Discussion
Musing a little bit today on my next purchase. I'm celebrating a personal milestone soon and wish to treat myself to something very special and achievable. (Yes, I'd love a 488 but I also have a real-world budget!).
Two attainable sports/supercars I have lusted after for a while are the 911 and the i8. So.. some details on each that would be in my price bracket ($50-$70k USD)
911 - This would be a 2014-2015 991.1 Carrera or S. So, out of warranty, roughly 30-40k miles on the clock. Would love a manual, but PDK only in this price range unless I go 997. I have lusted after a 911 since being a kid, is this the right way to go about it or do I keep the dream going while experiencing something else?
i8 - This would be a 2016-2017 car just at the end or just out of warranty, roughly 20k miles on the clock. Obviously, no dreaming as a kid on this one.. but just look at it! Those doors, the space-age looks etc.. I also understand they are pretty reliable and cheap to run / service.
It is also possible that I purchase one and then trade it in for the other at some point (I am notorious for getting bored with any car I've owned.)
I also need backseats for occasional toddler travel (although not a regular occurrence).
Previous ownership includes:
V8 Dodge Challenger
Alfa Gulia
4 series Convertible
3 series coupe
Any advice, thoughts or recommendations?
Equally.. anything else I should be looking at? I have discounted Maserati GranTurismos due to high servicing costs, although I hear they are reliable.
Two attainable sports/supercars I have lusted after for a while are the 911 and the i8. So.. some details on each that would be in my price bracket ($50-$70k USD)
911 - This would be a 2014-2015 991.1 Carrera or S. So, out of warranty, roughly 30-40k miles on the clock. Would love a manual, but PDK only in this price range unless I go 997. I have lusted after a 911 since being a kid, is this the right way to go about it or do I keep the dream going while experiencing something else?
i8 - This would be a 2016-2017 car just at the end or just out of warranty, roughly 20k miles on the clock. Obviously, no dreaming as a kid on this one.. but just look at it! Those doors, the space-age looks etc.. I also understand they are pretty reliable and cheap to run / service.
It is also possible that I purchase one and then trade it in for the other at some point (I am notorious for getting bored with any car I've owned.)
I also need backseats for occasional toddler travel (although not a regular occurrence).
Previous ownership includes:
V8 Dodge Challenger
Alfa Gulia
4 series Convertible
3 series coupe
Any advice, thoughts or recommendations?
Equally.. anything else I should be looking at? I have discounted Maserati GranTurismos due to high servicing costs, although I hear they are reliable.
Simple answer 911, all day long.
The PDK works best in the 991 anyway, the 7 speed manual just didn't do it for me. The PDK is so slick, and if you get the sport design steering wheel as well you get proper paddle shift (Not the back to front button shift - But you will sacrifice a multi function steering wheel and possibly the heated steering wheel as well) and it's a lovely steering wheel.
Having worked with and driven numerous 997/991 etc my personal choice would be a 997 Gen 2 PDK (Maybe a GTS) now. But the 991 is such a good car the BMW won't even come close (and I always buy BMW for my personal cars). The engagement in the 991 will be far superior.
Also, should you come to trade it in/up the residuals on the 911's have always been very good in the used market and good spec cars are always in high demand. Buy from a proper Porsche specialist and get a decent warranty (Quite a few do in house ones now, these are actually pretty good) just make sure it's got a good individual claim limit. You'll save a heap on buying from an OPC. A decent specialist will likely also be a better prepped car as well (I know, OPC have standards but i've seen some shocking cars in the past come from an OPC with cheap smart repairs and iffy wheel 'refurbs').
Either way, you won't regret it.
The PDK works best in the 991 anyway, the 7 speed manual just didn't do it for me. The PDK is so slick, and if you get the sport design steering wheel as well you get proper paddle shift (Not the back to front button shift - But you will sacrifice a multi function steering wheel and possibly the heated steering wheel as well) and it's a lovely steering wheel.
Having worked with and driven numerous 997/991 etc my personal choice would be a 997 Gen 2 PDK (Maybe a GTS) now. But the 991 is such a good car the BMW won't even come close (and I always buy BMW for my personal cars). The engagement in the 991 will be far superior.
Also, should you come to trade it in/up the residuals on the 911's have always been very good in the used market and good spec cars are always in high demand. Buy from a proper Porsche specialist and get a decent warranty (Quite a few do in house ones now, these are actually pretty good) just make sure it's got a good individual claim limit. You'll save a heap on buying from an OPC. A decent specialist will likely also be a better prepped car as well (I know, OPC have standards but i've seen some shocking cars in the past come from an OPC with cheap smart repairs and iffy wheel 'refurbs').
Either way, you won't regret it.
Edited by ChrisDT on Tuesday 27th April 11:38
I like the i8 for it's quirkiness, it's different compare to the more ubiquitous 911.
