[AlexFL]

Are supercars actually more fun? Yes.

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by VisualEcho

A friend of mine called me literally just last night to tell me that he had driven a new McLaren 720s and was very disappointed. Not so much in the car, but that he had sold his Lotus a few years back, and the cars felt similar enough that he couldn't justify the price difference.

Clearly he liked the 720s, but not +250K over his previous $50K Lotus. He's now in the market for an '07/'08 Exige.

Personally, when it comes to "fun", nothing beats my old Miata for me. Everything else is just too damn serious, and can get you in such trouble in such a hurry that it's all I tend to think about driving top end cars.

It's funny because I recently test drove a 720s and loved it. Used ones are extremely affordable. I think I'm gonna get it. Such a beast!

However, I can see how M2/Lotus folks would not like it.

[R N M]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

Are supercars actually more fun? Yes.

To test drive? Definitely
To own? Not sure

[CPWINCH]

IMG_2666 by Connor winchell, on Flickr

Yes they are but there are negatives. I think it also depends what the none super car is. I have a e90 m3 and a gt3rs and I find the e90 to be 90% as fun with 90% less worry. In the super car I am a fucking neck breaker everyone looks but in my e90 it really blends in with the crowd.

The gt3rs is way faster in a straight line and handles way better and actually gets better MPG than the Sedan.

One negative of the super car is going to lunch. You park it and have to worry about it while you are enjoying a meal whereas with a none super car you don't really worry as much.

I think supercars are worth it but only if you have the money. Id rather have a properly built e90 m3 than a gt3rs I could barely afford.

To answer the question though, they are more fun, they are better, you just have more to worry about.

[Josh-PA]

Originally Posted by CPWINCH

Yes they are but there are negatives. I think it also depends what the none super car is. I have a e90 m3 and a gt3rs and I find the e90 to be 90% as fun with 90% less worry. In the super car I am a fucking neck breaker everyone looks but in my e90 it really blends in with the crowd.

The gt3rs is way faster in a straight line and handles way better and actually gets better MPG than the Sedan.

One negative of the super car is going to lunch. You park it and have to worry about it while you are enjoying a meal whereas with a none super car you don't really worry as much.

I think supercars are worth it but only if you have the money. Id rather have a properly built e90 m3 than a gt3rs I could barely afford.

To answer the question though, they are more fun, they are better, you just have more to worry about.

These are all really important things to consider. I've had my 911 for a year, and it took me 3 months to drive it to work because I was afraid of what my co-workers and direct reports would think. I went with GT Silver to minimize how much it stands out. I still haven't driven it to my ex-wife's house when I pick up my son...

Over time I've gotten much more comfortable treating it as just a car, and the enjoyment factor has increased exponentially. If you can get to an I wont lose days of sleep if i get a paint chip from a stone on the highway, hit a pot hole (which BTW, the 911 absorbs waaayy better than my 135), get dirt on the seats, etc. the car becomes really fun. The first 6 months, every drive was a white knuckle affair, not because of performance, but because I was so worried something was going to happen that I couldn't enjoy it.

Be sure the car doesn't intimidate you. It should just make you feel good when you're in it.

[VisualEcho]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

It's funny because I recently test drove a 720s and loved it. Used ones are extremely affordable. I think I'm gonna get it. Such a beast!

However, I can see how M2/Lotus folks would not like it.

He liked it, he just didn't like it as much as the price difference.

[CPWINCH]

Originally Posted by Josh-PA

These are all really important things to consider. I've had my 911 for a year, and it took me 3 months to drive it to work because I was afraid of what my co-workers and direct reports would think. I went with GT Silver to minimize how much it stands out. I still haven't driven it to my ex-wife's house when I pick up my son...

Over time I've gotten much more comfortable treating it as just a car, and the enjoyment factor has increased exponentially. If you can get to an I wont lose days of sleep if i get a paint chip from a stone on the highway, hit a pot hole (which BTW, the 911 absorbs waaayy better than my 135), get dirt on the seats, etc. the car becomes really fun. The first 6 months, every drive was a white knuckle affair, not because of performance, but because I was so worried something was going to happen that I couldn't enjoy it.

Be sure the car doesn't intimidate you. It should just make you feel good when you're in it.

