911 GTS Coupe to Cabriolet
Discussion
I've been running a GTS coupe for just over a year and thoroughly loved the car. It had so many personalities and covered so many bases it was hard to fault, it's defining feature for me was the front end turn in, steering feel and that howl from the engine when on full song. It was a second car so only really used on weekends and high days, but did get so much more use that the Turbo it replaced which I found a little too highly strung.
Anyway, I get itchy feet quite quickly and like most of us spend most evenings browsing the classifieds in search of the next steer. I found myself considering a lot of cars that had long been on my wish list - R8 V10 Plus (awesome car), F430, Gallardo - but I was holding out for a GT3 Gen II as that seemed the next logical step for me. I'd started to rule out most of the aforementioned list for lots of different reasons (rear seats preferred, cabriolet would be nice although due to my height (2m) quite often the bulkhead on most spiders restricts seat travel, running costs of the Italian exotica, etc) so with GT3's getting harder to find I was left kind of stuck - what do I replace the GTS with?
I was chatting this through with Tom at 911V and as a pure coincidence he was collecting a GTS cab from very close to me so given he had previously sold me the coupe and knew the car well we agreed a provisional deal. Long story short a week later and I had swapped the coupe for the cab and couldn't be happier.
I've not owned a cabriolet before although I have driven a few over the years, so expected some compromise in rigidity and that sharpness to have been lost a little after the lid had been removed. I couldn't be more wrong... The cab feels just as rigid (at least to me) as the coupe, has the same razor sharp turn in, no scuttle shake and for me is more of an occasion to drive when I have the roof down. Admittedly I'm still getting over the "look at me" complex
, but when you're on you're favourite road the suns shining and you can hear that engine better than before it feels very special. 
I appreciate to many I have committed the cardinal sin so I'm donning the flame suit for the reaction
Oh, and I couldn't go without saying that buying and selling cars shouldn't be as easy as it is with 911V. Their reputation is well deserved and I can't praise their customer service highly enough.
OK, enough rambling, here's the pics...
Before:
After:
Anyway, I get itchy feet quite quickly and like most of us spend most evenings browsing the classifieds in search of the next steer. I found myself considering a lot of cars that had long been on my wish list - R8 V10 Plus (awesome car), F430, Gallardo - but I was holding out for a GT3 Gen II as that seemed the next logical step for me. I'd started to rule out most of the aforementioned list for lots of different reasons (rear seats preferred, cabriolet would be nice although due to my height (2m) quite often the bulkhead on most spiders restricts seat travel, running costs of the Italian exotica, etc) so with GT3's getting harder to find I was left kind of stuck - what do I replace the GTS with?
I was chatting this through with Tom at 911V and as a pure coincidence he was collecting a GTS cab from very close to me so given he had previously sold me the coupe and knew the car well we agreed a provisional deal. Long story short a week later and I had swapped the coupe for the cab and couldn't be happier.
I've not owned a cabriolet before although I have driven a few over the years, so expected some compromise in rigidity and that sharpness to have been lost a little after the lid had been removed. I couldn't be more wrong... The cab feels just as rigid (at least to me) as the coupe, has the same razor sharp turn in, no scuttle shake and for me is more of an occasion to drive when I have the roof down. Admittedly I'm still getting over the "look at me" complex
, but when you're on you're favourite road the suns shining and you can hear that engine better than before it feels very special. I appreciate to many I have committed the cardinal sin so I'm donning the flame suit for the reaction
Oh, and I couldn't go without saying that buying and selling cars shouldn't be as easy as it is with 911V. Their reputation is well deserved and I can't praise their customer service highly enough.
OK, enough rambling, here's the pics...
Before:
After:
Both were/are PDK. I've been very pleased with the box, it compares well to the ZF 8 speed in my daily driver - perhaps not quite as slick, but there's not much in it. What really defines the car for me is the alternate driving modes - normal, sport and sport+. The difference in character is remarkable, but you have to choose the right moment for each as driving round town in sport+ makes you look like a right plonker 
I didn't necessarily go looking for PDK when I bought the white one, but I think I would struggle to go back to manual now.
As for LSD I have only come across one GTS with it as an option on the second hand market as it's rare, but neither of mine had it. I haven't struggled for traction without it...
I didn't necessarily go looking for PDK when I bought the white one, but I think I would struggle to go back to manual now.
As for LSD I have only come across one GTS with it as an option on the second hand market as it's rare, but neither of mine had it. I haven't struggled for traction without it...
see your coupe has sold already
great car the 911 GTS
I have the same cars to buy in my list but think I will end up with the R8 V10 Plus. it does seem a great car in Plus form.
just waiting for the Cayman GT4/R to release the specs than I will decide.
great car the 911 GTS
I have the same cars to buy in my list but think I will end up with the R8 V10 Plus. it does seem a great car in Plus form.
just waiting for the Cayman GT4/R to release the specs than I will decide.
Edited by mrdemon on Wednesday 24th September 15:53
It went pretty quickly, couple of days at most I think, but it did have a wonderful spec so deserved to sell.
