What to buy next after 991.1?
Discussion
I'm a current owner of a 991.1 C2. After 4 years, I'm looking for a change, but struggling with inspiration. If you owned a 991.1 previously (or if you have an opinion!) what did you buy next?
I looking for a daily driver, ideally with a bit more refinement / tech, and no worse practicality.
Anything more exotic does not seem to be daily drivable (R8, Maserati, Aston). I'm not a speed freak (and live in the crowded South East), so near 600 bhp M5s. E63s, 911 Turbos don't appeal. I looked at a 991.2, but it does not feel a big enough change. I've tried a W205 C63, but I felt it was lacking "something", and the forums seem full of compaints about rattles / quality. I have not tried an M4, but the reviews are mixed. An S4/S5 might be an option, but they've stopped production and they seem to get stolen a lot!
I'm looking at a "left field" option next week, a Lexus LC500 v8. It's one of the last n/a v8s left, and as a GT might fit my needs. But it's a big thing to thread through London, plus has the horrible Lexus touchpad.
But otherwise, what's left? If I had driveway space, I'd consider two cars. But these days modern cars seem to be missing that "magic", and the older cars that have it are getting less daily-able and miss the tech conveniences.
Ideas please!
I looking for a daily driver, ideally with a bit more refinement / tech, and no worse practicality.
Anything more exotic does not seem to be daily drivable (R8, Maserati, Aston). I'm not a speed freak (and live in the crowded South East), so near 600 bhp M5s. E63s, 911 Turbos don't appeal. I looked at a 991.2, but it does not feel a big enough change. I've tried a W205 C63, but I felt it was lacking "something", and the forums seem full of compaints about rattles / quality. I have not tried an M4, but the reviews are mixed. An S4/S5 might be an option, but they've stopped production and they seem to get stolen a lot!
I'm looking at a "left field" option next week, a Lexus LC500 v8. It's one of the last n/a v8s left, and as a GT might fit my needs. But it's a big thing to thread through London, plus has the horrible Lexus touchpad.
But otherwise, what's left? If I had driveway space, I'd consider two cars. But these days modern cars seem to be missing that "magic", and the older cars that have it are getting less daily-able and miss the tech conveniences.
Ideas please!
Many thanks for the input so far! Budget would be ~75k max, but I'll happily spend less for the right motor.
A few comments on the ideas:
A few comments on the ideas:
- F-Type: Good suggestion - I had not considered this. I tried a convertible when they first came out, cross-shopping versus the 911. It did not grab me then, but maybe it has improved since? I would be going for a hard-top. Practicality seems a bit worse than the 911 (but bigger boot?).
- Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio: I've considered this, regularly driving past an Alfa garage and admiring a red QF on the forecourt. But the reports of issues put me off.
- AMG GT: I mentally discounted this after being disappointed by the C63. Is the experience dramatically better for the AMG GT? It does suffer from being wide and less practical than the 911.
- GTR: Good suggestion. I'd ruled this out as being too hardcore - harsh ride, etc. Although I saw something about the newer versions being more positioned as GTs. Thoughts on this?
- Audi: I'd be more tempted by the S4/S5/S6 than the RS4/RS5/RS6, as I'm not motivated by speed alone. The S6 is at the end of its life. S4/S5 is more tempting: I should test-drive to see if it clicks. I do not know how much character the V6 has.
- New TVR - would be fantastic - but this would be a weekend car only. I'm not brave enough to daily this!
- Mustang: A rare chance to get an n/a V8 before they die out. But would this feel like a downgrade versus the 911?
- BMW: I'm a big fan of the straight 6. But the 340/440 are close to end of life, and a little boring perhaps. The 540 is tempting, if only to go for a completely different luxo-barge experience. But would I get bored of it quickly, plus it is bigger than I need.
Thanks for the continued ideas!
