Recommendations: Up to £50k, 4 Seats... GTR, DB9, 911 Turbo
Discussion
I have a GranSport for this very purpose - occassional blasts or trips with the family. I considered all the alternatives but they're all either larger/heavier or less exciting. So far, it's been extremely reliable and my only problem with it is that other road users keep getting in my way when I'm driving it.
ChrisPackit said:
I want something to excite me when I open the garage :-)
I would say you need to feel the torque and hear the intoxication of the NA V12 to get the full 'Wow' factor. It's not something you can replicate.A big V12 is eating at the top table.
I always feel that a car choice like this, is an emotional choice. So its all about how it makes you feel. Not about practicalities or 'best all rounder'.
There's no doubt the GTr is the faster car, and the 40-50k DB9's are at the bottom of the curve like the pork but cost (relatively) buttons to run and insure. Let's face it, if you have a V12 itch, go scratch it. It's not like you'll lose any money on it if it isn't for you. At least you can tick that box and move on.
But one thing sets the 9 apart from all the others, you can say "Shall we take the Aston?"
Go see one, drive them and see which one will make that week feel all better when you open the garage and fire it up.
When you figure that out, that's the one you want. If you can't choose, buy both!
Or you up the budget by a little and get one like this .... as mentioned above, N/A V12 sits at the top with then nothing for quite a while IMO in terms of sense of occasion / specialness
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
MrSparks said:
How come the GTR appears to be avoided by most here?
Just curious really. I'm a couple years off yet, heart wants an R8 but head says GTR as I have two kids.
They can always stay at home right?
I drove one for a good distance on some of the best driving roads in Scotland before I bought my Maserati GranTurismo S.Just curious really. I'm a couple years off yet, heart wants an R8 but head says GTR as I have two kids.
They can always stay at home right?
It was extremely capable but only fun when I drove it like a loony, the rest of the time it was nothing special and was badly let down by the interior.
I chose the Maserati because it was more enjoyable for more of the time, due to a combination of the looks, noise, interior and driving experience, the Maserati name is also lot more special to me.
I had a friend with a V10 R8 after having a go in my Maserati decided to trade the R8 for one because he enjoyed the Maserati more than the "fast but ultimately rather dull" R8 and the back seats would come in handy for his kids.
MrSparks said:
How come the GTR appears to be avoided by most here?
Just curious really. I'm a couple years off yet, heart wants an R8 but head says GTR as I have two kids.
They can always stay at home right?
The badge is a bit low-rent (Nissan). The interior is a bit Japanese (plasticky). The ride is a bit crashy. The overall size is a bit big. They need servicing too often. And they are not as fast as the on-paper stats suggest (in stock).Just curious really. I'm a couple years off yet, heart wants an R8 but head says GTR as I have two kids.
They can always stay at home right?
Yipper said:
MrSparks said:
How come the GTR appears to be avoided by most here?
Just curious really. I'm a couple years off yet, heart wants an R8 but head says GTR as I have two kids.
They can always stay at home right?
The badge is a bit low-rent (Nissan). The interior is a bit Japanese (plasticky). The ride is a bit crashy. The overall size is a bit big. They need servicing too often. And they are not as fast as the on-paper stats suggest (in stock).Just curious really. I'm a couple years off yet, heart wants an R8 but head says GTR as I have two kids.
They can always stay at home right?
sparta6 said:
Yipper said:
MrSparks said:
How come the GTR appears to be avoided by most here?
Just curious really. I'm a couple years off yet, heart wants an R8 but head says GTR as I have two kids.
They can always stay at home right?
The badge is a bit low-rent (Nissan). The interior is a bit Japanese (plasticky). The ride is a bit crashy. The overall size is a bit big. They need servicing too often. And they are not as fast as the on-paper stats suggest (in stock).Just curious really. I'm a couple years off yet, heart wants an R8 but head says GTR as I have two kids.
They can always stay at home right?
However, GTRs are extremely good for absolutely flat out commuting in all weathers and other boring A-B journeys that you wish to complete in minimum time with minimum effort. Their Nissan badge allows them to go unnoticed by non-car people and, within reason, be left parked in places one would not dare to leave a Porsche/Ferrari/Aston.
