Goodbye Ferrari, Lamborghini, i'll miss you...

[LeeCapri]

My first kid arrived in March and after 5 months of denial I now have to concede that another 2 seater (for the time being) is out of the question - I live in central London so two cars isn't really practical for various reasons.
Previously I've had F cars, 550, 360 Coupe and Spider, Aston V8V and various 911's.
I'd like to get something with the same 'special' feeling, where the only compromise is to having rear seats and luggage space big enough to fit a pushchair.
My budget is hovering around 45k. My current thinking is Maser GT, 456M (bit long in the tooth?), Nissan GT-R (fast, but maybe lacking 'special'?), M3 V8 or M5 V10 (I'm an M car fan), or as a wildcard Merc CL63.
Anyone else faced this dilemma? Suggestions?

PS - Looks like for the above reason I'm not going to be needing some (indoor) car covers I've had stashed. Before I stick them on ebay, anyone interested in these -
'Genuine' Aston V8V (black with stitched logo in Aston bag), 'Genuine' Ferrari 360 fitted (red with logo in Ferrari bag), 'Covercraft' Ferrari 550/575 (grey), 'Genuine' Porsche 997 (light grey with logo in Porsche bag) - Anyone? I'm selling for 50% of rrp. PM me if interested. Cheers.

Edited by LeeCapri on Tuesday 30th August 12:32

[Tuvra]

• Mercedes C63? 4 doors, glorious sound, no slouch!
• Jaguar XFR or maybe XKR?
• Maserati Quattroporte?
• Bentley GT?
• Aston Martin Vanquish?

[rainmasterb]

Erm interesting, my daily car dilemma is similar for whenever I lose the company car. Had always thought a 911 would do it and, as I'm looking after a 996 Turbo currently, have had the chance to trial-fit the family. I think with just the one child (17 months) it would just about be possible, but anything more and I think the compromises would be too much - I want a car I can use for almost any occasion. So, other than the cars you have listed already, I would add CLS63 AMG into the mix - exterior is a bit marmite perhaps, but if you like it (as I do) the interior is gorgeous and the engine a real peach. Would have to rule out the GT-R for the same reason as the 911, but the current M3 would be a strong contender, and the new C63 AMG coupe would be extremely tempting! Maser Gransport or current Coupe would also get a test drive.... Nice dilemma to have mate!

[F355spider]

Hi Lee

There's life after the cars mention, had a few 360's, gallardo, AMV8, stradalees, 430 myself.

I'm flogging my XKR cab if you fancy it - just done 10 days round europe in it with the wife, plenty of luggage space and room for a pushchair when no luggage.

Its priced to sell, details here if you are interested http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3165074.htm

Rob

[matc]

What you going for next Rob?

I think I'll be in a similar position in about 12 months. We've only just had a little one so the 360's gone. I'm hoping to get something else interesting but not too mad as it'll be her car for me to enjoy at weekends. I would look at a C63, but as I run a merc dealer I've got plenty of access to one as and when, so I'm think a QP might be an interesting choice. She's got an ML at the moment so I think I'm going to struggle to get her to drive a coupe.

[bigricho]

LeeCapri said:

My budget is hovering around 45k. My current thinking is Maser GT

Edited by LeeCapri on Tuesday 30th August 12:32

In regards to the Maserati GT. On that budget you probably only be looking at the 4.3 which really feels rather tame compared to the 4.7 MC Shift. I just don't think you would get that special feeling your looking for and have got from your previous cars.

[F355spider]

matc said:

What you going for next Rob?

I think I'll be in a similar position in about 12 months. We've only just had a little one so the 360's gone. I'm hoping to get something else interesting but not too mad as it'll be her car for me to enjoy at weekends. I would look at a C63, but as I run a merc dealer I've got plenty of access to one as and when, so I'm think a QP might be an interesting choice. She's got an ML at the moment so I think I'm going to struggle to get her to drive a coupe.

A very nice 17century farm, with plenty of outbuildings and a nice barn

Loads of work to be done,so the jag will be surplus for a while whilst i'm busy (and skint !!!) We've still got a RR sport and the wifes driving school car so no rush to replace. I fancy stashing some classics for the future.

[RevHappy]

F355spider said:

I fancy stashing some classics for the future.

Stashing or finding?

[matc]

F355spider said:

A very nice 17century farm, with plenty of outbuildings and a nice barn

Loads of work to be done,so the jag will be surplus for a while whilst i'm busy (and skint !!!) We've still got a RR sport and the wifes driving school car so no rush to replace. I fancy stashing some classics for the future.

Good choice and probably a much better investment than a Ferrari!

I've been browsing rightmove as much as I have the PH Classifieds recently, but having recently done my place up I think the misses would hit the roof if I suggested a move; however....

[rainmasterb]

matc said:

I would look at a C63, but as I run a merc dealer I've got plenty of access to one as and when.

Ha, I'd be interested to know which one! I work for Daimler AG and previously MBUK!

Edited by rainmasterb on Tuesday 30th August 19:38

[JazzyO]

Ferrari 612 is an awesome car and rapidly becoming relatively cheap, although I admit the styling is not perfect.


Onno

[JasonSF]

Maser QP or 456M or 612. I have kids and the 456 is a perfect everyday driver. Reliable and depreciation free!

[matc]

rainmasterb said:

matc said:

I would look at a C63, but as I run a merc dealer I've got plenty of access to one as and when.

Ha, I'd be interested to know which one! I work for Daimler AG and previously MBUK!

YHM

[DayTrader]

I voted for the GTR with my wallet and it just gets better and better 2 years down the line.

The GTR makes the rest feel slow, it looks like a proper super car and has a massive boot and rear seats.

[Agoogy]

JasonSF said:

Maser QP or 456M or 612. I have kids and the 456 is a perfect everyday driver. Reliable and depreciation free!

That's what I'd be looking at too... but I think the GTR is worth a drive/look, I hate it's interior and also feel it's not 'special' in the same way the established supercars are...BUT...that's the opinion of someone who in all likelihood will never own one... so I think as mentioned above IF YOU owned one, then you'd 'get it', you won't care what others think and simply enjoy and grow into it...

Either that or I was right 1st time, it's cheap Jap tat that does all the work for you

[DayTrader]

Agoogy said:

That's what I'd be looking at too... but I think the GTR is worth a drive/look, I hate it's interior and also feel it's not 'special' in the same way the established supercars are.

I went in a friends Maser and in one journey the center arm rest came off and so did a switch. The car creeks and rattles as well worse than any other car I've been in.

I know which one I would rather be inside!

[Schnellmann]

Whatever you get I would suggest 4 doors. Pref estate. Had an M3 coupe when my daughter was born but I got rid of it within a year as a pain getting her in and out of the back plus so much clutter to haul around with a new born an estate makes life easier.

[clorenzen]

I'll sell you my Range Rover - you'll end there sooner rather than later anyway so just saving you depreciation on the way - and goes nicely with a farm.

[Anjum]

Slightly left field.....Audi RS6 Avant?

Unfortunatley I can only get my wife to go for a A6 Allroader....