Im not intimidated by the car, im intimidated by the stupidity of humanity. Its a lot different when someone tailgates me in my $30k BMW vs $250k Porsche. After covid and trumpistan I have 0 faith in humans to give a fuck about others personal stuff. I track the shit out of all my cars and they are driven hard. I only fear other humans, not cars. Below is a pic of me tracking at Auto Club Speedway

IMG_3621 by Connor winchell, on Flickr

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by VisualEcho

He liked it, he just didn't like it as much as the price difference.

No, I understand. The one thing I was not happy about was the exhaust sound. Would need to buy a nice titanium catback exhaust.

[jahdish]

My answer is - yes they are absolutely worth it. I love my M5 and it does just about everything and does it all very well. Hell to 60 it maybe slightly quicker than my 458, but the 458 is way more engaging, emotional and just more fun. You can't help but to smile when driving it.

[Smgs1992]

Go out and if you can find one test drive a manual E60 M5

[Germanauto]

A lot of the enjoyment of these cars is the drama involved and way they make you feel. Driving dynamics aside, the styling, colour, engine/exhaust, and attention the car grabs all adds to the experience. The impracticality only adds to the experience since you know the car is focused rather than making compromises to be everything to everybody. I personally enjoy all of this.

These are also all reasons why people elect to drive M2s over M3/4s or M5s. The latter are good cars sure, but they are sort of dull/sophisticated most of the time whereas the M2 is a hooligan at any speed. The car has drama, personality, and doesn't take itself too seriously like the other cars.

[Redd]

Interesting thread. Like the OP, I've been thinking about a Gen1 R8 V10 as my next car. But I absolutely adore my FBO E92 M3 and I've built it to the point where I really don't find anything lacking in it anymore - torque, grip, suspension feel, full custom interior etc. - and it's still daily driveable. I'd hate to pay for a supercar and then find that I prefer taking the M3 99% of the time.

[CPWINCH]

Originally Posted by Redd

Interesting thread. Like the OP, I've been thinking about a Gen1 R8 V10 as my next car. But I absolutely adore my FBO E92 M3 and I've built it to the point where I really don't find anything lacking in it anymore - torque, grip, suspension feel, full custom interior etc. - and it's still daily driveable. I'd hate to pay for a supercar and then find that I prefer taking the M3 99% of the time.

Unless you do Ohlins, mono balls and kinematics fun on the R8 I don't see it being that much better of a car than your e92 m3. Other than the fact that it is mid engine and a v10 there aren't many benefits I see in jumping in R8. Its AWD which imo is boring.

On top of that you have so much knowledge of the e9x platform already it would be a headache to learn another platform and have to do all maintenance items you may have not for-seen. Only VWs worth trading e9x for are GT3/RS and Performante.

[Humdizzle]

pros and cons to owning a supercar. they are fun. but then you also have to deal with attention from people and your own nerves trying to angle up a steep incline without scraping, maintaining a clean carfax and getting regular service records at the dealer, ... and then there's parking it and leaving it out of your sight. Do you really trust that soccer mom in a truck without a backup cam to parallel park in front of you ?

all that said nothing can rival a supercar with how it makes you feel on the road. it definitely gets your heart beating fast and you feel like a god driving a ferrari/lambo/mclaren. it wears off soon truth be told. but definitely something to experience. owned a ferrari for 3 years. probably won't own another but i don't regret the decision.

[VisualEcho]

Originally Posted by jahdish

My answer is - engaging, emotional and just more fun. You can't help but to smile when driving it.

Exactly this. And why nothing much turns my crank after driving the Lotus. Most all of them are faster, but more engaging? Not even close.

[baege]

Originally Posted by The__J__Factor

Buy a e60 m5. V10 goodness and practicality

but it's torqueless at low revs no?

the v10 in the R8 has ample low end torque, it just pulls whenever you ask it to

[baege]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Why you don't just get a 2015 GTS is fucking beyond me. Other than torque, it has everything you want and you can daily it. And I don't get wanting torque on these shitty roads, the only fun we get is on ramps so torque just ruins the fun.

honestly I would take a new GTS 4.0 over the 991.1 GTS, brand new car in a smaller more connected package than the 991.1. The only thing the GTS has over the 4.0 GTS to me is the looks, which I don't care that much about and the GTS 4.0 is far from ugly.

