Discussion
Hi all, I am looking to purchase a weekend car, needs to be fun and have a sense of occasion. The only draw back is, the boss has said it's going to need to fit a 6 & 4 year old in the back, and ideally be a convertible! All of which seems to really limit my options!
Looking at around the £70k to £90k..I have found;
Ferrari California
Aston Martin DBS/DB9
Porsche 911 in some guise - happy to receive advice on which is best at my price point?
Bentley Continental - seems a bit to bargey for what I want!
Any other suggestions?
Looking at around the £70k to £90k..I have found;
Ferrari California
Aston Martin DBS/DB9
Porsche 911 in some guise - happy to receive advice on which is best at my price point?
Bentley Continental - seems a bit to bargey for what I want!
Any other suggestions?
Ferrari California Ts are just starting to nudge the top of your indicated price range; performance-wise, the T is a step on from the earlier non-turbo Californias, but some feel the sound of the earlier cars - being normally aspirated - is better and adds something to the experience. There’s a potential compromise in the form of the California ‘30’; 30kg lighter and +30bhp over the standard California but still normally aspirated. They would be comfortably within budget.
911 - plenty of choice...I’d probably go for a 991 GTS targa, but appreciate the style is somewhat marmite...I really like it, others don’t! Of course, you’ve also got the option of going ‘old school’ air-cooled, which gives a different slant on that sense of occasion...
With the Astons, the question is how useable the rear seats are, even for children. However, if you check that out and can make it work, the Vanquish convertible is just about in budget and a very special machine.
If you want properly useable rear seats, the GranCabrio suggested above is probably the best of the bunch....though personally, I’d be after the MC Stradale and not worrying about the roof coming down!
Left-field option; Ford Mustang V8 convertible. Not the last word in refinement, rear leg room surprising limited and won’t match many, if any, on your list for performance...but bags of character and a fantastic soundtrack...and a good few quid left over as well!
911 - plenty of choice...I’d probably go for a 991 GTS targa, but appreciate the style is somewhat marmite...I really like it, others don’t! Of course, you’ve also got the option of going ‘old school’ air-cooled, which gives a different slant on that sense of occasion...
With the Astons, the question is how useable the rear seats are, even for children. However, if you check that out and can make it work, the Vanquish convertible is just about in budget and a very special machine.
If you want properly useable rear seats, the GranCabrio suggested above is probably the best of the bunch....though personally, I’d be after the MC Stradale and not worrying about the roof coming down!
Left-field option; Ford Mustang V8 convertible. Not the last word in refinement, rear leg room surprising limited and won’t match many, if any, on your list for performance...but bags of character and a fantastic soundtrack...and a good few quid left over as well!
Only one I’ve had experience of is the Continental GTC. It was the V8S and it changed my mind totally about Bentleys. It is a big-feeling car but the performance (and noise) makes it an amazing experience. It just felt special and every drive was an event. The seats in the back were fairly useable as well.
I'm hunting for a similar kind of thing and I would strongly suggest viewing the rear seats of a lot of these cars in the flesh as they are all pretty small. A family member owns a Portofino and those rear seats are pretty small and they are bigger than the ones in the California. The problem at least here in NZ is small children need booster seats by law until they become not so small therefore cancelling out the size advantage.
ANOpax said:
Maserati GranCabrio
It’s a proper 4 seater rather than a 2+2 like all the other the cars (bar the Continental) on your shortlist.
It looks great and sounds epic
Added to the shortlist! Thank you. It’s a proper 4 seater rather than a 2+2 like all the other the cars (bar the Continental) on your shortlist.
It looks great and sounds epic
Yolevas said:
Ferrari California Ts are just starting to nudge the top of your indicated price range;
911 - plenty of choice...I’d probably go for a 991 GTS targa, but appreciate the style is somewhat marmite...I really like it, others don’t!
Left-field option; Ford Mustang V8 convertible. Not the last word in refinement, rear leg room surprising limited and won’t match many, if any, on your list for performance...but bags of character and a fantastic soundtrack...and a good few quid left over as well!
Keeping an eye on the Cali T definitley! 911 - plenty of choice...I’d probably go for a 991 GTS targa, but appreciate the style is somewhat marmite...I really like it, others don’t!
Left-field option; Ford Mustang V8 convertible. Not the last word in refinement, rear leg room surprising limited and won’t match many, if any, on your list for performance...but bags of character and a fantastic soundtrack...and a good few quid left over as well!
I don't mind the Targa either to be honest...Will have a look at the 991 GTS.
I'm a massive fan of the Mustang to be honest and hadn't really thought about it...definitely going to have a look.
ollyh1988 said:
Only one I’ve had experience of is the Continental GTC. It was the V8S and it changed my mind totally about Bentleys. It is a big-feeling car but the performance (and noise) makes it an amazing experience. It just felt special and every drive was an event. The seats in the back were fairly useable as well.
That is great to hear, I always just thought it would be a big lump and not very sporty feeling! SSO said:
+1 on the Maserati GranCabrio. We have had one for 6 years and its been great.
Glad to see another vote for the GranCabrio. How have you found it with running costs and reliability?I think as someone else suggested, perhaps the best thing to do is go and look at the rear space available. Even better would be to fit the kids seats in the back, but do dealers get a bit funny about things like that?
Having just sold my California after a brief stint in the garage I can say with some certainty that the rear seats are simply too small even for children. I mean, you can squeeze them in if you have to, but the back rest of the front seat will likely be against their legs and they'll have the seat very close to their face. It doesn't make for a particularly pleasant experience for them at all.
