Something for the weekend - room for a child
Discussion
Looking to the forum for advise:
I am looking for a weekend/special car to accompany our family run around (Countryman - which I will say is my wife's car to avoid ridicule)
Ideally I would like to have 4 seats (with the back usable enough for a 3 year old). I would like to keep the car for a long period of time (hence it needs room for an older kid as I believe they get bigger over time), and want something that will retain it's value as I will probably only do about 2k miles per annum. I want something nimble and sporty (I used to drive an Elise), but with lowish running costs. I don't want to be living in fear of borescoring for example, or massive clutch bills
With a budget of up to about 40k, is there anything out there that isn't a 997.2 that I should be looking at? I would be keen to see how other people have solved this dilemma. I looked at a DB9 but there is no way anyone can fit in the back.
Or should I just say "eff it" and get an Emira* and leave the wife or kid (or both) at home?
ETA - For the same reason I have pretty much discounted teh V8 Vantage despite adoring it's looks. I don;t want a saloon car - so 2 door/4 seats is the criteria.
*I know I said 40k but I think I can man math my way into this car as it is quite simply the most stunning car I have seen (and its a lotus)
I am looking for a weekend/special car to accompany our family run around (Countryman - which I will say is my wife's car to avoid ridicule)
Ideally I would like to have 4 seats (with the back usable enough for a 3 year old). I would like to keep the car for a long period of time (hence it needs room for an older kid as I believe they get bigger over time), and want something that will retain it's value as I will probably only do about 2k miles per annum. I want something nimble and sporty (I used to drive an Elise), but with lowish running costs. I don't want to be living in fear of borescoring for example, or massive clutch bills
With a budget of up to about 40k, is there anything out there that isn't a 997.2 that I should be looking at? I would be keen to see how other people have solved this dilemma. I looked at a DB9 but there is no way anyone can fit in the back.
Or should I just say "eff it" and get an Emira* and leave the wife or kid (or both) at home?
ETA - For the same reason I have pretty much discounted teh V8 Vantage despite adoring it's looks. I don;t want a saloon car - so 2 door/4 seats is the criteria.
*I know I said 40k but I think I can man math my way into this car as it is quite simply the most stunning car I have seen (and its a lotus)
Edited by Zstar on Wednesday 18th May 10:26
romeodelta said:
Tricky one - there is a reason most end up with a 997 with these criteria.
I assume you’ve considered and discounted the Evora?
The only other suggestion is a GranTurismo. Not nimble and sporty per se, but makes up for it in other areas.
The Evora came onto my radar yesterday, but I worry about the residuals as it's definitely a niche offering vs the ubiquitous 911. I am also not 100% sold on the looks, and I think the Emira (whilst a 2 seater) will make it look expensive for what it is.I assume you’ve considered and discounted the Evora?
The only other suggestion is a GranTurismo. Not nimble and sporty per se, but makes up for it in other areas.
I did look at GranTurismos - I don't know enough about the running costs and I see some very cheap ones these days so I am not sure if I would kick myself vs a 911 when it comes to resale time (plus I swore off Italian cars after 2 very expensive GTVs). I have also considered the Continental GT but have the same concerns...
One Porsche independent did recommend the 2nd gen Panamera v8 to me, but it's not something I have considered seriously - maybe I should?
samjlevy said:
For 40k you are getting close 991.1 territory.
Have you looked at a TTRS as well?
BMW M2 Competition would also be worth a look.
Not keen on the TTRS - very fast but lacks the dynamic handling I would ideally wantHave you looked at a TTRS as well?
BMW M2 Competition would also be worth a look.
M2 is a good shout, although I was not thinking about 'boxy' cars - ie I want something more sporty looking rather than a beemer with a body kit and a stonking great engine. But I won't discount an M2 as something we could even use for longer trips
Milkyway said:
First thing that sprang to mind was the Bentley Continental GT...
I’m sure that only doing 2K a year won’t over stress it either.
(DB9 was mentioned)
My wife likes them. I don't see an end to their depreciation though and I want something I can chuck down the country lanes in Surrey. However, I am sometimes tempted to go the other way and get a drop top GT and cruise (acknowledging that this totally contradicts the dynamism comment above...)I’m sure that only doing 2K a year won’t over stress it either.
(DB9 was mentioned)
Edited by Milkyway on Wednesday 18th May 12:58
Manual 996 turbo is in budget. A known quantity in terms of maintenance and potentially appreciating as well, to balance the running costs
No bore score nonsense, but also a rawer car than a 997.2 if that is a good thing (might not be). Two turbos to worry about from a maintenance point of view, but they are well-built, solid and reliable cars that aren’t too stiff to tool about in with family
No bore score nonsense, but also a rawer car than a 997.2 if that is a good thing (might not be). Two turbos to worry about from a maintenance point of view, but they are well-built, solid and reliable cars that aren’t too stiff to tool about in with family
Was in a similar position to you a while ago, but I prefer older cars so now on my second transaxle Porsche - this time a 968, but a tidy, late manual 928 would be my pick, or maybe a v clean 944 Turbo.