Starting with the Porsche's (given I'm posting in this section, it is only polite!):
991.2 GTS: Is this significantly different to the base C2? I had a long test drive of a 991.2 C2. It was a great car, but it did not seem different enough to my current 991.1 C2. The upgraded sat nav and steering wheel were good, the engine had pros and cons, but would work well for a daily. But I left feeling I should wait for the 992 (18 months?) which would be different enough to justify the cost to change.
Macan: I had a diesel as a loan car. I did not like it, but this is probably due to the engine. It felt breathless low down, and then a big whallop of turbo surge.
Alpina: Oooh - great idea. Never considered this. I like the idea of a road-biassed sporting BMW. Time to do some research!
R8: Are these really daily-able? I love the idea of getting a big n/a engine before they become extinct. Tempting, but the lack of practicality is probably the killer.
Golf: One of the first cars I test drove was a Golf R. You are right that it fits the bill, and is all the car I need. It felt so familiar from my old Mk 5 GTI - driving position, heating controls, etc. Maybe I need to lose my ego!
AMV V8: Is an Aston daily-able? I know the new Vantage will be announced shortly, but a new one (including the options), I suspect will be north of £100k.
One interesting (?) obervation: when I turn up to test drive cars at some dealers, they see the 911, and assume I'm not serious: "Why would someone consider moving from a 911 to a xyz?"
Starting with the Porsche's (given I'm posting in this section, it is only polite!):
991.2 GTS: Is this significantly different to the base C2? I had a long test drive of a 991.2 C2. It was a great car, but it did not seem different enough to my current 991.1 C2. The upgraded sat nav and steering wheel were good, the engine had pros and cons, but would work well for a daily. But I left feeling I should wait for the 992 (18 months?) which would be different enough to justify the cost to change.
Macan: I had a diesel as a loan car. I did not like it, but this is probably due to the engine. It felt breathless low down, and then a big whallop of turbo surge.
Alpina: Oooh - great idea. Never considered this. I like the idea of a road-biassed sporting BMW. Time to do some research!
R8: Are these really daily-able? I love the idea of getting a big n/a engine before they become extinct. Tempting, but the lack of practicality is probably the killer.
Golf: One of the first cars I test drove was a Golf R. You are right that it fits the bill, and is all the car I need. It felt so familiar from my old Mk 5 GTI - driving position, heating controls, etc. Maybe I need to lose my ego!
AMV V8: Is an Aston daily-able? I know the new Vantage will be announced shortly, but a new one (including the options), I suspect will be north of £100k.
One interesting (?) obervation: when I turn up to test drive cars at some dealers, they see the 911, and assume I'm not serious: "Why would someone consider moving from a 911 to a xyz?"
Thanks for the continued suggestions!
i8: Good suggestion. I found the doors mildly challenging in the showroom, but maybe they get better with practice. How do the doors cope in car parks? Do I risk getting stuck if someone parks close to me?
Evora: Intriguing - I had not considered this. Can a Lotus stand up to being daily driven? I should take a look - if it has sufficient refinement and good enough interior, I'm sure the driving experience will be better than most of the other cars here. Time to start searching.
FYI - I'm looking at the Lexus LC500 tomorrow. Will be interesting to see if the n/a V8 gives it enough character to make it a contender. I recognise it is more of a GT than sports car, but it could have a good balance for a daily.
i8: Good suggestion. I found the doors mildly challenging in the showroom, but maybe they get better with practice. How do the doors cope in car parks? Do I risk getting stuck if someone parks close to me?
Evora: Intriguing - I had not considered this. Can a Lotus stand up to being daily driven? I should take a look - if it has sufficient refinement and good enough interior, I'm sure the driving experience will be better than most of the other cars here. Time to start searching.
FYI - I'm looking at the Lexus LC500 tomorrow. Will be interesting to see if the n/a V8 gives it enough character to make it a contender. I recognise it is more of a GT than sports car, but it could have a good balance for a daily.
Gassing Station | 911/Carrera GT | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff