What car choice for up to £150k?
Discussion
In a position where i can choose something more exotic on the drive to fulfil the love of driving again! i have other practical cars so im not too bothered by rear seats although its always a solid bonus.
i missed out on a GTC4 lusso a few months ago (v12) and i've always wanted an FF, pool of cars is very small at any one time so the choice is limited. i dont want to spend crazy premiums on very low mileage cars - as il be looking to drive and use it myself anyway and id like to avoid issues of a car that hasnt had its wheels turned much in anycase.
The shortlist has boiled down to:
458 Italia
F12
991.2 GT3 (manual)
with additional thoughts going to:
991.1 GT3 RS (probably too hardcore for what id use it for?)
Gallardo Manual (if i can find one)
I like both N/A cars and turbo so no preference although the list above clearly leans to the former. Noise, drama and just generally something that feels a bit special to sit in, drive and just look at really.
use case is weekend blasts - i live on the doorstep of the Brecon Beacons so fortunate that i can take it for a blast locally, possibly a few euro trips (so getting in a decent sized bag or two and not worrying about a roll cage or other restrictions is ideal) and im also not bothered by taking said car on track. the FF and GTC would always tick the box as they have usable rear seats so i know id use these cars more, which is also fine.
Budget is flexible but i'd like a car that i can use and enjoy and perhaps not have too much egg on my face when i look to change in 4 years or so, perhaps even keeping it longer.
Also - i've looked into major issues and running costs so eyes are pretty open here.
Previous cars have been an E63s, Panamera, C63, R32 where i've enjoyed practical and performance in a one car fits all scenario.
i welcome your thoughts particularly from past or current owners of the above list and any curve balls you may recommend. Cheers.
i missed out on a GTC4 lusso a few months ago (v12) and i've always wanted an FF, pool of cars is very small at any one time so the choice is limited. i dont want to spend crazy premiums on very low mileage cars - as il be looking to drive and use it myself anyway and id like to avoid issues of a car that hasnt had its wheels turned much in anycase.
The shortlist has boiled down to:
458 Italia
F12
991.2 GT3 (manual)
with additional thoughts going to:
991.1 GT3 RS (probably too hardcore for what id use it for?)
Gallardo Manual (if i can find one)
I like both N/A cars and turbo so no preference although the list above clearly leans to the former. Noise, drama and just generally something that feels a bit special to sit in, drive and just look at really.
use case is weekend blasts - i live on the doorstep of the Brecon Beacons so fortunate that i can take it for a blast locally, possibly a few euro trips (so getting in a decent sized bag or two and not worrying about a roll cage or other restrictions is ideal) and im also not bothered by taking said car on track. the FF and GTC would always tick the box as they have usable rear seats so i know id use these cars more, which is also fine.
Budget is flexible but i'd like a car that i can use and enjoy and perhaps not have too much egg on my face when i look to change in 4 years or so, perhaps even keeping it longer.
Also - i've looked into major issues and running costs so eyes are pretty open here.
Previous cars have been an E63s, Panamera, C63, R32 where i've enjoyed practical and performance in a one car fits all scenario.
i welcome your thoughts particularly from past or current owners of the above list and any curve balls you may recommend. Cheers.
I was in a similar position to you 2 years ago and narrowed my preferences down to a 458, 488 and a Huracan.
I ruled out the Huracan on the basis that I had recently owned a V10 R8 and considered it to be too similar. I went for the 488 eventually as they were and still are going for similar money as 458's but the prospect of a much newer car and more modern tech swayed it in the end.
I ruled out the Huracan on the basis that I had recently owned a V10 R8 and considered it to be too similar. I went for the 488 eventually as they were and still are going for similar money as 458's but the prospect of a much newer car and more modern tech swayed it in the end.
cheers all.
i discounted Mac's as i am thinking of residuals and future values. Im not looking for an ''investment car'' as such however i am looking to take care in choosing a car with that in mind. i did consider a 720s, infact they do look like good value at the moment. The smaller Mac's dont interest me.
I chose a manual Gallardo over a Huracan as similar to the above, exclusivity and the fact a manual v10 is impossible to find other than an early R8. The base Huracan doesnt do a lot for me, a Perf or Evo would be nice but too out of budget - and i'd probably consider an LP700 Aventador for the same price as a Huracan Perf, running costs aside of course.
i keep coming back to the main 2 being a 458 and F12, i think i'd love a manual GT3 but would it ever match the drama of a Ferrari, i cant help but think ownership would feel normal quite quickly. all things relative of course!
i discounted Mac's as i am thinking of residuals and future values. Im not looking for an ''investment car'' as such however i am looking to take care in choosing a car with that in mind. i did consider a 720s, infact they do look like good value at the moment. The smaller Mac's dont interest me.
I chose a manual Gallardo over a Huracan as similar to the above, exclusivity and the fact a manual v10 is impossible to find other than an early R8. The base Huracan doesnt do a lot for me, a Perf or Evo would be nice but too out of budget - and i'd probably consider an LP700 Aventador for the same price as a Huracan Perf, running costs aside of course.
i keep coming back to the main 2 being a 458 and F12, i think i'd love a manual GT3 but would it ever match the drama of a Ferrari, i cant help but think ownership would feel normal quite quickly. all things relative of course!
I was just going to add you need to consider a GT3. I had a 458 which I changed for a 296 but the only other car I would have changed it for is a GT3. I think the 458 is a better all rounder though (as a "special" car, not a daily).
For some reason I never considered or even would consider a McLaren. Very unfair of course.
What about a Huracan Evo? Quite different to the normal one.
The F12 would of course be tempting but it is a quite different type of car.
For some reason I never considered or even would consider a McLaren. Very unfair of course.