I had an R8 V10 Plus on demo at the end of last year not long after they had been launched. The dealer didn't even know what they had given me as he told me it was an R-Tronic and I had specifically asked for a manual as the S-Tronic was out of my price range at the time. The car was amazing - noise, sense of occasion, looks, poise...
Last month I could have bought one with less that 5k miles on for under £90k (c. £130k new), but would have missed the rear seats and was a little worried about losing approx. £10k a year in depreciation. Maybe next year...
The demo:
I had an R8 V10 Plus on demo at the end of last year not long after they had been launched. The dealer didn't even know what they had given me as he told me it was an R-Tronic and I had specifically asked for a manual as the S-Tronic was out of my price range at the time. The car was amazing - noise, sense of occasion, looks, poise...
Last month I could have bought one with less that 5k miles on for under £90k (c. £130k new), but would have missed the rear seats and was a little worried about losing approx. £10k a year in depreciation. Maybe next year...
The demo:
I also took a demo out a which was for sale at £87k a few more are for sale at late 80's now so a great buy as they are £135k new with DSG and options.
3.2 to 60 7.1 to a ton(car and driver 1 up tested) and the down shifts were epic.
at 85k I think they will hold price as the cheapest 2010 v10's are 60k and the nicer ones are 70k.
So no where for the Plus to go imo but they shed a lot of cash in the 1st year that's for sure.
seem a great buy at £85k imo
the up in power, the sporty sus and the faster rack added with DSG make it quite a killer machine which has slipped under the radar.
Harris liked it though, old school tech with up to date bits, love it.
you cannot buy cars like this any more hence me wanting a nice low miles one.
http://youtu.be/jsudmRyxLjc
3.2 to 60 7.1 to a ton(car and driver 1 up tested) and the down shifts were epic.
at 85k I think they will hold price as the cheapest 2010 v10's are 60k and the nicer ones are 70k.
So no where for the Plus to go imo but they shed a lot of cash in the 1st year that's for sure.
seem a great buy at £85k imo
the up in power, the sporty sus and the faster rack added with DSG make it quite a killer machine which has slipped under the radar.
Harris liked it though, old school tech with up to date bits, love it.
you cannot buy cars like this any more hence me wanting a nice low miles one.
http://youtu.be/jsudmRyxLjc
Edited by mrdemon on Wednesday 24th September 16:16
I don't think you are far off with the price forecast... I came to the same conclusion that with so many R8's failing to dip much under £40k for the V8 and £60k for the V10 for the most tired and leggy models the + doesn't really have anywhere to go. There are just too many good cars out there to stick with any one for more than a year 
Podro said:
I don't think you are far off with the price forecast... I came to the same conclusion that with so many R8's failing to dip much under £40k for the V8 and £60k for the V10 for the most tired and leggy models the + doesn't really have anywhere to go. There are just too many good cars out there to stick with any one for more than a year
true but none with a NA V10 and a 7 second ton from a non turbo car.have to goto the 458 to get any better imo and they seem stuck at £150k for nice ones.
I am finding it hard to buy cars now, had my R for over 18months and cannot find any thing worth buying which is fun, most things are dull now days.
don't like any new Porsche because I cannot go backwards after the R in feel on a Porsche, the 991 GTS might be ok, as might the GT4 but no other Porsche does it for me.
Lambo's are stuck with e gear, the F430 is a bit old (all though I would like one for a while) for £85k the V10 plus seems the best buy to me.
other wise I might as well just keep my R... I like the 997.2 GTS but not worth the change over my R but a car I would have bought if I did not have the R.
I am still hoping the GT4/R will be a 370 BHp NA lump with a manual box.
Interesting swap, I often think about what to replace my GTS coupe with (if at all). 991 GT3 is top of the list, but way out of my league price wise at the moment. I often find myself looking at the 12C, but the 'look at me' thing puts me off.
I drove a V8 R8 a while ago and was massively disappointed. Sure the V10 and Plus are different animals though and THAT advert does make me want one.
I drove a V8 R8 a while ago and was massively disappointed. Sure the V10 and Plus are different animals though and THAT advert does make me want one.
Both lovely cars and thanks for coming back to us. Your GTS Coupe is being picked up next week. It has sold to a gentleman in the North West. Like you, a proper enthusiast and perfectionist. The Coupe was ideal for him. Hope you continue to enjoy the Cabriolet. Get some miles in before the weather turns !!
Take care Tom 911Virgin
Take care Tom 911Virgin
Podro said:
Chris has already been in touch Tom
Hopefully he'll be along shortly to post some pics of the GTS in its new habitat, he sounds very, very excited - a proper 911 virgin, but what a car to start with.
Excited doesn't really do my feelings justice Paul!Hopefully he'll be along shortly to post some pics of the GTS in its new habitat, he sounds very, very excited - a proper 911 virgin, but what a car to start with.
Fantastic service from Tom and Dan at 911 Virgin helping me lose my 911 virginity! Also great to get in touch with both previous owners who were both very obviously passionate Porsche owners.
Roll on next Wednesday for a very eagerly anticipated drive home...
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