911 / DB9?? Or something else - £30k-40k?

[reapercushions]

First off... I am based in the US, so take that into account if you can.

I am looking for something that kind of does it all:
- Daily commute (10 miles daily). Roughly 8000 miles per year in total.
- Reliable / not majorly expensive to maintain or overly fragile
- Prestige look / feel / badge
- Sporty but comfortable
- 4 seats (2+2 is fine as I have a 5-year-old, but can't be a 2 seater)

DB9 and 911 would certainly be in the 'dream car' category from my childhood which is what is tempting me into them. They would be roughly 2008 cars for the DB9 and 2009/2010 for the 911.

I obviously want to miss the IMS issues of the 911 so thinking 2010 onwards, unless I'm overthinking that one?

DB9 appears to be fairly reliable with a lot of Ford based mechanical parts due to the nature of the engine origin.

I've also considered a Maserati Granturismo however the servicing costs seem to be very high ($1500 oil change service for example). Maybe a good indy could help there. Conti GT I think would be too old and highly expensive to maintain? Am I wrong?

Previous car history is a variety of BMWs (1,3), Dodge Challenger (Done the muscle car thing), Alfa Giulia and currently a 430i convertible. I am useless with a spanner, so would be indy maintained.

What else am I missing?


Thanks

[Fink-Nottle]

I don't think you're missing anything. A 997.2 series 911 would offer exactly what you're looking for. I looked into these extensively myself before settling for a Cayman simply because I have no good excuse for needing more than two seats.

[ZX10R NIN]

The rear seats in the DB9 are useless only useful for putting your shopping & only just that, the better GT is the Maserati GranTurismo 4.7 it's a better car in every way as someone who's had both it has to be the GT.

It feels just as special while being more (it also has a proper boot) practical, depending on your type of commute then you'll go for one gearbox or the other, if you spend a fair bit of time in traffic then go for the Auto but if it's light traffic then the MC Shift is the pick:

Auto

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011055...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010255...

MC Shift

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008182...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006160...

991 Carrera S I'd probably go for these out of the Porsche offerings although they have higher miles your annual mileage will bring that back into line.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201910113...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011055...

997 Carrera

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009123...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202002117...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009043...

Carrera S

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007131...

My other pick would be a GT-R these are a proper drivers car & for me they feel special at low speed too which is something that for me makes fast cars special.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010225...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009123...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010064...

Leftfield Options:

Mustang they feel special & are also a good daily:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010064...

Panamera GTS

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009043...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011085...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010225...

[reapercushions]

Great suggestions thank you so much for taking the time to find them and make their case.

Having owned the Maser.. how did you find the reliability and servicing costs?

Only one on the list you show would be the Mustang. I live in the USA so they are everywhere

[ZX10R NIN]

The running costs were cheaper (£800-1200) than the Aston & reliability was perfect, I lent on it a lot, the Aston was good but it did like a coil pack.

If the Mustang is too common then I'd say take a look at the RC-F they really get under your skin & aren't common & with you being in the states your more likely to find one, they're much more rare in the UK.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010245...

[ooid]

reapercushions said:

- Reliable / not majorly expensive to maintain or overly fragile

Not sure how they are stocked/priced in the states but I would recommend "Lotus Evora" purely for reliability and engagement. 997.2 of course more reliable than previous versions, but they will still cost a lot to maintain. I never had DB9, no ownership experience but drove Vantage and DB9 before so I would still prefer Lotus over that, it is much more engaged.

[Scootersp]

I think when you truely have a 'dream' car then despite my/others advice you should just do it.

Research the hell out of the models and then pick a good one/trusted dealer and enjoy. I think if looking at independent servicing etc perhaps the Porsche will have more options, but an AM specialist might be on your doorstep.

[Summit_Detailing]

I'm not sure on how the values over there compare to our little island but you could spend less and get a Jaguar XKR?

[n3il123]

ZX10R NIN said:

The rear seats in the DB9 are useless only useful for putting your shopping & only just that, the better GT is the Maserati GranTurismo 4.7 it's a better car in every way as someone who's had both it has to be the GT.

It feels just as special while being more (it also has a proper boot) practical, depending on your type of commute then you'll go for one gearbox or the other, if you spend a fair bit of time in traffic then go for the Auto but if it's light traffic then the MC Shift is the pick:

Auto

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011055...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010255...

MC Shift

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008182...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006160...

That blue Maserati i gorgeous!

[reapercushions]

Scootersp said:

I think when you truely have a 'dream' car then despite my/others advice you should just do it.

Research the hell out of the models and then pick a good one/trusted dealer and enjoy. I think if looking at independent servicing etc perhaps the Porsche will have more options, but an AM specialist might be on your doorstep.

Thanks, this is what I am leaning towards. I have the chance to get something I've dreamed of (Ok, not brand new, but close enough) so even if I have one of them for 6 months and move it on, I have ticked the box.

Also, re: the Jag suggestion, a friend has an XKR-S which I drive fairly regularly so I'm good with that experience. Lovely as it is.

[Summit_Detailing]

If the rear seat space is needed what about a Rapide?

[jonamv8]

Interiors on the Masers are just a level down from 911/DB9.

Aston feels by far the most special.

[W201_190e]

I can't imagine an Aston DB9 not being expensive to maintain, especially as they age.

[ZX10R NIN]

jonamv8 said:

Interiors on the Masers are just a level down from 911/DB9.

Aston feels by far the most special.

As someone who's had both the Maserati interior was easily on par with the DB9 & the stereo/Nav are much better in the Maser.