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I'm moving forward with my new car purchase - 50k Euro budget (about £37k).
I'm still racking my brain about what to do, but going to test drive the things I have in mind and see which I like the most when driving them all quite closely together as I know tastes change over time.
Back in the UK I would be more likely to consider private sale, however over here with somewhat of a language barrier, I feel safer going through a dealer with a reasonable reputation... main or something that has been around for a while, limiting my options somewhat.
This will be a second car, with an E46 saloon staying with us as our "sensible" car... so no need for any practicality in this purchase... only it would be nice to have something I will use frequently rather than a weekend-only thing.
I would like to keep this vehicle, ideally, for 3-5 years.
Any ideas of anything else to consider would be welcomed, any tips on what to look out for (including options/spec) also greatly appreciated.
Current options are:
E92 M3
E93 M3
Cayman S G2 / R
997.1
997.2
V8 Vantage
Also contemplated but unlikely:
2009-2011 Jaguar XKR (S) - I like the newer version with the 5L engine & sportier addons... still comfortable but not quite as wafty/boaty. I owned a 2001 XKR and the newer XKR is what I hoped I would get from that older generation and didn't. But... I've already had an XKR (albeit older) and so would like something a bit different.
Lotus Evora S
New M235
Pushing budget to 70k E for an F430 (not yet... maybe in 3-5 years depending on financial circumstances)
2015 Mustang V8
E92 M3
Always loved this car, the high-revving V8 that really peaks at over 7000rpm and implementation of the DCT, along with great chassis... wanted one since I first drove one 3.5 years ago.
Last drive of one of these was about 3 years ago - so I could do with familiarising myself with one again.
More limited choice than the E93... but a handful with reasonable spec available for 45-55k Euro sticker price.
E93 M3
More than 200kg heavier than the E92, along with a more flexible chassis... but you can take the roof off to enjoy the soundtrack, sun and air.
Part of me does miss having a convertible too. It's not as wet over here as in the UK and it can get quite warm during summer, so I will be able to enjoy it more than back home.
I test drove a good condition, reasonable spec mid-2011 model yesterday and the weather was rather good so I enjoyed it with the roof down. The noise is great and even with the extra weight, although able to feel the weight and chassis flex more than a coupe, the sense of urgency at the front end was still there and it still felt alive rather than too dumbed down.
While I may notice the difference between the coupe and the cabrio a bit during daily driving... the difference will only really come into its own on a track & while it will get a couple of track days, I won't be driving to the 'ring every weekend
Many more of these available than the coupe, most with middling-high spec... got to sample the "HiFi" (midrange) sound system in the one I test drove yesterday and I would be happy with that... it's only the basic spec sound I would like to avoid.
My experience with Porsche is rather limited, having only driven a rather ragged 996 at a Palmersport day. While I liked playing with the dynamics of the car, I was more dazzled by the E92 M3 as a drivers car.
I have heard that the 997 is quite the step up from the 996 and there is something interesting about the feel of the weight distribution. I have also been driving an E46 for the last 3 years and so while I love the M3, as a daily driver there isn't a huge change in the general feel of the car... until you press the M button, of course
This alone is making the Porsche range a stronger contender for me as it would be nice simply to have something different for a while.
Over here, the 4WD versions of the 997.1/.2 are much more popular the the RWD versions, which is a shame for me as, while I haven't driven the 4WD and I hear good things about them, I am pretty certain I would prefer the RWD version.
This means there are very few 997.2 C2S within my budget, within the 90k-120k km (56-75k miles) and 2009-2011... their spec is a bit limited and in this price range, I was hoping for a slightly lower mileage - although for a 5-6 year old car, 8-12k miles per year is not horrible.
There are distinctly more C2 / C4 / C4S within budget at a lower mileage and with better spec... I'm just unsure of exactly what I want in this regard as I think I would be quite fond of the extra 30bhp from the 3.8 over the 3.6.
I am looking to drive a C2(S) & C4(S) with manual and PDK to see where my preference is.
There look to be more C2/S available in the UK within this budget range... which would be tempting. Other than simply wanting a car upgrade, a LHD car would be nice while I'm over here... but if I can find a better spec RHD car then it would probably be worth it.
As for 997.1... there are distinctly more in good specification and condition... only a bit older of course & I'm not sure if it would be better to choose newer but higher mileage or older and lower mileage... I suppose it depends on the specific example.
Options I am looking for:
Sports chassis (w/ LSD)
PASM
Bose
??
Cayman G2 S/R
Quite a few S in good spec/mileage/condition/etc... looks like it will be easy to get a good example of one of these within budget.
A couple of Rs too... however from reading around, it seems the S is a bit easier to live with on a daily basis where the R is a bit more track focused.
I haven't driven one yet... I have found a really nice, clean, low mileage and well specced manual that I am going to test drive tomorrow.
Still whittling down the options for a PDK version, but I'll drive the manual first before arranging another.
Options I am looking for:
Sports chassis (w/ LSD)
PASM
Bose
??
V8 Vantage
It's been a while since I've been in one of these... although they are starting to peak my interest again.
Nice car to drive, no denying that... the engine feels a bit underwhelming from my memory - but other options and dynamics are all good.
The dealer I am visiting tomorrow has a very nice 2008, along with a decent 2012 M3 coupe, the Cayman S mentioned above and a 2008 C4S... so I will sample it along side the others.
