4 seater high performance car - What would you choose?
Discussion
So I have a lump of cash due in next year from an old investment plus some savings in the bank.
Having always had nice cars in the past (911's, RS4 etc) I took a step back last year to invest in some property so have been running round in a 2016 A6 Avant black edition tdi, genuinely one of the best all round cars I have had but its time to plan and get back in to something with plenty of power.
I live abroad so the car will be LHD and convertible would be good due to the weather but not essential, I need 4 seats as I have a 4 month old daughter but other than that I dont need much room.
Being a 4 seater it writes off a lot of cars but I am considering the below:
Ferrari California, is the rear legroom really that small?
Maserati Gran turismo
BMW M6
Budget is about 60k so at the lower end of the Ferrari scale but pricing is up on used cars so hopefully next year I could get one for 55-60k.
Is there anything else I should be considering, I dont mind spending a few £ on maintenance as it will only do minimal miles but would prefer a car without any known faults so that might wipe out the Maserati lol.
Having always had nice cars in the past (911's, RS4 etc) I took a step back last year to invest in some property so have been running round in a 2016 A6 Avant black edition tdi, genuinely one of the best all round cars I have had but its time to plan and get back in to something with plenty of power.
I live abroad so the car will be LHD and convertible would be good due to the weather but not essential, I need 4 seats as I have a 4 month old daughter but other than that I dont need much room.
Being a 4 seater it writes off a lot of cars but I am considering the below:
Ferrari California, is the rear legroom really that small?
Maserati Gran turismo
BMW M6
Budget is about 60k so at the lower end of the Ferrari scale but pricing is up on used cars so hopefully next year I could get one for 55-60k.
Is there anything else I should be considering, I dont mind spending a few £ on maintenance as it will only do minimal miles but would prefer a car without any known faults so that might wipe out the Maserati lol.
There’s not much choice in that segment, but others that you might consider are the S-class and Continental (although the new one seems smaller than the old one). Not sure on pricing but budget might get you in to an early one of these?
The Maser is quite old now but sounds and looks great, mate has the BMW and loves it, Continental was good whilst it worked but v expensive to run.
The Maser is quite old now but sounds and looks great, mate has the BMW and loves it, Continental was good whilst it worked but v expensive to run.
AMG S 63 Coupé can be had for that budget, fantastic sounding exhaust note too, unsure what the rear leg room is like in them though.
They do have them in Cabriolet form as well, but slightly over budget.
Granturismo is a great shout though, I had a 4.2 (wish I had gone for the 4.7) Loads of rear leg room, and sounds fantastic, it also didn't miss a beat in my ownership (until a lorry reversed into it)
They do have them in Cabriolet form as well, but slightly over budget.
Granturismo is a great shout though, I had a 4.2 (wish I had gone for the 4.7) Loads of rear leg room, and sounds fantastic, it also didn't miss a beat in my ownership (until a lorry reversed into it)
Edited by jamesbilluk on Friday 9th July 20:03
A 4 month year-old requires enough rear space for a rear-facing baby seat which is quite a lot and in my experience at least as much rear room as a 12 year old needs! Of the suggestions so far the DB9 Volante has virtually useless rear seats as does the Cali.
Also depending on your patience and state of your back you may value a 4-door when getting her in and out.
The Rapide worth a look though and certainly a more desirable non-convertible option that a Panamera IMO as a 4-door. S-Class is a fine car but not really performance and I'm sure you've spent many a mile in them as an airport limo to not really be that enamoured by one (I certainly have).
The Maser GranCabrio has the advantage of being a convertible, and usable rear seats for a performance 2+2. I do not believe it has any major known faults but if you like up to date tech it is lacking. That said 60k is a tad too much for a Maser IMO I'd go for a slightly older Conti GT convertible, that bit more special than the standard 3 German super-brands.
Also depending on your patience and state of your back you may value a 4-door when getting her in and out.
The Rapide worth a look though and certainly a more desirable non-convertible option that a Panamera IMO as a 4-door. S-Class is a fine car but not really performance and I'm sure you've spent many a mile in them as an airport limo to not really be that enamoured by one (I certainly have).