Roomy, comfy, fun to punt down a road and to cruise. Also plenty of parts easily available and not really that expensive to maintain, bearing in mind the others already mentioned. Also, not a 911…
And my kids love ‘em
Roomy, comfy, fun to punt down a road and to cruise. Also plenty of parts easily available and not really that expensive to maintain, bearing in mind the others already mentioned. Also, not a 911…
And my kids love ‘em
If you want something to chuck down the lanes then you can forget about things like Contintal GT's and GranTurismo's. They're massive things.
This is the reason why so many people go for the 911. 996/997 generations are just such great sizes for UK roads, enough power to have fun (more than enough if you go for a 996TT). The Evora is about the only other thing that competes with it in terms of practicality, usability, performance and suitability for the UK.
I get where you are coming from with the M2. When I look at them online I aways feel totally uninspired. However, every time I see one parked up I just think they look so great and so purposeful.
This is the reason why so many people go for the 911. 996/997 generations are just such great sizes for UK roads, enough power to have fun (more than enough if you go for a 996TT). The Evora is about the only other thing that competes with it in terms of practicality, usability, performance and suitability for the UK.
I get where you are coming from with the M2. When I look at them online I aways feel totally uninspired. However, every time I see one parked up I just think they look so great and so purposeful.
covmutley said:
Tvr cerbera for about 30k?
Shouldn't lose much
The Cerbera is a good shout. Increasingly rare and I would not be putting on many miles. Plus they are one of the first cars I really lusted after when I passed my driving test in the late 90's.Shouldn't lose much
M2/M4 is a possibility, but I don't think meet my low depreciation criteria - maybe when my son is a teenager and we need more rear space (7-10 years I suspect)
So I think this leaves me with:
The obvious choice of 997.2 (ideally a Targa)
Cerbera with some money to spare to fix it every month
Evora, with a caveat that they may depreciate a bit but unlikely to give me massive bills, and closest to the Elise 111S that I dearly miss
The last 2 would be the choice for the occasional weekend schlep to Goodwood or Brooklands, or a number of quaint places in the Surrey Hills, and can still fit golf clubs in if my wife has the main car.
I met a guy at a local porsche specialist who said I should consider a V8 Panamera (gen 2) as it's still good to drive but has more room than the 911, but I worry that it would be missing the X factor that you want from a weekend car
Zstar said:
The Cerbera is a good shout. Increasingly rare and I would not be putting on many miles. Plus they are one of the first cars I really lusted after when I passed my driving test in the late 90's.
M2/M4 is a possibility, but I don't think meet my low depreciation criteria - maybe when my son is a teenager and we need more rear space (7-10 years I suspect)
So I think this leaves me with:
The obvious choice of 997.2 (ideally a Targa)
Cerbera with some money to spare to fix it every month
Evora, with a caveat that they may depreciate a bit but unlikely to give me massive bills, and closest to the Elise 111S that I dearly miss
The last 2 would be the choice for the occasional weekend schlep to Goodwood or Brooklands, or a number of quaint places in the Surrey Hills, and can still fit golf clubs in if my wife has the main car.
I met a guy at a local porsche specialist who said I should consider a V8 Panamera (gen 2) as it's still good to drive but has more room than the 911, but I worry that it would be missing the X factor that you want from a weekend car
Have you seen the prices of Evora's they've always been on the slower side of depreciation curve, they're great cars as well a proper drivers car & it would be one of my picks.M2/M4 is a possibility, but I don't think meet my low depreciation criteria - maybe when my son is a teenager and we need more rear space (7-10 years I suspect)
So I think this leaves me with:
The obvious choice of 997.2 (ideally a Targa)
Cerbera with some money to spare to fix it every month
Evora, with a caveat that they may depreciate a bit but unlikely to give me massive bills, and closest to the Elise 111S that I dearly miss
The last 2 would be the choice for the occasional weekend schlep to Goodwood or Brooklands, or a number of quaint places in the Surrey Hills, and can still fit golf clubs in if my wife has the main car.
I met a guy at a local porsche specialist who said I should consider a V8 Panamera (gen 2) as it's still good to drive but has more room than the 911, but I worry that it would be missing the X factor that you want from a weekend car
Next would be the Lexus RC-F they have a very special V8 & as a car it'll properly get under your skin:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204305...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205115...
Mustang good cars that with a little tweaking become a more special:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204194...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202052...
