Elise + WRX STi

Case closed.

 

Well The Modena/355 and early Lamborghini's where extremly high maintence, they where toys and should never have been driven daily. The Gallardo and Bentley GT, are practically 100% German. The Gallardo, Murcielago are bulletproof in terms of realibility. The Murcielago had a few bugs here and there, but there are many 40,000 mile Murcielago's out there with 0 problems. The 996TT, is nice no doubt, but to say a Italian sports car is all show and no go is kind of a steryotype. The Bentley is practically all German from the 6.0 W12 to the interior to everything else.

Most modern exotic cars are now very realible IE the Gallardo, Murcielago, F430 etc.. etc.. The old nightmare days of being stranded on the side of the road in a Italian beauty are practically over.

But does this mean the 997TT would not have a place in my Garage, definetly not. I would love to have a highly modifyed Turbo, for those days you want to go ***** out

 

I just too many bad experiences with Italian and English(3 of these I must say) cars that I prefer to stay with German cars. I cant justify buying a Lambo because its audi owned and I think it will not break down. Imagine having about 9 cars(exotics) in 2 years.. and all but 3 were Not breaking... and they were all german. Imagine paying $2400 a month to drive a vt roadster and having in the shop 6 months because they cant figure out the electronic problem. Imagine having a lotus esprit... that turned out to be a lemon... and imagine how long it took me to fight it out of Lotus to get me a new car. Imagine driving off the lot with a 1 year old ferrari on a saturday... and Sunday afternoon the check engine light coomes ON- the car stuttering... I can go on and on and on.... maybe just my bad luck... but for some strange reason.. I have almost 600 rwhp on my Porsche.... and NO problems....daily driver to add.
Imagine being at the Unvailing of the lambo in 2001 in Italy... with ALL the press present... and the car stuttered... smoked... and didnt start. I was there.
Yes, maybe I had Italian cars that had No German engineering... but thats not an excuse.... one should buy a Italian car because its Italian made... and not because Audi is behide it now and its "better".
just my thoughts.

 

Haha, that can be so true with Italian cars. I must admit everytime I get in and drive my Italian cars, especially my new old Diablo 6.0 I am constantly waiting for something to happen. I am listening to every little sound and my heart kind of skips a beat whenever I feel a shutter or the engine produces a different note. But God I still love this car. Barring the constant attention which actually gets annoying when people try and catch up to you, the sound, the feel, the driving position and everything about it is a rush.

Hopefully, I will get more and more confidence with the Italians the longer I have them. I am pretty comfy with my 355 now, although the AC is not that great for 105 hot humid Memphis weather. I mainly drive it in the evenings, but have been driving it daily since my TT is in the shop. I have put about 2k miles on my 355 with no problems yet.

Compared to P-Cars, the Italians are definitely more for looking at then driving hard. Although, I have no regrets to finally buying them. I just would not use them as my only car.

 

Wow, quite a thread.
First response, if you pay good attention going into Italian cars, the modern ones are very reliable in my experience. I have owned and put at least 5k on 355, 550 and 360(and counting) with very few problems.

Scott, I did not read the whole thread but concerning the boxster vs the elise. I have a highly modded boxster that is very lightweight. I have been on the track with elise's and we are equal in the corners but I am faster in the straights. I have my eye on an older car and have considered selling the boxster. Its a 97(lightest weight) very low miles with a 996 engine with less than 10k on it. 996 brakes, lightweight flywheel, TTP headers, intake, sport cats, Fikse 18" rims and full cf interior for starters with a very long list of additional mods. I have reciepts for over $60k in fact, just in mods. If you are interested in seeing pics, reciepts etc, I have them all incl. pics of the conversion. yogajohn@mcn.org

 

Well said. A 430, Gallardo, or TT - they've leveled the field on maintenace issues and cost is relatively the same. Most of the folks here went with the Porsche - I think they're all the same but different.

My challenges is every day is "***** out" -

 

Yeah definetly, you can modify a Turbo alot, a viper even more. I would love to have a some what exotic and luxury sports car like the TT in my garage to drive daily or what not, and also to satisfy my power needs. Then on the side have a F430/Gallardo or something exotic and very powerfull that is natrually aspired and is pure joy when you drive it on the weekends.

 

Thanks for the note!

This is kind of an old thread that got ressurected.

I decided to hold on to my Turbo, but if I get the itch to make a move towards a track car again, i'll let you know. (if you still have it)

 

Scott, no problem. Enjoy the tt, John