200,000 problems and the car's the one
Discussion
So, let’s cut to the chase – I’ve got £200k to spend on a car (one car) and I’m all YouTube’d out…
The shortlist at present is as follows:
Lamborghini Huracan RWD
Ferrari 488 Spider
Ferrari 812 Superfast (at a push)
McLaren 720S (possibly a Spider)
McLaren 675LT (Spider or Coupe)
Porsche 997.2 GT3 RS
And finally… Mercedes SLS (I use to own one and have always regretted selling it).
I’m a long-time Porsche owner and so the GT3 RS is the ‘safe bet’ for me, but I want something a little different I think, something with more ‘drama’ – not character because the GT3 RS has that already, but something on which ‘the doors go up’ either metaphorically or literally…
The car will be used sparingly, for trips away (Le Mans 24hrs and Classic etc.) and for weekend jaunts in the UK or on the continent and for trips to some great driving roads with friends. I want it to feel special every time I jump in and go for a drive. And I want to sit in the garage and admire it for its engineering and aesthetic beauty and its detail.
I intend to purchase in a few months’ time (following the sale of a property), so a factory order for the Lamborghini isn’t out of the question, but most cars on the list would be low mileage secondhand purchases.
I hate to bring up the issue of retained value, but I will; clearly some of these cars will have done an awful lot of depreciating already and whilst I’m not looking to make money, I also do have to consider future residual value, not short-term, because I intend to keep and enjoy the car for a number of years, but it may be a consideration… but’s not the most important thing by a long way – the joy the car will bring is.
I could really do with some owner’s thoughts please.
One other minor consideration is that I live on the Isle of Man, so servicing and warranty or repair work (for all apart from the Porsche and the Mercedes) would need to be done off-Island.
Collective thoughts much appreciated!
The shortlist at present is as follows:
Lamborghini Huracan RWD
Ferrari 488 Spider
Ferrari 812 Superfast (at a push)
McLaren 720S (possibly a Spider)
McLaren 675LT (Spider or Coupe)
Porsche 997.2 GT3 RS
And finally… Mercedes SLS (I use to own one and have always regretted selling it).
I’m a long-time Porsche owner and so the GT3 RS is the ‘safe bet’ for me, but I want something a little different I think, something with more ‘drama’ – not character because the GT3 RS has that already, but something on which ‘the doors go up’ either metaphorically or literally…
The car will be used sparingly, for trips away (Le Mans 24hrs and Classic etc.) and for weekend jaunts in the UK or on the continent and for trips to some great driving roads with friends. I want it to feel special every time I jump in and go for a drive. And I want to sit in the garage and admire it for its engineering and aesthetic beauty and its detail.
I intend to purchase in a few months’ time (following the sale of a property), so a factory order for the Lamborghini isn’t out of the question, but most cars on the list would be low mileage secondhand purchases.
I hate to bring up the issue of retained value, but I will; clearly some of these cars will have done an awful lot of depreciating already and whilst I’m not looking to make money, I also do have to consider future residual value, not short-term, because I intend to keep and enjoy the car for a number of years, but it may be a consideration… but’s not the most important thing by a long way – the joy the car will bring is.
I could really do with some owner’s thoughts please.
One other minor consideration is that I live on the Isle of Man, so servicing and warranty or repair work (for all apart from the Porsche and the Mercedes) would need to be done off-Island.
Collective thoughts much appreciated!
I'd avoid anything turbocharged.
So that leaves the
Huracan
812
997
SLS
For drama, only you can decide what floats your boat. The SLS and 997 are familiar to you. I'll wager that Huracan and 812 will provide the passion that you're looking for.
On depreciation, I'd guess that the 812 still has a way to go but the upside is that you'll get a much newer car than the others listed and there are plenty to choose from as a lot of them are being traded in for the 812 GTS.
So that leaves the
Huracan
812
997
SLS
For drama, only you can decide what floats your boat. The SLS and 997 are familiar to you. I'll wager that Huracan and 812 will provide the passion that you're looking for.
