Recommendations: Up to £50k, 4 Seats... GTR, DB9, 911 Turbo

[ChrisPackit]

Chaps

I have a quandary about buying a weekend toy, as summarised above. I have c. £40 to £50k budget and need something with 4 seats. I don't intend to use it that much, maybe 1000 to 2000 miles a year so reliability is key. Previous / current 'classics' that I have owned always seem to let me down on that one sunny day that you want to use it, so would rather stay away from older 'classics' in view of a more modern, depreciation friendly car (if such a thing exists!).

Would be interested in hearing Pros / Cons of my top 3 choices;

1. Aston DB9 - Always fancied one, and I believe they're pretty reliable but I'd prefer a manual 'box and they're like Hens Teeth to find. Not sure if their image is a little too 'double breasted' for me though?

2. Nissan GTR - Completely different kettle of fish, lacks the panache of the Aston but would be very reliable, handy to do the occasional track day in, and the fastest of the bunch. Badge snobbery aside, is this the best all rounder, and will the prices fall much less than they are now?

3. 911 Turbo - Possibly the best investment, but not too sure of the 996 looks and 50k would be bottom end of the 997 turbo's which probably hasn't depreciated as much as it will yet. Plus there are too many 'normal' 911's around to make it feel special. Ready for a barrage of stick on this point!

Any other sound recommendations?

Cheers for your help...


C

[minimalist]

ChrisPackit said:

Chaps

1. Aston DB9 ......image is a little too 'double breasted' for me though?

Captures what I think of these perfectly. Although I still would in the right colour with a manual.

In order, I would choose:

1. 997 (not necessarily turbo),
2. Evora,
3. Maserati GranTurismo or GranSport,
4. DB9,
5. GTR (maybe)

[MingtheMerciless]

My 2c. I have never driven a GTR or a 996 TT so can't comment, but would try and go for a 997 TT manual if you could. It is like the Millenium Falcon and doesn't suffer from the chocolate engine syndrome of the 997.1. It is the perfect supercar except (i) for the somewhat washing machine engine note; and (ii) if you are a track demon, it isn't as rewarding as a GT3 or even maybe a 997 S as it is awd and planted unless you are at the edge of lunacy.

The DB9 is completely different. It has a huge sense of occasion, it is maybe the most beautiful car ever and sounds glorious. It is, however, at this price level [this is a car they sort of let coagulate together by throwing bits into one beautiful mold including two Mondeo V6's sellotaped together and the developed it into a wonderful, complete symphony of a car over the next 13-14 years] , strictly a cruiser and (based on my experience of my own) likely to reintroduce you to religion if you are adventurous with it, reacting like a pendulum to unwarranted inputs (and causing bystanders to scream in terror of dying in your fireball). It has the build integrity and reliability of a kit car shambled together in a garage from waste industrial materials scavenged from a Delhi rubbish mountain by teenagers who are not over served with mechanical talents. It will flash "do not pass go, bring me straight to Newport Pagnell" warning lights with abandon and lives up to its "hand made in Great Britain by [name of culprit]" door sill badge. It is utterly wonderful and I'd have one again in a heartbeat. One of my favourite cars I have ever owned. I ended up selling it because I have kids to bring on a school run and, despite being about 75 feet long and 35 feet wide, involves a level of sacrifice to the extent of requiring back seat passengers to saw off their legs at the knees, not to be comfortable in the back, but just to avoid gangrene. And mine was a cabrio, which means that there is room for precisely four sliced pans and not even one schoolbag in the boot. And you will need your survival kit in there as you will be marooned gloriously at some stage so no use at all.

Of the two, head, wallet and any serious driving need requirement says 997 TT. Heart and soul says Aston DB9 (cabrio please). Head and wallet immediately disassociate themselves from this lunacy and leave heart and soul to have a ball.

GTR? Dunno I'm sure its great but I just feel no need to even drive one.

Edited by MingtheMerciless on Thursday 11th May 11:17

Edited by MingtheMerciless on Thursday 11th May 11:18

[Pioneer]

ChrisPackit said:

Chaps

2. Nissan GTR - Completely different kettle of fish, lacks the panache of the Aston but would be very reliable, handy to do the occasional track day in, and the fastest of the bunch. Badge snobbery aside, is this the best all rounder, and will the prices fall much less than they are now?

Any other sound recommendations?

Early RS7 as an alternative to the GTR?

[MDL111]

does a Ferrari 456 count as a classic (and are they still in budget with manual transmission)?

Edit: I know it is LHD and in Germany, but .....
http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id=...

Edited by MDL111 on Thursday 11th May 11:33

[The Surveyor]

If you genuinely need a 4 seater (rather than a 2+2) then the DB9 is out, and the 911 is marginal.

As indicated above, you would get a fabulous Maserati GranTurismo in your budget and they do have proper rear seats. Deceptively large though.

Others look at would be a nice later M6 or a Continental GT.

[Adz The Rat]

I wouldnt touch a DB9 with a large pole, just not a fan of them at all. Not a nice drive and just a tad boring.

