What to do when seen in your R8

[KfabR8]

These thoughts come from a post that was on the board today about someone sighting an R8 while out and about.
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Now that I've been in the car for three months, I've finally become used to the attention it draws. At first it was quite odd and at times seemed a bit invasive, but now? Ah, no biggie. Seems to just be part of the fun of R8 ownership.

My girlfriend's had to get used to it (it's been pretty funny at times), my youngest daughter (13 yrs old) absolutely loves it (fashion conscious, social butterfly - I'm screwed) and is constantly pointing out "watchers" as we sit in traffic and such with a grin plastered across her face.

In general there are four types of "Attention Happenings":

1) The Gas Station Accosting
B) The Parking Lot Inquisition
III) Curb Side Questioning
d) The Drive By Cell Phone Attack

The first two are usually a 20 questions session when I'm out of the car.

The third one happens when driving someplace like downtown while the windows are down or at a traffic light.

The last one is generally done after I've passed someone on the highway. Suddenly the car you just went by is closing back in and they're holding the cell phone up attempting to snap pix as they try to keep up.

I will always answer everyone's questions - why not? I hated people that were dicks about their (exotic) cars when I was younger, so I've made it a point to be a gracious about the compliments and complacent in responses to the Q&A sessions. Many are amazed when I offer to open the car up and let people take pix and such.

That said, I've discovered something that's fun to do to the Drive By Cell Phone Attacker: Pull your cell phone out as they come up on you and point it back at them as if you're taking their pic. It's hysterical the reactions you'll get doing this maneuver. Give it a try.

I was impressed with the kid in the Honda this past Friday evening - followed me for at least five miles, though traffic while video taping. I wonder what he thought when he looked at his tape and realized just how much Forrest Gump waving he recorded?

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So, to fellow R8 owners, I ask this: How do you handle the attention your car brings? Have you figured out any way to have fun with it? You should.

And, to anyone that has an R8 and is a dick to people (get away from my car, you might, God forbid, breath on it or absorb some of the light reflected from it); Please get a life. It's too short to be ugly to others just because you happen to have a very expensive toy.

[aaaudiprotein]

Cool topic actually...
This is my favorite!!!!!!!!

The Drive By Cell Phone Attack

[mR.gMaIn]

Thats...cool I like your attitude about it because in NY I have seen a couple of R8's and I have pulled up to the owner's and asked how is the car. And all they do is look and grin no answer, so I applaud what you do and thanks for the tips. Not that I can afford thr R8 anytime soon but I will do the same when or if I am asked about my soon to come S4 In Dolphin Gray....I am drooling just thinking about her.

[nsimpson7]

KfabR8, you are one in a million, no, ten million. It's almost never that I express appreciation for an awesome vehicle that there is a positive reaction. So it's good to hear that there are those that entertain people that are genuinely excited about such a cool car!

[akasch]

Hey man thanks for being so cool about your car. I'm so sick of people being dicks about their exotics and thinking they're the shit

[Silver streak]

The car is truly a work of art, you really can't blame people for goggling at it. Cheers to you sir.

[wofman]

Nice! And there's nothing shabby about your C-5 either.

[TapouTx914]

Its funny that ive gotten it in my car too... i find it funniest when people tlak to me when my windows are down. It must be 100xs worse with that r8 though haha have fun with it

[fusionx]

if only all the supercar owners were more like Kfab

[MYDWAGON]

If it wasn't for his "coolness",I don't think I would ever had a chance to drive one.He's a class act that deserves one.Karma.Maybe Audi should make people pass an asshole test before buying one.

[fusionx]

I think if the asshole test was implemented there would be a lot of R8's on the lot haha

[Brent27]

thats awesome, there is a R8 here in naples, havent talked to him yet but glad theres owners who dont forget about what its like to be on the other side of the fence....

[Myallroad]

kfabr8 lets anyone drive his r8 as long as they provide the food and drinks at a audi GTG!

Trust me, i know from experience! haha

[CONTROL TWO]

my dad and i were cruisin in the R8 and a chp officer was taking cell phone pix of the car sitting in our blind spot.. it was probably one of the funniest things ive ever seen

[MYDWAGON]

kfabr8 lets anyone drive his r8 as long as they provide the food and drinks at a audi GTG!

Trust me, i know from experience! haha

And 2 quarts of oil

[channad]

good show!

[forevraudi]

lmao "The Parking lot Inquisition"

[vjma]

Lots of people looked but no one says anything to me so far. I still haven't get used to the sensations of people looking so whenever I can I will try to ignore the people. I think it is the same with many other owners. It's not that we are rude but we just don't know how to deal with it.....or at least I don't

[KfabR8]

Thanks for all the praise - I appreciate it very much.

It's just my general attitude about life - enjoy it to the fullest at all times.

Why the Hell not?

This follows my every move through life:


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vjma - I understand your point fully. It can be a bit intimidating just how much attention it draws at times.

Still, a quick smile & just a small nod seems to go a long way.
You know the one: the little lift a finger (no, not the middle one) off the wheel, that quick glance at the person along with that ever so slight forward head tilt that's almost imperceptible...

They'll appreciate, if nothing else, the fact that you gave them a quick response. Most of the time they're just looking at the car smiling and waving in the first place.

