The Audi R8 is the quintessential want-one car of the late 2000s. There’s absolutely zero doubt about that. Sure, the Nissan GT-R had an absolute chokehold on the culture, and the Corvette ZR1 was an Amerigasm on par with shooting a Baconator with a Colt 1911 as a bald eagle flies overhead, but now that the dust is fully settled, the R8 is still the one.
How many awards did it win? Just about all of them. World Performance Car of the Year, World Car Design of the Year, Canadian Car of the Year, Automobile Magazine Design of the Year and Automobile of the Year, you already know what’s going on. It was Iron Man’s car, it was name-dropped by everyone from Chief Keef to Juelz Santana, it was the desktop background of every teenager and everyone who was still mentally a teenager. The R8 has always been the absolute shit.
Best of all, the Audi R8 sold in proper numbers, so this absolute juggernaut is now the cheapest way to get a modern vehicle with a gated manual and the cheapest way into a modern supercar, to the point where they overlap with new Mustang money. Don’t believe me? Just take a look.
What Are We Looking At?
Only one of the greatest poster cars of the 21st century. For decades, Audi built cars for people who liked skiing. They were properly quick on snow, but never quite had the edge of fast BMWs and AMGs. Then, in 2006, Audi went postal. It took its 4.2-liter V8, mated it to a gated six-speed manual transaxle, shoved it into a modified Lamborghini Gallardo structure, draped it in some of the sexiest sheetmetal to come out of Germany since, well, ever, and gave it LED eyes to haunt your dreams and elevate your fantasies. The result? An instant classic, a boost for the Audi brand, and an overnight household name — R8.
In one move, Audi made the Porsche 911 look dull, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage look uninspired, the Ferrari F430 look overpriced, and the Lamborghini Gallardo look unnecessary. It was a genuine everyday junior supercar that blended the livability of a sports coupe with the absolutely beguiling X-factor and performance of the world’s best machinery. I wanted one. You wanted one. We all wanted one. Maybe that’s why Audi sold more than 26,000 of the things. However, such a high production rate for an exotic car means some less-than-exotic pricing on the second-hand market.
How Much Are We Talking?
An R8 for Mustang money? Well, yes. If you want the go-fast Mustang of the moment, you’re probably looking at the Dark Horse. Well, for the 2025 model year, a base Dark Horse with no options starts at $65,570 including freight. Yep, you can find a decent-looking Audi R8 for that money, no problem. In fact, you’ll even be able to find a gated manual one, like this 2009 six-speed manual R8 coupe that sold last month on Cars & Bids for $60,069. Nice. Sure, it may have a few aftermarket modifications like an ECU remap, an Armytrix exhaust system, BC forged wheels, and BC Racing coilovers, but those aren’t inherently bad things. Plus, this car isn’t wrapped, and the paint actually looks pretty good, even with 83,000 miles under its belt. The catch? Two minor hits and one minor-to-moderate hit on the Carfax. Still, if you’re looking for a keeper, that may not be bad news. This is an R8 the new owner can proudly drive hard and often, and if that isn’t a win, I don’t know what is.
That’s all well and good, but what about a gated R8 with a clean Carfax and lower mileage? Well, check out this 2009 model that hammered on Bring A Trailer a few weeks ago for $65,000. Not only does it have a clean Carfax, it had a reasonable 63,000 miles on the clock when it sold, although the modifications might not be to everyone’s taste. However, there are good signs someone spent real money on this car. Sure, the wrap makes it difficult to discern the condition of the paint beneath, but the fact that the owner spent the big bucks to wrap the door jambs speaks volumes. It’s the same deal with the KW V3 coilovers, because although they aren’t the same as the factory mag ride, those aren’t cheap suspension parts. Oh, and if you don’t like the wheels, don’t worry — the factory originals were included with the car, packaged up neatly in cardboard boxes. Seems like a bit of a score, right?
Want to trade a pedal for a drop-top and seriously low mileage? No problem. This red 2011 R8 Spyder hammered on Bring A Trailer on Wednesday for $63,500, and it only has 17,000 miles on the clock. Sure, the R-Tronic automated manual gearbox isn’t exactly what anyone would call smooth, but replacement OEM mag ride dampers in 2019 tip the scales, as does a clean Carfax and the generally outstanding visual condition of this car. A solid deal by any measure.
