Discussion
I test drove an S4 last year which shares its supercharged V6 with the S5 cabrio (the S5 coupe still has the old V8).
While it pulled nicely enough, I felt it lacked a bit of character, something you obviously have in spades with the 997.
How about waiting for the inevitable RS5 cabrio?
While it pulled nicely enough, I felt it lacked a bit of character, something you obviously have in spades with the 997.
How about waiting for the inevitable RS5 cabrio?
Actually, character is part of the problem. I have a 997TT cab tip, and while it certainly pulls well enough, it has no character at all. By the time you're having any fun - in the dry at least - you're going way too fast for the road, and it sounds like a hairdryer. The S5 is quick enough not to be unacceptable, has by all accounts at least got an exhaust note you can hear, and will halve my tax bill. Unfortunately, no one's been able to give me a test drive, so I'll be buying it on spec, which makes me a little nervous, hence my post here.
I know what you mean - I've had a couple of 997s and was always debating whether to get a switchable sports exhaust. I suspect the TT is even more muffled, due to the turbos.
How important are rear seats? I was driving behind an Aston V8 Vantage Roadster the other day. It sounded amazing.
How important are rear seats? I was driving behind an Aston V8 Vantage Roadster the other day. It sounded amazing.
Edited by gmk666 on Thursday 25th February 10:00
Usable (for kids) rear seats are essential, so the list is:
Another 997 (sensible size, expensive, seats only just usable)
S5 cab (seats good, price good, like the looks, 4wd useful as spend winters in the mountains)
BMW 6xx cab (not M6 - vile gearbox - but the rest are bloated boulevardiers in my opinion)
BMW 3-series cab (fugly and common)
Maserati GranCabrio (not yet available, expensive, enormous relative to interior space)
DB9 is out as my kids have legs. SL63 no rear seats. CLK for pensioners.
Have I missed any credible options? Must have an auto (tedious commute to work every day at 9mph average) so no used RS4 cab suggestions, please.
Another 997 (sensible size, expensive, seats only just usable)
S5 cab (seats good, price good, like the looks, 4wd useful as spend winters in the mountains)
BMW 6xx cab (not M6 - vile gearbox - but the rest are bloated boulevardiers in my opinion)
BMW 3-series cab (fugly and common)
Maserati GranCabrio (not yet available, expensive, enormous relative to interior space)
DB9 is out as my kids have legs. SL63 no rear seats. CLK for pensioners.
Have I missed any credible options? Must have an auto (tedious commute to work every day at 9mph average) so no used RS4 cab suggestions, please.
Sorry, yes - I missed that out. I tried the XK before I bought the 997; nice car. Rear seats are poky though, and not 4wd. Nicely put together and pretty in NA form. I don't personally like the "square jawed" look of the XKR and I find some of the detailing a bit fussy.
For reasons which aren't clear to me, I really like the styling of the A5/S5 cabrio. It's elegant without being effeminate; in a weird way there's something of the Bentley GTC there, without the vast size and bills. A used GTC is another option, but I'm not sure about either the image or the sense of the triumph of electronics over physics. I also suspect that a GTC used hard will result in big bills.
For reasons which aren't clear to me, I really like the styling of the A5/S5 cabrio. It's elegant without being effeminate; in a weird way there's something of the Bentley GTC there, without the vast size and bills. A used GTC is another option, but I'm not sure about either the image or the sense of the triumph of electronics over physics. I also suspect that a GTC used hard will result in big bills.
964Cup said:
Actually, character is part of the problem...and it sounds like a hairdryer.
Go and test drive a Vauxhall (yes, seriously)The VXR8, whether it be a Bathurst S or just a normal spec car is as cheap as chips and is seriously quick with loads of character and a sound that you will not ever get bored of. Its playful in the dry and dangerous in the wet, but with prices hovering at about £20,000, you have enough to get yourself a really practical run around (maybe something like a VW Scirocco).
OR
You can consider something a bit older and not much more expensive.
The Ferrari 550, its great to use as an everyday car, and despite not having 4WD, it is still very stable in the rain.
Edited by EVOeng on Monday 1st March 13:23
Dr G said:
New S4/5 is crying out for a Milltek 
http://www.millteksport.com/media.file.cfm?fileid=...
EVOeng said:
964Cup said:
Actually, character is part of the problem...and it sounds like a hairdryer.
Go and test drive a Vauxhall (yes, seriously)The VXR8, whether it be a Bathurst S or just a normal spec car is as cheap as chips and is seriously quick with loads of character and a sound that you will not ever get bored of. Its playful in the dry and dangerous in the wet, but with prices hovering at about £20,000, you have enough to get yourself a really practical run around (maybe something like a VW Scirocco).
OR
You can consider something a bit older and not much more expensive.
The Ferrari 550, its great to use as an everyday car, and despite not having 4WD, it is still very stable in the rain.
Edited by EVOeng on Monday 1st March 13:23
Anyway, S5 Cab ordered today, delivery Saturday - it's a dealer stock car. Not the interior colour I wanted, but apparently that's easy to change. Black/black, black/red leather (I'll be changing the red bits to a light grey alcantara), 20s, tech pack, convenience pack, park+, B&O, heated fronts, bluetooth, quattro sports diff. I'll let you know what I think when I've got it.
964Cup said:
Anyway, S5 Cab ordered today, delivery Saturday - it's a dealer stock car. Not the interior colour I wanted, but apparently that's easy to change. Black/black, black/red leather (I'll be changing the red bits to a light grey alcantara), 20s, tech pack, convenience pack, park+, B&O, heated fronts, bluetooth, quattro sports diff. I'll let you know what I think when I've got it.
Nice. Would it not be better to gget the dealer to change the interior scheme as part of the deal if its that easy.Simond001 said:
964Cup said:
Anyway, S5 Cab ordered today, delivery Saturday - it's a dealer stock car. Not the interior colour I wanted, but apparently that's easy to change. Black/black, black/red leather (I'll be changing the red bits to a light grey alcantara), 20s, tech pack, convenience pack, park+, B&O, heated fronts, bluetooth, quattro sports diff. I'll let you know what I think when I've got it.
Nice. Would it not be better to gget the dealer to change the interior scheme as part of the deal if its that easy.Dr G said:
I wouldn't go so far as 'easy' to change but I can give you the name of the trimmer we use to do exactly this if you need (Bath Road near T4).
Sounds like a very nice car you've bought, be good to see some pictures when you've taken delivery!
Thanks for the offer; have agreed a fixed cost with the supplying dealer for their chosen outfit to do it - therefore it's their problem if it goes wrong. I've had cars partly retrimmed by Southbound before with very good results, so I'm relaxed. I quite like the idea that I can choose something unique without paying daft Audi Exclusive prices. I wonder what it would cost to get the dash covered with black alcantara at the same time... No. Must. Stop. Fiddling.Sounds like a very nice car you've bought, be good to see some pictures when you've taken delivery!
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