Impossible choice - HELP!
Discussion
Following a delightful birthday surprise, courtesy of my wife, at Goodwood’s Festival of Speed we finally agreed on the criteria for replacing my Ferrari 412, but help is required...
The 412 needs replacing because now we've moved down to deepest, darkest West Sussex with all it's windy B and C roads, the 2 ton, 12 cylinder, automatic trans-European mile muncher just isn't doing it for us anymore. What we really need is something that’s definitely “sporty”. We both have "daily" cars (Audi S6, Golf VR6).
So what are the criteria?
- 2 plus 2 seats - the nipper needs somewhere to sit so we use it lots.
- A "proper" sports car with pace and handling:
a) Not a re-engineered production car - forget S4's (I have an S6), M3's etc
b) Not a big heavy "grand tourer", often automatic, so forget the Porsche 928's etc
- "Elegant" styling - nothing ugly.
- Young enough to be working much more than it's being repaired.
- sub £20K (maybe just over for v. good one)
- and the killer (my wife's criteria) - convertible / targa (although I’ll take hard top suggestions as well as see if I can negotiate!)
All I can think of that fit all the criteria is:
- Porsche 911 (probably 964) targa
- Ferrari Mondial Cabriolet (the cabrio barely passes the “elegance” test, ths coupe no way)
Surely there's more on the list! HELP!
Max
The 412 needs replacing because now we've moved down to deepest, darkest West Sussex with all it's windy B and C roads, the 2 ton, 12 cylinder, automatic trans-European mile muncher just isn't doing it for us anymore. What we really need is something that’s definitely “sporty”. We both have "daily" cars (Audi S6, Golf VR6).
So what are the criteria?
- 2 plus 2 seats - the nipper needs somewhere to sit so we use it lots.
- A "proper" sports car with pace and handling:
a) Not a re-engineered production car - forget S4's (I have an S6), M3's etc
b) Not a big heavy "grand tourer", often automatic, so forget the Porsche 928's etc
- "Elegant" styling - nothing ugly.
- Young enough to be working much more than it's being repaired.
- sub £20K (maybe just over for v. good one)
- and the killer (my wife's criteria) - convertible / targa (although I’ll take hard top suggestions as well as see if I can negotiate!)
All I can think of that fit all the criteria is:
- Porsche 911 (probably 964) targa
- Ferrari Mondial Cabriolet (the cabrio barely passes the “elegance” test, ths coupe no way)
Surely there's more on the list! HELP!
Max
jdh1 said:
_deejay_ said:
A 4.5 Cerbera? 4 seats, plenty quick enough (+ potential for more), definately not a re-engineered production car....
But he said "working much more than it being repaired." What were you thinking?
I was thinking 'When I had a Cerbie it only let me down once, and that was for a slave cylinder' whereas my backup boring car was always in the garage.
Was yours less reliable? He said 'new enough' - I reckon you could get a 99/00 car for that money.
Guys,
Like the ideas:
Maz 3200 was kindof on the list anyway - but did they do a convertable (or was that only on the 4200)? Either way I suspect budget may restrict this option...
I enjoyed the fact that the Cerbera suggestion prompted the inevitable debate on relaibility with TVR's - I reckon you either chance upon a reliable one, or you don't, but there's no way of telling up front. However, I'm not about to take an angle grinder to the roof.
Anyone got any experience of a Mondial?
Like the ideas:
Maz 3200 was kindof on the list anyway - but did they do a convertable (or was that only on the 4200)? Either way I suspect budget may restrict this option...
I enjoyed the fact that the Cerbera suggestion prompted the inevitable debate on relaibility with TVR's - I reckon you either chance upon a reliable one, or you don't, but there's no way of telling up front. However, I'm not about to take an angle grinder to the roof.
Anyone got any experience of a Mondial?
maxvictor said:
Maz 3200 was kindof on the list anyway - but did they do a convertable (or was that only on the 4200)? Either way I suspect budget may restrict this option.
3200 was a coupe only. chasis flex ruled out a rag top. 4200 chasis is quite different to allow a rag top, hence IMO 4200 is not as much of a drivers car due all the "extra's".
Price wise you could pick up an early, higher mileage(50-60k+) car for sub £20k and have many to chose from. Have a look on autotrader.
I'm surprised at how little you can get a 3200 for - nice advice - and many thanks - I just need to contemplate the "coupe versus cabrio" question (and negotiate with my wife who I think is more up for a cabrio than I am). Tell me something though; why on earth would you buy an automatic 3200? It just doesn't make sense - and yet there seem to be loads out there?!?!
Remember that the maserati spyder is only a two seater
The manual gearbox coupled with the twin turbo engine and the fly be wire throttle takes some getting used to - but once you have mastered it is fantastic.
When I bought my manual 3200 a freind bought an auto at the same time - he regretted the decision until he sold it.
The manual gearbox coupled with the twin turbo engine and the fly be wire throttle takes some getting used to - but once you have mastered it is fantastic.
When I bought my manual 3200 a freind bought an auto at the same time - he regretted the decision until he sold it.
Edited by mal on Wednesday 12th July 08:09
maxvictor said:
I just need to contemplate the "coupe versus cabrio" question (and negotiate with my wife who I think is more up for a cabrio than I am).
Remind her that to arrive at the destination with werzle gummidge hair doesn't always have the desired effect.
re the auto/manual debate, When I bought mine I was doing mostly town driving so an auto made sense. However unbenown to me at the time, I had to move my office and so bought a work hack to use week days. Still with the cost and wear rate of clutches on the manuals I am still very happy with the auto. Sport mode on the auto is as much fun as on the manual so you get the best of both worlds.
maxvictor said:
Tell me something though; why on earth would you buy an automatic 3200? It just doesn't make sense -
Wait till you test drive one.
Autobox gives best of both worlds - nice and lazy in town/traffic jams
monster in Sport mode. (once you've got over the gauge watching heeby jeebies)
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