Recommend me a £15k 996 Carrera Alternative?
Discussion
Today was a disappointing day. I went to test drive a 996 and as lovely as it was, the firm seats played merry hell with my back - I have mild Kyphosis (Dowager's Hump) and a hollow back - the lack of adjustable headrest didn't help either. So no 996 Carrera for me.
Now, one option is to fit some aftermarket seats to it and I'm looking into that but I was wondering what else might be an alternative place to put my money.
Criteria:
- Comfortable seats (so no seats similar to those in a Porsche 996 / 986 or MB CLKs)
- 30 mpg on a run or better.
- Will offer a comfortable daily commute of 2x25 mile runs on A-Roads.
- Will be fairly forgiving of my driving ability if a take it for a hoon.
- Sub 6s 0-60.
- Will have some kudos around other PHers (I know, shallow, I know...)
- Prefer it to not be a convertible (either rag or metal roof).
- Not an E46 M3 either - I have an E46 at the moment and I want a total change.
- Can get the week's shopping in it (or Mrs Seeker will divorce me).
- Must have cruise control or can have it retrofitted.
And must be a one car solution (ie not a 12k fun car and a 3k shopper).
My initial thoughts on possible options are:
- BMW Z4 Coupe.
- BMW 335i.
- Jaguar XK8 (not sure if I'd squeak 30 mpg out of one tho')
- Audi A5 3.0TDI or S5.
Anything else that might fit the bill? Cheers.
Now, one option is to fit some aftermarket seats to it and I'm looking into that but I was wondering what else might be an alternative place to put my money.
Criteria:
- Comfortable seats (so no seats similar to those in a Porsche 996 / 986 or MB CLKs)
- 30 mpg on a run or better.
- Will offer a comfortable daily commute of 2x25 mile runs on A-Roads.
- Will be fairly forgiving of my driving ability if a take it for a hoon.
- Sub 6s 0-60.
- Will have some kudos around other PHers (I know, shallow, I know...)
- Prefer it to not be a convertible (either rag or metal roof).
- Not an E46 M3 either - I have an E46 at the moment and I want a total change.
- Can get the week's shopping in it (or Mrs Seeker will divorce me).
- Must have cruise control or can have it retrofitted.
And must be a one car solution (ie not a 12k fun car and a 3k shopper).
My initial thoughts on possible options are:
- BMW Z4 Coupe.
- BMW 335i.
- Jaguar XK8 (not sure if I'd squeak 30 mpg out of one tho')
- Audi A5 3.0TDI or S5.
Anything else that might fit the bill? Cheers.
Edited by Seeker UK on Thursday 4th April 23:44
I'd give the Z4 Coupe a miss if you need a comfortable seat. They're not bad, but they're nowhere near as comfortable as (say) an e46 M3. I've driven across France and Italy in a Z4MC and seat comfort for those long trips was the only thing I could really criticise.
It's a shame you don't want an e46 M3. Having read your wishlist, it'd fit the bill almost perfectly. And you could get a nice CS for your budget.
It's a shame you don't want an e46 M3. Having read your wishlist, it'd fit the bill almost perfectly. And you could get a nice CS for your budget.
Pipeandacrepe said:
Nice but won't give me 30mpg. :-(You could try a BMW 645/650ci.
I can't remember the difference but check the variance between Comfort, Standard and Sport seats.
BMW tend to be pretty good with upper back adjustability on models that provide it. I can't remember the seats in my 645ci, but the ones I had in the 740i trounce the ones in cars I've owned or played with.
Not sure it fits all your criteria, but worth a comparison.
I can't remember the difference but check the variance between Comfort, Standard and Sport seats.
BMW tend to be pretty good with upper back adjustability on models that provide it. I can't remember the seats in my 645ci, but the ones I had in the 740i trounce the ones in cars I've owned or played with.
Not sure it fits all your criteria, but worth a comparison.
Seeker UK said:
Nice but won't give me 30mpg. :-(
Other extreme almost..http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
The Crack Fox said:
Does ride quality matter ? The first two on your list will be firm, the Jag way too thirsty, the A5 is just dull.
Good question. Er. Um....I don't want 'boaty' but at the same time I don't want to feel the white lines.
