Dilemma and some Porsche help needed!

[HCMH]

A bit of background....I live in Italy - perfect place for a driver's car, except the barrier to owning here can be financially crippling (boss has an RS6 and it costs him 6k/year in lux car tax alone!). So, my idea is to bring a UK registered car over, which is relatively easy. The tough part is knowing what car to go for. I would love a caterham or exige S but I need a 2+2 as I have two young kids and the only car that seems to tick this box is a porsche. I have a company car and so the porsche would be a daily for the wife and kids plus something fun for us all for weekend trips around the mountains etc. I am considering either a 996 turbo or a 997C2s and would like to have an understanding of the running cost of both (assuming that both are equally mechanically sound). Having never had a porker I am totally naive to their associated costs. If anyone can shed some light it would be appreciated. From my limited knowledge it seems the Turbo's engine is less prone to trouble/ a rebuild?

Also contemplating an M5 due to the added convenience of a 5 door but it doesn't really appeal for some reason.

Is a turbo a viable option as a daily or just a little too much? I sort of feel I should go big or not bother! Ideally it would be a GT3 with rear seats but that's over my budget and possibly a little raw for the other family members but then the better half grew up in late 60's Mustangs, so likes a rumble!

Thanks.
H

[davek_964]

996 turbo is an excellent daily. Mine has been for 3 years, although for the past couple of months I've been using a Cayenne.

My running costs average about 2k-2.5k a year in total (maintenance and tyres) and that's having done 32k in 3.5 years.

[HCMH]

davek_964 said:

996 turbo is an excellent daily. Mine has been for 3 years, although for the past couple of months I've been using a Cayenne.

My running costs average about 2k-2.5k a year in total (maintenance and tyres) and that's having done 32k in 3.5 years.

Thanks for that - seems pretty reasonable for what it is. I'm assuming that doesn't include insurance or road tax?

[davek_964]

HCMH said:

Thanks for that - seems pretty reasonable for what it is. I'm assuming that doesn't include insurance or road tax?

No, although both are reasonable.

Insurance varies massively in the UK of course - I think mine is something like 600 a year (for a modified / mapped car). And it's pre-2006 so road tax is 270 or something like that.