This indecision is killing me!!

This indecision is killing me!!

Author
Discussion

PJM986

Original Poster:

50 posts

56 months

Monday 5th August 2019
quotequote all
MDL111 - That's great, thanks for taking the time and it echoes what was in some of the reviews I read last night and the videos I watched online. If time allows I will try to sort out a drive at the end of this week/early next week.

With regard to the warranty I will probably buy from a main dealer for the 2 years they give, although would happily buy privately/independent dealer if the car was in good condition and had a reasonable amount of extendable warranty left on it. I don't know if there are any independent warranty providers for Ferraris that are worth considering? Something similar to what Thorney Motorsport provide for McLarens.

WCZ - Thanks, and that exhaust.... smile

The Surveyor

7,576 posts

236 months

Monday 5th August 2019
quotequote all
PJM986 said:
….

The Surveyor - I do take your point and don't disagree about the subjectivity of each experience. However, I like to make informed decisions when I have the luxury of time to do so and learning from experiences (and mistakes) of others is something I personally like to do. I believe all our feelings and decisions are influenced by many conscious and subconscious influences, which in turn are fed by many intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Already in this thread points have been made by others that are probably relevant to us, which I wouldn't have considered until they potentially became an issue. The last thing I want is buyer's regret 2 weeks/months after a purchase because I got too wrapped up in the moment and the money was burning a hole in my pocket. I have been there and done that and vowed not to do it again, as Hegel said: "We learn from history that we do not learn from history". Mind you, he did also say: "To be independent of public opinion is the first formal condition of achieving anything great.” rolleyes
Agreed, I use the same considered and balanced judgement when buying a house, new TV, a washing machine, or even my daily Audi A4 driver. Rational, sensible, and ultimately rather dull yet considered purchases. However if this was a boring old considered, rational, sensible purchase we would all be queuing up for the latest 911 wouldn't we!

If I'd have applied the same approach when buying my weekend garage toys I'd have never bought a Speed 6 TVR Tuscan back in 2006 which still to this day proved to be the best car I ever owned, I would have still bought an Aston Martin Vantage which proved to be the worse. Certainly if I had let the views of one or two 'influencers' dictate my last car purchase I wouldn't have my 570s, an astonishing car that is rapidly overtaking the Tuscan in my GOAT car list.

You need to add a TVR Tuscan or Sagaris to your list, as Sid Vicious once sang.... "Regrets, I've had a few..... " thumbup

Bispal

1,603 posts

150 months

Monday 5th August 2019
quotequote all
The Surveyor said:
PJM986 said:
….

The Surveyor - I do take your point and don't disagree about the subjectivity of each experience. However, I like to make informed decisions when I have the luxury of time to do so and learning from experiences (and mistakes) of others is something I personally like to do. I believe all our feelings and decisions are influenced by many conscious and subconscious influences, which in turn are fed by many intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Already in this thread points have been made by others that are probably relevant to us, which I wouldn't have considered until they potentially became an issue. The last thing I want is buyer's regret 2 weeks/months after a purchase because I got too wrapped up in the moment and the money was burning a hole in my pocket. I have been there and done that and vowed not to do it again, as Hegel said: "We learn from history that we do not learn from history". Mind you, he did also say: "To be independent of public opinion is the first formal condition of achieving anything great.” rolleyes
Agreed, I use the same considered and balanced judgement when buying a house, new TV, a washing machine, or even my daily Audi A4 driver. Rational, sensible, and ultimately rather dull yet considered purchases. However if this was a boring old considered, rational, sensible purchase we would all be queuing up for the latest 911 wouldn't we!

If I'd have applied the same approach when buying my weekend garage toys I'd have never bought a Speed 6 TVR Tuscan back in 2006 which still to this day proved to be the best car I ever owned, I would have still bought an Aston Martin Vantage which proved to be the worse. Certainly if I had let the views of one or two 'influencers' dictate my last car purchase I wouldn't have my 570s, an astonishing car that is rapidly overtaking the Tuscan in my GOAT car list.

You need to add a TVR Tuscan or Sagaris to your list, as Sid Vicious once sang.... "Regrets, I've had a few..... " thumbup
Surveyor....Funny you should say that. I was chatting to the TVR guys at Beaulieu yesterday after seeing a Tuscan Speed 6 and thinking, thats got to be a good buy at £25k! I missed a Sagaris when they were £40k and I'm thinking I need to try a Tuscan before they go the same way! I worry about reliability but as a former McLaren owner I guess I should not be worried! Worth a punt???