The Maser GranCabrio however would tick a lot of the same boxes as the California, but with seats to actually fit your family in. Great sound, luxurious with some sporting pretensions, great sound, premium brand, great sound, a reasonable but not cavernous boot, did I mention great sound?
FYI the rear seats in the 911 have more legroom than the Cali. However, in the Targa & Cabriolet the rear seats are more upright than in the Coupe and can apparently be quite uncomfortable for rear passengers as they are almost leaning forwards a touch.
Not trying to put you off as I'm exactly the same position as you, but I think realistically the Bentley or Maserati are probably the viable options
The Maser GranCabrio however would tick a lot of the same boxes as the California, but with seats to actually fit your family in. Great sound, luxurious with some sporting pretensions, great sound, premium brand, great sound, a reasonable but not cavernous boot, did I mention great sound?
FYI the rear seats in the 911 have more legroom than the Cali. However, in the Targa & Cabriolet the rear seats are more upright than in the Coupe and can apparently be quite uncomfortable for rear passengers as they are almost leaning forwards a touch.
Not trying to put you off as I'm exactly the same position as you, but I think realistically the Bentley or Maserati are probably the viable options
leemanning said:
Having just sold my California after a brief stint in the garage I can say with some certainty that the rear seats are simply too small even for children. I mean, you can squeeze them in if you have to, but the back rest of the front seat will likely be against their legs and they'll have the seat very close to their face. It doesn't make for a particularly pleasant experience for them at all.
The Maser GranCabrio however would tick a lot of the same boxes as the California, but with seats to actually fit your family in. Great sound, luxurious with some sporting pretensions, great sound, premium brand, great sound, a reasonable but not cavernous boot, did I mention great sound?
FYI the rear seats in the 911 have more legroom than the Cali. However, in the Targa & Cabriolet the rear seats are more upright than in the Coupe and can apparently be quite uncomfortable for rear passengers as they are almost leaning forwards a touch.
Not trying to put you off as I'm exactly the same position as you, but I think realistically the Bentley or Maserati are probably the viable options
Thank you for your response. I think you're right, the Maserati and Bentley look like the most practical options! Better start hunting! Any "must haves" on either of them?The Maser GranCabrio however would tick a lot of the same boxes as the California, but with seats to actually fit your family in. Great sound, luxurious with some sporting pretensions, great sound, premium brand, great sound, a reasonable but not cavernous boot, did I mention great sound?
FYI the rear seats in the 911 have more legroom than the Cali. However, in the Targa & Cabriolet the rear seats are more upright than in the Coupe and can apparently be quite uncomfortable for rear passengers as they are almost leaning forwards a touch.
Not trying to put you off as I'm exactly the same position as you, but I think realistically the Bentley or Maserati are probably the viable options
I have test driven all of these cars.
I really don’t see the Maserati as a weekend car which is fun and has a sense of occasion. It makes a great noise, but other than that the interior is not amazing, the drive is nothing special and it is getting really dated looks wise inside and out too, those rear lights look like they’re from the 90s!
The Bentley is a lovely carriage to waft around in, but it really isn’t fun. It’s a luxury daily driver IMO, like a Mercedes S Class.
The 911 I can see working better, it’s no way near as much a sense of occasion as a Ferrari but it’s a lot better than the other two for what you said you’re looking for.
I would definitely have a test drive before spending time looking into them.
I really don’t see the Maserati as a weekend car which is fun and has a sense of occasion. It makes a great noise, but other than that the interior is not amazing, the drive is nothing special and it is getting really dated looks wise inside and out too, those rear lights look like they’re from the 90s!
The Bentley is a lovely carriage to waft around in, but it really isn’t fun. It’s a luxury daily driver IMO, like a Mercedes S Class.
The 911 I can see working better, it’s no way near as much a sense of occasion as a Ferrari but it’s a lot better than the other two for what you said you’re looking for.
I would definitely have a test drive before spending time looking into them.
SiQS said:
SSO said:
+1 on the Maserati GranCabrio. We have had one for 6 years and its been great.
Glad to see another vote for the GranCabrio. How have you found it with running costs and reliability?I think as someone else suggested, perhaps the best thing to do is go and look at the rear space available. Even better would be to fit the kids seats in the back, but do dealers get a bit funny about things like that?
NDA said:
You wouldn't get Douglas Bader in the back of the Aston. The rear seats are hopeless.
The problem with most of these cars is the coupe is pretty tight in the back, so the droptops are usually even worse. We got my wife in the back of a DB9 coupe OK. A bit(!) cramped with the seat folded back, and it took 2 of us to drag her back out of the bugger afterwards.We thought the Cali rear seats were largely for comedy effect, and depending upon the size of the offspring you need to consider booster seats and this is easier if the car has Isofix.
The Maser is a proper 4 seater, well within budget and I have seen Maser branded child seats. And you could get a Cayman or Z4M coupe with the change
Paul
I’ve had this issue for many years having realised the only time I get to use my cars is if some of the family can come to!
I’ve had a Maser GT which was fine for the kids and would even take a buggy in the boot. The 911 was more cramped and a nightmare for car seats so can’t really recommend it.
I currently have a Cali which is actually fine for two kids aged 10 & 8. I made sure to buy one with the carbon backed seats which gives you an extra inch or more legroom in the back. With the roof down the kids love the school run!
I’ve had a Maser GT which was fine for the kids and would even take a buggy in the boot. The 911 was more cramped and a nightmare for car seats so can’t really recommend it.
I currently have a Cali which is actually fine for two kids aged 10 & 8. I made sure to buy one with the carbon backed seats which gives you an extra inch or more legroom in the back. With the roof down the kids love the school run!
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