What next

[pete a]

Following a bit of a moment at Brands Hatch last year in my 996TT (see profile pic for details) I am looking for a new car, I have a 2006 JDM STI Imprezza to use for trackdays from now on so the new one will be for road driving only.
As car dealers are not keen on me turning up and asking to test drive several models to see what I like the feel of (I've not asked but I imagine they won't) what do you suggest would be suitable from this lot

Cayman s manual - I like the look of these and hear they drive well, but it's not a 911 is it?
997 Carrea S - love the look of these but worried about possible engine issues and maybe too slow after the Turbo.
997TT - Like these a lot on appearance and have the Mezger engine but should I go naturally aspirated?
997 GT3 - love the look of these and mezger engine, but are they wasted as a road only car or too harsh.

Experience from anyone with expiriance driving the above would be appreciated.

Edited by pete a on Sunday 1st January 21:55

Edited by pete a on Sunday 1st January 22:35

[mollytherocker]

Whats your budget and how will you use the car?

MTR

[6C4GTS]

pete a said:

asking to test drive several models to see what I like the feel of (I've not asked but I imagine they won't

Much though I love PH I wouldn't base my decision on thread replies...........it's a buyers market...demand a test drive and make an informed decision.

[pete a]

I've just cleared the morgatge so in theory I could spend upto about 75k with a chunk of finance each month but I would be quite pleased to get what I'm after for a lot less.
As for driving it will be weekend hoons and maybe a few euro/uk road trips.
Also considering a Massarati Gran Turrismo.

[6C4GTS]

Drive a 7GT3!

[bridey0]

pete a said:

I've just cleared the morgatge so in theory I could spend upto about 75k with a chunk of finance each month but I would be quite pleased to get what I'm after for a lot less.
As for driving it will be weekend hoons and maybe a few euro/uk road trips.

Also considering a Massarati Gran Turrismo.

Pete with the exception of the cayman I've experience of all u mention.
The 997s I had but I binned it as it wasn't raw enought. The 996tt is serious value now and if your budget was 25k I'd say buy one but you've been there. The 997 turbo is an awesome car but I'm not sure about how good they are on track and there are lots for sale on PH. The 997 gt3 is cracking both on road and track. For a modern water cooled car there isnt a better car for me personally providing u get the right spec (clubbie for me personally). You get air con and nav in most 997 gt3's so they can be everyday and tame when u want them to be. I love air cooled too but they can't compete with a 997 gt3 in all round capabilities. Ive been thru your thinking and I've got the right car now. Good luck

[cragswinter]

Fancy a classic?
You got a track car right? You got a day to day car? If so I'd fire my wedge in a testarossa, give it 5 years & you'll be laughing. Still want a Porsche? I'd get the best SC you can find, or a 930 turbo, one that's been fuly rebuilt. Money in the bank

[bridey0]

cragswinter said:

Fancy a classic?
You got a track car right? You got a day to day car? If so I'd fire my wedge in a testarossa, give it 5 years & you'll be laughing. Still want a Porsche? I'd get the best SC you can find, or a 930 turbo, one that's been fuly rebuilt. Money in the bank

Like your thinking but doesn't he want an everyday car as well?

[jackal]

pete a said:

I've just cleared the morgatge so in theory I could spend upto about 75k with a chunk of finance each month but I would be quite pleased to get what I'm after for a lot less.
As for driving it will be weekend hoons and maybe a few euro/uk road trips.
Also considering a Massarati Gran Turrismo.

Ive driven all the cars you mention. My vote would go to a 996 GT3, an F430 or a challenge Stradale or a really good 993 or 964C2 on some decent suspension and uprated basr and bushes. My other wildcard would be a nice manual 550 Maranello. That's probably not much help but thats what i'd choose for a proper weekend car that is truly special. The cars you mention are all very good modern motors but imo better for everydayness, for dependability and for blending in etc.

Edited by jackal on Sunday 1st January 22:36

[jackal]

Oh, and the bloke is called Hanz 'Mezger' btw

[pete a]

jackal said:

Oh, and the bloke is called Hanz 'Mezger' btw

Sorry about that, edited now.

Oh and now my options have been expanded, I would like to stay with Porsche but there are a lot of nice cars out there to choose from.

[mollytherocker]

jackal said:

Oh, and the bloke is called Hanz 'Mezger' btw

Tut tut Rich, its Hans.

Is this what the youf would regard as an epic fail or face palm?

MTR

[cragswinter]

bridey0 said:

Like your thinking but doesn't he want an everyday car as well?

Yeah but with the budget you got enough money to buy any of the above, a great daily, insure it & still have enough left over for fun & games.

Any of the OP's choices are fantastic, but only if they're you're only car. If you're talking about a second or third car I think you should look at something that'll make you some wedge

Imagine you've got the pence, buy say a 135 coupe, a megane r26.r for track, you've got two big bases covered.

Now you've got a nice day to day car, a track slag that's great fun, what else do you want? Something that feels good, gets good reactions off other people & has the potential to make you some money.

A classic is the way to go of you've got the space IMO

[Callughan]

Sorry to hear that m8. My vote is with 7GT3.

[mrdemon]

Cayman R

[mrdemon]

Chris Harris was not too pleased with the ammount of money he lost on the GT3.
And he spent £££ taking off the PASM which I might add is usless in sport mode on the road.
Infact it would throw you off a b road lol.

Some nice mint low mile Cayman R's about for 44k

Don't think he talked about the money side and he only wants a road car. (no track use)

I looked at GT3 997.1 and thought no thanks in the end as a every day runner, could easy cost you 15k in a year on a 5 year old car if you actually use it.

Edited by mrdemon on Monday 2nd January 00:37

[pete a]

Thanks for the advice guys, I love the look of the 997Gt3 just feel it would be a waste if I don't use it on a track, which after the last one I am reluctant to do, the Sti Imprezza is fun enough on track anyway and can be used everyday if I wanted to but it doesn't feel special, I also have a pick up truck and a van so this would really be a lightly used car.

I do hear you about the classic but I just don't really want an old car, even if that does mean some depreciation.
I think I need to drive a C2s and a 997 GT3.

[mrdemon]

all cars go though that refresh time scale, the 997.1 GT3 is about that time on a early car.
could cost a lot of £££ Clutch , Disks etc etc.
When I was looking quite a few had a new Clutch.
Trade on these is <50k you could buy wrong at 65k, spend a shed load of cash on running a 5 year old car and get offered 45k on it in 12 months.

Cayman R is a new car and feels it when you drive one and will have Zero running costs.
then you drive a GT3 997.2 and you realise it's loads better than the 997.1.

If dropping prices is an issue buy a refreshed 996 GT3 for 36k, skip the 997.1 and wait for the 997.2 to drop a bit more, these will be <70k soon which then also drops the 997.1.

you could get hit massive with a 60k 997.1 who knows, I ruled it out myself the risk was to high for me worst case losing 20k+ easy. PLus I had a list of things I wanted to buy for a 997.1 GT3 on top of all that.

[wtdoom]

7 gt3 is not too harsh . you will love it . much more special than a " regular " c2 .

[Xstyle]

if C2 997 is on the cards, I'd go for 997 C4S. Otheriwse it seems the 997 GT3 or 997 TT is a good fun bet!