use the main dealer.
**** that

 

Why manual?

I have had a R35 GTR and currently own a Mercedes AMG GT-S and the flappy paddle gearboxes are bloody good fun! And to be fair Mercedes main dealer isnt that bad for my AMG GT-S - did an oil and filter service end of last year. Although I will be switching to an indie.

I test drove a R8 before I bought the GTR and I wasnt blown away. GTR blew me away..... now the GT-S is next level to the GTR! I also think the Merc will hold value a bit better than the R8.

 

Thanks for replying - Yep, guess it comes down to what you want from the car. If it was all out performance for that money I'd look at a GTR, 996/997 Turbo. I love the fact the R8 is quick, but not ridiculously so which combined with that open gaited manual should make ringing out the revs a real joy. Looking at manual as it's meant to be one of the best boxes out there (plus the R-tronic is meant to be a bit ****). I almost see it as a GT in a Super Car shell really. The Scoob has been amazing in every respect, but I just feel that walking to the garage on a weekend to take out an R8 will be a much more ball-tingling occasion.

 

From what I've read/watched on YT, the Gen1 V8 is meant to be pretty respectable in terms of servicing costs. Discs/pads are horrendous but I'd be doing 2-3k miles a year so shouldn't be too much of a factor. A 60k mile service from an Indy is £350 quid which is obviously more than the Scooby, but no where near Lambo/Ferrari territory.

Agree re repairs and extended Audi warranty will be a must, having said that, they are pretty reliable from as far as I can tell.

I'd also have any potential vehicle fully inspected by Audi to try and mitigate any 'surprises'.

...and yes I am still talking myself into it!

 

Thanks for your thoughts. That's exactly what I am after - A proper occasion when I do get the chance to drive it,. The fact the Gen1 R8 is expected to appreciate (more so once the R8 goes fully electric I expect) also takes some of the anxiety away from selling the STI. With the way things are going I have visions of letting the Scooby go only to see them rocket in price over the next 5+ years.

 

To be fair, you are right, the flappy gearbox on the R8 wasnt the best, but you can still run through the gears at your leisure. But I get what you mean.... so good luck with it.