The Maser GranCabrio has the advantage of being a convertible, and usable rear seats for a performance 2+2. I do not believe it has any major known faults but if you like up to date tech it is lacking. That said 60k is a tad too much for a Maser IMO I'd go for a slightly older Conti GT convertible, that bit more special than the standard 3 German super-brands.
Thanks guys, some great suggestions which I never through of.
The Ferrari was top of my list, I have always like the shape and sound of the California but the leg room is always a concern.
The S63 is a nice car and one I never though of, my only concern with Mercedes is the depreciation (which I have experienced), I have been lucky in the past with my RS4 and 911's that they have always held their value to an extent. Losing money on a car would not put me off buying it but another advantage would be something which will always be in demand and will minimise depreciation, something like a 911 will always have a reasonable value.
I am a big fan of Porsche so initially thought of a lower end 991 or a higher spec 997 (Turbo) but having previously owned a 997 S I would like something newer/more modern. The Panamera might be worth considering but I think unless its the Turbo model it might feel like a bit of a barge?
The Aston isn't a bad shout though, great looking car and within budget but I would need to check the legroom again.
The Ferrari was top of my list, I have always like the shape and sound of the California but the leg room is always a concern.
The S63 is a nice car and one I never though of, my only concern with Mercedes is the depreciation (which I have experienced), I have been lucky in the past with my RS4 and 911's that they have always held their value to an extent. Losing money on a car would not put me off buying it but another advantage would be something which will always be in demand and will minimise depreciation, something like a 911 will always have a reasonable value.
I am a big fan of Porsche so initially thought of a lower end 991 or a higher spec 997 (Turbo) but having previously owned a 997 S I would like something newer/more modern. The Panamera might be worth considering but I think unless its the Turbo model it might feel like a bit of a barge?
The Aston isn't a bad shout though, great looking car and within budget but I would need to check the legroom again.
There certainly is some depreciation with the AMG's!
The previous shape to that one can be had for a great price now, so this one probably will drop still.
I have a mate who has a 2017 panamera Turbo, insanely fast car, with a beautiful interior, they do seem to hold their value well though!
The previous shape to that one can be had for a great price now, so this one probably will drop still.
I have a mate who has a 2017 panamera Turbo, insanely fast car, with a beautiful interior, they do seem to hold their value well though!
JCKST1 said:
Also I am quite long legged so in most cars my seat is fairly far back, again not ideal for the DB9 or California as I might need to have the seat as far back as it can go!
Seriously get in a DB9 or Cali and look at what is left behind you will resemble a parcel shelf.The rapide had a usable rear as does the 612 scag
fflump said:
JCKST1 said:
Also I am quite long legged so in most cars my seat is fairly far back, again not ideal for the DB9 or California as I might need to have the seat as far back as it can go!
Seriously get in a DB9 or Cali and look at what is left behind you will resemble a parcel shelf.The rapide had a usable rear as does the 612 scag
We are on a similar path.
After going around the houses, the S Class Coupe is leading. Good rear legroom and very good boot.
Behind that is the Panamera but at your budget you may find it hard to get a really good Turbo.
Someone has mentioned the M5 which is a great call at that price.
Have you considered the Alpina B5? Harder to find but..........
After going around the houses, the S Class Coupe is leading. Good rear legroom and very good boot.
Behind that is the Panamera but at your budget you may find it hard to get a really good Turbo.
Someone has mentioned the M5 which is a great call at that price.
Have you considered the Alpina B5? Harder to find but..........
JCKST1 said:
The Ferrari was top of my list, I have always like the shape and sound of the California but the leg room is always a concern.
My dad has owned both a California and California T. I'm 6ft and have sat in the back... But the passenger seat was as far forward as the passenger could comfortably go and even then I was cramped, sat sideways, having to duck down as there was no headroom at all.
If rear seats are a genuine requirement, then unfortunately you'll have to completely forget about a Cali. Even for small children, the rear seats simply are not usable.
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