Help an indecisive bloke choose!! Car purchase!

[BEN139]

Ok, so the 996 C4S went last year after discovering major engine troubles.....Car hunting got put on the back burner for while after having a little boy but now car shopping again.

I am in a fortunate position to have circa £45k to spend....

I have narrowed down to these three -

Facelift (2011-2012) Nissan GTR Premium/Recaro
BMW 1M - £45K Will buy a mint low mileage car
996 Turbo manual

I have test driven all three and could fault any of them....They are all great cars in their own merits.

The 996 Turbo would be the easiest route....loved my C4S and the turbo is better, faster, and more reliable version Sort of fell like I didn't properly experience Porsche ownership due to the short spell with the C4S.
The 1M would be the most sensible buy...Solid residuals, very low build numbers, low running costs etc.
Then the GTR would be the fastest of the three, all the creature comforts, decent sized cabin, and loads of presence, but high running costs.

I have three cars lined up......If you were to choose where would your money go?

Ben.

[Belle427]

All fantastic cars but I’d take the pork with the gtr a close second. The thirst of the gtr would scare me!

[BEN139]

I know what you mean...GTR definitely heavy on the running costs. I wont be doing many miles per year, but there still the most to tax, most thirsty on fuel, most expensive for tyres and brakes.

[Belle427]

Bmw M2 not a contender?

[sheffieldjosh123]

Nissan Micra not in with a chance no?

Remember this.. you can with a Nissan

[BEN139]

I love M2’s especially in white with the M performance decals but the markets flooded and prices are falling.
I would rather wait and see where they level out.

[John Laverick]

BMW 1M

I think long term it will be the most rewarding.

[ZX10R NIN]

The Porsche may not nescarcerally be cheaper to run just because of its age, simple jobs can become nightmares (like a leaking manifold gasket can become big jobs) my uncles GT-R has worked out cheaper (only by a few hundred ££££'s) than his previous 911 Turbo.

I have to say I'd take the GT-R over the other two with the 1M just edging it in second, fuel wise the 996T will actually be the worst with the 1M being the best.

[aaron_2000]

I'd be torn between the Porsche and GTR as I imagine they'd feel more special. In terms of a real driving experience, I'd be in the BMW. Financially the BMW is a safe bet, and it shouldn't throw up any horrific bills either.

[Mr Tidy]

If it's just going to be a weekend/fun car I'd never forgive myself if I didn't get a manual Porsche Turbo!

Good luck whatever you decide to go for.

[GaryG182]

Easy one for me to rule out the GTR on weight/driving experience...I think the 1M would do most things best but possible mileage sensative with the whole limited number and collectibility. Onto the Porsche- love the 996 Turbo, hankered after one for years, but...£46k will but you a manual 981 GTS https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[BEN139]

I have to rule out 2 seaters-shame really as a V10 R8 would be a hell of a car!....I work long hours through the week and would need space to take my little boy/family weekends otherwise the car would never get use.
It has to be a quick, fun, 2+2.

[Belle427]

Dont overlook 911 997s, if its had the hartech engine treatment then it should give you many years of trouble free motoring.

[aaron_2000]

Have you considered an M3 CSL?

[GaryG182]

Belle427 said:

Dont overlook 911 997s, if its had the hartech engine treatment then it should give you many years of trouble free motoring.

This is a good shout- 997.2 with the “trouble free” engine, £45k will get a nice one or you’re looking at 30’s for gen 1 with Hartec rebuild

[davek_964]

ZX10R NIN said:

The Porsche may not nescarcerally be cheaper to run just because of its age, simple jobs can become nightmares (like a leaking manifold gasket can become big jobs) my uncles GT-R has worked out cheaper (only by a few hundred ££££'s) than his previous 911 Turbo.

I have to say I'd take the GT-R over the other two with the 1M just edging it in second, fuel wise the 996T will actually be the worst with the 1M being the best.

I'm surprised by that. Even if it's true, for a car with that level of performance it's hardly bad. On a (very) fast motorway trip I got just over 30mpg, and even commuting it was ~20mpg.

[aaron_2000]

davek_964 said:

ZX10R NIN said:

The Porsche may not nescarcerally be cheaper to run just because of its age, simple jobs can become nightmares (like a leaking manifold gasket can become big jobs) my uncles GT-R has worked out cheaper (only by a few hundred ££££'s) than his previous 911 Turbo.

I have to say I'd take the GT-R over the other two with the 1M just edging it in second, fuel wise the 996T will actually be the worst with the 1M being the best.

On a (very) fast motorway trip I got just over 30mpg, and even commuting it was ~20mpg.

That's what you would've seen from hot hatches just 10 years ago. Pretty impressive that you get that.

[davek_964]

aaron_2000 said:

davek_964 said:

ZX10R NIN said:

The Porsche may not nescarcerally be cheaper to run just because of its age, simple jobs can become nightmares (like a leaking manifold gasket can become big jobs) my uncles GT-R has worked out cheaper (only by a few hundred ££££'s) than his previous 911 Turbo.

I have to say I'd take the GT-R over the other two with the 1M just edging it in second, fuel wise the 996T will actually be the worst with the 1M being the best.

On a (very) fast motorway trip I got just over 30mpg, and even commuting it was ~20mpg.

That's what you would've seen from hot hatches just 10 years ago. Pretty impressive that you get that.

Although I kept it a fairly long time (5.5 years) I'm not sure I ever really loved my 996 turbo. But the fuel consumption always amazed me - it really was remarkable.

It might also be one of the reasons that the fuel consumption on one of my current cars annoys me!

[BEN139]

davek_964 said:

Although I kept it a fairly long time (5.5 years) I'm not sure I ever really loved my 996 turbo. But the fuel consumption always amazed me - it really was remarkable.

It might also be one of the reasons that the fuel consumption on one of my current cars annoys me!

What did you not like about it? Interesting to hear any downsides from an ex owner...

[davek_964]

BEN139 said:

What did you not like about it? Interesting to hear any downsides from an ex owner...

I'm not sure there were specifics that I didn't like. It was more the fact that it was a bit..... "meh".

They are very quick (and mine was mapped), and as I said - the fuel consumption was impressive. But from a driving perspective it just felt "ordinary". The only time it ever really felt a bit like a sports car to me was immediately after a visit to Center Gravity - but that feeling didn't last. I think the bottom line was that I wanted a sports car, and it felt far more GT to me.

Having said that, all things are relative. I had an overlap of a month or so between the replacement car (AM Vantage) and the 996 turbo - but the turbo was at a mechanics getting a few things sorted pre-sale. When I got it back - after driving the Aston - it did feel much sportier than I remembered. So I guess it depends what you compare it to.

In general it was fairly reliable (I took it from ~20k miles to ~60k miles) although I don't think I had many services without a few "this needs doing" added on. They are good cars - and at times, mine amazed me (the +30mpg I quoted was on a drive to Edinburgh - we made amazing time, and got amazing mpg). But for me, they not exciting and not involving to drive.

I guess the bottom line for me is - I worried that when I sold it (almost 4 years ago) I would miss it. I honestly didn't, not even a tiny bit - and don't find myself at all tempted to re-enter Porsche ownership. (I have an ancient Cayenne, but that doesn't count).