For a weekend toy I would go for something 2WD and loud
MrSparks said:
How come the GTR appears to be avoided by most here?
Driven one on the road and a tuned version on the track.Impressive capability in terms of grip and acceleration and the engine delivers a mountain of torque.... but on balance there is so much more to driving than just that.
For me especially, the idea of a 4WD car that endlessly grips the road and is so hard to have any fun in is a big turn off.
The GTR is also huge and although you expect there to be the feeling of immense weight being hurled around, it is quite deceptive, as you know its a bit of trickery with the suspension set ups and the huge tyres that are needed in order to serve the weight transfers that take place.
I don't think its a case of brand snobbery, just that it is not a machine to deliver entertainment on the road, its more like a tool to deliver a clinical job of acceleration and grip.
For many this is of course enough to part with the cash - but for the likes of myself, I need more from a car with that sort of money involved.
Gtr is great 3 seater, you couldnt get anyone behind the driver. Big boot
If you have the aids on its not that fast, it will rob power with out you even knowing it. I could flick a few switches in my car and struggle to get to 60 in 4seconds which apparently is real slow today or I could flick somemore and do it in sub 3
They have a good independent network which makes it easy to own without dealer prices.
Only thing I would say is get an exhaust or mid pipe, noise it part of driving
Anyone who says they are boring just needs to loosen the tractiin control off, its only 4wd when the wheels are straight so has no problem being tailhappy
I enjoy mine at low speeds so don't know how people say they dont, big acceleration out of bends always fun.
They are reliable, well made, get alot of good attention.
At the end of the day drive what you want, what delivers what you like.
But a gtr will deliver at lower speeds, is reliable, fast, aggressive, sounds good, holds ok value, has a strong independent network. Big boot, 12 month service. Sat nav, heated seats the list goes on.
Size lol, it aint big, not by todays standards not at all. Specially for a family size car not a 2 seater
Servicing once a year, brakes, tires are that bad. I have mich cup 2 but people get over 15,000miles from tires on mpss
If you have the aids on its not that fast, it will rob power with out you even knowing it. I could flick a few switches in my car and struggle to get to 60 in 4seconds which apparently is real slow today or I could flick somemore and do it in sub 3
They have a good independent network which makes it easy to own without dealer prices.
Only thing I would say is get an exhaust or mid pipe, noise it part of driving
Anyone who says they are boring just needs to loosen the tractiin control off, its only 4wd when the wheels are straight so has no problem being tailhappy
I enjoy mine at low speeds so don't know how people say they dont, big acceleration out of bends always fun.
They are reliable, well made, get alot of good attention.
At the end of the day drive what you want, what delivers what you like.
But a gtr will deliver at lower speeds, is reliable, fast, aggressive, sounds good, holds ok value, has a strong independent network. Big boot, 12 month service. Sat nav, heated seats the list goes on.
Size lol, it aint big, not by todays standards not at all. Specially for a family size car not a 2 seater
Servicing once a year, brakes, tires are that bad. I have mich cup 2 but people get over 15,000miles from tires on mpss
crimbo said:
I enjoy mine at low speeds so don't know how people say they dont, big acceleration out of bends always fun.
Do you ever find the shear size of the thing an issue?This was one thing that struck me when I first got in one.
On some 'A' roads and especially any 'B' road do you find that you are heading for the ditch just to be able to pass oncoming vehicles?
Also town driving? Parking etc.?
rubystone said:
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.
I have a 997.1 turbo manual and would recommend it to OPmy 10 year old gets in fine behind missus, though struggles a bit behind me driving (I am over 6 foot)
Atomic12C said:
crimbo said:
I enjoy mine at low speeds so don't know how people say they dont, big acceleration out of bends always fun.
Do you ever find the shear size of the thing an issue?This was one thing that struck me when I first got in one.
On some 'A' roads and especially any 'B' road do you find that you are heading for the ditch just to be able to pass oncoming vehicles?
Also town driving? Parking etc.?
Town driving is fine, people give you loads of room, parking wise, I normally take an end bay but nothing I wouldn't do anyway in a nice car etc
It all depends on your routine, I'll go the tip in it, tesla, B&Q etc but you tight car parks wouldn't be much fun
For my 2c...
Bearing mind my day job if people know me.
