Quick Links
-
The Life And Times Of These 2 Segment Smashers
-
Side By Side For $75,000
-
Before You Buy
Here's a tough choice. On the left is the Audi R8 - a supercar with three pedals and four driven wheels. On the right: the Chevrolet Corvette C8 - a cutting-edge sampling of the industry's latest performance innovations with plenty of remaining warranty that only comes with automatic and rear-wheel drive. In the middle? You and $75,000 of your hard-earned, long-saved dollars, and a critical decision to make about which of these two performance titans you want to live with for years to come.
The ultimate winner here is the car that best suits your needs, tastes, budget, and ability to service and care for it in the long term, which helps protect your investment. Still, digging into the numbers and metrics proves that having to choose between these two machines for the same amount of your money is both a very nice problem to have and a challenging dilemma to solve. There are a lot of emotions at play in this decision, and many things to consider that don't even appear on the spec sheet.
Below, we're focusing on the first-generation Audi R8 and the eighth-generation Chevrolet Corvette at around the $75,000 price point as used car buys. All performance figures are approximate. All technical data comes from the manufacturer. All used car pricing comes from AutoTempest.com.
The Life And Times Of These Two Segment Smashers
The first-generation Audi R8 arrived in 2008, received a facelift in 2014, and a second-gen version arrived in 2017. In 2020, the second-generation R8 had its first facelift, and in 2023, the model bid farewell to the American market. An excellent resource from Sazua.com outlines the key Audi R8 model years and generations.
In its time on our continent, the R8 brought LED headlamps to market, carrying on Audi's habit of launching innovative new lighting technologies in their latest high-end models . The R8 was initially available with V8 power, though a V10 came shortly after. You could order your R8 with a manual or automatic transmission, and nearly all units had all-wheel drive, with a few exceptions for limited-production specialty models. Audi offered coupe and convertible models over the years.
The company advertised the R8 heavily on screen and flaunted it to help connect motorsports enthusiasts to the Audi brand. While the mid-engine configuration was well-established when the automaker began using it, the R8's big presence on the road, on the screen, and in the reviews and videos of the day brought the mid-engine supercar experience to new levels of mass-market familiarity. The idea was to give shoppers a slightly more attainable alternative to the lustiest Italian exotics of the day, bringing Audi's presence into a new segment.
The 8th-generation Chevrolet Corvette, aka the C8, hit the road in 2020 with a mid-engine configuration for the first time. Since its launch, various high-performing versions and even an AWD-equipped E-Ray hybrid model have come to market. Here's a great summary of the Corvette Stingray's history from Sazua.com .
When the C8 Corvette launched, it pushed the performance-per-dollar envelope further than any car before it. At this point in history, the cheapest R8 you could buy was more than twice as much money. Audi had already discontinued the more affordable models with a manual transmission and a V8 engine years before. The dated R8 was preparing for its final bow just as Chevy released a next-generation contender with better capabilities and a drastically lower cost of entry.
With the C8, shoppers now had a mid-engine supercar that could play with six-figure exotics for a fraction of the cost. Plus, it had a conversation-starting, headline-grabbing design. The use of technology to help eliminate typical performance compromises to visibility and comfort was particularly impressive. The C8 Corvette could lift its nose at a button press to clear speed bumps, had around-view cameras to make parking and lane changes a cinch, and an adaptive suspension that delivered a sporty and comfortable glide down the highway.
These two cars were incredibly important in bringing an extreme performance driving experience to more attainable levels than ever. For that, we salute them. But which one should you buy?
Side By Side For $75,000
When new, the Audi R8's MSRP mostly landed between $115,000 and $160,000 before options and add-ons, depending on the model year, grade, and drivetrain. Standard versions of the C8 Corvette launched for around $60,000 and have climbed to $70,000 in more recent years-- though shoppers could easily add many thousands more to the bill with customizations and packages. Many Corvette shoppers took advantage of the extensive ability to customize their cars, meaning many hit the road initially with much higher pricing than the original advertised base cost.
Both machines are flagship-level performers that capture a snapshot of the best performance capabilities of their day. Each vehicle also has high-performance modifications to the cooling, braking, handling, and suspension systems that should serve drivers well during weekend track days for years to come.
Today, shoppers with a $75,000 budget can find almost anything they like in a second-hand Audi R8 from the first generation or its initial facelift, with plenty of selections from 2011 to 2015. At this price point, most of the lowest-mileage units are V8-powered, and the V10 models often have higher mileage. Budget an extra $10,000 for the best selection of lower-mileage V10-powered models, if that's important to you.
Today, $75,000 can get you a C8 Corvette that's a year or two old and might not even have its first oil change, which happens at 7,500 miles . Many units at this price point come with optional equipment and performance packages and have less than 2,000 miles on the odometer. Not only does this potentially put the C8 further from long-term maintenance and inspection costs than a used R8 for the same money, but it also means that you have an existing factory warranty and roadside assistance coverage. Plus, the C8 Corvette is at least a second faster to 60 miles per hour than the R8, even with half the driven wheels. Plus, the 'Vette can save you over $1,000 per year on gas versus the R8, depending on the model you choose.
Before You Buy
By the metrics above, the C8 Corvette looks like a virtual no-brainer: it's faster, possibly still under warranty, easier on fuel, and has connectivity and tech that's a full generation or two ahead of the comparably-priced Audi R8. Still, the R8 in this comparison has at least three important ingredients that driving enthusiasts find absolutely irresistible, and they may be tugging at your heartstrings.
You can't find a manual transmission in the C8 Corvette, and while the 8-speed dual-clutch box shifts at lightning speed, three-pedal diehards have just one option in this comparison: the Audi. The legendary V10 engine is also extra-special in 2025 because so few vehicles still offer a 10-cylinder powerplant. Driving a V10-powered car today is a way for the most committed enthusiasts to remain connected with an era of motoring history that's nearly gone and won't likely be repeated. For some, the engine's soundtrack alone is worth the price of admission, but the Corvette's big 6.2-liter V8 with active exhaust is pretty good when it comes to sound effects, too. Still, for the right shopper, the V10 engine has a special mystique and emotional connection that's worth paying extra for.
There's all-wheel drive, too. Most Audi R8s have it; most Corvette C8s don't. Though you can drive either of these cars in bad weather, the R8's AWD and mid-engine setup make it inherently awesome (and less stressful) to take on rain, snow, and ice if you're so inclined. Neither of these cars will disappoint as a daily driver, but the R8's standard quattro makes for less second-guessing about whether you should take the SUV instead.
My choice? It's almost too close to call, seriously. But the Corvette, please. Somewhere, a 13-year-old version of me is angry I'm not picking the six-speed stick. However, for your present-day writer, the newer Corvette's higher performance and lack of much to worry about beyond oil changes for the next few years help win the day. There's no right or wrong decision here. These cars are two snapshots of two monumental eras of performance.
Sources: Audi, Chevrolet
