thoughts on M6 vs XKR vs 911. £25-30k Budget
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm planning to by myself a present for my 40th birthday back end of this year. We have a Merc barge for family/commuting duties and a caterham for out and out fun so I'm after something that is an 'occasion' to drive. MPG doesn't really matter as it won't do many miles (<5K pa).
Criteria:
1) Be comfortable for a 6'5" tall driver
2) Be able to fit a passenger and 2 sets of golf clubs
3) Be 'special' to drive
4) 'Always start' reliable
5) Manageable depreciation (ie coule keep car for 2-3 years and still worth 75-80% of what I paid)
6) Manageable running costs (ideally £2-3K pa for service & warranty/repair fund)
7) Preferable to be able to fit 2 young kids in back seats.
The budget will be £25k or so.
Current thoughts are:
c.2007/8 M6 - probbaly a cabriolet
c.2009 Jag XKR (5L version)
c.2006/7 911 C2S (couple.. cab doesn't do it for me). Would be a manual.
c.2006 Aston Vantage
Does anyone have any direct experience of owning/running any of these? My current thoughts are the BMW will fit with the space criteria and be 'special' engine wise, but is a big car. 911 is the 'practical' option meeting most of space criteria and being the most rewarding to drive with fairly solid future values. Jag ok space wise, v8 engine note but possibly a little un-special, and aston wins on looks and future values, good to drive but tight on space (no rear seats at all).
All thoughts/comments/alternatives appreciated!
I'm planning to by myself a present for my 40th birthday back end of this year. We have a Merc barge for family/commuting duties and a caterham for out and out fun so I'm after something that is an 'occasion' to drive. MPG doesn't really matter as it won't do many miles (<5K pa).
Criteria:
1) Be comfortable for a 6'5" tall driver
2) Be able to fit a passenger and 2 sets of golf clubs
3) Be 'special' to drive
4) 'Always start' reliable
5) Manageable depreciation (ie coule keep car for 2-3 years and still worth 75-80% of what I paid)
6) Manageable running costs (ideally £2-3K pa for service & warranty/repair fund)
7) Preferable to be able to fit 2 young kids in back seats.
The budget will be £25k or so.
Current thoughts are:
c.2007/8 M6 - probbaly a cabriolet
c.2009 Jag XKR (5L version)
c.2006/7 911 C2S (couple.. cab doesn't do it for me). Would be a manual.
c.2006 Aston Vantage
Does anyone have any direct experience of owning/running any of these? My current thoughts are the BMW will fit with the space criteria and be 'special' engine wise, but is a big car. 911 is the 'practical' option meeting most of space criteria and being the most rewarding to drive with fairly solid future values. Jag ok space wise, v8 engine note but possibly a little un-special, and aston wins on looks and future values, good to drive but tight on space (no rear seats at all).
All thoughts/comments/alternatives appreciated!
Not sure you'll get 2 sets of golf clubs and a passenger in a 911, maybe flop bags but not ideal squeezing them into the back seats (No hatch of course)
XKR would do it OK as would the M6. Jaguars rear seats are pitiful though, 911s at least usable for youths or younger.
All should be reliable enough but all have the potential to be expensive if they go wrong, they are 400hp + sub-supercars even if they've depreciated down to manageable figures to buy now.
XKR would do it OK as would the M6. Jaguars rear seats are pitiful though, 911s at least usable for youths or younger.
All should be reliable enough but all have the potential to be expensive if they go wrong, they are 400hp + sub-supercars even if they've depreciated down to manageable figures to buy now.
Re the 997s - I had a cab and could get two sets of clubs in medium size stand bags across rear seats if I removed woods and umbrellas and stuck them head down behind the passenger seat (I would lower the roof to put them in). I think the coupe is slightly wider so should have the space but might be a bit more difficult getting them in and out.
From a practical point of view, I think it would be the M6 or the 997 - don't think the other two could compete on that front, although at 6' 5" you'd probably struggle to get a passenger behind you in both cars, I certainly struggled in the 997 and I am 6' 2"
They've all got something to offer from an occasion perspective and decision on that front depends on what you like, what cars you've had in the past and whether you're looking to replicate something experienced previously or try something new.