I'm still racking my brain about what to do, but going to test drive the things I have in mind and see which I like the most when driving them all quite closely together as I know tastes change over time.
Back in the UK I would be more likely to consider private sale, however over here with somewhat of a language barrier, I feel safer going through a dealer with a reasonable reputation... main or something that has been around for a while, limiting my options somewhat.
This will be a second car, with an E46 saloon staying with us as our "sensible" car... so no need for any practicality in this purchase... only it would be nice to have something I will use frequently rather than a weekend-only thing.
I would like to keep this vehicle, ideally, for 3-5 years.
Any ideas of anything else to consider would be welcomed, any tips on what to look out for (including options/spec) also greatly appreciated.
Current options are:
E92 M3
E93 M3
Cayman S G2 / R
997.1
997.2
V8 Vantage
Also contemplated but unlikely:
2009-2011 Jaguar XKR (S) - I like the newer version with the 5L engine & sportier addons... still comfortable but not quite as wafty/boaty. I owned a 2001 XKR and the newer XKR is what I hoped I would get from that older generation and didn't. But... I've already had an XKR (albeit older) and so would like something a bit different.
Lotus Evora S
New M235
Pushing budget to 70k E for an F430 (not yet... maybe in 3-5 years depending on financial circumstances)
2015 Mustang V8
E92 M3
Always loved this car, the high-revving V8 that really peaks at over 7000rpm and implementation of the DCT, along with great chassis... wanted one since I first drove one 3.5 years ago.
Last drive of one of these was about 3 years ago - so I could do with familiarising myself with one again.
More limited choice than the E93... but a handful with reasonable spec available for 45-55k Euro sticker price.
E93 M3
More than 200kg heavier than the E92, along with a more flexible chassis... but you can take the roof off to enjoy the soundtrack, sun and air.
Part of me does miss having a convertible too. It's not as wet over here as in the UK and it can get quite warm during summer, so I will be able to enjoy it more than back home.
I test drove a good condition, reasonable spec mid-2011 model yesterday and the weather was rather good so I enjoyed it with the roof down. The noise is great and even with the extra weight, although able to feel the weight and chassis flex more than a coupe, the sense of urgency at the front end was still there and it still felt alive rather than too dumbed down.
While I may notice the difference between the coupe and the cabrio a bit during daily driving... the difference will only really come into its own on a track & while it will get a couple of track days, I won't be driving to the 'ring every weekend
Many more of these available than the coupe, most with middling-high spec... got to sample the "HiFi" (midrange) sound system in the one I test drove yesterday and I would be happy with that... it's only the basic spec sound I would like to avoid.
My experience with Porsche is rather limited, having only driven a rather ragged 996 at a Palmersport day. While I liked playing with the dynamics of the car, I was more dazzled by the E92 M3 as a drivers car.
I have heard that the 997 is quite the step up from the 996 and there is something interesting about the feel of the weight distribution. I have also been driving an E46 for the last 3 years and so while I love the M3, as a daily driver there isn't a huge change in the general feel of the car... until you press the M button, of course
This alone is making the Porsche range a stronger contender for me as it would be nice simply to have something different for a while.Over here, the 4WD versions of the 997.1/.2 are much more popular the the RWD versions, which is a shame for me as, while I haven't driven the 4WD and I hear good things about them, I am pretty certain I would prefer the RWD version.
This means there are very few 997.2 C2S within my budget, within the 90k-120k km (56-75k miles) and 2009-2011... their spec is a bit limited and in this price range, I was hoping for a slightly lower mileage - although for a 5-6 year old car, 8-12k miles per year is not horrible.
There are distinctly more C2 / C4 / C4S within budget at a lower mileage and with better spec... I'm just unsure of exactly what I want in this regard as I think I would be quite fond of the extra 30bhp from the 3.8 over the 3.6.
I am looking to drive a C2(S) & C4(S) with manual and PDK to see where my preference is.
There look to be more C2/S available in the UK within this budget range... which would be tempting. Other than simply wanting a car upgrade, a LHD car would be nice while I'm over here... but if I can find a better spec RHD car then it would probably be worth it.
As for 997.1... there are distinctly more in good specification and condition... only a bit older of course & I'm not sure if it would be better to choose newer but higher mileage or older and lower mileage... I suppose it depends on the specific example.
Options I am looking for:
Sports chassis (w/ LSD)
PASM
Bose
??
Cayman G2 S/R
Quite a few S in good spec/mileage/condition/etc... looks like it will be easy to get a good example of one of these within budget.
A couple of Rs too... however from reading around, it seems the S is a bit easier to live with on a daily basis where the R is a bit more track focused.
I haven't driven one yet... I have found a really nice, clean, low mileage and well specced manual that I am going to test drive tomorrow.
Still whittling down the options for a PDK version, but I'll drive the manual first before arranging another.
Options I am looking for:
Sports chassis (w/ LSD)
PASM
Bose
??
V8 Vantage
It's been a while since I've been in one of these... although they are starting to peak my interest again.
Nice car to drive, no denying that... the engine feels a bit underwhelming from my memory - but other options and dynamics are all good.
The dealer I am visiting tomorrow has a very nice 2008, along with a decent 2012 M3 coupe, the Cayman S mentioned above and a 2008 C4S... so I will sample it along side the others.
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