Hi Gang,
New member here after reading for months. I would like to get your suggestions on which car I should buy.
Here is my situation- I want to replace a high end pro touring Camaro with something that is also fun, but usable and covered under a regular insurance policy ( not collectors insurance)

So, what should I replace it with?
Always loved 911's - turbo especially
Audi - (owned an Audi s4 previously)
BMW M3 - (eyeing the new 2015 that is coming out)
GT-R - Love the performance, but reading a lot about excessive noise...
-Ferrari, Lambo, McClaren... A little out of my budget, sadly...
Even the upcoming 2015 VW GTI has me excited (my first car I bought was a 84 GTI- still one of my favorite cars.)
Anyway, I know there are so many options and veriables. I just thought it would be fun to hear some suggestions...
Thank you and I look forward to some great reading.

 

After owning a batch of high performance cars, (Murci, ZO6, Targa, Cobra) I would go directly to your Porsche dealer and order the new 911 Turbo S!!!! Just look at the technology, the lines of the car, the performance, and if that does not get your juices going---nothing will!!! ;-)

My bet is you can get one for 7-10% off of list if your go to the right dealers and play one or two off of the others.

Have fun shopping!!!

 

I would say between an R8 V10+ or RS6 and a 911 (TT or GT3) - all great cars. The Audi's i've mentioned I've tracked and loved (hated the RS7 so I suggest you stay away from that). Porsches are generally great all-round - powerful, light, nimble, great on track or on road, and great DDs and they hold their value. PDK system is also far superior than the competition imo.

You can wait for the M3 - sounds promising to be honest. I'm a huge M buff (at least I was) - they just keep getting heavier and heavier. New breed of V8TT in the M5 didn't impress me - tracked the new M5 and I couldn't catch an E92 M3 on the straight coz the M5 couldn't put its power down on the road. Got bored.

GTI is def the cheapest of them all - I'm sure VW will probably give you the best package in terms of warranty and service...but it might be more difficult to sell or get a decent value for it when reselling.

GTR you can mod to 1500hp - Its a toy. But i've heard from previous owners that it lacks soul. And its by far the least luxurious of the bunch.

 

I'm in the same boat. I've decided I'm going to test drive several prior to making a decision. I was focusing on a Turbo or Turbo S. Have you considered buying a slightly used pristine unit and saving a few bucks? Remember, never pay retail.

 

I knew this was going to be enjoyable reading!
Thanks for the input and suggestions. To be honest, I would have one of everything if my pocketbook could support it!

I am definitely open to finding something lightly used - always open to saving a dollar or two (i inherited a lot of my dad's dust bowl/Oklahoma/ rte 66/ hard working thriftiness...though, he would think spending 100g's on a car is beyond silly

I realize I might have posted this in the 'wrong' area -sorry if I did.
Any one else?

 

I would also consider how you are going to use the car...if you need to have the ability to have more than two adults in the car (at the same time) that is going to limit the field of candidates. Also, even if you only need to transport two people, what other stuff are you going to want to bring with you in the car. I went through this decision (lower budget than you however) a couple of years ago. I have always wanted a tt p car, and had the budget for a used one (996 back then), but when I thought about it I also wanted the option to carry more people from time to time and definitely wanted the capacity to carry some stuff with me. So for me it was an easy choice--the M3. I can easily fit a couple of golf bags in the trunk (with drivers) along with other stuff, can put the rear seats down and put my mtn bike in the back, or just use the bike rack and toss a couple of bikes on the roof. If you need that sort of flexibility, the choice imo is easy...get an M3 or wait for the M4. If you don't need the capacity, gosh the tt porsche still seems like a dream car...coming from someone who no longer has it in budget. Good luck and let us know what you end up doing!!

 

Why not stick with Chevy, there seems to be a lot of hype about the upcoming ZO6. I'm not big on the looks but seems like the younger 40 and under crowd love the look. It won't be shy on power and I bet you can cover the whole cost with your Camaro.

 

Cohenfive-
You are right about the use. I should have clarified...
I have a 2012 ram 2500 Cummins crew cab as a DD (& tow vehicle), and my wife has a Lexus RX, so we have the 'logical transportation' (if not a bit boring) covered
Family of three, so no suburban needed
I have just purchased a CRG Kart and plan to race in the local Redline Rotax Kart racing series so I hope that will cure my urge for competition/track use, so I will be focused only on road use...weekend, joy drives etc.
I have never owned an M3, but the upcoming car looks pretty good.

Zedosix-
Good call. I forgot to mention that. I have been reading all I can about this upcoming car. Looks like it is going to be a beast!
Looks pretty good (styling is a little busy) and I do try to buy American when I can (but oh, that 911 turbo...still think it is one of the best cars all time.)

BTW- also anxious to see the new Acura NSX!?

 

At 100-120 buy an 09-10 turbo and have it flashed.

 

Altho manual box may not bother you, I was waiting for the new '14 turbo to trade for my '07 turbo, but here it comes with no manual......porsche tells me manual is gone forcing a move to another choice (which also avoids huge depreciation loss if pdk sucks). Looking thru all +450 HP cars one can't get manual with AWD anymore. The M4 (bit low on HP) has manual but no AWD, the upcoming '15 C63 AMG has AWD but no manual, same with Audi RS5 which has AWD (bit low on HP) but only auto box. USA-Vette, Shelby and CVScp offer manual boxes but no AWD, which makes these high HP cars nearly impossible to control with fast/furious street driving (huge safety factor) especially on wet pavement. GTR has AWD, but no manual. Looked at Jaguars, aston martin and ferrari, but getting these cars serviced out (way out) of town places them way low on my list regardless of autoboxes. If I have missed a manual/AWD/+450HP combo car, let me know.

 

I realize your all over a manual but have you given any thought to the gt3? Its ability to tear thru gears and work it's magic even on greasy roads is quite frankly astonishing.

 

CGT for 70k and a toy car like an elise for 30k. have two nice things for the price of one similarly nice thing. Everything from 50-90k are all in the same league. its the 110-130+ thats on another level.

 

You trying to tell me on a rainy day on the street that a rear wheel drive GT3 can compete with AWD turbo in keeping the backend of car in line on quick acceleration? Never have driven a GT3, but all rr drive cars I've driven on wet roads slide all over the place with any acceleration. Even these new computer controlled-LSD ones like the new vette or current C63 AMG.

 

Of course it's not on the same level but damn close considering its only rwd/rws. I haven't driven either but read the reviews. I bought the tts and am welcoming the change to pdk.

Fwiw the C4Swith power kit is 430 hp, can be ordered with manual

 

If you need a convertible, that seats 4 - you should check out the maserati granturismo MC.

Awesome sounds, and styling - bargain pricing for what it is. Not that fast, but the sound makes up for it!