From a practical point of view, I think it would be the M6 or the 997 - don't think the other two could compete on that front, although at 6' 5" you'd probably struggle to get a passenger behind you in both cars, I certainly struggled in the 997 and I am 6' 2"
They've all got something to offer from an occasion perspective and decision on that front depends on what you like, what cars you've had in the past and whether you're looking to replicate something experienced previously or try something new.
contractor... thank you for the link.
I hadn't seen that thread. Interesting that some people think the XKR is rarer than the M6 when I think the numbers sold (or at least the number for sale 2nd hand) suggest quite the opposite. Only 420 RHD M6 Cabs ever sold I think. Finding an M6 AUC in my budget is going to be a long shot I think, so the mondial warranty will be the way to go (need to buy sub 60K miles and with full BMW history). The comments about 6'4" person not fitting in the Jag match with one of my concerns that the XKR might be a little tight space wise for me.
PJV,good to hear your thoughts. The 911 coupe looks to have quite a big more room once the seat backs are dropped compared to the cab as there is an area behind the seats that then comes into play (this space is where the roof goes on the cab I guess).
I had a '06 Cayman S for a while and loved the driving sensation but found it a little too small inside for me to use as my main car, which was the idea at the time. Now I'm after a '3rd' car to fit between the Merc E350 daily barge and the Caterham play thing.
I'm torn between the m6 and 997. I have never had an M car (ran E39 540i and E61 550i for 100K miles each) so quite like the idea of having one. But also worried that the M6 might feel a bit too familiar to my old E61 550i interior wise. Given how great the Cayman was to drive I'm thinking I might fall in love with the 997.
the other factor to consider is that the 997 will fit in our garage, where as the M6 is too long so would have to live on the drive. We have room on the drive so not a huge issue, though I'd need some form of cover as get a bit of tree sap in the summer coming down onto the cars.
I guess I'm going to have to try and find an M6 to test drive and see how I feel...
I hadn't seen that thread. Interesting that some people think the XKR is rarer than the M6 when I think the numbers sold (or at least the number for sale 2nd hand) suggest quite the opposite. Only 420 RHD M6 Cabs ever sold I think. Finding an M6 AUC in my budget is going to be a long shot I think, so the mondial warranty will be the way to go (need to buy sub 60K miles and with full BMW history). The comments about 6'4" person not fitting in the Jag match with one of my concerns that the XKR might be a little tight space wise for me.
PJV,good to hear your thoughts. The 911 coupe looks to have quite a big more room once the seat backs are dropped compared to the cab as there is an area behind the seats that then comes into play (this space is where the roof goes on the cab I guess).
I had a '06 Cayman S for a while and loved the driving sensation but found it a little too small inside for me to use as my main car, which was the idea at the time. Now I'm after a '3rd' car to fit between the Merc E350 daily barge and the Caterham play thing.
I'm torn between the m6 and 997. I have never had an M car (ran E39 540i and E61 550i for 100K miles each) so quite like the idea of having one. But also worried that the M6 might feel a bit too familiar to my old E61 550i interior wise. Given how great the Cayman was to drive I'm thinking I might fall in love with the 997.
the other factor to consider is that the 997 will fit in our garage, where as the M6 is too long so would have to live on the drive. We have room on the drive so not a huge issue, though I'd need some form of cover as get a bit of tree sap in the summer coming down onto the cars.
I guess I'm going to have to try and find an M6 to test drive and see how I feel...
Between the M6 and the 997 the V10 is undoubtedly the better sounding engine especially if you get a cabrio. But be aware that the cabrio M6 weighs 2 tonnes and won't feel as nimble as the 997.
There's plenty of M6's for your budget under 60k miles, the £90 a month Mondial warranty is as good as an AUC one if there aren't any AUC cars about.
The rear seats in an M6 are very useable even for adults and the boot can fit in your golf bats pretty easily. I get your dilemma with the garage, in the end I went for an M5 instead of M6 because the M6 wouldn't fit (it's wider and has long coupe doors). Best solution would be to build a bigger garage or move house
There's plenty of M6's for your budget under 60k miles, the £90 a month Mondial warranty is as good as an AUC one if there aren't any AUC cars about.
The rear seats in an M6 are very useable even for adults and the boot can fit in your golf bats pretty easily. I get your dilemma with the garage, in the end I went for an M5 instead of M6 because the M6 wouldn't fit (it's wider and has long coupe doors). Best solution would be to build a bigger garage or move house
Edited by Shaoxter on Tuesday 25th February 17:39
c7xlg said:
Hi all,
I'm planning to by myself a present for my 40th birthday back end of this year. We have a Merc barge for family/commuting duties and a caterham for out and out fun so I'm after something that is an 'occasion' to drive. MPG doesn't really matter as it won't do many miles (<5K pa).
