Special Family Sports Car for Weekends

[truekumar]

Legacywr said:

The new Mustang is equipped with touchscreen controls.

I paid £54k for a brand new Mach 1 last year, lousy legroom in the back, and climbing in and out isn’t the easiest.

Yes I’ve already been to a dealership and we all fit in fine in the back of a Mach 1 which is why I’m considering the new Dark Horse.

[truekumar]

So I’m now coming closer to a final list:

C63 AMG S - great quality but is its V8 as exciting to drive as the Mustang’s V8?

Alfa Gulia QV - a great overall proposition but the platform is getting very old now and is it just as special driving at low speeds around town as a V8 would be?

Mustang Dark Horse - Seems like a lot of money for a Ford and is the interior as nice as the C63, nice updated tech inside though.

Porsche 991.2 (any) - absolute dream car but most likely far less space in the back and than any of the above mentioned cars.

The E class, S class, Bentley etc….feel to large and luxurious for me to consider, I want something a bit more smaller and sporty.

[truekumar]

Belle427 said:

I think I'd go mustang, if the family are in it most of the time a nice sounding cruiser would probably be a better choice.

Thanks…I’m thinking the same. The C63 S is nice but I’m guessing the Mustang sounds ‘better’ ?

[truekumar]

So guys, what should one do?? Take a chance and go for the dream with a 991.2 and just hope the kids don’t grow too fast for a few years…lol!

OR get a hand built V8 C63 AMG S with a premium feeling interior.

OR get a Ferrari derived V6 Gulia QV in Montreal Green.

OR just put in an order for a new Mustang Dark Horse in Grabber Blue - would this one feel special enough??

[speedster986]

I have a 6ft tall 14 year old who can sit in the back of my 991.1 cab. It works 4 up for an hour or so. I would be surprised if you couldn’t manage with the age of your children.

[truekumar]

speedster986 said:

I have a 6ft tall 14 year old who can sit in the back of my 991.1 cab. It works 4 up for an hour or so. I would be surprised if you couldn’t manage with the age of your children.

Wow! Really? Does the 14 year old sit behind you? And if he/she does, may I ask how tall are you? Does his head not touch the roof in the back at 6ft tall??

[speedster986]

Hi. I am 5’11’’. My 11 year old daughter sits behind me who is taller than average. My son sits behind my wife who is about 5’10’’. It is helpful they like the car so are happy to put up with a bit of a squeeze. We have only done it with the roof down which makes it feel less claustrophobic. I

[truekumar]

speedster986 said:

Hi. I am 5’11’’. My 11 year old daughter sits behind me who is taller than average. My son sits behind my wife who is about 5’10’’. It is helpful they like the car so are happy to put up with a bit of a squeeze. We have only done it with the roof down which makes it feel less claustrophobic. I

Thanks for the info. I wouldn’t be looking at a cab, I would be looking at a hard top. Have you all ever travelled with the roof up and how was it? I’m just concerned about their heads touching the roof….they don’t currently as I’ve already tried at a dealership but concerned about the future few years. If someone up to around 5’10 could comfortably sit in the back for around an hour without his head touching the roof then I’m sure my eldest could be back there until around 5 more years which would be perfect.

[truekumar]

Any other non-cab 911 owners got any feedback with having average height kids up to age 15-16 in the back? Remember my wife is only around 5’3 height wise, so my eldest currently 10 years old should be ok behind her for a few years right??

[truekumar]

speedster986 said:

Hi. I am 5’11’’. My 11 year old daughter sits behind me who is taller than average. My son sits behind my wife who is about 5’10’’. It is helpful they like the car so are happy to put up with a bit of a squeeze. We have only done it with the roof down which makes it feel less claustrophobic. I

Has your wife ever tried sitting behind you in the back?

[RonnieHotdogs]

truekumar said:

Mustang Dark Horse - Seems like a lot of money for a Ford and is the interior as nice as the C63, nice updated tech inside though.

The GT will be starting at £62-£65k according to four Ford dealers I've spoken to (I was looking at the S650 before buying an S550) and they expect the Dark Horse to be another £10k on top at least.

I'd probably go down the Alfa QV route (had two), but if you're looking at new the discounts just don't exist any more. They also closed order books on the QV last month before they announce the facelifted MY24 with a different LSD.

No dealers know when that'll be, and knowing Alfa it'll be an indefinite amount of time.

[truekumar]

RonnieHotdogs said:

truekumar said:

Mustang Dark Horse - Seems like a lot of money for a Ford and is the interior as nice as the C63, nice updated tech inside though.

The GT will be starting at £62-£65k according to four Ford dealers I've spoken to (I was looking at the S650 before buying an S550) and they expect the Dark Horse to be another £10k on top at least.

I'd probably go down the Alfa QV route (had two), but if you're looking at new the discounts just don't exist any more. They also closed order books on the QV last month before they announce the facelifted MY24 with a different LSD.

No dealers know when that'll be, and knowing Alfa it'll be an indefinite amount of time.

I’m sure there will be considerable discounts to be had on S650 Darkhorse after release or at least im hoping. The Alfa is an I treating proposition, but my heart still aches for a 911….but those bloody rear seats are still giving me a headache….the mustang is fine in the back for us but the 911 could end up being too much of a squeeze.