On depreciation, I'd guess that the 812 still has a way to go but the upside is that you'll get a much newer car than the others listed and there are plenty to choose from as a lot of them are being traded in for the 812 GTS.
I thought about getting a car that is an event to drive as a road car (and neither needs to work well as a daily nor as a track car) at a c. 100-200k Euro Budget yesterday, my thought was Murcielago Coupe or Spider as a manual. Or possibly an LP640 and have it converted to manual if I can’t find the right Murcielago.
If I wasn’t focused on having a manual, I would also consider an Aventador.
I have not driven either of them, but that’s where I ended up (the decision driver was more the car having to be an enjoyable/event to drive vehicle and not ultimate performance, so turbo engines, 911s, double-clutch trannies were excluded after careful consideration ...)
If I wasn’t focused on having a manual, I would also consider an Aventador.
I have not driven either of them, but that’s where I ended up (the decision driver was more the car having to be an enjoyable/event to drive vehicle and not ultimate performance, so turbo engines, 911s, double-clutch trannies were excluded after careful consideration ...)
I faced a similar decision in spring last year, and ended up with a 675LT. Having driven 570 / 600 / 720, I wanted 720 speed with 600 directness, which the 675 delivers.
I've owned a few Porsches so that was a non-starter, and Mercs never appealed. I looked at a few Hurcan Performantes and there's a lot to like, but ultimately couldn't see myself as a Lambo owner - or perhaps more accurately the family couldn't see me as one!
I still have a Ferrari itch to scratch, but having recently taken part in the F8 demo days and driven to / from it in the 675LT, the 675LT is a more special car to drive and in the reaction it generates in others. If I were picking a Ferrari now, it would probably be a 488 - I can't get past the huge size of F12 / 812, and 458's seem expensive for the age of car.
I've owned a few Porsches so that was a non-starter, and Mercs never appealed. I looked at a few Hurcan Performantes and there's a lot to like, but ultimately couldn't see myself as a Lambo owner - or perhaps more accurately the family couldn't see me as one!
I still have a Ferrari itch to scratch, but having recently taken part in the F8 demo days and driven to / from it in the 675LT, the 675LT is a more special car to drive and in the reaction it generates in others. If I were picking a Ferrari now, it would probably be a 488 - I can't get past the huge size of F12 / 812, and 458's seem expensive for the age of car.
Given your criteria and your list, I’d be zeroing in on the two McLarens. I’m not a fan of the look of the 720, but then you can only see it when you’re not driving it...
At that price point I’d also consider a DBS SL, but that is a heart-driven choice. We’re it not for the 812 in your list, it wouldn’t even be worth suggesting.
At that price point I’d also consider a DBS SL, but that is a heart-driven choice. We’re it not for the 812 in your list, it wouldn’t even be worth suggesting.
From that list I think the 812 would be the biggest 'event' and hugely different from what you've previously run; having spent a bit of time in an F12 on a euro road trip a few years back it really does do everything with that crucial 'look over your shoulder' factor when walking away. As (probably) the last n/a V12 Ferrari I can see it retaining value rather well. Tbh an F12 would arguably deliver 98% of that which an 812 would; it's already endowed with considerably more power than grip as it is, whilst being a total animal when you're using the full rev range. Some would argue the F12 is a purer styling exercise too. Second for me would be the RWD Huracan with it's sensational looks and engine....
I had the same budget exactly a year ago.
I have owned a Ferrari and wasn't for me so out of the equation.
I had a few Porsches and at the time had a 981 Spyder so tried a 991.2 GT3 and manual / pdk versions of the GTS. The GT3 I found too harshly sprung for long trips and the GTS i had for a week on loan and got bored.
I tried a Perf and unfortunately not for me, I wanted to enjoy it but didn't. I prefer the standard Huracan.
Having owned a 12C and enjoying it I tried a 675LT and was blown away. Great performance, amazing ride, superb feedback, comfortable and as it turns out +30mpg on long runs which is useful on the long dull slog to the Alps.
