What would you get after a 911?

[Flog]

Firstly, I'm sure I have posted this in the wrong place, although I do have an E70 X5sd.
I have a Porsche 911 C2 convertible 996, 2004 with 59k on the clock. Think it's time to move this on as I've had it coming up to three years and it IS 8 years old now.
What I love about the car is the exhaust (has the sports exhaust option and sounds fantastic) the basic mechanical engine (have to say had some decent cars before and they are all electronic and computers) Porsche is like a lawn mower, just an engine that needs a spanner to fix, the back side of the car and the soft top.
So now I'm looking I'm not sure what to get. I can't afford the new new 911 and the 997 looks dated in the cab and again, still a lot of money, so what else should I look at. I suppose I have up to 10 k deposit and about 400 per month....think that equates to about 25-30k budget. I do like the thought of XKR as the sound keeps being mentioned.
My wife's (as this will be her car and my weekend car) has a wish list of
1/ big noise ( yep that surprised me as well)
2/ electric seats
3/ very fast when she needs it to be

So what does every one think out there???

[leosayer]

Alternatives to the XK...

Audi S5
BMW M3

Nothing else springs to mind based on your criteria.

[X5Sport]

How about a PS 3, full spec racing sim seat system, multi-screen and a full surround system?

Meets all of the criteria with no risks or points.......and you keep the rest of the budget...



......just kidding

Richard

[AW8]

Personally I wouldnt want to change 996 except for another 911. I saw comments re the 997 but surely a 997 Turbo S Cab would surely fit the bill if very sensibly sourced. 

Nissan GTR attainable for a little over £30k

AM offerings exist but soft top joy may be a squeeze on more modern stuff like Vantage Roadster.

Nothing in budget with prancing horse as enjoyable to drive as 911 everyday.

I havent put Masseratti on radar becaue they are silly cost to run & I am yet to be taken in.......not even sure I spelt it properly.

TVR's of rarity on the up but after a 911 you may find things somewhat primal.

Lotus Evora ?

You could by a nice Cayman S maybe with PDk upgrade or a if you want a soft top again then a 987 Boxter S ?..........not sure where money sits currently on the later - if you are 911 man through and through then my suggestions may not appeal 

A lot will depend on if it's a toy or everyday driver.........I suspect a toy (considering the mileage on your 996). Another factor is whether you want something likely to hold value or appreciate if you keep mileage low. One only has to look at various GT2 GT3 prices to see the residual benefits of rarity in the 911. Not suggesting you get into a decent one of these for the money discussed and in any case there's the must have electric seat issue to consider. Point I make is rarity and desireability can help residuals.

I have avoided fast BMW Merc & Audi offerings albeit you could sell 996 now then save a little for an R8.


Thanks for letting me play with your money

P.S. You could always buy new Jag F -Type have fun for a few months & maybe sell at premium then change again............but that's a silly idea - Right  ?  ??? 

P.P.S. If someone suggests M3CSL I will ban them 

[snipez999]

Caterham Superlight R500; though would have to buy the wife a crash helmet for shopping trips

M3 convertible ticks a lot of the boxes surely?  I know [my] wifey would like one as a weekender anyway. 

[Don Coffey]

M6 convertible?

[Imy]

Skyline R34 Gtr is 100% what I would get !  >:D

Second to that I would get either a new shape GTR or a NOBLE
I all of a sudden have a thing for Nobles.

I also have a thing for Atoms... if you fancy living life on the edge!

[leosayer]

You could do a lot worse than keep the 996. It's plenty quick, reasonably refined, great driving position, great noise (with the sports exhaust) and it handles very well. It's a great all-rounder.

I've owned my 993 for 6 years. It's 16 years old and it still puts a smile on my face and I can't see me selling it for a long time. The interior is very dated and it can feel slightly agricultural at times, but it meets my need for a fun weekend toy perfectly and it's easily up to european trips.

It would take something very special (and expensive) for me to want to replace it. I can only think of R8, F430 or a GT3.

[Haywoon]

Were it my money, it would be a 996 C4S.  Absolutely cracking car - wide bodied and looks awesome and I think in the near future the prices of good well looked after examples will be on the up.  25k will get you a top end very low mile mint example.

Having had an S5 and driven various 911's I can honestly say they are two very different beasts but both fantastic cars.

If I wanted a big cabrio with a great noise and plenty of toys you could do a lot worse than an S5 cab but in my opinion it wont be the drivers car that the 911 is.

Cheaper running costs with the S5 cab and easier to drive and I believe they dont put the 4.2 V8 in it anymore which means better running costs but its still as quick - 3.2 v6 if I recall correctly but I could be wrong!

[Horizon]

I'm thinking of getting a 911 (996) the wife has an Audi a4 cab, and I was thinking of selling that and getting a 911. Sorry for hijacking your thread, but I would be interested in some feedback from a former or present owner.
Thanks and sorry again for hijacking. I was going to start a new thread eventually, but your post egged me on!
And I must add, we would be keeping the X5, as its so practical as the wife has a horse, so bales of shavings and bags of feed can be picked up, also for the snow its great with the winter tyres.

[Flog]

Leosayer- think you are bang on the money. The 996 is a great car and again, still puts smile on the face. Sound is awesome, quicker than I can drive it, damned good on mpg (27-30 no matter how you drive) so really is perfect car.
So that's really my problem, want to change but to what....not a lot comes close. Like he idea of saving for R8, thought about M6 or M3 or S5 but really....?
Can't go to box or cayman, wife just won't entertain after a 911, no matter how new and think I would also struggle. 
It is weekend car as I have th SD and wife now has play around Jimney. Aston to dear and although mpg is not that high a priority need to get over 20, and whoever mention the TVR, are you mad?  :xmasevil:
Did someone ask about 996 ownership, happy to give full report and it will be 99% positive.
Thanks for all ideas and please keep thinking.
Steve

[535dboy]

Do you want another cab?

AW8 have you seen the prices of 997turbo S, slightly out of budget me thinks!

[Flog]

Deffinately another cab and yes, turbos are out the money. Plus 996 are getting on now and although mine has been brilliant mechanically when they do need something it's normally quite big. Don't forget the engine is dropped for a past time on these!

[535dboy]

Depends on your mind site then. There are boring people that like to have the same thing or those that like to try everything like me. There also then those with an X6 who have just given up.

The XKR would be very nice but bear in mind more of a GT than a sports car like the Porsche so I'm not sure I'd just take it for a drive at the weekend.

The Aston will be in between and just be on the money for an early one. I looked at the V8S for te mrs before I bought the Porsche and it was very nice and has serious feel good factor whereas you just feel a knob driving a Porsche.

The auto is crap though and the manual is heavy so your mrs would really need to try it. There are loads of independents so running costs don't have to be that obscene

[snipez999]

Hmm talks of 'giving up' and 'feeling a knob' when all the time he has an Audi sitting on his drive. People and glasshouses? Lmaooooooo