360 Spider or 355, lots of fun. Try something different.

 

I say go back to the M6 - hi-revving V10, all the creature comforts, SMG, fairly comfortable seating for four if needed, and huge power even before you start modding. Other than the 997, I can't think of a better hi-performance daily driver. I'm biased -- I have both (DD=M6 Coupe, GQ=C4S Cab) -- perfect combo IMO -- beast and beauty.

 

Many will laugh, but the Corvette Grand Sport is one of the only cars (besides the Lotus and the Roisson) that I'd consider. Long gone is the gold-chains aura. These are truly great cars.

 

I agree with the Corvette being an option. I have been looking at used Z06s. My major concern is the quality of the interior. While it has improved greatly over the years, it still leaves quite a bit to be desired. Secondarily, I do not believe that the gold chain and chest hair aura is gone. Being a 40 year old, single, bald, Corvette driving guy in the Bay Area just does not sit well with me. The amount of grief I would receive from friends, work colleagues, and family would be a nightmare.

If you do pursue a 360, I would rather deal with an original or second owner as opposed to a dealership. There is quite a bit to be said for purchasing from someone who loves a vehicle and knows the car inside and out. Just make sure it is well documented, does not have any stories, and run a PPI. Nice deals appear on F-Chat regularly.

The Merc is nice, but the transmission does nothing for me.

Personally, I would stick with your cab. Typically, I would suggest making a few modifications but you already have an RS. I think your only other reasonable option is a used turbo. There is an 07 that was posted in the for sale section earlier this week. It looks very clean and the only mods are interior upgrades and clear bra. Asking price is high 80's.

 

Maybe adding a supercharger to the cab will take away the boredom? I know where you can get a good deal on one!

 

Back to the Aston Martin DB9. May not have enough power, but it is very different in othe ways and really looks beautiful. A worthwhile compromise. And it is quite different. Hell, you're not going to marry it anyway. Try something different for a couple of years and turn it over.
Otherwise, I'm with weasel, go back to the M6. Get a different color.

 

Or the Maserati Gran Sport. They look pretty cool. Surely not the most power and I would really doubt it will be reliable, but what the hell.

 

Roger that.

 

+1 to this comment.

 

I'm hoping GM makes the next Corvette really nice on the inside. I'm sure people will pay the money for an upgraded interior.

 

Yes, the interior is the weak link. But beginning 2008 they've definitely made some progress. And the HUD (heads up display) is outstanding. I don't particularly care if friends give me some pinky ring abuse. I buy and drive what I want. Screw 'em
But there is a real issue which is a fundamental buying choice. The Porsche has a level of steering feel that can only be felt in a Lotus, Ultima or maybe a Roisson (I haven't tried one). And of course, another mid-engine Porsche. If you love that delicate, connected and visceral sense, you really can't switch. It was the deal breaker for me in not buying the Corvette (it's a great car, and I wanted to buy American). And the reason that I'll someday be building an Ultima (hey, it's got a Chevy crate engine!).

 

I appreciate everyone's input so far. So after some consideration, I am willing to increase my budget to around 100-110k to give myself a better option. This is what I have boiled it down to:

1) Aston Martin DB9
2) Audi R8
3) Ferrari 360
4) Ferrari 575
5) Lamborghini Gallardo

or keep my Carrera S Cab and do a full TechArt kit, suspension and supercharger.

 

The comments about the Z06 are spot on. It is a very nice car. Biggest issues with mine were:

crappy interior
tranny noise at low RPM's in 1st gear
Numb feel from road to steering.

Love the exterior looks of it and the performance is proven. I just couldn't get past the three items above so I sold mine. Improve those 3 and bump the price accordingly and you have a truly fantastic car...........save for the fact that it is now part of Obama Motors.

 

I'd only consider this if you than plan on keeping the car for a long, long time. Doing these three items on your car is not going to be a inexpensive upgrade and as I'm sure you know, you'll be lucky to get 50 cents on the dollar when you do sell it. Looking at your other car choices and your increased budget, I'd have to say keep your 997 stock for another few years or make the trade but don't do these upgrades to your current car.

 

I believe that you're being generous in the aftermarket value. My take is that most mods (perhaps a few cf interior pieces or a nice set of wheels) have anti-value. Critically, they reduce the chance of any sale because they limit the size of the potential buying audience. To adjust for that, one has to lower the price or negotiate more than you'd want to, which will eat through any value of the aftermarket parts.
This forum comprises many of the folks who would be interested in a mod'ed car, but most 'outsiders' (the majority of potential buyers) would be turned off. The error in logic is to think that the 6Speed population is 'average'. We're a weird bunch of car wonks. Seems like the best way thus is to remove the mods before the sale, returning the car to stock. And then try to sell the mods at any reasonable price.
If it were not for the sense that I'll be keeping my car for another 8-10 years, I'd be regretting the (relatively) modest changes I've made to it.