Criteria:
1) Be comfortable for a 6'5" tall driver
2) Be able to fit a passenger and 2 sets of golf clubs
3) Be 'special' to drive
4) 'Always start' reliable
5) Manageable depreciation (ie coule keep car for 2-3 years and still worth 75-80% of what I paid)
6) Manageable running costs (ideally £2-3K pa for service & warranty/repair fund)
7) Preferable to be able to fit 2 young kids in back seats.
The budget will be £25k or so.
Current thoughts are:
c.2007/8 M6 - probbaly a cabriolet
c.2009 Jag XKR (5L version)
c.2006/7 911 C2S (couple.. cab doesn't do it for me). Would be a manual.
c.2006 Aston Vantage
Does anyone have any direct experience of owning/running any of these? My current thoughts are the BMW will fit with the space criteria and be 'special' engine wise, but is a big car. 911 is the 'practical' option meeting most of space criteria and being the most rewarding to drive with fairly solid future values. Jag ok space wise, v8 engine note but possibly a little un-special, and aston wins on looks and future values, good to drive but tight on space (no rear seats at all).
All thoughts/comments/alternatives appreciated!
From your list the only thing I would consider is the 911 with pse.I'm planning to by myself a present for my 40th birthday back end of this year. We have a Merc barge for family/commuting duties and a caterham for out and out fun so I'm after something that is an 'occasion' to drive. MPG doesn't really matter as it won't do many miles (<5K pa).
Criteria:
1) Be comfortable for a 6'5" tall driver
2) Be able to fit a passenger and 2 sets of golf clubs
3) Be 'special' to drive
4) 'Always start' reliable
5) Manageable depreciation (ie coule keep car for 2-3 years and still worth 75-80% of what I paid)
6) Manageable running costs (ideally £2-3K pa for service & warranty/repair fund)
7) Preferable to be able to fit 2 young kids in back seats.
The budget will be £25k or so.
Current thoughts are:
c.2007/8 M6 - probbaly a cabriolet
c.2009 Jag XKR (5L version)
c.2006/7 911 C2S (couple.. cab doesn't do it for me). Would be a manual.
c.2006 Aston Vantage
Does anyone have any direct experience of owning/running any of these? My current thoughts are the BMW will fit with the space criteria and be 'special' engine wise, but is a big car. 911 is the 'practical' option meeting most of space criteria and being the most rewarding to drive with fairly solid future values. Jag ok space wise, v8 engine note but possibly a little un-special, and aston wins on looks and future values, good to drive but tight on space (no rear seats at all).
All thoughts/comments/alternatives appreciated!
It will feel far superior to drive than the rest. Of all I suspect only the Aston would hold its value better but no rear seats and a little underwhelming to drive. Looks great though.
The Jag is also handsome but will plummet in value and the M6 is potentially the most ruinous.
What about a Bentley Continental?
Interesting dilemma.
All good cars in your shortlist but if 'special to drive' factor is highest in the echelon of desirable features then the Aston V8V would come out near the top....but you'd struggle get two nippers in the back (read: impossible).
There's more of a 'sense of occasion' driving the Aston than the other potential choices? The 911 comes with a bit of image 'baggage' and can attract the wrong sort of attention. Everyone seems to like and admire Astons!
I've bought an E39 M5 but very nearly got a 911 instead last September. The image issue associated with the Porsche swung it for me because I would have hated to see it keyed when parked up (+ all the unwelcome sign language on the road).
I ache for a big Aston. One day....I hope to add a V8V to my fleet.
All good cars in your shortlist but if 'special to drive' factor is highest in the echelon of desirable features then the Aston V8V would come out near the top....but you'd struggle get two nippers in the back (read: impossible).
There's more of a 'sense of occasion' driving the Aston than the other potential choices? The 911 comes with a bit of image 'baggage' and can attract the wrong sort of attention. Everyone seems to like and admire Astons!
I've bought an E39 M5 but very nearly got a 911 instead last September. The image issue associated with the Porsche swung it for me because I would have hated to see it keyed when parked up (+ all the unwelcome sign language on the road).
