Is a 911 the only choice here?
Discussion
I am (was) in a similar position, with my wife being pregnant. I have an F10 M5, but fancied something different. I had narrowed it down to a 991.1 cs or Evora 400, with a preference for the Evora; it looks more special, drives excellently and sounds freaking awesome. My understanding was that the rear facing seats won't fit in the back of either, so would have to put the baby in the front and the wife in the back. This would be a big commitment as i think rearward facing seats are needed for about 18 months. We have a Nissan Qashqai too.
Then we had the 12 week scan and found out it is twins..... So 2 rearward facing baby seats needed, thus ruling out the Evora and 911. I have now switched to looking at the Maserati Granturismo S; this would mean reducing budget to account for increased running costs (servicing, warranty, clutch if you go MC shift etc.), and I am also very interested in the Range Rover Sport Supercharged with the idea that we replace my wife's car with something like an Elise in a couple of years, and use the RRS as the family car. Other options for me could be M6 Grancoupe and Audi RS7.
Your first port of call is to figure out if you would be willing to have the rearward facing seat in the front for a year and a half, because if not then this may rule out the 911 and many others like the GTR, Evora, DB9, Conti GT.
Then we had the 12 week scan and found out it is twins..... So 2 rearward facing baby seats needed, thus ruling out the Evora and 911. I have now switched to looking at the Maserati Granturismo S; this would mean reducing budget to account for increased running costs (servicing, warranty, clutch if you go MC shift etc.), and I am also very interested in the Range Rover Sport Supercharged with the idea that we replace my wife's car with something like an Elise in a couple of years, and use the RRS as the family car. Other options for me could be M6 Grancoupe and Audi RS7.
Your first port of call is to figure out if you would be willing to have the rearward facing seat in the front for a year and a half, because if not then this may rule out the 911 and many others like the GTR, Evora, DB9, Conti GT.
CaptainSensib1e said:
As a previous poster said, a new Mustang GT. has p
roper useable rear seats with Isofix! What more could you ask for.
I disagree, test drove new GT before I bought Maserati GT-S and if I was able to fit a child seat in the back I would have bought it.roper useable rear seats with Isofix! What more could you ask for.
I can also recommend Maserati although at 40k you are looking at an earlier car pre 2012 facelift.
Fits 4 adults and any pram.
Lagerlout said:
LordHaveMurci said:
Lagerlout said:
I've owned a few 911s and they've all bored the crap out of me in the end. Cough..
Why did you keep buying them then?!
Honestly could never get a relationship going with any of them. Can't really say why. Some people get and love them just not me. I'm probably quite rare as I prefer the newest ones.
Right thread conclusion time - I was planning on trying an Evora but there's not many for sale and none of them were that close to me.
In that time a great deal came up on a 997.2 2S which had pretty much all the options I wanted and came in a fantastic colour - Aqua Blue
It replaces a 996 4S which I will miss but going to a Gen 2 997 is a huge jump and everything is so much better. Well almost everything... even with PSE it's too quiet but hopefully a Sharkwerks/H&S bypass should short that out
Anyway I'll let the pics do the talking!
In that time a great deal came up on a 997.2 2S which had pretty much all the options I wanted and came in a fantastic colour - Aqua Blue
It replaces a 996 4S which I will miss but going to a Gen 2 997 is a huge jump and everything is so much better. Well almost everything... even with PSE it's too quiet but hopefully a Sharkwerks/H&S bypass should short that out
Anyway I'll let the pics do the talking!
Lovely car!
Only thing that let's the Gen 2 down is the exhaust note vs Gen 1 PSE.
Just in case it helps...
I put a H&S back box on and got a 1.75inch pipe welded into each muffler as a bypass - this made the engine lose its raspy ness and instead made it sound like a Saxo with a blowing exhaust. It was loud, very loud and not in a good way.
Personally I would recommend the same set up as mine but instead try and make the muffler bypass pipe smaller in diameter than the one I went for, perhaps go for something like an inch That should then makes it sound more like stock but louder - so same pitch in essence.
Also see if you can somehow get some controllable butterfly valves in the bypass pipes so that you can adjust to your preference, some remote kits on ebay.
If you are changing the back box get ready for rusted exhaust bolts - mine had to be burnt off, but once replaced take the box on/off and mufflers on/off is quite straightforward.
Anyhow, looks beautiful, so enjoy !!!
Only thing that let's the Gen 2 down is the exhaust note vs Gen 1 PSE.
Just in case it helps...
I put a H&S back box on and got a 1.75inch pipe welded into each muffler as a bypass - this made the engine lose its raspy ness and instead made it sound like a Saxo with a blowing exhaust. It was loud, very loud and not in a good way.
Personally I would recommend the same set up as mine but instead try and make the muffler bypass pipe smaller in diameter than the one I went for, perhaps go for something like an inch That should then makes it sound more like stock but louder - so same pitch in essence.
Also see if you can somehow get some controllable butterfly valves in the bypass pipes so that you can adjust to your preference, some remote kits on ebay.
If you are changing the back box get ready for rusted exhaust bolts - mine had to be burnt off, but once replaced take the box on/off and mufflers on/off is quite straightforward.
Anyhow, looks beautiful, so enjoy !!!