The Surveyor

7,576 posts

236 months

Monday 5th August 2019
quotequote all
Bispal said:
Surveyor....Funny you should say that. I was chatting to the TVR guys at Beaulieu yesterday after seeing a Tuscan Speed 6 and thinking, thats got to be a good buy at £25k! I missed a Sagaris when they were £40k and I'm thinking I need to try a Tuscan before they go the same way! I worry about reliability but as a former McLaren owner I guess I should not be worried! Worth a punt???
For me, TVR's are becoming ever-more attractive, especially the 'T' cars. Buy one with a recently rebuilt engine and with a solid chassis (the 'newest' cars are all over 10 years old, and they do rust!) and just enjoy that barking mad straight 6 engine. Compared to todays cars, the build quality and reliability is shocking, but the fun factor is off the scale. My pick would be a T350, essentially a diet version of the Sagaris for a fraction of the price thumbup

Bispal

1,603 posts

150 months

Monday 5th August 2019
quotequote all
The Surveyor said:
Bispal said:
Surveyor....Funny you should say that. I was chatting to the TVR guys at Beaulieu yesterday after seeing a Tuscan Speed 6 and thinking, thats got to be a good buy at £25k! I missed a Sagaris when they were £40k and I'm thinking I need to try a Tuscan before they go the same way! I worry about reliability but as a former McLaren owner I guess I should not be worried! Worth a punt???
For me, TVR's are becoming ever-more attractive, especially the 'T' cars. Buy one with a recently rebuilt engine and with a solid chassis (the 'newest' cars are all over 10 years old, and they do rust!) and just enjoy that barking mad straight 6 engine. Compared to todays cars, the build quality and reliability is shocking, but the fun factor is off the scale. My pick would be a T350, essentially a diet version of the Sagaris for a fraction of the price thumbup
Cheers :-)

tokyo_mb

432 posts

216 months

Monday 5th August 2019
quotequote all
PJM986 said:
Gran Turismo - We need to take one out and see what happens. I am trying to ignore the negativity around Maserati ownership, as those that actually have them, or have owned them, speak very highly of the experience.
av185 said:
The Maserati is one of a dying breed which sounds good but performance overall is disappointing and economy is dire mainly because of the cars lardiness. The MC Stradale ups the game slightly and imo these cars could become quite collectable in the medium term.
You should definitely try a Granturismo, and ideally the MC Stradale. It does make a great sound, and is really capable as a grand tourer. It isn't really a car for flinging round a twisty B-road, but is great for carrying four in comfort over a distance, while still being able to make you grin every time you drive it. I've had mine a year and am really enjoying it. There are only about 120 Stradales in the country, two seaters likely (slightly) more collectable (if more impractical).

PJM986

Original Poster:

50 posts

56 months

Monday 5th August 2019
quotequote all
The Surveyor said:
You need to add a TVR Tuscan or Sagaris to your list, as Sid Vicious once sang.... "Regrets, I've had a few..... " thumbup
As much of a weapon as the Sagaris is - probably one of the few cars that will continue to appreciate - I just don't see it as a car my wife would be happy to drive to work when she feels like it.

Tokyo_mb - As attractive as they are I must admit to being put off Maserati somewhat due to the constant bad press they receive with regard to reliability etc. They do sound wonderful, but rightly or wrongly I can't help feeling I would constantly be waiting for it to go pear-shaped and that would take away from the ownership experience.

GG33

1,217 posts

200 months

Tuesday 6th August 2019
quotequote all

Agree with the comments on TVR depreciation - a good place to put your money, but... You will be disappointed with build quality, fit & finish and overall reliability of TVR's (I'm putting my body amour on now) :-) Having owned TVR's for 6 years, Tuscan, Cerbera and Tamora, I can confirm that they are great fun, but you will always be wondering if the engine will let go plus you will probably be dealing with numerous ongoing electrical / dashboard related issues.

GG33

The Surveyor

7,576 posts

236 months

Tuesday 6th August 2019
quotequote all
GG33 said:
Agree with the comments on TVR depreciation - a good place to put your money, but... You will be disappointed with build quality, fit & finish and overall reliability of TVR's (I'm putting my body amour on now) :-) Having owned TVR's for 6 years, Tuscan, Cerbera and Tamora, I can confirm that they are great fun, but you will always be wondering if the engine will let go plus you will probably be dealing with numerous ongoing electrical / dashboard related issues.