I ache for a big Aston. One day....I hope to add a V8V to my fleet.
Grammar police alert...
...Holy Bejasus...trilemma is actually a word)Depthhoar said:
Interesting dilemma.
All good cars in your shortlist but if 'special to drive' factor is highest in the echelon of desirable features then the Aston V8V would come out near the top....but you'd struggle get two nippers in the back (read: impossible).
There's more of a 'sense of occasion' driving the Aston than the other potential choices? The 911 comes with a bit of image 'baggage' and can attract the wrong sort of attention. Everyone seems to like and admire Astons!
I've bought an E39 M5 but very nearly got a 911 instead last September. The image issue associated with the Porsche swung it for me because I would have hated to see it keyed when parked up (+ all the unwelcome sign language on the road).
I ache for a big Aston. One day....I hope to add a V8V to my fleet.
Incredible set of carsAll good cars in your shortlist but if 'special to drive' factor is highest in the echelon of desirable features then the Aston V8V would come out near the top....but you'd struggle get two nippers in the back (read: impossible).
There's more of a 'sense of occasion' driving the Aston than the other potential choices? The 911 comes with a bit of image 'baggage' and can attract the wrong sort of attention. Everyone seems to like and admire Astons!
I've bought an E39 M5 but very nearly got a 911 instead last September. The image issue associated with the Porsche swung it for me because I would have hated to see it keyed when parked up (+ all the unwelcome sign language on the road).
I ache for a big Aston. One day....I hope to add a V8V to my fleet.
Would love AM V8V too
Which 911 were u considering ?
E39 M5 is no hardship though. This is my favourite M5 ever IMO and looks classy today even if prices are no longer anywhere near £55k brand new.
OP that is a fine selection to choose from tuff choice
E63/E64 M6 .... How can I resist that V10 one of BMW's finest engines ever made and 507bhp
Sounds even better with the roof down
Practical
Though get BMW Insured Warranty but you will have a high revving NA V10
Jag XKR .... These look oh so gorgeous especially facelift form and classy
Porsche 997 C2S .... Great sports car but I would want 997.2 not 997.1 which look much better IMO. Plus have direct injection engines, more power, minor tweaked interior.
AM V8V .... Achingly gorgeous. Sounds fantastic too
I think in terms of beauty AM V8V, very closely followed by 997.2 C2S, facelift XKR are all stunning looking.
But I would prob have the Aston for the looks, noise, be different
Or the M6 for the V10 and being a proper BMW. Bargain for what was brand new £80k. I don't like the design of the car though.
Round my way there are lots of 997s and XKRs would be a boring choice.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage or BMW E63/E64 M6 to be a bit different.
E63/E64 M6 .... How can I resist that V10 one of BMW's finest engines ever made and 507bhp
Sounds even better with the roof down
Practical
Though get BMW Insured Warranty but you will have a high revving NA V10
Jag XKR .... These look oh so gorgeous especially facelift form and classy
Porsche 997 C2S .... Great sports car but I would want 997.2 not 997.1 which look much better IMO. Plus have direct injection engines, more power, minor tweaked interior.
AM V8V .... Achingly gorgeous. Sounds fantastic too
I think in terms of beauty AM V8V, very closely followed by 997.2 C2S, facelift XKR are all stunning looking.
But I would prob have the Aston for the looks, noise, be different
Or the M6 for the V10 and being a proper BMW. Bargain for what was brand new £80k. I don't like the design of the car though.
Round my way there are lots of 997s and XKRs would be a boring choice.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage or BMW E63/E64 M6 to be a bit different.
c7xlg said:
Hi all,
The budget will be £25k or so.
Current thoughts are:
c.2007/8 M6 - probbaly a cabriolet
c.2009 Jag XKR (5L version)
c.2006/7 911 C2S (couple.. cab doesn't do it for me). Would be a manual.
c.2006 Aston Vantage
For around £25K only the M6 and 911 are available if you want something decent. I haven't seen a decent 5l XKR at that price point and even ropey Vantages still generally fetch more than £25k.The budget will be £25k or so.
Current thoughts are:
c.2007/8 M6 - probbaly a cabriolet
c.2009 Jag XKR (5L version)
c.2006/7 911 C2S (couple.. cab doesn't do it for me). Would be a manual.
c.2006 Aston Vantage
Of the two left the 911 is the obvious choice when you weigh up your needs.