I just bought a GTR, 2009 early model. Sent it Litchfield with a £1200 chq.
It is without doubt the most utterly outrageous car ive ever owned and I include my 13 Aventador, my 1994 FA15, and my B200 in that. I drove it 6328 miles in ten days on Gumball this year (my Co-driver mainly slept
) I had never been in one, let alone driven one before buying it on the phone and having it delivered.
They are utterly fantastic at covering distance at high speed, amazing pieces of engineering. With our mild tune Circa 610hp there is nothing I've been in on the road that accelerates at 100mph plus like it does. Buy one anything else is just ego, you can't beat Japanese efficiency I am a complete convert bloody outrageous cars.
But as a good friend said to me. It will ruin you for anything else...hmm 570gt? Or I could just throw £20k at the GTR and wallop the Mc in to next week. Its like a Playstation in so many ways.
Delicate they are not, driver car they are not as such, but hilarious. Buy one and dismiss badly ridden Fireblades while listening to Radio 4.
Bearing mind my day job if people know me.
I just bought a GTR, 2009 early model. Sent it Litchfield with a £1200 chq.
It is without doubt the most utterly outrageous car ive ever owned and I include my 13 Aventador, my 1994 FA15, and my B200 in that. I drove it 6328 miles in ten days on Gumball this year (my Co-driver mainly slept
) I had never been in one, let alone driven one before buying it on the phone and having it delivered. They are utterly fantastic at covering distance at high speed, amazing pieces of engineering. With our mild tune Circa 610hp there is nothing I've been in on the road that accelerates at 100mph plus like it does. Buy one anything else is just ego, you can't beat Japanese efficiency I am a complete convert bloody outrageous cars.
But as a good friend said to me. It will ruin you for anything else...hmm 570gt? Or I could just throw £20k at the GTR and wallop the Mc in to next week. Its like a Playstation in so many ways.
Delicate they are not, driver car they are not as such, but hilarious. Buy one and dismiss badly ridden Fireblades while listening to Radio 4.
Edited by humpbackmaniac on Wednesday 23 August 19:50
Maserati Granturismo 4.7S all the way, great to drive, best sound of any car, 4 proper seats and it feels and looks special.
Having owned a 997, Granturismo, TVRs etc nothing comes close. I sold mine 4 years ago and have been planning buying another ever since, just put a deposit down on a Gran cab :-)
Having owned a 997, Granturismo, TVRs etc nothing comes close. I sold mine 4 years ago and have been planning buying another ever since, just put a deposit down on a Gran cab :-)
I have a Masser GTS MC....epic cars. Came from a tuned 996TT X50.....no where near as quick but for 95% of the time that is irrelevevant and for 100% of the time it is a better experience (looks, great responsive revving engine (it's basically a 430s so quite special), the sound....my god the sound....4 proper seats, ok boot (good for two mid sized cases)....people love them, no negativity and lots of compliments.
Things to be aware of:
Big, heavy cars
MC is an automated manual and great when on the move but a bit lurchy when cold. Obviously an auto version also.
15-20mpg max
Servicing every 2 years, £1,000 or £2,500 (although the latter ones incremental items aren't essential changes until they start to go so most leave them)
Wear and tear items cost ££££ (brakes, pads, bushes, suspension) - so get an inspection
Parking sensors seem to go, £100 per sensor
Insurance 40% more than the Porsche
Overall regarded as very reliable though, but don't kid yourself into thinking it's a cheap car to run (I would say 2-3x the 996TT)
Buy a good one and you will love it....and your kids will love you even more 😉.
As another idea, Merc C63?
Things to be aware of:
Big, heavy cars
MC is an automated manual and great when on the move but a bit lurchy when cold. Obviously an auto version also.
15-20mpg max
Servicing every 2 years, £1,000 or £2,500 (although the latter ones incremental items aren't essential changes until they start to go so most leave them)
Wear and tear items cost ££££ (brakes, pads, bushes, suspension) - so get an inspection
Parking sensors seem to go, £100 per sensor
Insurance 40% more than the Porsche
Overall regarded as very reliable though, but don't kid yourself into thinking it's a cheap car to run (I would say 2-3x the 996TT)
Buy a good one and you will love it....and your kids will love you even more 😉.
As another idea, Merc C63?
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