[mdosu]

First of all, I don't get why people are saying pay up for a 430. The 430 is at least $50k MORE than the 360...OP is in the $80k market as implied in his post, not a 430 market. The R8 V10 is also ALOT more expensive than $80k. Why suggest this? I mean when you bought your M3 for $70k range, I take it most of us were in no way considering buying something in the $112 range...

Anyways:

I say buy the R8...
You get a warranty with it, that itself is worth it. Plus, the servicing on the R8 is nowhere near as expensive as the 360, and you wouldn't need the 30k, 60k servicing on the R8 for a good 5 years whereas the 360 may be near it's major servicing schedule.

Servicing costs aside, I think the standard 360 F1 is very dated in technology and performance. The transmission is 2 generations removed from the current Audi DSG, and the car is not faster than the R8. The ONLY 360 model I would consider buying will be the 360 Challege Stradale, but then again, you can't pick that up in the $80k range.


The 360 F1 was revolutionary and years ahead of it's time in 1999-2001, but we're in 2012 already, R8 is king at the price range. (Though the GTR and Z06 woudl be a better performance buy)
good luck, and since you're in the DC area, I'd love to see it whichever one you buy.