i lol'd at this

was playing around w/ the pcar builder online. put together a c2s cab in cream white exterior, black top, black/tan two tone interior, 6 speed, sport seats. seems like my perfect car. now if i can only find a cpo to let someone else take the depreciation hit.

lol

 

I'm developing a secret place in my heart for those XKR's. They are some pretty machines. She still hates the 'Ford' association, but all of that beauty, power, warranty, maintenance schedule, etc...

That is what is keeping me away from the Vantage (nearest Aston dealer is about 150 miles away).

The XKR isn't blistering fast, but it'll go in a pinch. I'm not even taking the C2S seriously at GT-R prices. The C2S was a little fun, but there is a lot lacking in the car (for me). Regarding the GT-R, I'd let the wife drive one, and see if she likes it. Maybe if she sees all the little things in the car, and feels the torque, etc..., her mind may change. There is so much to that car, it's difficult not to consider it.

(if she secretly likes attention, regardless if she says she doesn't, let her take it out for a few minutes and drive it any store, restaurant, etc... She'll get asked about it, pictures taken, etc...)

 

A variation of the joke above:

In heaven the English are police, the Germans are mechanics, the Italians are lovers, the French are chefs and everything is organized by the Swiss.

In hell the English are chefs, the Germans are police, the Swiss are lovers, the French are mechanics, and everything is organized by the Italians.

 

How much comfort do you want ?
That's the hard part to answer . My first thought was Gt3 because the Ferrrari was a more edgy car and the 997S might seem too civilized in contrast. Yet now I read that you liked the Audi and wonder if a 997 Turbo is the "more car" that you want. If you want radical change and extreme comfort then there's even a Panamera Turbo (very fast sedan) .
I'm sticking only with Porsches in thse suggestions .

 

As I mentioned earlier, the V10 R8 may fit the bill better based on your wants. If you like the S5, you will be blown away by the R8. It looks and handles like a supercar, has an interior to die for, and will turn heads as much as your F-car. The driving experience is more sedate than the C2S according to some but that's not the end of the world.

I personally thought the S5 was a front-heavy pig driving around town and I did test drive the manual. It seems like this particular model is especially front weight biased but I'm coming from a 911. Aesthetically, the space grey exterior and magma red interior were Italianesque and it's Bang&Olufsen stereo made my Bose sound like a cassette player.

I have a friend with a 997.1 GT3, another with a 997.2 GT3 and a 3rd with a GT3RS. They universally agree that the GT3 is less than suitable as a daily driver around my city, that the biggest hurdle is getting into the parking garage at my office, and that I will be cursed with left leg hypertrophy.

 

not sure about the reliability of Aston Martin.. but they are absolutely gorgeous

 

I'm with surfah - take a look at the R8. It doesn't hurt to look.

 

No one can service AM out here. I have heard rumors that they must be shipped to Cali for servicing, I'm uncertain whether this is true. At one time there was a black DB9 cab for sale with <5K miles that was absolutely stunning. I've seen a couple Vantages around town, I wonder where they go to get service and whether an Indy could do maintenance under warranty?

The V-12 Vantage looks intriguing.

 

V12 Vantage is a car I want in my garage (not as fast and controllable as the GT-R, but easily one of the sexiest cars ever).

But for the premium... I'd keep my search to a used DB9 (for less than half the price of a new Vantage)

(that just looks weird)

 

Astons are beautiful and very exclusive too, at least here in the US. I just don't see very many of them. The fact that the dealer is 100+ miles away would be a deal breaker for me as well.

The Italians are the best in the world when it comes to "passionate design" but unfortunately they aren't smart enough to realize they should stop at the drawing board and turn the sheets (or CAD files) over to the Germans or Swiss to actually make it for them. If it's a choice between engineering or passion I'll take engineering any day!

Personally, if I'm going to own a vehicle that is going to require anything near 10K a year in annual maintenance then it's going to be an aircraft and unless something goes REALLY wrong most Cessna and Piper aircraft don't even require that much annually.

Of course, these are my own opinions; you have to do what's right for you. 98% of the driving public feels perfectly content in an econo-box or a minivan and then there are those of us who hang out on this forum who are content to drop 6 figures on a ride so it's all a matter of personal preference.

 

QFT

Try 2500 miles of ocean

 

This IS classic!!!! So true!

 

guys, i appreciated the suggestions you are giving, but keep in mind. I am only 27 years old. i don't have 100K to spend on a car. I do own the F-car outright, and just looking to get into something else for <$15K

 

In that case, I think it's a pretty easy call given what you've said about wanting low maintenance and comfort on longer drives. Get the best used 997S you can afford.

I don't know if you drive year round, but if you do, given that you live in Boston, I'd definitely recommend a 4S or better yet Targa if you can swing it, though a C2S with snow tires will be fine too.

 

do have cayenne for winter