Eeek. I might have just sold my V8V!
Discussion
A fellow PH'r (very nice chap he is too) just made an offer on my car having viewed it a couple of days ago. I feel a bit sad actually. I should seek counseling...
On the bright side it does mean that I can start the search for my next motor. Some of you will have noticed that I've been asking questions about rear seats on a DB9 and their suitability for young children (my daughter and her friends are 5). Well, I now need to buy with my head so need to make a decision about what I get next. Options are;
1. DB9 Volante. My preferred option but I might be buying without my head screwed on again as the back seats seem kinda tight. I used to have a 997 convertible that was just about good enough but DB9 seats seem tighter.
2. Rapide. An expensive proposition, mostly from the point of view that I might lose a fortune in depreciation. Keeps me in an Aston and the back seats are perfectly fine for a young family.
3. Panamera (yes, I can hear the forum fall about into fits of laughter). If a used Rapide is around 90k, then a Panamera is around 60k for the V8 4S model - that's 30k less. It looks like a dogs arse though - apart from that it would be a no brainer. It has none of the Aston magic but everything you need for it to be a daily driver (I would probably save on not having to have another car).
On the other hand, I'm developing a cool business iPad app and could just plough the cash into that (too sensible).
Choices choices ey?
On the bright side it does mean that I can start the search for my next motor. Some of you will have noticed that I've been asking questions about rear seats on a DB9 and their suitability for young children (my daughter and her friends are 5). Well, I now need to buy with my head so need to make a decision about what I get next. Options are;
1. DB9 Volante. My preferred option but I might be buying without my head screwed on again as the back seats seem kinda tight. I used to have a 997 convertible that was just about good enough but DB9 seats seem tighter.
2. Rapide. An expensive proposition, mostly from the point of view that I might lose a fortune in depreciation. Keeps me in an Aston and the back seats are perfectly fine for a young family.
3. Panamera (yes, I can hear the forum fall about into fits of laughter). If a used Rapide is around 90k, then a Panamera is around 60k for the V8 4S model - that's 30k less. It looks like a dogs arse though - apart from that it would be a no brainer. It has none of the Aston magic but everything you need for it to be a daily driver (I would probably save on not having to have another car).
On the other hand, I'm developing a cool business iPad app and could just plough the cash into that (too sensible).
Choices choices ey?
The DB9 rear seats are just about OK if the front seats are occupied by shorter people. I'm 5'11 and the space behind my seat in normal driving is probably 2-3inches. Need to be shorter than that.
Why a Panamera?? Wonderful to drive I'm sure, but I'd rather have an XJR or a Quattroporte, equally good and much better looking.
On the Maser tip, a GranCabrio for a bit of flair, or a Bentley GTC for a bit of class. In a non-bling colour without chrome wheels I rather like them
Both have great backseats and I'd need to drive both before making a choice. I like them both on paper and the GTC at £55k is great value.
Why a Panamera?? Wonderful to drive I'm sure, but I'd rather have an XJR or a Quattroporte, equally good and much better looking.
On the Maser tip, a GranCabrio for a bit of flair, or a Bentley GTC for a bit of class. In a non-bling colour without chrome wheels I rather like them

Both have great backseats and I'd need to drive both before making a choice. I like them both on paper and the GTC at £55k is great value.
Thanks for the insights Yeti - Not sure I'm into Masers although the GTC is definitely worth considering. For me, the maser gt looks nice but doesn't have presence of the others - I might have that all wrong.
Nick - I already have a disco :-) . My problem is that on those lovely weekend days when we want to go out for a nice lunch, or theres a family function e.g. Wedding, I'm forced to take the disco and leave the v8v at home when I really would love to rock up as a family in something much nicer. I know this may sound very shallow :-)
Nick - I already have a disco :-) . My problem is that on those lovely weekend days when we want to go out for a nice lunch, or theres a family function e.g. Wedding, I'm forced to take the disco and leave the v8v at home when I really would love to rock up as a family in something much nicer. I know this may sound very shallow :-)
Ah I see. Not shallow, perfectly natural. The Porsche is revolting. You would always look out of the window and think why did I do that, why didn't I just buy the Rapide. Funnily enough I've been looking for a thread on Rapides to see what other members think but can't find one. I think they are lovely but sadly with sprog number three on the way I'm buggered and will have to put up with the Disco 4 when it arrives. 

I think the Rapide has a way to go before it's a good value purchase, the Maser GT is pretty intimidating in the metal - BIG cars though!
What about a quattroporte with the ZF gearbox? Looking good value now below £40k for a nice one - and they sound delicious.
If the car is only for occasional +2, I am sure your daughter +1 will manage the tight legroom to be in a DB9
What about a quattroporte with the ZF gearbox? Looking good value now below £40k for a nice one - and they sound delicious.
If the car is only for occasional +2, I am sure your daughter +1 will manage the tight legroom to be in a DB9

I think the rapide is great. It's the only 4 door of its type that doesn't look like it was morphed from the form of a dog turd. The rear seats look like a lovely place to be.
Don't know anything about the values though - take your point about depreciation, but the Porsche will depreciate, too, and you'd get spat on more often.
Don't know anything about the values though - take your point about depreciation, but the Porsche will depreciate, too, and you'd get spat on more often.

hartley said:
new option just out - BMW 6 series gt with 4 doors - looks the biz
Agreed, it looks OK 'for a BMW'. It's really isn't in the same league as the Jaguar, Maserati or Bentley though which all represent great value pre-owned! It's just a repmobile, no doubt an incredibly capable one. But at a glance it's no different from a 318 really

Mako V12V said:
If any other fellow PHer is thinking of selling their V8V in the next 6 months then a friend of mine is looking to make the transition from Porsche to Aston Martin as he's seen the light!!
It would need to be an entry level car, cost-wise.
Mine's going up for sale in the next few weeks unfortunately. 56 plate (07 spec) onyx black with cream truffle interior and 15k on the clock. PM me if he's interested.It would need to be an entry level car, cost-wise.
I'm 6'2" and will be fitting my 5 year old behind my seat if and when I get the DB9.
But to put things into perspective - I think the Panemera is a great looking car. A lot of presence.

The Maserati GT is meant to be a huge step from Maseratis of old. A proper four-seater and two year service intervals:


or, the sublime Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. I would have one of these but they are holding their price a bit too well at the moment;

But to put things into perspective - I think the Panemera is a great looking car. A lot of presence.
The Maserati GT is meant to be a huge step from Maseratis of old. A proper four-seater and two year service intervals:
or, the sublime Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. I would have one of these but they are holding their price a bit too well at the moment;
George H said:
You're joking right? I've never known a Bentley Continental GT been described as classy! Maybe ostentatious and vulgar. Maybe a Bentley Brooklands or Azure if you want classy 

I see your point... But in the right green or blue, with satin rather than polished wheels, I'm onboard as a family car!
Azure... Have seen them for £50k now, that's a chunk of motoring folklore

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