997TT as said is a great choice. Manual of course, epicly fast with good tuning potential too.

GTR is good fun, if you can live with the image.

[ChrisPackit]

Thanks for the input Chaps!

I think my two kids are young enough to be shoe-horned into a 2+2 so Im sure the DB9 will suffice, though the M6, RS7 and Conti GT don't particularly appeal to me to be honest.

I had considered the Gran Turismo but not knowing enough about them put me off a little.

Cheers

[Pooh]

Maserati GranTurismo, I had one for a couple of years and loved it, the only issue I had was an intermittent fault with a front parking sensor that was sorted under warranty. It has proper back seats and is a lot of fun to drive, I test drove a DB9 and it felt like a barge in comparison, it also makes just about the best noise of any car ever.

[Nero77]

Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio....

Just my opinion re 911 turbo - utter soulless, no noise, no drama. If speed is what you want then it's a missile, just a sterile one at that. Evora is a hoot to drive. GTRs just don't feel special, and interior is a complete let down. As for the Maser the GT is good but get a Gransport and save 25k. Entirely personal viewpoints!

[v12v8]

I'm with the votes for the Granturismo. And definitely the S. I had a 997 for a couple of years and loved it, but very quickly the arguments started between my kids as to who sat in the back as they grew taller. I would avoid the DB9 - drive it and you'll find out why. GTR is a great car but not as much space inside at the Maser.

I've had my GTS for nearly 2 years. In that time, it has had a service (which it didn't really need) and nothing else. No new tyres needed, oil hasn't needed topping up etc. It has been a truly fantastic car and one I intend to keep. I'm 6'3" and I can sit in the back comfortably if my wife is driving (emphasis on if!). On a run to Reims we managed to squeeze in nearly 80 bottles of champagne in the boot. Capacious and usable. Frugal it is not though - long term average since ownership is 17.4mpg.

[Spindoctor]

Options are quite limited if you really need something with 4 seats. Of those mentioned, I'd vote Maser. Evora is fun but rear passengers need to be under 10 yrs or contortionists. How about a Supercharged Jag XKR? Brand new Mustang?

Or, cough, Tesla S...?

[Chiefly]

2008 onwards, Bentley Continental GT Speed - 6 litre twin-turbo, 600 BHP, 550lb ft of torque. Lots of luxury. Plenty of room in the back

[ChrisPackit]

I don't know what it is about the Conti GT's but they just don't appeal to me.

Think they're a little too 'grown up' for me, and lack the wow factor. I want something to excite me when I open the garage :-)

[RobinSherwood]

Another vote for a Maserati. Personally I would recommend the GranSport as it is more of a sports car than the GranTruismo and is also deceptively large on the inside. Your budget would stretch to a MC Victory IF you can find one, amazing thing but a normal GranSport Coupé is still a cracking car. I am on my third now (a MCV) and all have been very reliable. I own a few nice cars and my GranSport MCV is probably my favourite car!

[MDL111]

RobinSherwood said:

Another vote for a Maserati. Personally I would recommend the GranSport as it is more of a sports car than the GranTruismo and is also deceptively large on the inside. Your budget would stretch to a MC Victory IF you can find one, amazing thing but a normal GranSport Coupé is still a cracking car. I am on my third now (a MCV) and all have been very reliable. I own a few nice cars and my GranSport MCV is probably my favourite car!

If the Ferrari is not a consideration then I also vote GranSport - lovely looking and sounding cars

[rubystone]

ChrisPackit said:

Thanks for the input Chaps!

I think my two kids are young enough to be shoe-horned into a 2+2 so Im sure the DB9 will suffice, though the M6, RS7 and Conti GT don't particularly appeal to me to be honest.

I had considered the Gran Turismo but not knowing enough about them put me off a little.

Cheers

As long as they are under 3 they'll be ok in the DB9. Perhaps under 5 in the 911. You really need a Maserati if you want to cover any distance without them moaning about losing the feeling in their legs.

[Davo456gt]

MDL111 said:

does a Ferrari 456 count as a classic (and are they still in budget with manual transmission)?

Edit: I know it is LHD and in Germany, but .....
http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id=...

Edited by MDL111 on Thursday 11th May 11:33

for a good RHD one your probably looking at the top end of his budget - bargain 3 years ago, but gone now.
141 original UK RHD manual Its imported and 61? Modificatos with manual.
GTA's will be cheaper, if he doesn't want manual.

[likesachange]

M6GC? (san marino )
As quick as a GTR, lovely interior and plenty of room in the back, plus nice and modern which in your budget you'd get one 1-2yrs old

[SL550M]

likesachange said:

M6GC? (san marino )
As quick as a GTR, lovely interior and plenty of room in the back, plus nice and modern which in your budget you'd get one 1-2yrs old

That's a good shout. My neighbour has one in San Marino blue. It's a very striking car...in a good way! Was in my local BMW dealer recently and there are some amazing deals available on 6GC (not the M6 admittedly). Circa £20k discount off list price and 0% finance.