Replacement for my 996 Turbo
Discussion
I'm moving house in September this year, which means getting a mortgage. Sadly it also means saying good-bye to my 996 turbo, which has kept me incredibly happy for the 5 months that I've had it to date (a track day at Brands Hatch being the highlight). I just can't imagine a more complete car or a better allrounder, but sadly it'll have to go.
The dilema now is what to replace it with. I reckon on having about £30,000 to spend. I've put an order down for the Aston DB8 in 2005 (can't wait) but will need something to tide me over until it arrives. Preferrably something that won't depreciate very much (a bonus of Porsche ownership). My current thoughts are as follows - would be grateful for any views:
1. Maserati 3200 GT (looks great, has the detuned 360 modena engine in it, but rumours of a dodgy greabox and average chassis);
2. Porsche Boxster S (already had one - superb car, but would feel like a step backwards. I'd like to try something new);
3. Jag XK8/XKR (bit "old man"?);
4. Aston DB7 (it'll be v high milage and I won't be able to stretch to a vantage [with the big fog lights on the fron], the interior is mostly Ford switchgear and it looks like it was designed in 1990;
5. BMW M3 (everyone's got one); or
6. 996 Carrera 2 (it'll be an early one and high milege - I'll also be painfully aware that it's no turbo and only has the 3.4 engine).
Would go for TVR but (i) it'll fall apart and (ii) it'll depreciate like hell.
Anybody got any other suggestions?
Cheers,
Simon PJ
The dilema now is what to replace it with. I reckon on having about £30,000 to spend. I've put an order down for the Aston DB8 in 2005 (can't wait) but will need something to tide me over until it arrives. Preferrably something that won't depreciate very much (a bonus of Porsche ownership). My current thoughts are as follows - would be grateful for any views:
1. Maserati 3200 GT (looks great, has the detuned 360 modena engine in it, but rumours of a dodgy greabox and average chassis);
2. Porsche Boxster S (already had one - superb car, but would feel like a step backwards. I'd like to try something new);
3. Jag XK8/XKR (bit "old man"?);
4. Aston DB7 (it'll be v high milage and I won't be able to stretch to a vantage [with the big fog lights on the fron], the interior is mostly Ford switchgear and it looks like it was designed in 1990;
5. BMW M3 (everyone's got one); or
6. 996 Carrera 2 (it'll be an early one and high milege - I'll also be painfully aware that it's no turbo and only has the 3.4 engine).
Would go for TVR but (i) it'll fall apart and (ii) it'll depreciate like hell.
Anybody got any other suggestions?
Cheers,
Simon PJ
Do you want a classic ? Ferrari 328 won't be the fastest car you have owned but should return most of its cost after a few years, provided you keep it clean and avoid too many miles per year. Everyone will look at it and wonder who you are. (standard response to "Horse" owners). Buy a cheap TVR and throw it away after 5 years. They do need caring for, but the Griff or Chimaera are easy to maintain, Cerbera's can cost lots more to run, again depending on mileage per year. My advise is go and thrash a few, they all drive different.
Good luck.
G.
Good luck.
G.
I limit the mileage for two reasons
A: cheap limited mileage insurance (5000 miles per) year.
B: Ferrari service interval every 6000 miles and I dont want more than one service bill per year.
Oh, I nearly forgot, driving my Ferrari daily would really spoil driving my everyday car.
Edited to say, It is difficult to return decent money on High Mileage "Horses". Would you buy a F355 with 150,000 miles and 8 previous "careful" owners.
>> Edited by prancing on Tuesday 4th March 18:04
A: cheap limited mileage insurance (5000 miles per) year.
B: Ferrari service interval every 6000 miles and I dont want more than one service bill per year.
Oh, I nearly forgot, driving my Ferrari daily would really spoil driving my everyday car.
Edited to say, It is difficult to return decent money on High Mileage "Horses". Would you buy a F355 with 150,000 miles and 8 previous "careful" owners.
>> Edited by prancing on Tuesday 4th March 18:04
£35k for a F355 - what planet are you on? I'd buy one tomorrow if they were that cheap!! You're still looking at a minimum of £60k for a decent one and at £3,000 for a cambelt service - the running costs are crazy. would still love to have one though - the exhaust note is pure race car...
As for "limiting the miles", all I mean is that I don't want to rack up 20,000 miles a year, becuase the car will be worth bugger all by the time I sell it. I drive the turbo at least 100 miles every weekend and have taken it down to Brands Hatch, so I definitely try to get the most out of it.
Have thought about getting a classic, but discounted it because I'd be worried about it breaking down, plus I like all the mod cons of sat nav, air con and a decent stereo. (and 0-60 in sub 5 secs).
Also thought about TVR, but the depreciation (and, again, risk of it falling to pieces) put it in the "no" pile. Also, no ABS is a concern.
328s are great cars but not sure I could pull off the "Tom Selleck" 'tasche look...
Am leaning towards an early Porsche 996 or Maserati 3200 GT at the mo... cheers for your replies.
As for "limiting the miles", all I mean is that I don't want to rack up 20,000 miles a year, becuase the car will be worth bugger all by the time I sell it. I drive the turbo at least 100 miles every weekend and have taken it down to Brands Hatch, so I definitely try to get the most out of it.
Have thought about getting a classic, but discounted it because I'd be worried about it breaking down, plus I like all the mod cons of sat nav, air con and a decent stereo. (and 0-60 in sub 5 secs).
Also thought about TVR, but the depreciation (and, again, risk of it falling to pieces) put it in the "no" pile. Also, no ABS is a concern.
328s are great cars but not sure I could pull off the "Tom Selleck" 'tasche look...
Am leaning towards an early Porsche 996 or Maserati 3200 GT at the mo... cheers for your replies.
Hi Simon - Agreed re 355 - BUT I just happened to take a look at the Verdi website (as advertised liberally on PH) and am staggered / encouraged / really quite worried that 1994 355 in LHD available with a years warranty for £37k.... go on.. you KNOW it makes (no) sense (whatsoever) !
how about either an NSX or an Esprit V8 twin turbo, the Esprit will be almost as quick as your 996 and for 30 grand you will get a very nice one. I'm a big fan of the NSX as a bit of a sleeper, but they don't have the right "image" for everyone and cost about the same as same age 911s.
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