996 Carrera or SL55 AMG or?
Discussion
They're very different cars. The SL is a pure GT, with the advantage of that folding roof. Hugely quick in a straight line but they feel rather ponderous if you try and throw down down a B-road. The 911 is more of a hybrid - it doesn't do the GT thing quite as well as an SL, but it does a pretty respectable job of it while also being decent to drive on twistier stuff.
Personally, I'd go for the 911 but that's mostly because I'd rather have something more "sportscar" orientated.
Personally, I'd go for the 911 but that's mostly because I'd rather have something more "sportscar" orientated.
Why not combine the roaring V8 of the SL with the shorter wheelbase and lighter weight of the 911?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
The press were never kind to them, but I've driven a few and love them and have recently found out that the Japanese 'Best Motoring' TV programme hold the car in high regard as a benchmark. Well worth a look I'd say. The downsides are the auto box and the folding hard top's weight and position of that weight, which you can feel in corners. The upsides are the driving position (it's the only road car I fit in comfortably without modification), the lovely sound, the compact nature, neat handling, performance and lovely comfortable interior.
I've not driven the SL, but it's supposed to be one of the best big GTs available.
Likewise, I've not driven a 996. I tried a while ago actually, but was so uncomfortable behind the wheel that it wasn't even worth a test drive. They've won a lot of accolades in the UK press for being a great driver's car. Buy carefully though and research the known engine issues.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
The press were never kind to them, but I've driven a few and love them and have recently found out that the Japanese 'Best Motoring' TV programme hold the car in high regard as a benchmark. Well worth a look I'd say. The downsides are the auto box and the folding hard top's weight and position of that weight, which you can feel in corners. The upsides are the driving position (it's the only road car I fit in comfortably without modification), the lovely sound, the compact nature, neat handling, performance and lovely comfortable interior.
I've not driven the SL, but it's supposed to be one of the best big GTs available.
Likewise, I've not driven a 996. I tried a while ago actually, but was so uncomfortable behind the wheel that it wasn't even worth a test drive. They've won a lot of accolades in the UK press for being a great driver's car. Buy carefully though and research the known engine issues.
Edited by RobM77 on Friday 10th January 18:35
jamieduff1981 said:
What will the car be used for and what do you expect from it?
I don't do much mileage, maybe up to about 5k pa. It won't be used for commuting, but needs to be reliable as I attend regular appointments. Most journeys would be B/A roads, but still needs to be comfy for longer trips on ocassion. Would need enough luggage space for weekend trips and seat two comfortably.The driving experience is high on the list of priorities, so good driver feedback through steering and chassis etc, but with a compliant rather than hard ride quailty. Decently quick as well; I'm used to Impreza STi type pace and wouldn't want anything slower. So, would suggest roughly 0-60 5sec or less and 0-100 sub 12ish.
I think that about covers it
Cheers
ps. forgot; I'd like it to sound good as well!
Edited by wadsy on Friday 10th January 23:35
Motorrad said:
I was looking at both these options. Was almost decided on another 996 Carrera got put off by the IMS and bore scoring horror stories, then decided to find another 6K and am looking for a 996 Turbo.
I would buy from a local specilaist with warranty which should allow me rest easy on the engine issues. A turbo would be nice, but too over budget and it's taken me a long time to save this amount. Slightly higher running costs as well on the turbo.Cheers
It would be the SL55 AMG for me. The engine in the 996 Carrera is not exactly a damp squib, but the SL55 AMG engine is something else. Supercharged V8 wins it every time. The SL has a nicer interior and would likely be a nicer drive day to day. The 911 would be better on a B road, but I think if you really cared about B road ability you wouldn't be going for either of these cars - I suspect a Cayman would probably be a better B road car anyway.
The SL, with it's GT leanings, would be a nice car to drive, whatever and whenever the journey, and when you put the loud pedal on the floor, it's really going to get wild.
The SL, with it's GT leanings, would be a nice car to drive, whatever and whenever the journey, and when you put the loud pedal on the floor, it's really going to get wild.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
A cheaper one and some negotiating required, but certainly different
Personally I have a soft spot for SLs. A late X100 XKR might be worth a look too. The Porsche would fit the bill, but aesthetically I find the 997 a much nicer car (especially inside) so the 996 would seem like a compromise in its own right.
A cheaper one and some negotiating required, but certainly different
Personally I have a soft spot for SLs. A late X100 XKR might be worth a look too. The Porsche would fit the bill, but aesthetically I find the 997 a much nicer car (especially inside) so the 996 would seem like a compromise in its own right.
Roberty said:
Or you could buy something useable, reliable and doesn't look like it was put together by students as some sort of college project!
You have lots of time to come up with jokes when your car is so much slower 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_nVpI-WT6Q
Roberty said:
VBRJ said:
TVR.
Griff 500
Chim 450/500
Tuscan
Cerb
etc
Any of these will make the other 2 feel like boring granny-wagons.
Or you could buy something easier to drive!Griff 500
Chim 450/500
Tuscan
Cerb
etc
Any of these will make the other 2 feel like boring granny-wagons.
In all seriousness, I haven't had anything significant go wrong on mine. I've had stuff, but it's a 15 year old car. Virtually nothing that stops it being driven though. Porsches have their own reliability issues too such as the infamous IMS. Your engines cost twice as much to sort as ours do, and I'm sure your reliability issues are just as overplayed by paranoid pub-talkers as ours are.
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