What about a Huracan Evo? Quite different to the normal one.
The F12 would of course be tempting but it is a quite different type of car.
600LT Spider would be my pick at the money, newer and faster than a 458 and the noise from the top exit exhausts especially with the back window down is something else. They've been holding between £135-£150k for the last few yrs so doubt you'd lose much on one.
F12 would be pretty special too with that engine, I also bought a 992.1 GT3 manual at your budget last yr would have that over the 991.2 tbh.
F12 would be pretty special too with that engine, I also bought a 992.1 GT3 manual at your budget last yr would have that over the 991.2 tbh.
I had a manual Gallardo years ago and to be honest other than the looks and the noise (it had a Capristo exhaust) it was a very disappointing car to drive. It's not really that quick, the handling is very inert and the clutch is quite difficult, especially at hill-starts.
It's definitely an 'occasion' to drive, but really outdated now.
It also did the Lambo speedo thing, 190mph on the speedo was only 177mph on GPS.
It's definitely an 'occasion' to drive, but really outdated now.
It also did the Lambo speedo thing, 190mph on the speedo was only 177mph on GPS.
You could get a fantastic 650S for 100K. Prices are heading north so money would be safe. Becoming collectible with not much choice in the classifieds due to many bought before being advertised.
Crack open a tinny and watch these.
There is a good Harry s Garage video released last year about 650S ownership experience. He’s really pleased with the car. There’s more videos available on his YouTube channel.
Some other videos.
Jayemm
Petrolped
Crack open a tinny and watch these.
There is a good Harry s Garage video released last year about 650S ownership experience. He’s really pleased with the car. There’s more videos available on his YouTube channel.
Some other videos.
Jayemm
Petrolped
My previous Ferrari was a 458 Spider, loved it.
About a year ago I swapped it for an F12, my god I love that car. It sort of has the hoonary of the mid engined car but can also be something else and that V12 noise
Having spent all those years lusting after the mid engined cars, it’s the GT that got me, bloody love it,
I also have a 720 which is amazing, and somewhat surprisingly is holding up value wise.
I couldn’t choose between them.
About a year ago I swapped it for an F12, my god I love that car. It sort of has the hoonary of the mid engined car but can also be something else and that V12 noise
Having spent all those years lusting after the mid engined cars, it’s the GT that got me, bloody love it,
I also have a 720 which is amazing, and somewhat surprisingly is holding up value wise.
I couldn’t choose between them.
At that price point, for sheer supercar metrics (acceleration, engineering and presence) I couldn’t look beyond a McLaren. A 720S is from a different planet to an F12 or 458. A 911 GT3 is a very capable sports car, incredibly efficient at what it’s designed to do but if I had to just keep one exotic then it would be a McLaren.
_Rodders_ said:
458 for me but it's always been my dream somewhat attainable car.
The turbo'd 488 wouldn't even make my shortlist, even if it is technically better all round.
There speaks someone that’s never driven a 488.The turbo'd 488 wouldn't even make my shortlist, even if it is technically better all round.
I had a 458 for four years. What no one discusses is the exhaust valving. No noise at all, then BAAAAARP … which gets tiresome. Plus, how often are you hitting the redline? In my experience, rarely. The 488 has a thump of torque from 2k rpm which is far more intoxicating than the (slightly synthetic) wail of the n/a V8 in the 458.
As ever, it’s horses for courses. I didn’t like the look of the 488 when it came out, but now when I look at a 458 I find the front end looks gopping (Speciale excluded).
7GJR said:
_Rodders_ said:
458 for me but it's always been my dream somewhat attainable car.
The turbo'd 488 wouldn't even make my shortlist, even if it is technically better all round.
There speaks someone that s never driven a 488.The turbo'd 488 wouldn't even make my shortlist, even if it is technically better all round.
I had a 458 for four years. What no one discusses is the exhaust valving. No noise at all, then BAAAAARP which gets tiresome. Plus, how often are you hitting the redline? In my experience, rarely. The 488 has a thump of torque from 2k rpm which is far more intoxicating than the (slightly synthetic) wail of the n/a V8 in the 458.
As ever, it s horses for courses. I didn t like the look of the 488 when it came out, but now when I look at a 458 I find the front end looks gopping (Speciale excluded).
If it was my fun Sunday car I'd hit the redline enough. It's not like you need to be on it in every gear for every minute. Just knowing it's there when you do want it.
7GJR said:
There speaks someone that s never driven a 488.
I had a 458 for four years. What no one discusses is the exhaust valving. No noise at all, then BAAAAARP which gets tiresome. Plus, how often are you hitting the redline? In my experience, rarely. The 488 has a thump of torque from 2k rpm which is far more intoxicating than the (slightly synthetic) wail of the n/a V8 in the 458.
As ever, it s horses for courses. I didn t like the look of the 488 when it came out, but now when I look at a 458 I find the front end looks gopping (Speciale excluded).
I’ll second everything you’ve said. Just found the 458 to be an off/on noise. Wonderful engine but nothing great to listen to. Much preferred my 488 so I’d say don’t dismiss it until you try one. I had a 458 for four years. What no one discusses is the exhaust valving. No noise at all, then BAAAAARP which gets tiresome. Plus, how often are you hitting the redline? In my experience, rarely. The 488 has a thump of torque from 2k rpm which is far more intoxicating than the (slightly synthetic) wail of the n/a V8 in the 458.
As ever, it s horses for courses. I didn t like the look of the 488 when it came out, but now when I look at a 458 I find the front end looks gopping (Speciale excluded).
Oh and the torque is delivered nothing like an electric car. In the 488 it builds from lower revs all the way to the red line. Again you’d only realise this if you tried one.
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