What next after 997 Turbo

[JayP1]

I’ve got nothing but praise for my manual 997 turbo, it’s never let me down, amazing fun to drive, very quick and has even made me a little bit of money since I bought it four years ago - I even manage to fit my 3 year old in the back comfortably so it ticks so many boxes for fun, practicality, cost of ownership etc

But....despite it being faultless I am having thoughts about making a change just to try something new before other things in life start to take priority over my car budget (additional family, house extension etc). I’ve been searching for days on end but struggling to find a clear alternative so was hoping I might get some wisdom from the boards.

My budget is between £60-85k, it needs to have:
- 0-60 in the low 4s
- space at rear for a forward facing child seat for 3yo
- be towards the shallower end of its depreciation curve (ie ruling out cars under 4 years old)
- ideally a manual but maybe an engaging paddle auto is fine

This has so far thrown up the following candidates:
- more 911s (no thanks)
- Aston DB9.2. / DBS ( lovely but I worry about rear space)
- Ferrari California (most likely candidate so far)
- Bentley GT supersports (I worry is look like a gangster)

As it stands I think the California wins out but even then I don’t know if my kid will fit in the back. I’d welcome any other thoughts in the above or additional cars I might have missed

Cheers
Jayp

[UpTheIron]

Criteria very similar to mine and my never ending search... although I'd like a bit more rear room. I've been looking for what must be years - but I am terrible at changing cars, especially when my current ones a) aren't depreciating and b) my Tuscan is a relatively difficult beast to move on.

Sticking to 4 seaters on my radar:

- Aston DB9/DBS. Doesn't really do it for me, although I do like the way the Vantage looks I just can't quite feel the same way about the DB9. Rear is small.
- Jag XKR. Rear space issues.
- Ferrari California. The T is the better looking (and faster) one to have IMHO.
- Maserati GT. Very tempting but not that fast.

Bentley CGT is my current favourite, and probably the Supersports. I've also considered a facelift (i.e. 2011 on) standard car.

Coming from TVR I do keep looking at Cerbera's too. I suspect I'll end up in a 991 Turbo eventually with the 996 becoming my toy and the TVR moving on.

[ispcarsurvey]

Same list of criteria for me last year. Going into it, assumed the answer was a 997 Turbo. Fast but was ultimately left a little cold. Some other options not yet mentioned:

- Ferrari 456 - maybe a bit old and not low 4s
- Ferrari 612 - seems to have aged better than when it 1st came out
- Lotus Evora - less premium interior vs your shortlist

I know you said no more 911s. But how about a 997.1 GT3? You can fit rear seat belts in the back and perfect for kids seats. This is what I ended up with. Bar a Ferrari FF, can't think of anything else I'd consider and instead and they're over budget.

[Yiliterate]

If space in the back of the DB9 is a concern, the Rapide might be a solution...

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[johnwilliams77]

Evora 400?

[ZX10R NIN]

You won't have the space for a child seat in the DB9 but you will in a Maserati Granturismo I couldn't fault mine my only advice is that if you do a lot of town driving you might be better off with the Auto rather than the MC Shift:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[JayP1]

Thanks for the ideas guys - how on earth do they fit rear seats in an Evora?? I think I’m ready for something not quite so go-kart like (I’m getting old!)

Rapide nice but I worry that it will depreciate hard from here still

Maserati good but not quite special enough after a Porsche turbo

[phib]

I am going round and round the same 4/5 cars ( in fact I have been doing for 5 years!)

Db9 - felt very claustrophobic
Vantage - can't get to grips with it for some reason
Bentley- drove a speed yesterday, quite liked it but I suspect so much to go wrong with it !! One I drove had a £3k for a service in Feb and it still had an odd noise from the front right of the engine
Maserati - had one before, seems like the default choice

Actually got in my other half's new evoque and drove home thinking this is nice !!

My problem is I just can't get excited by any of them !!

I think I am loosing my car mojo

Phib

[Captain Smerc]

What about

Something completely different ...

Edited by Captain Smerc on Friday 16th March 09:15