I like it's carbon fibre construction, balance of pace and efficiency and 'out there' looks.
911 is undoubtedly the more polished car, it does after all come from a long lineage of previous models.
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/compar...
I like it's carbon fibre construction, balance of pace and efficiency and 'out there' looks.
911 is undoubtedly the more polished car, it does after all come from a long lineage of previous models.
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/compar...
Hi
I had a 2005 997 c2S and a 2014 i8 Coupe until a couple of weeks ago. I sold the 911 as it just wasn't getting used, and the i8 (long story short), had a massive electrical fault during driveway charging resulting in a £9.5k bill....
BMW UK were excellent - bought the car back from me after having it for only 4k miles. Incidentally a very rare fault.
I disagree with previous comments on the 911 as the no brainer choice. I have driven a 991, albeit not owned one, and for me, the i8 was an excellent car. 4 wheel drive means it is so surefooted, very quick, loads of fun, and for the money, supercar looks and BMW build quality. It sounds great too. I would have had another but decided to scratch the FType itch instead.
The i8 was a massive sense of occasion to drive, get into, own etc. Drive both but for me the 911 is the safe choice and I always found mine to be far too light at the front, super hard ride, nervy and tbh a bit over-rated. I had the i8 for over a year and drove the 911 maybe 3 times. I had owned the 911 for 6 years, cherished it but just didn't go to it when the i8 joined the family. You must get an extended warranty though - these are VERY complicated cars so at £1400 a no brainer - insurance is buttons and for mine, zero road tax. Servicing costs also a fraction of the cost of a 911.
I had a 2005 997 c2S and a 2014 i8 Coupe until a couple of weeks ago. I sold the 911 as it just wasn't getting used, and the i8 (long story short), had a massive electrical fault during driveway charging resulting in a £9.5k bill....
BMW UK were excellent - bought the car back from me after having it for only 4k miles. Incidentally a very rare fault.
I disagree with previous comments on the 911 as the no brainer choice. I have driven a 991, albeit not owned one, and for me, the i8 was an excellent car. 4 wheel drive means it is so surefooted, very quick, loads of fun, and for the money, supercar looks and BMW build quality. It sounds great too. I would have had another but decided to scratch the FType itch instead.
The i8 was a massive sense of occasion to drive, get into, own etc. Drive both but for me the 911 is the safe choice and I always found mine to be far too light at the front, super hard ride, nervy and tbh a bit over-rated. I had the i8 for over a year and drove the 911 maybe 3 times. I had owned the 911 for 6 years, cherished it but just didn't go to it when the i8 joined the family. You must get an extended warranty though - these are VERY complicated cars so at £1400 a no brainer - insurance is buttons and for mine, zero road tax. Servicing costs also a fraction of the cost of a 911.
Edited by Bimmer800 on Tuesday 27th April 13:52
The economics come in to play too dependent upon how long you’re thinking of keeping your next car. Whether we like it or not, the markets are going to get a bit confused as we head on in to electrification, so probably worth having one eye on the future of ICE residuals as 2030 gets closer.
Some very interesting replied here, thank you all for taking the time.
Seems to lean 911 for sure, but a valiant few arguments for the i8.
Interesting being pointed at the 997.2 instead of the early 991. Personally I think they look a lot older and have not aged as well as the 991, but I will take a look for sure. I had discounted them.
Someone mentioned it above... the sense of occasion with the i8 is something I am struggling to look past. It really is a supercar event with space-aged tech and carbon tub goodness....
I think I'm going to have to drive them both back to back and see.
Thanks all once again.
Seems to lean 911 for sure, but a valiant few arguments for the i8.
Interesting being pointed at the 997.2 instead of the early 991. Personally I think they look a lot older and have not aged as well as the 991, but I will take a look for sure. I had discounted them.
Someone mentioned it above... the sense of occasion with the i8 is something I am struggling to look past. It really is a supercar event with space-aged tech and carbon tub goodness....
I think I'm going to have to drive them both back to back and see.
Thanks all once again.
I’m a 911 man myself but I have to say, the i8 to me has all the hallmarks of a cult classic.
Jaw dropping looks (admittedly not everyone’s cup of tea) but it will attract almost supercar levels of attention.
Unconventional drivetrain that is actually very fast in the real world.
Not universally loved / rated by press or petrolheads on first release, but starting to find a cult following from people who’ve actually driven or owned one.
These all seem to me to be things which will make it a real cult classic before long.
I don’t know what the used market is like in the US, but here in the UK, £45k seems to pick up a very tidy one.
Can they really go down much lower before we see an uptick in prices?
I'd say i8 the Porsche is the more polished out of the two but the i8 has a little bit more specialness to it & I think they're great value right now & you can get a BMW approved warranty on one in the same way you can the 911.
In all honesty a test drive will make the decision for you.
In all honesty a test drive will make the decision for you.
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