What Can Go Wrong On An Audi R8?
Ever noticed how a lot of used first-generation R8s are on aftermarket adjustable coilovers? Yeah, there’s a reason for that. See, Audi used magnetorheological dampers on these cars that are known to fail, and replacements cost $2,799.99 each from FCP Euro. Yes, each. It turns out that buying a supercar still often means spending supercar money on parts if you want to keep everything OEM. Ouch.
Oh, and then there’s the fact that the air conditioning is a sore spot on these cars. The compressor itself isn’t wildly expensive at $464.99 for an OE Denso compressor from FCP Euro, but replacing it calls for an absurd 27.5 hours of book labor on V8 cars. Why on earth does it take more than a full day? Because you have to remove the freaking engine to get to it. Supercars, am I right?
Otherwise, these cars are fairly stout, although general servicing and maintenance costs are higher than on say, a Porsche 911. Rear brake discs are expensive at $481.02 apiece from FCP Euro, the engine takes a whopping ten liters of oil for an oil change, and control arms cost a pretty penny. On the flipside, Audi did use a lot of component sharing when building these cars, so items like cabin air filters, tie rod ends, and even some interior electronics are pretty cheap.
Should You Buy An Audi R8?
Compared to a Ford Mustang Dark Horse, the Audi R8 will be more expensive to maintain, won’t have as high of an overall performance envelope, is less practical, and good luck getting a warranty on it. However, it’s also the poster car for a generation, a mid-engined line in the sand drawn by an automaker sick and tired of people making fun of how most of its cars understeered. A used Audi R8 isn’t a smart choice over a new Mustang Dark Horse, but if you’ve always wanted one, what are you waiting for? Life is only getting shorter.
(Photo credits: Cars & Bids, Bring A Trailer)
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Buying one of these thinking you will keep it on the road for Mustang money is a fool’s errand. But man do they look and sound nice.
It is a high strung Audi, you will pay to keep it alive well beyond what you thought.
This kind of price comparison just drives home how I can’t afford a supercar, and genuinely makes me wonder at how many Mustangs I see driving around. A Dark Horse represents *twice* the *annual* take-home income in my area…not even worth my time to fantasize about.
I don’t know that I’d ever want to own one in my current economic position, but dang if they aren’t sweet to drive. And easy to see out of, at least compared to other mid-engine cars.The greenhouse is almost airy.
Guess I’ll be the minority here and say I love these cars. Tons of performance for not a lot of money.
Huh.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oRdS4yJrAo&t=11s
Hot take, I’ve never found them that pretty outside. But interior is really nice and that gated shifter… I still occasionally shop them due that manual, but I think their desirability is again going up as is the pricing.
hmmm
https://www.theautopian.com/how-one-man-racked-up-100000-in-repairs-for-his-audi-r8
I had no idea these were common dream cars. For Audi masochists, sure, but normal people? Just a typically uninspiring German car with inexplicable and unacceptable German car problems and costs to me. These have an issue with frames cracking, too, as others have mentioned. I’m actually surprised they’re still worth so much. I guess maybe they really are more desirable than I thought.
I like Audis, I had a Coupe GT in the ’80s. It was nice but felt fragile. Also if you hit a pothole and broke a 14″ OE alloy wheel it cost over three hundred 1985 US dollars to replace it. Still a little frosty about that.
I live in a big city and ask myself, when was the last time I saw an Audi 4000, 5000, Coupe GT, 80, 90, 100 or 200 on the road? They are just gone. Audi had similar sales figures to Jaguar in those years, and yet I still see a few series III XJ-6, XJ40, and XJS driving to the supermarket. It’s not like Audi was Peugeot. We should be seeing the occasional vintage Audi puttering around Los Angeles. Admittedly this is anecdotal, but it’s enough for me. I’ll be staying far away from an R8. An Acura NSX, on the other hand…
After reading this, I leaned over to my wife and said, “life’s too short baby, let’s get an R8,” then we laughed and laughed.