RobM77 said:
You may think it's silly, but it's the considered opinion of me and lots of other car people I chat to. I've not got anything against Porsche, it's just that the more recent models have become very aloof and lacking feedback. I should swiftly add that they're precise diving tools, they have superb engineering, great performance, a good choice of different models and I like the conservative but purposeful styling, but sadly I've found that they're just way too Audi-like to drive.
ETA: Your quote is somewhat selective. I was leading into my suggestion to try an Evora. Again, you may think this is 'silly', but it's a widely held opinion that the Evora is better to drive, although plays second fiddle in other areas. I was merely suggesting that the OP tried both to see which compromises he was happier with.
I couldn't find a 911 on your garage. Have you ever owned one? ETA: Your quote is somewhat selective. I was leading into my suggestion to try an Evora. Again, you may think this is 'silly', but it's a widely held opinion that the Evora is better to drive, although plays second fiddle in other areas. I was merely suggesting that the OP tried both to see which compromises he was happier with.
Edited by RobM77 on Thursday 29th September 19:21
BigLion said:
Unless I'm missing something, would you really put a baby into a Lotus Evora - heaven forbid you have even a low speed impact, you'll be taking fibre glass out your legs for weeks???
You do realise that there are regulations that car manufacturers have to comply with around such minor things as safety in the event of a crash? Google NCAP for more information. 
rubystone said:
RobM77 said:
You may think it's silly, but it's the considered opinion of me and lots of other car people I chat to. I've not got anything against Porsche, it's just that the more recent models have become very aloof and lacking feedback. I should swiftly add that they're precise diving tools, they have superb engineering, great performance, a good choice of different models and I like the conservative but purposeful styling, but sadly I've found that they're just way too Audi-like to drive.
ETA: Your quote is somewhat selective. I was leading into my suggestion to try an Evora. Again, you may think this is 'silly', but it's a widely held opinion that the Evora is better to drive, although plays second fiddle in other areas. I was merely suggesting that the OP tried both to see which compromises he was happier with.
I couldn't find a 911 on your garage. Have you ever owned one? ETA: Your quote is somewhat selective. I was leading into my suggestion to try an Evora. Again, you may think this is 'silly', but it's a widely held opinion that the Evora is better to drive, although plays second fiddle in other areas. I was merely suggesting that the OP tried both to see which compromises he was happier with.
Edited by RobM77 on Thursday 29th September 19:21
OP - great choice of car; enjoy it.
rubystone said:
BigLion said:
Unless I'm missing something, would you really put a baby into a Lotus Evora - heaven forbid you have even a low speed impact, you'll be taking fibre glass out your legs for weeks???
You do realise that there are regulations that car manufacturers have to comply with around such minor things as safety in the event of a crash? Google NCAP for more information. You do realise that some cars have better safety than others don't you?
You do realise not every car has a NCAP rating don't you ?
You do realise that adding rolling eyes and a patronising tone to your post doesn't make your argument valid ?
BigLion said:
You do realise that NCAP is a rating out of 5 don't you?
You do realise that some cars have better safety than others don't you?
You do realise not every car has a NCAP rating don't you ?
You do realise that adding rolling eyes and a patronising tone to your post doesn't make your argument valid ?
You're suggesting an Evora is going to shatter into pieces of fibreglass. That shows me you're incredibly naive. Glad you googled NCAP though You do realise that some cars have better safety than others don't you?
You do realise not every car has a NCAP rating don't you ?
You do realise that adding rolling eyes and a patronising tone to your post doesn't make your argument valid ?
rubystone said:
RobM77 said:
You may think it's silly, but it's the considered opinion of me and lots of other car people I chat to. I've not got anything against Porsche, it's just that the more recent models have become very aloof and lacking feedback. I should swiftly add that they're precise diving tools, they have superb engineering, great performance, a good choice of different models and I like the conservative but purposeful styling, but sadly I've found that they're just way too Audi-like to drive.
ETA: Your quote is somewhat selective. I was leading into my suggestion to try an Evora. Again, you may think this is 'silly', but it's a widely held opinion that the Evora is better to drive, although plays second fiddle in other areas. I was merely suggesting that the OP tried both to see which compromises he was happier with.
I couldn't find a 911 on your garage. Have you ever owned one? ETA: Your quote is somewhat selective. I was leading into my suggestion to try an Evora. Again, you may think this is 'silly', but it's a widely held opinion that the Evora is better to drive, although plays second fiddle in other areas. I was merely suggesting that the OP tried both to see which compromises he was happier with.
I wanted one for years, read all the reviews etc and was bitterly disappointed, "flat six howl" - my arse - it sounded like a beetle.
I enjoy driving a car which to me means balancing it on the edge of grip, cornering using the throttle to adjust the angle (not drifting before the usual morons comment) I kept the 911 for a month. I was equally disappointed with a Merc Cosworth 2.3 - my 300bhp 944T was much better than both but still a GT car.
The best car - in my opinion is the most communicative and controllable - ie a Caterham / Westfield.
If you simply want to go fast, buy a GTR - if Porsche had made it I suspect most 911 owners would.
The 911 is not the fastest, nor the most fun however if you need an iconic 2+2 it's the default choice - personally I'm far happier in my (modified) RX7
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