What to buy to sit alongside my De Tomaso Pantera GT5

[tch911]

I am looking at moving back to the UK and will need something ‘sensible’ as a daily driver. My only current vehicle is a mint Pantera GT5.

Whilst the Pantera is for use during high days and holidays, this new car will be for driving in/around/out of London, likely weekend jaunts to the country and the odd foray into Europe.

I am early thirties, will be married so both of us driving this, no kids, no insurance issues and the car will be street parked in one of the nicer areas of London. Budget is 30,000 pounds but I am happy to move up or down by circa 10k if needed but would prefer not to. I will look to keep this car for 2-3 years before moving onto Rangie or fast estate car ;-) ;-)

The Head says:

- Audi A5 3.0 Tdi or S5 Coupe: Exceptional interior and cruisability. Great looking car
- BMW E90 M3 Coupe: Superb car to drive, usable but a bit too chav?
- Mercedes C63 AMG Saloon: Woofly oversteer monster but auto only and maybe a bit too ‘grown up’
- Porsche 997 Carrera S (not sure on whether 2 or 4 or Targa yet): The perfect compromised albeit with limited space inside
- Porsche 996 Carrera 4S: The devils-advocate alternative for lower depreciation than above

The Heart says:

- Porsche 996 Turbo – More depreciation to come but epically fast car with bombproof mechanics?
- Porsche 993 Carrera 4S – Depreciation proof but an old car. Beautiful
- Maserati Granturismo – Popular here in Singapore. Practical, great noise.
- Aston Martin V8 Vantage – Good young persons car but surely just a smarter version of my Pantera (sort of)
- Bentley Continental (1984-2002) – Appreciating asset. Divine woofly cruiser. Old man image, expensive to run
- Audi RS4 Cabrio – Noise. Practical. Wind in your hair. Expensive to run.
- Ferrari 550 Maranello – Appreciating asset. Epically beautiful, expensive to run, impractical given Pantera

What I am not considering – SUV’s, Avants, Tourings, etc….

Would love to hear people's thoughts, anything I have obviously missed?

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it.

Tom

[Pilsner]

A chair, on which to sit and admire the beast?

[Liam79]

RS4 / RS6 ?

[kazste]

I just came in for a photo of the pantera, but alas there isnt one. I think a pistonheads strike is in order until the op puts one up

[M159V8]

I'd go for a 993 C4S out of that list, its the most classy. Although I'd be tempted by the noise of the C63

[M159V8]

I'd go for a 993 C4S out of that list, its the most classy. Although I'd be tempted by the noise of the C63

[bennyboysvuk]

Head - Porsche 997 Carrera S

Heart - Maserati Granturismo

My heart usually wins and the Granturismo does sound and look gorgeous.

[M159V8]

I'd go for a 993 C4S out of that list, its the most classy. Although I'd be tempted by the noise of the C63

[Gooly]

I'd take advantage of the fact that you already have a visceral, raw, analouge V8 beast of a car and consign that itch as one that has been truly scratched, and then go for something different; IMO the 996 Turbo is the perfect antidote; Useable, civilised, comfortable yet will take you very very far very very quickly at the drop of a hat.

[tch911]

kazste said:

I just came in for a photo of the pantera, but alas there isnt one. I think a pistonheads strike is in order until the op puts one up

I guess it depends whether you prefer it from the front...

Edited by tch911 on Tuesday 19th March 07:37

[tch911]

kazste said:

I just came in for a photo of the pantera, but alas there isnt one. I think a pistonheads strike is in order until the op puts one up

...or the back!

[mackie1]

Screw your Nissans with no suspension and stretched tyres, THAT is "stance".

[Yiliterate]

Spectacular! How about a Mangusta to go with it?!

More seriously, my money would probably be going towards a Jaguar XFR based on your description....or there's also the XKR if usable rear seats aren't a consideration for you...

[tch911]

Yiliterate said:

Spectacular! How about a Mangusta to go with it?!

More seriously, my money would probably be going towards a Jaguar XFR based on your description....or there's also the XKR if usable rear seats aren't a consideration for you...

Thanks, much appreciated and I love the shape of the new XKR, it wasn't one I had thought of but I fear the Mrs will definitely go with 'old man car' on the XFR and I will struggle with the XKR.

[kazste]

Sweet lordy lordy thas beautiful. Got to be the maserati as its the only car (imo) in your list that can hold a candle to the looks.
Im going now to check the classifieds so I can depress myself with how much I can't buy one right now!

[tch911]

M159V8 said:

I'd go for a 993 C4S out of that list, its the most classy. Although I'd be tempted by the noise of the C63

What would a 993 be like thought as all year round daily driver, an everyday proposition. Wind, rain, snow, ice. My only fear with these is that they'll mist up in winter.

Find me my perfect and ultra rare Iris Blue 993 C4S Targa and I might be sold (apologies to people who believe Targa's equal heresy!) although I have a feeling this would not come cheap.

[xRIEx]

tch911 said:

I guess it depends whether you prefer it from the front...

tch911 said:

...or the back!

Best "I've got a De Tomaso Pantera GT5" thread ever.

[JulesB]

I think a V10 M5 would serve you nicely, lots of room, very comfortable and to top it off it is balistically quick !

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

If that is no good and you are willing to lose about £10k+ in depreciation in the next 5 years perhaps this -

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

Both are a lot of car for your money!

[tch911]

xRIEx said:

Best "I've got a De Tomaso Pantera GT5" thread ever.

Err, not really...but gives you the basis upon which to work from. I also thought that it might pull in a few respondees, which it seems to have.

It's a very rare car that I have put a lot of effort into. Apolgies for a little pride in it. :-)

[tch911]

JulesB said:

I think a V10 M5 would serve you nicely, lots of room, very comfortable and to top it off it is balistically quick !

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

If that is no good and you are willing to lose about £10k+ in depreciation in the next 5 years perhaps this -

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

Both are a lot of car for your money!

Thanks Jules. M5 and CL I think are both a bit too big. The Mrs and I are looking for something a little more compact so everything this sort of size is out. Trust me, I love the M5 though. This car haunts my dreams regularly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt1_OKkZzp4

Tom