by Gabrielle DeSantis

Supercars are like the supermodels of the automotive world. They’re high-priced, high-maintenance, head-turning machines that operate on a different level than their plebian counterparts. But supercars are still cars nonetheless and the real beauty is that they tend to depreciate quickly on the used market, making them more obtainable over time.

Take the Audi R8 and the Lexus LC 500, for example. Both are expensive supercars that are now relatively affordable when they have some miles and years behind them. But which of these cars presents a better value?

The Lexus LC 500 and Audi R8 are pretty similar

Since its inception in 2008, the Audi R8 has always been considered an “everyday supercar” by many critics. Despite its low-slung stature and visceral nature, the R8 is easy to get in and out of, has great visibility, and is easy to drive. As you can imagine, this easy-going nature makes that R8 an attractive buy on the used car market as it presents itself as an exotic that’s not much different than its sedan stablemates.

The Lexus LC 500 has the same everyday formula, but with a modern twist. The LC 500 made its debut in 2016 and in case you’re wondering, the “LC” stands for “luxury coupe,” which is very fitting. The LC is easy to drive in everyday situations as it has great visibility. And although it has a potent engine under its hood, in addition to some athleticism, the LC still exudes the type of luxury and softness you would expect from a Lexus.

A V8 versus a V10 might sound unfair

If we were to judge these two supercars based on their performance stats and figures alone, then the Audi R8 would win every time. Since we’re comparing used cars, we’ll look at the 2018 models of each.

The 2018 Audi R8 is powered by a 5.2-liter V10 engine that produces 532 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. The power that it puts out is routed to all four wheels thanks to the brand’s legendary Quattro system. According to Automobile Magazine, that combination is good for 0-62 mph sprints of around 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 203 mph.

The 2018 Lexus LC 500, on the other hand, is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine that pushes out 471 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Unlike the Audi, the Lexus spins its rear wheels only, as all-wheel drive is not available. That doesn’t mean that it can’t put the power to the ground, though, as the LC 500 can get from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds and has a top speed of 168 mph, according to Car and Driver.

The R8 and LC 500 are both very comfortable

The inside of each supercar is where a lot of similarities end. The Audi R8 offers a minimalist, yet modern appeal with rich leather seating surfaces and a racecar-like cockpit. The dash wraps around the occupants and the infotainment screen is coupled with the virtual instrument panel in front of the drive for a no-nonsense display. Overall, sitting inside the R8 makes you feel like you’re in a very expensive street-worthy racecar, which it is.

The Lexus LC 500 has a more subdued and luxurious appeal, much like an expensive leather purse. The leather-trimmed seats are soft and swaddle their occupants in sheer luxury as opposed to hardcore sportiness, however, they are very supportive as well. Infotainment comes via a large 10.3-inch screen that sits front and center and is controlled by Lexus’ clunky touchpad device. The instrument panel is semi-virtual in that it still uses a physical gauge that moves side-to-side to display different menus.

Both cars have all of the entertainment you would need including premium audio systems with over 10 speakers as well as Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility.

Pricing on both cars is not for the faint of heart

Since we’re talking about used cars from 2018, pricing for them isn’t too terrible, but it’s not exactly obtainable for everyone either. You can currently find 2018 Lexus LC 500 models for around $68,000 nationwide depending on the car’s condition, mileage, and location. On the contrary, there are plenty of 2018 Audi R8 models still selling for around $145,000 nationwide, which fortified by the fact that it can cost nearly $200,000 when new.

Which one is the better value?

If you’re trying to decide between these two supercars and you favor all-out performance and edginess over comfort, then the Audi R8 could be a better value. But if you want comfort, excellent performance, and a softer and more livable interior, then for the money, you can’t beat the Lexus LC 500.

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by Gabrielle DeSantis

A Chevrolet Corvette is not what most people think when they think of a good investment in an automobile. That line of thinking is reserved for lunatics like myself who drown their sorrows in aspirational Bring-a-Trailer browsing. However, it would appear the lunatics are finally right about something. Take that, mom. Turns out, the Chevrolet Corvette may not be such a bad idea given the topsy-turvy used car market right now. The pandemic certainly has something to do with it.

Why sports cars depreciate

Sports cars depreciate. C’est la vie. How can they not? In many cases, a sports car is expensive, impractical, and obnoxious to own. For most. A lucky handful are able to squeeze that lifestyle for everything it’s got and the world is better for it. But why do they depreciate so badly?

First and foremost is reliability. Perceived or not, people think sports cars like a Chevrolet Corvette generally aren’t reliable. When they do break, a sports car is often expensive to fix. Of course, practicality is often an issue. Rather hard to own a car that seats two as your only vehicle when you have 27 kids, 18 dogs, and a goldfish, isn’t it? Hence, people aren’t willing to pay as much for a car like the ‘Vette in most scenarios. Keyword: most scenarios.

Why the Chevrolet Corvette doesn’t

The pandemic is a large part of why sports cars like the Corvette have seen an upturn in value lately. Due to the nature of our economy, a handful of people have been very lucky to make money where most haven’t. Stuck at home with nothing to do, these people started snapping up impractical cars like Cheetos at 4:21 in the afternoon. As the market became more competitive, prices began to rise, according to iSeeCars.

Year over year, the value of a used Chevrolet Corvette has seen a 30% increase, or roughly $17,000. Part of that is due to the launch of the new “C8” generation Corvette pushing used values up as the hype train builds steam. Moreover, the waning “dad’s sports car” reputation of the Vette has led younger buyers at the peak of their careers into these models.

Will the trend continue?

The ‘Vette is also an exception to many of the downsides of sports car ownership. Most models have a big, practical trunk. Additionally, taller folks don’t have to be a human pretzel to fit in one. Upsides are many in Corvette-land, and these are just a few. It’s hard to say if the trend will continue, however. It’s hard to imagine it won’t, with the recent surge in used car pricing and the slow but steady recovery of the post-pandemic economy. Should you own one, maybe now is the time to trade up. If you don’t own one and want one, maybe wait a while to avoid paying out the nose for these excellent Chevrolet sports cars.

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