fountain

Newbie here, please help.
I have been checking this board for the last 3+ years, you guys and gals are great.

Any member out there own both?
I am torn between a new ZR1 or a new Audi R8-10cyl-5.2. Money not much of issue. I am not going to track car.

I currently own from new a C6-2006, 4spd-26000mi.

04_Z06_CE

I would say besides the interior and quality the ZR1 beats this car in every performance category.

You obviously wouldnt get a GM for the interior, would you ?

Heck even the Lowly Z06 beats it. ( even around the track)

911/Q45

On the street, where performance and durability won't be an issue, the Audi wins for fit, finish and exclusivity. But why would you get either if you're not going to the track? A Kia Forte will be fine!

QUIKAG

Both are great choices for different reasons. Drive them both and you'll know which one you want.

Shurshot

10 Cyl audi is already history as far as the future is concerned and is being replaced by a bi-turbo V8 that in the RS7 is expected to produce 600 or so bhp

Still they are two totally different cars and by the time the RS7 is out, the C7 will be so close to being out, without knowing the details and not thoroughly convinced of any other choice, not waiting for it would IMO not be wise

But regardless...... the 10cyl audi motor has already been anointed for death....... The current Audi auto tranny will not hold up to the much more torque producing turbo V8 already in the pipe line...... there is that much more power in the coming V8T than the current 10CYL, NA motor has in its most potent level!

3LZZ06

A Kia Forte???...

You couldn't give me any car that wasn't made in the US by a US company.

My ZR1 will be proudly driven on the street and "probably" nowhere else as long as I own it. I'm definitely ok with that, although I don't oppose a track or a drag strip...

howl

As a dedicated daily driver R8 wins. As a second car or track car, ZR1. Driving the R8 has the sensibility and all wheel drive of an S4 (although S4 has more amenities and better sound system), mid engine feel of a Ferrari from the 80's or 90's (but not nearly as precise) and acceleration and braking approaching a ZR1 (although not as good and less ability to drive with gas pedal). So, good compromise if you can only have one car but not as good if you can specific tools for each task. Going to the track - ZR1

4GS7

By that logic, no one should ever buy an S550 either.

Howydo

If money isn't an issue buy a Ferrari 458 Italia. This car has style, class, fit and finish and of course performance...

911/Q45

4 people+luggage+1000 mile day+S550=Arriving fresh as a daisy.

4GS7

If you don't have 3 people to take and that 1000 mile trip involves mountain roads, why wouldn't you take the R8? Competent sports cars are useful in places other than the track.

Supersonic_ZR1

redls3

as much as i love the zr1 i would have to say if your coming from a stock ls2 automatic c6 making 400 hp then chances are you not going to be able to enjoy driving the zr1 or matter of fact even know how to drive the zr1. considering your a noob it would be probably dangerous if you have no experience with high horsepower manual shift cars. the audi r8 any joe smoe can get into and drive like a champ. in normal everyday driving conditions with equal drivers the r8 takes the zr1 9 out of 10 times. i have driven the r8 v10 and raced friends with modded z06s and stock zr1s and taken them everytime in normal driving condition. this is not including long races of past 1/2 mile as the zr1 will start to pull up top with a good driver. it all comes down to theres less error to almost no error in the r8 and huge rooms for mistake in a 6 speed supercar zr1 especilly for an intermedietly skilled driver.

Racer

Huh?

ole

You couldn't give me any car that wasn't made in the US by a US company.

LS1LT1

4 speed?
2006 Corvette automatics came with the 6 speed (6L80) automatic...only the 2005 automatics came with the 4 speed (4L65) trans.

4-Sho

Well I went from a ZR1 to Viper ACR and I now have a R8 V10, so I guess I'll give my opinion. It's hard to compare the R8 to the ZR1 because they are built with two different purposes. If performance is the most important to you, go with the ZR1. I had a 350Z prior to the ZR1 and I didn't find the ZR1 difficult to drive at all. Some people make it sound like you need a racing license to drive one, I believe you only need common sense (I know common sense isn't common). Plus you get the "free" track school so that will help you get acclimated to the car.

As for the R8, Audi is a luxury car manufacturer and IMO the best way to think of the R8 V10 is as a luxury version of a Gallardo. Go test drive a R8 V10 and I think the first thing you'll notice is how refined it is... it's a blend of luxury, performance, and style. A drag racer or track rat isn't going to be interested in a "blend", but since you said you don't really have plans to track the car the R8's refinement, comfort, and excellent street manners will work well for you. Audi detuned the R8's 5.2L V10 to create more separation from the Gallardo (and to help quiet it down) so if you're interested in more power a simple ECU flash will get you 550 - 560hp.

I'm currently located in Germany with my R8 and I can tell you that even though it is slower than the ZR1, it is a downright blast to drive on the autobahn. The overall driving experience is excellent.

JRRZR1

In the last 4 years I've owned an F430, Rossion and a ZR1. My friend owned an R8 (V8). Here's some observations, no recommendations.

Driving a mid engine car is a totally different experience. Having driven front engine cars for over 30 years and then switching to a mid engine, I found driving a Vette quickly (i do track days) much easier than a mid engine. I believe the Vette chasis communicates more than a mid engine chassis.

All this talk about daily drivers. I'd take the Vette over a mid engine car anyday. I can take my Vette for a week long vacation with my wife, and fit all our luggage. I could barely do a weekend with another guy in a mid engine car. Ride quality is about the same. Now if you were talking 911, the Vette rides much better.

My friend and I would go riding together. After a few rides, he sold his R8. He said in comparison to my F430 and Rossion, his R8 sounded like an S5, not a supercar. The ZR1 will be more exhilarating.

Exclusivity? 'Car guys' give me a wave when I'm in my ZR1. 'Most people' give notice to an R8. Now a Ferrari, that's another world entirely - unbelivable, and sometimes a hassle.

Drive them. You decide.

MTIRC6Z

Agreed...why is it that some guys who track their cars feel that those who don't are wasting their time owning a ZR1? My comeback to those types is to say I think guys who track their street cars are idiots because if they weren't such pussies they'd actually have a track car for the track and drive the street car on the street

BTW, I consider a ZR1 to be a street car.

Cheers, Paul.

Racer

Just a comment on part of what you said. My name on this forum is "Racer" because I drag raced from the age of 16 until I was over 40. By the time I was 20 I had dedicated race cars. I buy my street cars to drive on the street. I would say well over 90% of ZR1 and Z06 drivers never have tracked their cars, and I think they ALL are having a lot of fun with them.
I know there are a ton of members here that want to agree, but they don't want to make waves and that's ok, I will make those waves for them.
I think that statement that we are talking about was ridiculous at best.