So A 675LT it was, I got a clubsport one and have no intention to ever sell. With the super-car doors and looks and carbon tub it is very special not to mention exceedingly rapid and rare! Only 70 coupes and 100 spiders in the UK. It has also appreciated in the 12 months and 5k miles I have owned it if current prices are anything to go by, not by much but enough to more than cover running costs :-)
I would thoroughly recommend one, Alastair Bols has 3 or 4 at the moment.
I have owned a Ferrari and wasn't for me so out of the equation.
I had a few Porsches and at the time had a 981 Spyder so tried a 991.2 GT3 and manual / pdk versions of the GTS. The GT3 I found too harshly sprung for long trips and the GTS i had for a week on loan and got bored.
I tried a Perf and unfortunately not for me, I wanted to enjoy it but didn't. I prefer the standard Huracan.
Having owned a 12C and enjoying it I tried a 675LT and was blown away. Great performance, amazing ride, superb feedback, comfortable and as it turns out +30mpg on long runs which is useful on the long dull slog to the Alps.
So A 675LT it was, I got a clubsport one and have no intention to ever sell. With the super-car doors and looks and carbon tub it is very special not to mention exceedingly rapid and rare! Only 70 coupes and 100 spiders in the UK. It has also appreciated in the 12 months and 5k miles I have owned it if current prices are anything to go by, not by much but enough to more than cover running costs :-)
I would thoroughly recommend one, Alastair Bols has 3 or 4 at the moment.
Bispal said:
I had the same budget exactly a year ago.
I have owned a Ferrari and wasn't for me so out of the equation.
I had a few Porsches and at the time had a 981 Spyder so tried a 991.2 GT3 and manual / pdk versions of the GTS. The GT3 I found too harshly sprung for long trips and the GTS i had for a week on loan and got bored.
I tried a Perf and unfortunately not for me, I wanted to enjoy it but didn't. I prefer the standard Huracan.
Having owned a 12C and enjoying it I tried a 675LT and was blown away. Great performance, amazing ride, superb feedback, comfortable and as it turns out +30mpg on long runs which is useful on the long dull slog to the Alps.
So A 675LT it was, I got a clubsport one and have no intention to ever sell. With the super-car doors and looks and carbon tub it is very special not to mention exceedingly rapid and rare! Only 70 coupes and 100 spiders in the UK. It has also appreciated in the 12 months and 5k miles I have owned it if current prices are anything to go by, not by much but enough to more than cover running costs :-)
I would thoroughly recommend one, Alastair Bols has 3 or 4 at the moment.
Kept an eye on 675LTs on Autotrader for a while now and would definitely say they haven't appreciated? Not sure what you paid 12 months ago but they don't seem to be selling and quite a fair few are dropping in price. I have owned a Ferrari and wasn't for me so out of the equation.
I had a few Porsches and at the time had a 981 Spyder so tried a 991.2 GT3 and manual / pdk versions of the GTS. The GT3 I found too harshly sprung for long trips and the GTS i had for a week on loan and got bored.
I tried a Perf and unfortunately not for me, I wanted to enjoy it but didn't. I prefer the standard Huracan.
Having owned a 12C and enjoying it I tried a 675LT and was blown away. Great performance, amazing ride, superb feedback, comfortable and as it turns out +30mpg on long runs which is useful on the long dull slog to the Alps.
So A 675LT it was, I got a clubsport one and have no intention to ever sell. With the super-car doors and looks and carbon tub it is very special not to mention exceedingly rapid and rare! Only 70 coupes and 100 spiders in the UK. It has also appreciated in the 12 months and 5k miles I have owned it if current prices are anything to go by, not by much but enough to more than cover running costs :-)
I would thoroughly recommend one, Alastair Bols has 3 or 4 at the moment.
Edited by 123RY on Friday 15th January 16:43
This might help. I think I have Harry's ideal spec as mine is on standard passive suspension, steel brakes and the standard steering.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzYYQf8IV-Q&fe...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzYYQf8IV-Q&fe...
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