The Crack Fox said:
Might I suggest a Lotus Europa, c.2005 vintage ? 2.0 turbo engine, great ride quality, and you should be able to get your shopping in it. Might be a squeeze climbing in though !
Now, they do look nice. However, looking at the seats, I suspect the lack of adjustable headrest might cause the same problem as the 996. And ISTR bad experiences getting into / out of an Elise and a 968 Clubsport with similar seats (I am a bit of a knackered old bugger at 44).The Crack Fox said:
Alternatively, <£15k gets you a perfect 968, older than the others mentioned but a brilliant bit of kit (see my profile).
Happy hunting
I do like the 968 (I've looked at them before) but it reminded me I missed one criterion off the list - must have cruise control or can have it fitted. I know some 968s had it fitted but they seem to be as rare as rocking horse doo-dah.Happy hunting
Terminator X said:
996 C2 is rwd, 300hp and only 1300kg in weight, you'll struggle to better it in my biased opinion 
TX.
It can be the best car in the planet but if it leaves me feeling I need to be in traction for a week to recover, even after a 10 minute test drive, then I cannot have one. TX.
tigerkoi said:
You could try a BMW 645/650ci.
BMW tend to be pretty good with upper back adjustability on models that provide it. I can't remember the seats in my 645ci, but the ones I had in the 740i trounce the ones in cars I've owned or played with.
Not sure it fits all your criteria, but worth a comparison.
Definitely worth a look / test drive. Cheers.BMW tend to be pretty good with upper back adjustability on models that provide it. I can't remember the seats in my 645ci, but the ones I had in the 740i trounce the ones in cars I've owned or played with.
Not sure it fits all your criteria, but worth a comparison.
Meets all your criteria except kudos. Very comfy seats for my body type.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...
An easy haggle to 15K I reckon. Used approved main dealer cars available in this range as well, just chose the first of many I found in the classifieds. Or look at cars retailing for 15K and haggle off enough to cover a remap and if you choose the robotised manual a DSG remap. They make quite a quick 'real world' package with those tweaks.
Also the option to go down the DSG or whatever audi call it route which you might find eases strain on your back and improves overall ergonomics.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...
An easy haggle to 15K I reckon. Used approved main dealer cars available in this range as well, just chose the first of many I found in the classifieds. Or look at cars retailing for 15K and haggle off enough to cover a remap and if you choose the robotised manual a DSG remap. They make quite a quick 'real world' package with those tweaks.
Also the option to go down the DSG or whatever audi call it route which you might find eases strain on your back and improves overall ergonomics.
Have you thought that if you just change new seat for 996? You could get just that kind of seat what you need. 996 is best car in that group, easily. Of course, it is still a real sports car tho..
Edit: yeah, you have
well i would do just that. Have a nice day and hope that you find your dream car!
Edit: yeah, you have
well i would do just that. Have a nice day and hope that you find your dream car!Motorrad said:
Meets all your criteria except kudos. Very comfy seats for my body type.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...
An easy haggle to 15K I reckon. Used approved main dealer cars available in this range as well, just chose the first of many I found in the classifieds. Or look at cars retailing for 15K and haggle off enough to cover a remap and if you choose the robotised manual a DSG remap. They make quite a quick 'real world' package with those tweaks.
Also the option to go down the DSG or whatever audi call it route which you might find eases strain on your back and improves overall ergonomics.
I have considered on - in fact I'm doing a back-to-back test drive of one against an 2.0TFSI A5 and a Boxster today. Yeah, I know I said no convertibles but I figure a 987 Boxster will give me some idea of whther a Cayman is a viable proposition. http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...
An easy haggle to 15K I reckon. Used approved main dealer cars available in this range as well, just chose the first of many I found in the classifieds. Or look at cars retailing for 15K and haggle off enough to cover a remap and if you choose the robotised manual a DSG remap. They make quite a quick 'real world' package with those tweaks.
Also the option to go down the DSG or whatever audi call it route which you might find eases strain on your back and improves overall ergonomics.
Something a bit different...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/r...
Non-cup so ought to ride a bit better. Okay 0-60 is on the wrong side of 6s but only just (6.1?)
Flame me...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/r...
Non-cup so ought to ride a bit better. Okay 0-60 is on the wrong side of 6s but only just (6.1?)
Flame me...
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