A bit more mainstream is the Audi RS5 but it actually has a special V8 that even the R8 didn't get:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202152...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205095...
Watch this review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kf-2D1vge8
Zstar said:
The Cerbera is a good shout. Increasingly rare and I would not be putting on many miles. Plus they are one of the first cars I really lusted after when I passed my driving test in the late 90's.
So I think this leaves me with:
The obvious choice of 997.2 (ideally a Targa)
Go for the Cerbera all day long. Buy from someone like Str8six with their 12 month nose to tail warranty which will iron out any issues and enjoy a truly wonderful experience. So I think this leaves me with:
The obvious choice of 997.2 (ideally a Targa)
I would not get a 997 Targa. I bought one blind on looks alone let year. Sold 3 months later.
All that glass up top adds loads of weight in the wrong place and it’s not really a Targa. It’s just a creaky, oversized glass sunroof.
Milkyway said:
First thing that sprang to mind was the Bentley Continental GT...
I’m sure that only doing 2K a year won’t over stress it either.
(DB9 was mentioned)
I’m a big advocate of the Bentley. But didn’t the op say nimble and sporty handling. The Bentley is about 2 ton abs very much a luxury GT cruiser. Albeit a very high speed one. I’m sure that only doing 2K a year won’t over stress it either.
(DB9 was mentioned)
Edited by Milkyway on Wednesday 18th May 12:58
The Mustang GT might be worth a shout. Not exactly small either. But all reviews praise the sporty handing these days.
Thanks for all the feedback so far!
I am realising that a smaller sportscar with room for a growing family may be too much of a compromise.
The 911 is still on the list, but I am now also considering:
Cerbera - one of my dream cars, but I am not sure I would have the patience to keep on top of the maintenance on a 20 year old car
Bentley GT (2011 on) - great engine, splendid interior, but high running costs
Maserati Granturismo - amazing sound, crap interior in an Italian supercar kind of way, I expect very high running costs
Jag XKR (new shape) - compromised rear seats, but great sounding V8.
The new front runner (vs the 911) I have thought of is the S-Class S500 Coupe. I had a CLS for a while which I liked a lot - the S-Class interior even on a 2015 car is amazing, and I would expect running costs to be quite low (compared to the other options), but probably some depreciation still to go. It would certainly add some practicality and more range to weekend trips
I am realising that a smaller sportscar with room for a growing family may be too much of a compromise.
The 911 is still on the list, but I am now also considering:
Cerbera - one of my dream cars, but I am not sure I would have the patience to keep on top of the maintenance on a 20 year old car
Bentley GT (2011 on) - great engine, splendid interior, but high running costs
Maserati Granturismo - amazing sound, crap interior in an Italian supercar kind of way, I expect very high running costs
Jag XKR (new shape) - compromised rear seats, but great sounding V8.
The new front runner (vs the 911) I have thought of is the S-Class S500 Coupe. I had a CLS for a while which I liked a lot - the S-Class interior even on a 2015 car is amazing, and I would expect running costs to be quite low (compared to the other options), but probably some depreciation still to go. It would certainly add some practicality and more range to weekend trips
Edited by Zstar on Tuesday 24th May 08:47
Surprised you've singled out the Maserati ref its interior. Subjective I know, but other than the dated infotainment it's a lovely place to be and the running costs might surprise you especially in comparison to the Bentley. Independent servicing can be had for around £500 (annual) and £900 (major) an they've proven to be pretty reliable.
The XKR is supercharged BTW.
The XKR is supercharged BTW.
SWoll said:
Surprised you've singled out the Maserati ref its interior. Subjective I know, but other than the dated infotainment it's a lovely place to be and the running costs might surprise you especially in comparison to the Bentley. Independent servicing can be had for around 500 (annual) and 900 (major) an they've proven to be pretty reliable.
The XKR is supercharged BTW.
For me its seeing the old number pad and all of the older examples I have seen seem to be showing signs of wear. Having owned to Alfa GTVs that cost well in excess of 2k a year to keep running, I am now very scared of anything Italian! Good to know about the servicing costs.The XKR is supercharged BTW.
Good point on the XKR - I've amended my post (not enough sleep!)
Having pondered similarly, it's hard to see past a 911 with your criteria.
A GranTurismo has usable rear seats and they're a lot better put together than a Cerbera - but a bit hefty compared to a 911, albeit beautiful.
If you're thinking about GT cars, then what about an Aston Martin Rapide? Anyone know how usable the rear seats are in one of those? DB9 woeful.
A GranTurismo has usable rear seats and they're a lot better put together than a Cerbera - but a bit hefty compared to a 911, albeit beautiful.
If you're thinking about GT cars, then what about an Aston Martin Rapide? Anyone know how usable the rear seats are in one of those? DB9 woeful.
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