Special Family Sports Car for Weekends

[truekumar]

So I’m looking for opinions and options guys. I’m looking for something special for weekends. 4 seater or at least a decent sized 2+2. Any help would be much appreciated. I have a budget of up to around £65k. I have a 6 year old and a 10 year old, plus myself and my wife. My wife is quite short, around 5foot 2 and I’m around 5 foot 9. My children are around a barrage height for their ages.

Anyway, I’m currently looking at the following options, opinions would be much appreciated and any other options would be much welcomed:

G80 M3 - nice overall option but I hate the front grill.

Mustang Dark Horse - Nice V8 rumble but it’s a ‘Ford’

Merc C63 coupe - Nice V8 but infotainment is dated.

Alfa Gulia QV - nice car and lovely Ferrari derived engine but very old platform now.

Maserati Gran Tourismo - nice V8 again but very old platform and no infotainment

Any other options guys? Opinions on the above too?

[truekumar]

No track days, just short trips within the UK of up to an hour or two max but mostly just 30 min trips with the family on weekends.

[truekumar]

Martyn76 said:

Lexus RCF or LC500?

RCF- https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304296...

LC500 - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303185...

Not a massive fan of the Lexus shape.

[truekumar]

SWoll said:

Your budget would get you into a Granturismo MC Stradale, and there are options to add updated infotainment with Apple Carplay.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303024...
https://audiofile-incar.co.uk/navigation-solutions...

Aston Rapide S?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302244...

For just over half your budget you could pick up late model, low mileage BMW M6 GC?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107305...

Not sure why you are concenrned about the age of platforms TBH. If they work, they work.

I don’t really like the four door shape on the Rapide and the Maser GT is still drop dead gorgeous but so dated on the inside, look for something with a modern interior too.

[truekumar]

Mercutio said:

truekumar said:

Mustang Dark Horse - Nice V8 rumble but it’s a ‘Ford’

What, honestly OP, does that actually mean?

What is wrong with a Ford? Why does it have to be in inverted commas?

Some of the best driving and handling cars (I might not put the Mustang in that group, but still) in their class have been made by Ford.

I can see from the rest of your list that you like a good badge, and that's fine, but I would try if possible to get over any badge snobbery. You'll enjoy cars so much more when you stop worrying about what other people think.

truekumar said:

opinions would be much appreciated

See above.

The dark horse does look like a nice option and I’m not a badge poser at all, I just believe that it is a lot of money for the Ford brand and the lack of engineering skill behind that particular vehicle even though it would sound gorgeous with the NA V8

[truekumar]

GreatGranny said:

911?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301313...

10 year old will be ok sat behind your wife and daughter behind you.

May out grow it in 3-4 years but nice while you can all fit in.

Or else:

GTR

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304126...

Granturismo

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205185...

XKR-S

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203273...

I would absolutely love a 911, I love the car, the design, the engine and the looks! That would be on the top of my list if I wasn’t so cramped in the rear.

Do you think I could make it work? Been looking at 911s since I was a kid, it would be my ‘dream’ weekend car, if I could make it work with the kids in the rear.

[truekumar]

bobsavage789 said:

bobsavage789 said:

There’s an identical thread from the OP a few months ago (I think); can’t be bothered to look for it right now…

I’m not sure what the aim of starting a second thread is…?

Found it: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Apologies OP: seems the budget has now changed.

Yes budget has unfortunately changed, had to do some emergency work on the house 😢

[truekumar]

ChocolateFrog said:

Any reason why the obvious choice has been overlooked? 911.

My cousin regularly takes his Evora from the lake district to Denmark 4 up with his 2 adult daughters so I'd chuck that in too.

The 911 would be a dream come true! Is the Evora that he uses similar to the 911 in terms of rear space? Not massively interested in the Evora, but the 911….DEFINITELY!

[truekumar]

ChocolateFrog said:

truekumar said:

ChocolateFrog said:

Any reason why the obvious choice has been overlooked? 911.

My cousin regularly takes his Evora from the lake district to Denmark 4 up with his 2 adult daughters so I'd chuck that in too.

The 911 would be a dream come true! Is the Evora that he uses similar to the 911 in terms of rear space? Not massively interested in the Evora, but the 911….DEFINITELY!

I'd say they're similar. Definitely a 2+2 and not a proper 4 seater.

Not sure it helps much but that's said Evora.

Hmmm…that looks quite reasonable. And plus the previous poster stated that the 911 is more spacious in the back so I’m guessing it could work for a few years.

[truekumar]

Edible Roadkill said:

911 gts

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305097...

Mmmmm…very nice indeed! I just keep going back and forth about then rear seat space issue 😬

[truekumar]

I’ve even thought about the new G87 M2 but again a little too ugly for my tastes, too lego-ish. I much prefer the 911, a nice 991.2 would be perfect…just the rear seats seem tiny!

[truekumar]

nebpor said:

Go to your local Porsche dealer, get the family to sit in it - best way to know!