Maybe it's some sort of unwritten test of the driving world?
Right of passage to ownership of an Exotic?
"If I wave at the dude in the Exotic and he waves back, he's all right."
"If I wave and he looks to be ignoring me, well..."

Ironically, my buddy's had the car for the past four days and he's now starting to realize just how much attention it draws. He was laughing about some guy in a TT gave him the major once over this morning.

My buddy's an attention whore, though, so he's enjoying the hell out of it. (and now I'm in trouble if he reads this thread! - more Spree's to be found...)

[MaverickUF]

Haha, I've had a lot of cell-phone-picture-takers. Today, I caught a cell-phone-camera paparazzi myself.

[KfabR8]

LOL!!!! Now you have the idea!

Fun isn't it!

[KareemA4]

lol
every where i go with my dad someone is pointing at it or taking a pic.
It make me feel cool
lol
one time we parked at Dolphin mall here in miami.
and there was a Gallardo spyder behind us.
Everyone left the G and came to the R8
People started asking questions and etc...
and my dad and i answered nicely
I hate the dicks who think they are better than everyone because they have an exotic.
The only time i remember someone being nice to me was when i was 9 years old.
He had an avanti convertable like this one.

and he told me that it was an Avanti and etc, and that if i work hard when i get older i would be able to get a car like this.
he also had his son in the passenger seat
:)

[Stormin]

I met and R8 owner at the dealership today (S4 was in for service). Absolutely awesome guy.

I had a friend with and she was thrilled to see the car. He fired it up and told her to get a pic in the drivers seat. Really cool guy, and he made my friends day...


So I guess the awesome owners are out there too.

[mcaanda]

<snip>

I will always answer everyone's questions - why not? I hated people that were dicks about their (exotic) cars when I was younger, so I've made it a point to be a gracious about the compliments and complacent in responses to the Q&A sessions.
<snip>

As one who will most likely never hang R8 keys on my keyring, I appreciate it. More often than not those who have the ability to obtain such things are not ones who are willing to share it with others even if its only via a smile, question answered and a quick cam pic.

Good call, and congrats on such a nice ride.

[GramCracker]

I love how you act towards people. I do the exact same if anyone appears to be checking out my car. It really goes a long way. I especially love when I comment on someone's car (ie. R8, S5 (when it was first out), ect) and they take a moment to talk for a few seconds. I really appreciate that.

Keep on being nice!

[vtracer20]

props to you fellas that don't mind being hassled by us that can only dream of owning such a beautiful piece of machinery.

[Maverick]

its good to have you on board, lol

[TripleBlack]

This was probably one of the best things I've read on here. I've only seen one R8 on the road (so far) and I gave the driver the thumbs up, only to get the "I've never seen a Black guy driving an Audi" look in return.

Good post man and hopefully I'll see more R8 drivers that are as eager as yourself to actually show some enthusiasm/appreciation for other enthusiasts on the road.

[toaster]

^ dude your name and sig are hilarious.

the r8 is the car of the moment.

[S4DTM]

Wow! I JUST posted about this yesterday on the Norcal spotted forum. I was tryin to get the guys attention just to give him the thumbs up and props for his car, and he was doin his best to stay away from my side...i was like "Really?"...So props to you man for being so down to earth while driving your amazing piece of performance machinery!

[TripleBlack]

^ dude your name and sig are hilarious.

I only speak the truth

[vividracing]

You rock man.

[Elberoth]

only to get the "I've never seen a Black guy driving an Audi" look in return.

LOL, you made my day with this funny comment

[OEMplus.com]

Kfab, I hope you're still hanging around on here. You are a great customer and a terrific guy! Order the V10 yet?

[Fast'n'Go]

Haha nice i dont own one but when i drove one i got the cell phone attack and when i was playing with the wing at a stop light the guy behind me got a kick outta it.

[audisport009]

if only all the supercar owners were more like Kfab

X2

[skunkoncrunk]

Your awesome man, I can't stand when people are snobby over their cars when others are checking it out.

I try to be as nice as I can too. I don't get nearly as many looks as you do since I'm not driving an R8, but I've had people stare and others comment me on my B5 S4. My most recent was a week ago or so when I was parked and getting something in my trunk. These two people walk by my car and one says "Sick car!". I reply, "Thanks bro."

"Respect a mans car and he respects you." - The Transporter

[ak007kb]

i know, most people used to be real dicks when i asked them about their car, know when i see those guys in their mercs, porsches and bimmers, that think they are better than everyone, i slow down and let them a good long lookand since im young, it upset them even more. its even better when they have a girl in the passenger seat thats twice as young as they are
im always cool about letting people talk about cars, i even took a little kid around the mall ( is dad said it was ok, i did try to hurry up though lol). i always wish somebody would do those things for me so why wouldnt i do it for them.

but i have to say although there are a bunch of assholes, there are also a bunch of nice guys.

[wofman]

I've had people stare and others comment me on my B5 S4.

why?

[ked]

For some reason I assumed the general R8 driver would be an enthusiast. Out of the 8 or 9 I've seen in the Chicago area, only one guy, a 22 year old which is few years younger than me actually acknowledged my existence when I glanced over and nodded while sitting at a light.

I ended up seeing him again at a dealer and (I know I might get flamed for admitting this but...) he offered me a chance to actually drive his R8. I respectfully declined, I in no way wanted to take a chance. If I mess up any car, let alone an R8, I want it to be my own.