Pondering a change...maybe

[blueaudi]

It seems quite a few of us are considering a GTR, I've been chewing it over for a couple of months, but I have some nagging doubts. The main one is running costs, tyres and servicing is expensive and there are quite a few horror stories about warranty claims (not all true I'm sure). I will probably get out of my Avant in the Spring because it will be 3 in September and I reckon it's a good time to move on, but it's such a tough act to follow. I might bottle it and go sensible until the RS5 comes along..........

[Jimmy]

I've heard horror stories too and its also the lack of practability on the GTR that makes the RS so much better, big boot 5 doors etc.

[ArthurPE]

I've driven a GTR (an aquaintences, the dealers here won't let you) and the ride was awful, almost unbearable
I can't imaging living with it as a daily driver, long trips would be ugly

it is fast, and feels solid, the technology is impressive
but then again, it is a DD street car and can't be driven any faster than the RS4 on the street, there are laws
on the track, doesn't matter, you aren't 'racing', you are learning, and a stripped out 944 Turbo (e30 BMW, etc.) would be just as good a learning tool
not to menion cracking up or breaking your DD on the track would suck

I would much prefer a 997TT for a DD sports car, it's 500 lbs lighter, plenty fast, and after all, it is a Porsche...the heritage, etc., has some importance to me
absolute speed is secondary

[P_G]

The people considering GT-R's do you have older kids or none at all? I'd love to consider an R-35 but there is not way it has the practicality of the RS4 Avant.

Also curious to see no one thus far has considered an RS6 saloon or Avant? Me perosnally I am hoping they go one further than the RS5 and do an RS5 Sportback., otherwise C6 RS6 and knocking a section of my house down to fit it in the garage is on the cards!

With new visibility regulations kicking in next year, even if they do build the new RS4 it'll have wng mirrors as big or bigger than the current A4 (nb/ look at the RR Ghost wing mirrors) and it will look flawed. And it'll need at least another 100bhp to get over the drag caused by them.

[pippyrips]

For those concerned with available space in the GT-R, perhaps this may be of use..




PG - i've got one, three year old. The way i see the the GT-R is i could get one and be fine with rear leg room for another couple of years but afer that....

I've been looking out for RS6 saloons but they seem to be like hen's teeth, there are plenty of Avants around but i'm not really interested in them.

Like you, i'm hoping Audi do a Sportback RS5. The current weather has highlighted there is a hole in the current market for a premium, fast German car that can be used 365 days a year

[MGreen]

I went the other way, R35 to a B7 Sedan. No complaints about the GTR, it's a phenomenal car. Sold it as I moved countries, otherwise would still have it. However it's a very different type of car to the RS4. The back seats have less leg room than a 911. In fact outside of toddlers they're effectively useless. If you jam the passenger seat full forward then an adult can squeeze in but then both front passenger and passenger 3 will both be wishing they were somewhere else.
If you have an RS Avant then no comparison.

Then there's always the exhaust note as someone here has mentioned, the driver involvement from the manual gearbox, and the incomparable practicality of the RS.

I'm looking to buy an RS Avant. Buy the GTR if you don't intend to transport a family.

[psg001]

interesting thread.. I have thought about the GTR as a next car in 1.5 yrs time, awesome performance but do get the feeling thats pretty much all it delivers, so many areas it would be less practical and less enjoyable to own and drive compared to the RS4, and possible v.expensive running costs and limitations in places to get it serviced. Would have to test drive one. Am sure the 911T would be more fun and it has that history too.