S
skeeterm5 said:
For around £25K only the M6 and 911 are available if you want something decent. I haven't seen a decent 5l XKR at that price point and even ropey Vantages still generally fetch more than £25k.
Of the two left the 911 is the obvious choice when you weigh up your needs.
S
I would see how you get on in test Driving the Trio . Having owned all the above and at present with the m6 , which I must add don't go near one without a BMW warranty , as even Roman Abramovich (Chelsea Football Club Owner ) would cough at the price of Parts . And he is a billionaire . So a BMW warranty is a Must . Of the two left the 911 is the obvious choice when you weigh up your needs.
S
XKR and Aston Drive very similar in lots of ways , although the interior on a Aston is unsurpassed . As for the 911 I owed a 993 with a supercharger fitted by 9M Racing now that was special but attracted lots of attention from our Boys in Blue , not that I drove it fast it just sounded out of this world and they pulled me over countless times . The M6 is very very quick and so easy to drive . The V10 engine is a jewel and im sure will make well cared for examples very sort after and keep values steady and increase in future years . As for golf clubs my Porsche took my Golf bag with no worries . M6 Boot is very Large and would swallow two large Golf bags with no problem . So yes they all Great Cars and I hope you let us Know what you Opt for in the End . Happy Hunting
161BMW said:
Incredible set of cars
Would love AM V8V too
Which 911 were u considering ?
E39 M5 is no hardship though. This is my favourite M5 ever IMO and looks classy today even if prices are no longer anywhere near £55k brand new.
Put a £2k deposit on a 993 Coupe C2 manual at Paul Stephens, this one....Would love AM V8V too
Which 911 were u considering ?
E39 M5 is no hardship though. This is my favourite M5 ever IMO and looks classy today even if prices are no longer anywhere near £55k brand new.
http://www.paul-stephens.com/Porsche-911-993-C2-Ma...
....but saw the M5 a few days later and got my money refunded. The 993 was beautifully presented (recent full respray) but had some niggles with the service history...and it hadn't had a new clutch, which at that mileage it would have needed. It was a close call since the 993 shape is gorgeous, they're bullet-proof and I would have quite liked to have owned one of the last air-cooled 911s, but the M5 was the better drive and less conspicuous. (Paul Stephens was very easy to deal with and has a fascinating stock of 911s of most vintages.)
That V8 Vantage itch isn't going to go away any time soon though....
thanks for all the replies guys. I agree that AMVs are more like 30-35K starting price at the moment, and seem fairly stable there. Also the 5.0l XKR start at 35K or so, but I'll be looking to buy end of this year (hoepfully a good time to be buying a soft-top) when they might have fallen to high 20s.
Looking at 'how many left' gives interesting comparisons of XKR vs M6. M6 new registrations seem to have dropped to <50 a year for 2007-09 where as the XKR is in the 1000s. So very different supply....
This makes me think that whilst the M6 might be more complex/fragile it's rarity might stop prices ever dropping much below 15K and maybe start to rise in 5 years or so as it starts to become a collectable. I can't see an XKR ever being like this (well not for 50+ years) nor a 'bogo' 997 C2S.
Looking at 'how many left' gives interesting comparisons of XKR vs M6. M6 new registrations seem to have dropped to <50 a year for 2007-09 where as the XKR is in the 1000s. So very different supply....
This makes me think that whilst the M6 might be more complex/fragile it's rarity might stop prices ever dropping much below 15K and maybe start to rise in 5 years or so as it starts to become a collectable. I can't see an XKR ever being like this (well not for 50+ years) nor a 'bogo' 997 C2S.
I considered the very same cars about a couple of years ago and ended up with the 997 (C4S). For me personally it was the best choice by a considerable margin, but then again I love 911s. For me a 911 is the right mix of driving pleasure, practicality, heritage and sound (it will also likely be the most economical of the lot, at least on fuel, but possibly in overall ownership cost - unless the V8V doesn't depreciate any more).
However, reading between the lines, I get the impression that your heart is set on the M6. Go for what YOU like the most. If I had gone for the 6 series I'd be kicking myself everytime I see a 911. As it happens, everytine I see one now I think "thank god I didn't buy that" (the 6, as much as I like them).
So, ultimately, whats going to be the car that, when you see the others on the road, makes you think "thank god I didn't buy that one instead"?
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