I do like the looks, but like every supercar or wannabe, it’s more trouble, expense and time, than I need. I also enjoy these comparisons, so don’t take it as a slight to the writing.
I thought the headline said that you can service an Audi R8 for the price of a new Ford Mustang.
The Audi TT taken to illogical conclusions.
Uhh, not a single mention of the famed frame cracking problem that totals out the car?
Seriously I thought this was an enthusiast site. Its so wide spread there were aftermarket plates to reinforce that area.
At least warn people damn.
This was my first thought too – you definitely should check for the cracks and budget a repair/reinforcement kit if they are not cracked – and not buy one if they are cracked.
Oh, my. I remember the E46 and its cracked subframe problem; I had no idea the R8 had an even worse issue.
Started with the e36
Pretty sure that’s why god invented JBWeld.
Its an Audi you heathen. Würth Fixall must be used. German car, German JBWeld. I’m not mad, I’m just enttäuscht.
OK, but how about a Ferarri 348GTS for $72,500? Gated manual, recent engine-out service with reliability upgrades, and THOSE SIDE STRAKES.
Nice, but silver is a no good. Too boring of a color for an exotic.
A Testarossa you can fit through a garage door.
This is the play. Always loved the 348/355’s looks.
The 355 is the prettiest modern Ferrari.
I’ve always loved the R8, used to go nuts for it but when the chance came to get one, it was between an R8 and older Gallardo and a GTR, I went for the GTR without hesitation. Would still do the same today.
There is just something about all the issues with the engine and transmission the early V8’s. If I wanted the V10, it will be lambo all day long. The real issue is, there is still a lot of competent options to consider, 911 (used GT3’s are a bargain), NSX, used i8, cheap Astons aplenty, Mclarens, C8 etc. For about the same or a little more money, you can always score better on the used market. So to me the R8 feels like if you really, really still dream of one, go ahead but for R8 money, there’s so much more to consider.
Honestly, the price of parts doesn’t sound too terrible for what you get, or considering the value and capability of the car. $2,700 for a MagRide strut is dear, but the price to replace the rear right strut in my 2015 S 550 Coupe was $2,500, and that only includes an hour and a half of labor, meaning the strut itself cost over $2,000 through an independent Daimler-Benz shop.
Also, the car was squeaking horribly over bumps and when turning the wheel, a common issue on these. Thankfully, it was the lower front control arms–whose bushings had failed. Those cost about $2,200 to do, including labor…but the issue could have required a new steering rack, which would have been $4,100 just for the part (and it’s backordered).
All of these $2,500-odd jobs are against a car I paid $35,700 for in May, and that would be difficult to get rid of if I tried. There’s not a huge market for S Coupes. Meanwhile, an old R8 in reasonable condition is worth twice that and plenty of people will line up to pay it…and so the repair-cost-to-value ratio shakes out much more favorably.
Should I buy an R8?
Yeah but the S Coupe/Convertible is one of the prettiest modern Benz’s ever so it’s worth it
Only sushi depreciates faster than a decade-old big Benz. And I like my odds with the sushi better.
The R8 (magnaride not counted) is the reliable supercar of choice. Daily drive it, keep it maintained and it will get you from point A to point B for a very long time. It’s even decent in winter!
This seems opposite of what many in my circles say. the turbo and NA audi v-8’s are a pain to maintain since the designers could not really seem to figure which end of the motor to put things one so the things fit in the little front engine A cars as well these Lambo based Rear engined things, and of course Lambo supercar V10 versions have your typical on or off mentality of the engine and trans.
Yeah the V10 versions are a headache. The V8 though I’ve seen good things about long term. Maybe the maintenance itself sucks, because of placement, but it is as reliable as they seem to be in the A/S series cars.
Every time (other than this article) I hear R8s being discussed, the general consensus is they’re – fine. They’re not the car people lust after, but they’re – ok, I guess. They’re a bit on the bland-looking side to me. But if that’s the car you’ve always wanted, get one if you can afford it. Life’s too short.
That’s Audi for you – they’re fine. No lust, no deep suffering. They’re fine.