[deebs]

truekumar said:

So I’m now coming closer to a final list:

C63 AMG S - great quality but is its V8 as exciting to drive as the Mustang’s V8?

Alfa Gulia QV - a great overall proposition but the platform is getting very old now and is it just as special driving at low speeds around town as a V8 would be?

Mustang Dark Horse - Seems like a lot of money for a Ford and is the interior as nice as the C63, nice updated tech inside though.

Porsche 991.2 (any) - absolute dream car but most likely far less space in the back and than any of the above mentioned cars.

The E class, S class, Bentley etc….feel to large and luxurious for me to consider, I want something a bit more smaller and sporty.

Something small and sporty. But 4 people need to get in it. And it's used for half an hour, but needs to have great infotainment and look great on the inside, it's not to be luxury but it's to be exciting to drive around town.

Try playing back some of the conflicting requirements . It's going to be difficult to be satisfied as you want a small but big sports car to do the work of a family hatchback while giving the driving experience of a sport car despite it not being driven in an environment where a sports car would come alive . Tough ask!

[truekumar]

RonnieHotdogs said:

truekumar said:

Mustang Dark Horse - Seems like a lot of money for a Ford and is the interior as nice as the C63, nice updated tech inside though.

The GT will be starting at £62-£65k according to four Ford dealers I've spoken to (I was looking at the S650 before buying an S550) and they expect the Dark Horse to be another £10k on top at least.

I'd probably go down the Alfa QV route (had two), but if you're looking at new the discounts just don't exist any more. They also closed order books on the QV last month before they announce the facelifted MY24 with a different LSD.

No dealers know when that'll be, and knowing Alfa it'll be an indefinite amount of time.

What was the Alfa QV like to drive on normal roads? Did you have to track it to get any fun out of it? Also does it sound nice?

[truekumar]

deebs said:

truekumar said:

So I’m now coming closer to a final list:

C63 AMG S - great quality but is its V8 as exciting to drive as the Mustang’s V8?

Alfa Gulia QV - a great overall proposition but the platform is getting very old now and is it just as special driving at low speeds around town as a V8 would be?

Mustang Dark Horse - Seems like a lot of money for a Ford and is the interior as nice as the C63, nice updated tech inside though.

Porsche 991.2 (any) - absolute dream car but most likely far less space in the back and than any of the above mentioned cars.

The E class, S class, Bentley etc….feel to large and luxurious for me to consider, I want something a bit more smaller and sporty.

Something small and sporty. But 4 people need to get in it. And it's used for half an hour, but needs to have great infotainment and look great on the inside, it's not to be luxury but it's to be exciting to drive around town.

Try playing back some of the conflicting requirements . It's going to be difficult to be satisfied as you want a small but big sports car to do the work of a family hatchback while giving the driving experience of a sport car despite it not being driven in an environment where a sports car would come alive . Tough ask!

Yes it is a difficult task, although I think that most the cars we are discussing here do actually fit the bill…it’s just deciding as to which one to go for….my heart is set on a 911 but of course it could end up being too cramped within a couple of years, so then it would be down to the Gulia QV, C63 of Mustang…..decisions, decisions…..hmmmm

[truekumar]

Would love some more opinions from current 911 owners before I make my final decision guys. Any help would be much appreciated!

[RonnieHotdogs]

truekumar said:

What was the Alfa QV like to drive on normal roads? Did you have to track it to get any fun out of it? Also does it sound nice?

Fantastic on normal roads, it's firm as you'd expect but incredibly compliant. It felt a hell of a light lighter and more direct than the m340i that followed it, even though they weigh roughly the same.

1st and 2nd are torque limited unless you're in 'race' which can be a little annoying, but generally a great car for blasting down B roads. Never took it onto a track, but I'm sure there's plenty of people in the Alfa QV owners groups who have.

Sounds great in my opinion, especially with the valves open (above 3.5k rpm in dynamic, or you can buy and fit a remote from AHM). Doesn't sound as evil as my Mustang, but not much does!

[MitchT]

One thing I think car reviews are lacking is a decent impression of rear space depending on the size of people. I watched a BMW 8 Series review. The reviewer, having climbed in the back, stated that the rear seats were more occasional than useful and that headroom was limited, but he didn't state how tall he was, so the information wasn't much use. I'm 5'7" so I'd like to know, with the driver's seat adjusted for me, how much space would be available behind me.

Edited by MitchT on Tuesday 23 May 09:38

[truekumar]

MitchT said:

One thing I think car reviews is lacking is a decent impression of rear space depending on the size of people. I watched a BMW 8 Series review. The reviewer, having climbed in the back, stated that the rear seats were more occasional than useful and that headroom was limited, but he didn't state how tall he was, so the information wasn't much use. I'm 5'7" so I'd like to know, with the driver's seat adjusted for me, how much space would be available behind me.

Same here….this is exactly what I’d like to know in regards to the 911. I’m around 5’9 and I’d love to know the max height of an occupant to sit comfortably behind me in the 911. Quite a simple question really, but not much information available on it.

[stevekoz]

ChocolateFrog said:

Any reason why the obvious choice has been overlooked? 911.

My cousin regularly takes his Evora from the lake district to Denmark 4 up with his 2 adult daughters so I'd chuck that in too.

Wow, thats impressive, neither my 14 or 11 year old can fit in the rear of the 911 let alone an Evora. Makes me cry as we so want one!