Been there, done that. We all fit in at the moment and just about comfortable but with growing kids, just a few apprehensions about the future 4-6 years which is how long I want to roughly keep it.

[truekumar]

Mouse Rat said:

My initial thoughts would be Maserati GT. Beautiful, well engineered cars with space and have real presence.

Then E53 cab or S Class 500 Cab. Savage engines, space but with roof off appeal. Also easier to clean when the kids chuck up.

Mustangs sound great and the kids would love it.

I can vouch that the Giulia QV is awesome its probably the best car on your list. But its a drivers car which you wont be able to appreciate with wife and kids onboard. Or they wont appreciate you using its potential :-)


OP, not sure what your concerns are about old platform, how does that matter? and isn't a 911 like 50 years old with the engine in the boot still - where you need to put the picnic!!

Yeah the mustang would definitely sound great and although it is a lot of money for a Ford, I’m guessing the mustang would always feel special.

The Gulia QV is also definitely in the running…just heard a lot of negatives in regards to long yet reliability.

I

[truekumar]

truekumar said:

Mouse Rat said:

My initial thoughts would be Maserati GT. Beautiful, well engineered cars with space and have real presence.

Then E53 cab or S Class 500 Cab. Savage engines, space but with roof off appeal. Also easier to clean when the kids chuck up.

Mustangs sound great and the kids would love it.

I can vouch that the Giulia QV is awesome its probably the best car on your list. But its a drivers car which you wont be able to appreciate with wife and kids onboard. Or they wont appreciate you using its potential :-)


OP, not sure what your concerns are about old platform, how does that matter? and isn't a 911 like 50 years old with the engine in the boot still - where you need to put the picnic!!

Yeah the mustang would definitely sound great and although it is a lot of money for a Ford, I’m guessing the mustang would always feel special.

The Gulia QV is also definitely in the running…just heard a lot of negatives in regards to long term reliability.

I

[truekumar]

LeeM135i said:

The facelift C63 coupe has the updated infotainment with apple car play / android auto etc. Also has the full digital dash which looks smart. The trade off is the facelifts are a little quieter than the pre facelifts due to the GPF.

Something like this

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305167...

Or this

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305167...

Really really liked the Lexus LC500 when I went looking for my C63, didn't go for it in the end as it didn't fit in the garage. They are a lot of car for the money.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303185...

I prefer the style of the C63 coupe over the Lexus. What’s the rear seating space like in the C63 coupe??

[truekumar]

LeeM135i said:

truekumar said:

LeeM135i said:

The facelift C63 coupe has the updated infotainment with apple car play / android auto etc. Also has the full digital dash which looks smart. The trade off is the facelifts are a little quieter than the pre facelifts due to the GPF.

Something like this

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305167...

Or this

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305167...

Really really liked the Lexus LC500 when I went looking for my C63, didn't go for it in the end as it didn't fit in the garage. They are a lot of car for the money.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303185...

I prefer the style of the C63 coupe over the Lexus. What’s the rear seating space like in the C63 coupe??

I'm 6ft 5in and you would be OK for a short journey behind me. My wife is 5ft 8in and another adult around 5ft 8in will fit behind her with no issues.

Boot is OK but shallow so it can be difficult to get big things in. We drove to LeMan with 3 in the car and associated camping kit, it was a squeeze but we made it with few complaints.

So for me, the C63 would definitely be an option then. Thanks for the info. I’m not sure which one would feel more ‘special’ as a weekend drive….the Mustang NA V8 or the hand built C63 V8? Hmmm….

[truekumar]

Legacywr said:

The new Mustang is equipped with touchscreen controls.

I paid £54k for a brand new Mach 1 last year, lousy legroom in the back, and climbing in and out isn’t the easiest.

Yes I’ve already been to a dealership and we all fit in fine in the back of a Mach 1 which is why I’m considering the new Dark Horse.

[truekumar]

So I’m now coming closer to a final list:

C63 AMG S - great quality but is its V8 as exciting to drive as the Mustang’s V8?

Alfa Gulia QV - a great overall proposition but the platform is getting very old now and is it just as special driving at low speeds around town as a V8 would be?

Mustang Dark Horse - Seems like a lot of money for a Ford and is the interior as nice as the C63, nice updated tech inside though.

Porsche 991.2 (any) - absolute dream car but most likely far less space in the back and than any of the above mentioned cars.

The E class, S class, Bentley etc….feel to large and luxurious for me to consider, I want something a bit more smaller and sporty.

[truekumar]

Belle427 said:

I think I'd go mustang, if the family are in it most of the time a nice sounding cruiser would probably be a better choice.

Thanks…I’m thinking the same. The C63 S is nice but I’m guessing the Mustang sounds ‘better’ ?

[truekumar]

So guys, what should one do?? Take a chance and go for the dream with a 991.2 and just hope the kids don’t grow too fast for a few years…lol!

OR get a hand built V8 C63 AMG S with a premium feeling interior.

OR get a Ferrari derived V6 Gulia QV in Montreal Green.

OR just put in an order for a new Mustang Dark Horse in Grabber Blue - would this one feel special enough??