GT/spider with a decent sound

[DanQyou]

Morning All,

Family friend is retiring soon and wants to swap his daily for something a bit more interesting, fuel cost doesn't matter too much, budget is 10-20k but lower end is preferred.

He doesn't really work on his cars so it would likely all be done at a specialist, milage would be pretty low maybe 5k a year but he doesn't want to have it basically living at the garage always needing work. Few ideas he likes the look of so far:

650i 4.4 convertible (from what I can find online this would need to be 2017 onwards so top end of budget as they made a few engine fixes this year)
XK 5.0 portfolio, Know these are reasonably solid if looked after and had chain done
SL 350/400/500 2012-2014 I don't really have any knowledge of these
2013-2015 F-Type V6/S

Anyone have similar suggestions or owner experience especially with the Mercs as that's an unknown for me, is any one engine more reliable than the others etc?

Obviously the test drives will be the decider but just want to take any out which are known to have big failures any other suggestions also appreciated

Cheers PH!

Dan

[Matt_T]

So is he looking for a convertible?

[Matt_T]

How about an Infiniti Q60 - no idea what it will sound like though.
I would imaging that the ownership experience will be a lot less stressful that with your suggestions?
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19151390

[Biglips]

How about this for a sense of occasion? Can’t guarantee that it won’t be a bit needy, but just look at it. Very well respected dealer selling it

https://www.richardgracecars.co.uk/for-sale/masera...

[BenB91]

Maserati Gran Turismo.

[DanQyou]

Either convertible or coupe I think are fine,

Ill get some Q60 examples to show him ta Matt
The Maserati's look great but I don't want to be the guy who recommends one of those, he might never speak to me again when/if it goes bang!

[SunsetZed]

What's said friend planning on using it for? Boot size is small on many cars in this category so that may be a factor if he's planning on using it for holidays.

I'd love to take an F-Type convertible to the South of France but the boot isn't suited to a couple of weeks away (in my wife's eyes!).

[Matt_T]

I think that Infiniti Q60 cabrio above is a Nissan 370Z underneath, so parts / reliability should be fine.

[Matt_T]

This looks like a sensible choice too if it's your cup of tea...
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19093691

[Matt_T]

Biglips said:

How about this for a sense of occasion? Can t guarantee that it won t be a bit needy, but just look at it. Very well respected dealer selling it

https://www.richardgracecars.co.uk/for-sale/masera...

That looks sublime! Eagle F1s all round - it's been cared for I suspect.

[Baldchap]

Matt_T said:

This looks like a sensible choice too if it's your cup of tea...
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19093691

If this is going rate these have rallied!

You couldn't have given one of these away a decade ago.

[DanQyou]

SunsetZed said:

What's said friend planning on using it for? Boot size is small on many cars in this category so that may be a factor if he's planning on using it for holidays.

I'd love to take an F-Type convertible to the South of France but the boot isn't suited to a couple of weeks away (in my wife's eyes!).

Basically as a daily driver, they have another practical car if needed

[ZX10R NIN]

DanQyou said:

Morning All,

Family friend is retiring soon and wants to swap his daily for something a bit more interesting, fuel cost doesn't matter too much, budget is 10-20k but lower end is preferred.

He doesn't really work on his cars so it would likely all be done at a specialist, milage would be pretty low maybe 5k a year but he doesn't want to have it basically living at the garage always needing work. Few ideas he likes the look of so far:

650i 4.4 convertible (from what I can find online this would need to be 2017 onwards so top end of budget as they made a few engine fixes this year)
XK 5.0 portfolio, Know these are reasonably solid if looked after and had chain done
SL 350/400/500 2012-2014 I don't really have any knowledge of these
2013-2015 F-Type V6/S

Anyone have similar suggestions or owner experience especially with the Mercs as that's an unknown for me, is any one engine more reliable than the others etc?

Obviously the test drives will be the decider but just want to take any out which are known to have big failures any other suggestions also appreciated

Cheers PH!

Dan

My first choice would be the CL500 rather than the 63 as you'll get a better car & they don't suffer AMG tax:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408313...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503120...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509136...

They have a subtle exhaust note but if it's not enough just add an X Pipe, as an ownership experience they're pretty much bulletproof & a specialist will look after them for sensible money.

My uncle ran a CL500 for 5 years no issues & my dad had a 63 for 6 years again no issues, they now have an S560 & S63 respectively.

It's a bit more sporty but the V6 Type is a great car although I wouldn't call it a GT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503180...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509206...

The XKR is much more of a GT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509226...

the 4.7 GranTurismo S is a good option but they're not the (but with only 5k a year they're worth a look) cheapest t to run but they're a cracking car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507064...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509136...

[Josemartinez]

My first thought when I saw the title was Maserati Granturismo so I'm glad other people have said the same. Imo they look great and sound even better.

I like the F Type too.

You could get a DB7 within budget or even a Vantage or DB9 at the top end of the budget. Maintenance costs might be an issue though.

[vanman1936]

Masser is lovely and reliable if looked after…..but very expensive to run…..brakes / suspension can be ruinous….loved having one though

[Diderot]

An XK is lovely, but he’d wish he’d got an XKR. Both sound great, especially the XKR with fuse 19 pulled out.

A friend has an F Type V6 S convertible. Looks fab, rides really well, sounds glorious, but there is really no room for luggage at all.

[DanQyou]

XKR is definitely a decent shout I was thinking the NA version would be a bit less stressed and maybe more reliable/easier to find a better serviced example ?

ZX thanks for the recommendations also, I think the Maserati would be a bit too high on running costs CL could be a very good shout forgot they existed

Would you recommend the 500 TT V8? I'm guessing its the same as in the SL, would the two be similarly reliable as each other? and would this be on par with the Jag?

Cheers all!

[Krikkit]

If bork is a concern then a 4.2 XKR is the best bet - no timing or injector issues to worry about, 420hp is plenty to be going on with, and a fantastic driving car.

[ZX10R NIN]

DanQyou said:

XKR is definitely a decent shout I was thinking the NA version would be a bit less stressed and maybe more reliable/easier to find a better serviced example ?

ZX thanks for the recommendations also, I think the Maserati would be a bit too high on running costs CL could be a very good shout forgot they existed

Would you recommend the 500 TT V8? I'm guessing its the same as in the SL, would the two be similarly reliable as each other? and would this be on par with the Jag?

Cheers all!

The CL will be more reliable than the SL because it won't have potential roof issues & possible clogged up seals, mechanically they're both nigh on bulletproof.

I'd like the XKR but I'd take the CL over one, yes the 4.7 V8TT is the pick, they're also just a remap away from 500+bhp.

The good thing with CL once you drop all the windows away & open the roof it's like having a convertible anyway.

[georgeyboy12345]

Out of those in the list, the SL500 and XK 5.0s are the picks. Don't think you'll find a V8 F-type in budget, but I'd go for one of those over the V6.

Some other cars to look at if he wants decent sound - here's my top 10 (in no particular order)

Could go for the SL55 AMG over the SL500 if he wants further kick in power
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207268...

Mercedes SL63 AMG
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408233...


Aston Martin DB7

Auto
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508225...

Manual
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505112...


Alfa Romeo GTV Spider 3.0 V6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507284...


TVR Chimera

4.5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509015...

4.0
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509166...


Maserati 3200 GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509256...


Maserati Granturismo 4.7
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411226...


Vauxhall Monaro VXR
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509246...


Nissan 370Z
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509096...