What car could replace a 997 GT3, including a classic?

[AdvocatusD]

I think I'll be selling my wonderful GT3 come mid-summer.

I've been toying with lots of ideas of what to get to replace (that's half the fun right!?) it and what I'd like to air here is this:

Can anyone thing of something that could replace it? The problem is that I really think that for the "type" of car it is, it really can't be matched!

Obvious candidates are Challenge Stradale - expensive and will feel dated.

Gallardo - other than Superleggera, not really the same thing?

I'm wondering whether I should just go completely the other direction and get something wafty like a Continental GTC for a summer.

Turning to classic cars, anything anyone can suggest? I guess a Morgan comes to mind, but they don't quite do it for me.

[Krikkit]

I think the key part is to tell us what you look for in the replacement - can it be slower and less hardcore than the GT3? A Gallardo Spider has always appealed as a rather magnificent sports/GT type car, with that wonderfully sonorous engine, but would that be hardcore enough after a GT3?

[AdvocatusD]

I think I don't want to be too prescriptive... Let's put this way, something hard(er)core would be great, but I'm open to "capable and comfy" as well.

I don't think anything can replace a GT3 like for like.

[RivieraBlue]

996 gt2?

964rs?

[Lee540]

AdvocatusD said:

I think I don't want to be too prescriptive... Let's put this way, something hard(er)core would be great, but I'm open to "capable and comfy" as well.

I don't think anything can replace a GT3 like for like.

Then why don't you just keep what you have?

[Krikkit]

Lee540 said:

Then why don't you just keep what you have?

Because some of us like change.

Off-hand I would suggest things like the Gallardo and R8, maybe a F430 if you can budget it, otherwise how about an older Ferrari? 355's keep getting prettier to my eye, and the prices are very reasonable.

Edited by Krikkit on Thursday 14th February 15:13

[SWoll]

What's the budget OP?

[AdvocatusD]

Krikkit said:

Lee540 said:

Then why don't you just keep what you have?

Because some of us like change.

Edited by Krikkit on Thursday 14th February 15:13

Precisely.

To answer Kwoll, I could perhaps add another 15k to what the GT3 fetches. It's about 30,000 miles and in top condition with a 2 year warranty from October 2012, so hopefully that means low 50s.

[Captain Muppet]

Is a V6 Exige in budget?

Failing that you'll have to go for a different type of car, but your garage seems to be very well stocked for alternative shiny things

[rob.kellock]

AdvocatusD said:

I think I'll be selling my wonderful GT3 come mid-summer.

Slightly leftfield suggestion but - Boxster Spyder?

Plus cash your way

[C36 Nico]

Krikkit said:

Lee540 said:

Ferrari? 355's keep getting prettier to my eye, and the prices are very reasonable.

Edited by Krikkit on Thursday 14th February 15:13

As reasonable as a hooker basically - you dont pay her to come, you pay her to leave

Upkeep on the 355 can give even ferrari redheads watery eyes. 5000 - 10.000 pound services are the norm rather than the exception.

[SWoll]

So £60-70k then.

Something a bit more GT with bags of character and a glorious V8 soundtrack?

MASERATI GRANTURISMO V8 S MC SHIFT 2011

Jap tech, ridiculously capable and ripe for tuning?

Nissan GTR 2012

Glorious V12 front engined Ferrari?

Ferrari 550 2000

Aston's best looking car ever?

AM Vanquish 2003

Any preference? All completely different to the GT3 as no point in competing with it as a pure drivers tool really.

If you want to go more hardcore than the GT3 you need to buy an RS.

[C36 Nico]

Maser stradale imo, its glorious

[Podie]

I doubt you could really "replace" a GT3, so I've picked out some ideas of cars that either offer something a bit different...

Classic
Alfa SZ
Big Healey
BMW 3.0 CSL (I assume M1s are over the 50k barrier)
Lancia Delta
Classic 911... plenty to choose from here
Jaguar E-type
Some sort of Cobra replica...
Aston Martin V8 (1980-90s)


New / Used
Ginetta G40R
Caterham
Atom
Ferrari 456 or 550
Diablo (might be pushing the budget)
Lotus Esprit
Morgan Aero 8
Noble M12 / M400
AM V8
Honda engined Elise

[Dblue]

I think you would not find the Challenge Stradale in any way dated. Its beautiful,handles very well and has a considerably more modern paddle shift box.

You will find it MUCH more of an occasion than the GT3. Whether that's exactly what you want is up to you but it is a more special feeling vehicle.

It makes a sensational sound, as good as anything at any price, is about as fast as the 997 GT3 and in some ways easier. It doesn't have the ground clearance issues the Porsche has and it rides, in it's softer mode, rather better.

However, they are expensive and not getting any cheaper both to buy and run and fragile compared to the GT3.

Ferraris are more special than even GT3s. Glad I had one, loved it but that specialness also works against it and I couldn't in the end reconcile not being able to use it as much as I wanted to.

Edited by Dblue on Thursday 14th February 16:17

[AdvocatusD]

Thank you all for your replies. It's a funny one! Perhaps a V12 Vantage as they're already in the 80s and I know trade is a lot lower from the cries of anguish in the Aston forum...

[Bear Phils]

TVR Sagaris?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

(In burn the back of yours eyeballs orange)

Edit: Just saw the exhaust pipes on that one. WTF?!

[2000 GTV]

Alfaholics GTA-R?

[soad]

Bear Phils said:

TVR Sagaris?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

(In burn the back of yours eyeballs orange)

Edit: Just saw the exhaust pipes on that one. WTF?!

Read the ad. Stock exhausts included in the sale.

[Dblue]

2000 GTV said:

Alfaholics GTA-R?

Love these.Think the OP may have some metal in a similar bent in the garage already. Not really replacing the GT3 as such.
V12V would be a decent shout.