GG33
That's always been the case though, part of the joy which comes with TVR ownership is the knowledge you get Ferrari equalling performance, Ferrari equalling looks, and Ferrari equalling build-quality at a fraction of the price wink

GG33

1,217 posts

200 months

Tuesday 6th August 2019
quotequote all

Ha ha....that was possibly true in 1970.:-)

The Surveyor

7,576 posts

236 months

Tuesday 6th August 2019
quotequote all
GG33 said:
Ha ha....that was possibly true in 1970. :-)
Yes, I was actually thinking of the 90's. laugh Ferrari are certainly much better (and faster) now whereas TVR.... well they went bust 13 years ago!

andy97

4,691 posts

221 months

Tuesday 6th August 2019
quotequote all
OP - you say that you will be doing a European tour at some point. In that case whatever you choose needs to be able to take luggage. Sounds obvious but not seen many mention it.
A friend went to Monaco in an R8 - his LHG was not impressed with the luggage limits.
Narrow down your short list to those that take the expected luggage requirement, and go from there!

Chamon_Lee

3,778 posts

146 months

Tuesday 6th August 2019
quotequote all
You've mentioned the usual suspects you could look at but as a slight curve ball, a jag F type SVR coupe or convertible?

PJM986

Original Poster:

50 posts

56 months

Tuesday 6th August 2019
quotequote all
Andy 97 - The LHG would be reasonably happy to travel light when it comes to luggage, so long as she can have space for a small holdall then we should be OK. Clearly I will have to offset the lack of available attire by booking nice hotels smile. How we get through Italy without her buying more clothes is something I will have to workout - the answer could well be: at great speed!! Some clean pants, a toothbrush and some travel wash will be sufficient for me.

Chamon_Lee - I took an R out when they were first released and remember being slightly underwhelmed by the experience. Granted the weather was pretty awful that day and the car felt quick enough, but for some reason it just didn't put a big smile on my face, which was a real shame because they are a lovely looking thing. I am sure the SVR is a class apart and I have seen (only on the net) the Corris Grey one on AT with the red leather at Phantom that does look v nice, but it just doesn't quite make me feel that I should try to go and see/drive it - probably a reasonable indicator that it's not the car this time.

Bispal

1,603 posts

150 months

Wednesday 7th August 2019
quotequote all
OP., still think reading your comments you should try a 981 Spyder. We do at least 1 big Euro Tour a year and the 3 best cars we have had for the tour were a 981 Spyder, 12C & 996....(not necessarily in that order). I have a few friends who daily FF's and enjoy them and from £95k seem like good value. I considered a Ferrari for our trip but 13mpg with petrol 2euro a litre, in many places, over 3,000 miles the petrol would be over £2k I'm not usually bothered about MPG but for some reason my head took a planet saving wobbly (never happened before). That combined with the eye watering running costs of my F355 made me lie down and empty my head until all thoughts of Ferrari's had faded away.......






PJM986

Original Poster:

50 posts

56 months

Wednesday 7th August 2019
quotequote all
Bispal - As we are heading over to Nottingham to look at the FF / Vanquish / DB11, we can nip into Porsche as they have a 981 Spyder there. There is no harm looking; never say never and all that. Not sure how easy is going to be to convince the LHG that any Boxster is worth spending 70k - 80k on. I can drone one as much as I like, but fear all she will hear is Boxster blah, blah, blah......80k. Time is short at the minute with work and renovating our house which is a couple of hundred years old and looks like it!! I will let you know how we get on once we have been over there.

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 8th August 2019
quotequote all
Some left-field options;
BMW i8 roadster
(Newish) Honda NSX
and, you've mentioned the Alfa 4C, have you tried the new Alpine A110?

Regarding the Ferrari California, I've driven one and it didn't feel like a Ferrari (which isn't necessarily a bad thing) but it felt more like a noisy Mercedes SL with its front engined V8, folding hard top and size, again not a bad thing, but if I were to buy a Ferrari it would be hard to look past anything mid-engined..(can't afford a big front V12..)

LordOfTheManor

1,267 posts

110 months

Thursday 8th August 2019
quotequote all
Today a lot of people buy a supercar and are afraid to drive it mileage sensitive, stone chips and the like,

I've done it myself with a 458 Speciale which I had for 3 years, 50 miles in total and watched it sit in the garage.

So whatever you buy just use it and enjoy it. don't have the same regrets I have with the Ferrari .

I kept it safe just for the next owner to use - silly me!

ANOpax

818 posts

165 months

Thursday 8th August 2019
quotequote all
LordOfTheManor said:
I've done it myself with a 458 Speciale which I had for 3 years, 50 miles in total and watched it sit in the garage.

I kept it safe just for the next owner to use - silly me!
That’s criminal.

But good on you for ‘fessing up.

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 8th August 2019
quotequote all
2002 said:
..(can't afford a big front V12..)
At the risk of repeating myself (apologies), I will say again - go and test drive a Ferrari 612. The styling has aged well, it meets your criteria of a usable GT supercar, and for the money you get... well to put it in Clarkson's words "The best car...from a great year."

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4vaw6