[baege]

Originally Posted by dgoldenz

There’s a reason the 911 is so popular. It’s by far the best “in between” car that isn’t quite a supercar with all of the potential issues you mentioned while still being an amazing drive, looks great, inconspicuous (98% of people don’t know the diff between a base and GT2RS), and doesn’t have supercar maintenance and repair costs.

yup this definitely resonates with me, a naturally aspirated porsche will offer a direct connected experience, but without the hassles that come with the R8. It won't have that instant power and unique sound of that V10 though!

but for me it's the 4.0GTS that will likely be my next move, mainly because I like the more compact size

but if I go that direction I will wait until I am bored with the M2C (which I am currently enjoying), which knowing me will be in another year at the most

[baege]

Originally Posted by dgoldenz

On a side note, if you can afford it, try driving a Ferrari FF, especially if you can find one with a full aftermarket exhaust. It's in the ballpark price range of an R8 V10 6MT, sounds unbelievable, way more luxurious, can actually fit 4 human adults inside, is very, very comfortable for daily driving, flies under the radar because it doesn't look like a 458, and is incredibly fun to drive. Some potentially very expensive repairs (PTU and transmission sensor are the two big ones) but there are warranties available. They are going up in price, chances are they won't come back down much. Absolutely loved the way mine drove for the time that I had it, on the hunt for another.

interesting thought but the ferrari repair tax and size of the thing make it a no go for me

[baege]

Originally Posted by m630

The thing about supercars is that they are mostly point A to A cars and not fun in the city.

@baege, if you recall your orig post we discussed the dilema, and I believe you only add a supercar when you have everything else. Meaning, if you cant keep your daily and have to compromise, then its not the right time. Also, if all of your driving is city/urban, again I see no use for a supercar, just too much traffic, crappy roads with limited clearance and yes the onlookers in local settings can become a nusiance.

I say keep the M2 and if you can one day add a supercar to the stable, go for it, but dont ever give up your daily fun for something that you may use sparingly and for which may bring stress in your life. If you didnt feel wow, its def not right.

Because, yes, they are amazingly fun when done right!

I hear ya, but the the other hand with covid and a recent health issue I faced, I am like what I waiting for, might as well grab life by the balls even if timing isnt right in terms of where I live. Was pretty gung ho about the R8 before the drive which is why I was confused after...why don't I want to buy this? I think it's because I realized all I really preferred about the R8 over the M2 was that v10 and wondered is the rest of the hassle that comes with the R8 worth it, but yes that v10!

[baege]

Originally Posted by CPWINCH

IMG_2666 by Connor winchell, on Flickr

Yes they are but there are negatives. I think it also depends what the none super car is. I have a e90 m3 and a gt3rs and I find the e90 to be 90% as fun with 90% less worry. In the super car I am a fucking neck breaker everyone looks but in my e90 it really blends in with the crowd.

The gt3rs is way faster in a straight line and handles way better and actually gets better MPG than the Sedan.

One negative of the super car is going to lunch. You park it and have to worry about it while you are enjoying a meal whereas with a none super car you don't really worry as much.

I think supercars are worth it but only if you have the money. Id rather have a properly built e90 m3 than a gt3rs I could barely afford.

To answer the question though, they are more fun, they are better, you just have more to worry about.

perhaps "fun" is too simple a way to phrase it. I guess I wonder if the overall experience will be more enjoyable for me, given that I do not value the status, looks and attention that many appreciate supercars for. I am really about the driving enjoyment. I can honestly say that driving the M2 and the R8 back to back, the only thing I preferred about the R8 in terms of driving enjoyment was the sound, instant response and power of that v10. I preferred the compact size, better visibility, better clearance, better flowing manual transmissions (could be just an unfamiliarity thing, but never felt that way first time I drove a porsche 6MT) of the M2.

The M2 is just easier and still very fun.

The R8 is more of a chore to drive in lots of ways, but that V10!

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by baege

honestly I would take a new GTS 4.0 over the 991.1 GTS, brand new car in a smaller more connected package than the 991.1. The only thing the GTS has over the 4.0 GTS to me is the looks, which I don't care that much about and the GTS 4.0 is far from ugly.

But it's blown, where's the fun in that on public roads? I dunno, guys want "fun" and "visceral" and "sporty" then get blown cars with 700ft lb of torque. Great, you're doing 150 clicks in 3 seconds and you gotta lift.

You're the only person here more indecisive and non-committal than me and that is saying something. I literally do not see a box a 991 GTS doesn't tick and you can lose the M2. I'l say it to, R8, for me, I dunno .... it's always felt ... i dunno ... i don't lust after it. I'd get a GT350 before a R8.