grahamc Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 With the pending completion of my Impreza (caged, 400bhp, brakes, suspension, track toy), I am looking for my next road car. Requirements are: LHD (work in Switzerland and missus wants to move to live in France) Paddle shift (because I hate manual LHD) Good performance Fun to drive Turns heads (in a good way) Good for cross country trips and the twisty mountain roads Supposed to be a a more "grown-up" car, but cannot bring myself to buy a BMW, Audi, Merc So the contenders: Nissan GTR Porsche 911 (not sure on which one) Aston Martin V8 Would love to get one of these (but doubt the budget will extend to them ): Ferrari 430 Lamborghini Gallardo Maserati GranTurismo Budget is around the 50K mark.... The search starts now, as at 1100am I have a test drive in a GTR with Nissan, which should be fun Thoughts, suggestions, other options??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 Nissan GTR gets my vote Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephendjb Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 50k budget? GTR simple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 Jaguar XKR. Better looking than the competition (Possibly with the exception of the Aston, but those looks have been worn fairly thin now) Nicer sounding than the competition, proper wheel drive and a nicer interior than the Porsche and Nissan. Much lower parts and service costs than all the others, the Nissan and Aston being particularly expensive. My dads had these shape ones now for 4 years or so, only faults he's had were a dud battery and an alarm fault. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 I couldn't buy the Nissan. Shame the 1-Series M Coupe doesn't come with a decent DCT gearbox. I'd go for a high spec Porsche Cayman S with PDK. Make sure you get the sports exhaust Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supra Gaz Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 Aston Martin... Drool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted May 27, 2011 Author Share Posted May 27, 2011 Just back from the test drive in the GTR.................. ................... F**K ME!!!! What an awesome car!!! Comfortable to drive on crappy roads and through town, etc. But bl00dy hell when you get to a bit of open road, it doesnt half pull!!! The 1st->2nd gear change on the flappy paddles, is just ridiculous!!! Yes its a big car, but hardly notice it when driving, might be a little different trying to park and go through small car parks, but very nice.... 480bhp is put down so well for a relatively heavy car. My impreza runs close to 400 and does not even come close to this thing, just felt so much quicker. Out with the sales rep (nice guy - went for a 30-35 minute test drive, would definitely recommend if anyone looking), looked down at the speedo...... and I was shocked (and started braking very quickly)!! The brakes are also pretty damned good... Im not sure on the jag... always classified them as an "old mans car". Will have a closer look. Cayman, I dont like them... Had a look at a porsche dealer (after the GTR drive, which might be affecting my judgement), but I did not like the porsches. Did see a black boxster spyder, which looked pretty cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseys Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 The Gallardo was disappointing when I drove one... you'd have to TT it. You can get a F430 for about £70k, a Gallardo for £50-55k. Surprised at how cheap I could insure them (sub £1600/year fully comp @ 28). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted May 27, 2011 Author Share Posted May 27, 2011 The Gallardo was disappointing when I drove one... you'd have to TT it. You can get a F430 for about £70k, a Gallardo for £50-55k. Surprised at how cheap I could insure them (sub £1600/year fully comp @ 28). Thats not good... A bit more than I want to spend right now (want a half decent one, not the cheapest going), need to test drive the Aston next. Thats not bad for insurance......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 Corvette? Do they do them in a paddle shift? H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted May 27, 2011 Author Share Posted May 27, 2011 Corvette? Do they do them in a paddle shift? H. Not a fan... never liked them. They are rather popular in Switzerland.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 Not a fan... never liked them. They are rather popular in Switzerland.... Well sod you then..!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 You could pick up a Gallardo for £60k (sometimes less), which will tick most boxes. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2572461.htm Or if you are after more of a cruiser than a bruiser than I'd highly recommend you test drive a Bentley GT! (Under 50k too!) http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2835389.htm Or if you want stupidly quick then I'd go the GTR route too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 Audi R8 out of the question? Two best cars I ever drove were R8 and the AM V8 Vantage. Comfy and quick. H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted May 27, 2011 Author Share Posted May 27, 2011 Audi R8 out of the question? Two best cars I ever drove were R8 and the AM V8 Vantage. Comfy and quick. H. R8 is lovely, but out of my price range.... AM V8 is definitely on the list, need to try and arrange a test drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 R8 is lovely, but out of my price range.... AM V8 is definitely on the list, need to try and arrange a test drive. Are you sure? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2122977.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted May 27, 2011 Author Share Posted May 27, 2011 Are you sure? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2122977.htm Might be worth a trip to view Filled in the AM "Request a Test Drive" form... V8 or V8 S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseys Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 So why not a LHD Supra eh? I'm sure you could pic up a tiptronic one and imagine the work you could do with the change... Not had a speeding ticket in Switzerland yet? As they're proportional to income... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted May 27, 2011 Author Share Posted May 27, 2011 So why not a LHD Supra eh? I'm sure you could pic up a tiptronic one and imagine the work you could do with the change... Not had a speeding ticket in Switzerland yet? As they're proportional to income... dont want another supra just yet.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted May 30, 2011 Author Share Posted May 30, 2011 Currently attempting to book test drives for Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Audi R8 (these are a fair bit cheaper than I expected) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkddav3 Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 well im driving a GTR at the moment....great car alnd loves to 4wd drift. does 200mph without breaking a sweat and just jumped a bridge at about 130mph all without a scratch....shame im playing nfs shift 2 though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted June 3, 2011 Author Share Posted June 3, 2011 Well R8 driving postponed because some fool bought the car Aston Martin drive is set for Monday on my way back from wales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted June 8, 2011 Author Share Posted June 8, 2011 Today I test drove the Aston Martin v8 vantage S. Really nice car, easy to drive and fun when you want it to be.... For £100k it's just rather pricey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 Nissan GTR or Porsche 997 Turbo IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbuddy Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 Ever have that feeling, when you think your life ain't going to good. This thread has just done that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.