Where next from my Alfa GTV??? Feel free to chip in!

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Hey All,

I'm really interested in your views. My head's in a mess and I've spun myself incirlces thinking about the next car. I had my lovely GTV for 3 years as a fun car for me instead of the family's main steed of a Citroen C8 for Wife, kids dog and kit (really happy with it as a load lugger)! I also have a Moto Guzzi V11 sport that I love.

I'm ready to change the Alfa for a couple of reasons a) she's still OK to sell on b) I fancy a change c) for the first time ever my business is doing OK so I can afford something else! I only do about 3k a year in the Alfa as long trip are either in the Citroen or I travel on train/ plane a lot for work,

I still want a coupe. I still want something that looks and drives good. I need to be able to take my kids in it occasionally (the Alfa is getting a bit tight for my 1 and 7 years olds. Not a BMW.

I've looked at all sorts of options from

1. Brand new through my company as a lease (e.g. C Class Coupe, A5)
2. Something second hand and newish (e.g. Alfa GT, Brera, MB Clk) £6-8k price range
3. Something a bit older but mid-life crisis like nonsense car (e.g. Maserati 3200/4200 GT, 911) £12k ish price range

I appreciate the financial elements of this might appear odd but I've got my reasons and a strange accountant! Sadly two seaters and convertibles are not on the table.

If truth me told I really fancy a Maserati, they have got plenty of room for passengers and are Italian and a bit daft!
But never owned anything so exotic or potentially expensive to run.

I may have totally missed something though?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers

Pete

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The DB7 is incredibly tempting... pity it's about 400 miles away from me! Might have a look around at those too. never even thought you could pick one up for that sort of money. I am going to look at a 3200 and 4200 Maser tomorrow weather/work permitting.

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@arquti if I buy a Maser it will be as a private individual only the new car lease route would be through my company - lovely Alfa btw!

Mmm I'm also pondering a newer 3.2 V6 GTV too...

@carinaman thanks for being my virtual shopping assistant! You can't beat a fantasy car shoppoung spree.

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also just phoned up to view this

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

turns out it's the current Wheeler Dealers programme car they're selling on and asked if I minded being filmed. That's a first except for CCTV.

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exactly Andy! Going Maser viewing tomorrow

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OK tomorrow is... viewing Maser 3200 and 4200, Carrera 4 (996) and a Brera V6 Q4 all around £12k with the Breara at £7.5k. I've looked at insurance and the Brera and Porsche come fairly close with the masers coming about about £150 more. Nobody has really mentioned the Carrera yet... any opinions?

Cheers

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why not?

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Update... snow stopped play... didn't get to view and pretty pointless test driving powerful RWD cars in snowy conditions! Upodte TBD!

The 996 I'm looking at is a later 3.6 Carrera 4 are they as potentially problematic as the 3.4 ones???

Cheers

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yes newbie

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Thanks everybody for the advice and interest. Due to ongoing sh!tty weather car shopping is on hold . However I'm leaning towards the Maser 4200... perhaps I'm secretly terrified of owning an esoteric Itlaian, are they really a massive money pit remembering I do 3-5K miles per year in this car. I also like the 911 (I've seen a really nice 3.6 Carrera 4 with FSH in my budget advertised at a fairly local dealer) but I suspect the rear seats will be the deal breaker.

Funnily nobody's mentioned XK8.

I'll come back when I've been shopping.

Pete