Hey Guys,

I have been posting this in different parts of 6speed to see the pros and cons to the cars I am looking at. As a porsche fan, I am really interested to hear what you guys think

I am on the hunt to add a toy to my collection. I already have an 11 Cayenne S, and a 68 Chevelle. I am now looking for an exotic to round off the collection. I am looking at the following cars (mostly due to them falling in my price range of 160-220k.

Audi R8 V10
Aston Martin V12 Vantage
Bentley Continental GT Super Sport (dealer has 2 leftovers at huge discount)
Porsche 911 Turbo S
Ferrari California

I am looking at new or very slightly used versions of all of these cars.

I am looking for a car that is a mostly daily driver (I have my Cayenne for Hauling) and is somewhat comfortable.

 

In the order of my preference

Porsche Turbo S (best all around)
Aston Vantage (way too sexy)
Audi R8 (beautiful master artwork)
Ferrai California
Bentley Conti GT

 

Hey Kw911TT, As someone who has a Turbo, is there anything about it that you wish was different? I love the Turbo S from a driving stand point, but am feeling a bit underwhelmed with the design both interior and exterior. That being said, I felt that way about porsche before I got my first Cayman S, which even though I didnt think it was as sexy as the other cars, it very quickly grew on me and I found it to be amazing!

Any options that you think are a must have?

 

My choice would be in this order:

Aston Martin V12 Vantage (sexy & classy car)
Audi R8 V10 (nice engine but around here there are to many V8's to call the R8 exotic)
Porsche 911 Turbo S (Porsche, no substitute?)
Ferrari California (nice convertible) i wish i could trade my SL350 for it

 

Hey W00zy, I am a bit surprised that a porsche owner would pick Aston at the top. Is you ranking on looks or did you also include the build quality in your decision? Is build quality still actually and issue with Aston or is it just past mistakes still haunting them to this day?

 

Don't know about the build quality but the car looks awsome.
Sporty, Sexy, Classy...

I drive a Porsche because that was the best that i could afford. My choices were, Gallardo, F430, R8 V8, Aston V8 and 997 TT... all used.
It was a no brainer choosing the 997TT with CPO.

 

tough choice, you have some great contenders out there. For me the only real options would be the Turbo S, the R8, and the Aston. The others really just dont do it for me at all. That being said, it would be a toss up with the Turbo and R8, and I guess I would go test drive both, find ones I liked and then just weigh them vs each other.

Keep in mind to me the R8 isnt gonna really be a daily driver, its a bit more flashy and will stand out more than I would like for a daily.

 

I'd go for a used 430, why isn't that on your list?

 

Im a porsche nut but I have been itching to get a used R8 recently. R8 gets my vote but all excellent choices.

 

I don't feel like the Bentlys have enough drama about them. I like the V12 Vantage (huge power in a small package) and the 911 (huge power, small package, best built of all those listed, comfortable touring/performance ratio. Enjoy whatever you pick!

 

I shopped all of these cars (new) except the Bentlety

Porsche Turbo S -Vert (What I picked)
Aston Vantage (Maybe next time-Sexy-fast and sounds great just not what I wanted now-for a DD it would pick this and have the TTS as a Toy)
Ferrai California (felt like I was going to break it on the test drive-Heavy feeling compared to the TTS-Hard top vert was the attraction for me)
Maseratti Limited Edition White with CF (Hot looking-Not enough go for me)
Audi R8 Spyder (I am 6'2" and it was too tight-plus zero room for anything except Credit cards-LOL) Dealer really did not want anyone to drive it unless they were 99% comitted to buying it. If I drove it I might feel differently. There are alot of current low mileage used R8's for sale and that is usually not a good sign.

 

11CayenneS, thanks for starting this thread since you and I are in very similar shoes. Out of the options you've listed, I've narrowed it down to the Turbo S and R8 5.2 (6MT). I've gone back and forth on either choices more times than I can remember. I can buy a brand new R8 for about the same price as an used Turbo S Cab, or a brand new Turbo S coupe.

I've driven both cars extensively (have a friend that is lucky enough to own both), and here's my personal opinion-

If you're looking for attention, whether wanted or unwanted, hands down, it's the R8. The majority of the population is not going to know the difference between a non-Turbo and a Turbo, and definitely what sets the 'S' version apart from the non S. Here in Newport Beach, CA, Porsches are a dime a dozen. I believe that if there were as few Porsches around as the R8, then the P cars would be getting the same amount of attention, esp the Turbo version with it's wide rear.

I'm NOT a fan of the Audi's interior controls. The Porsche is just easier- there's a simple button for everything. I think it's perfect simplicity. However, in terms of interior appearance, I'd have to give Audi the edge. The materials are as good as the Porsche, and resonate what's going on in the exterior.. just beautiful.

I give a slight advantage to the R8 for the 'fun to drive' factor. The Turbo S is a beast, but there is something magical about the way the R8 carves the corners- which in my opinion is where the real fun is anyway, not in a drag race. Best way to describe it is 'confidence inspiring.'

So why is the Turbo S still in the running?

Bragging rights- 0-60 in under 3 seconds, the quarter in under 11. You can be in stealth mode, knowing that you can spank just about any car out there. The Turbo S also has a slight advantage in being more practical when it comes to storage. The back seats, are practical for a fair amount of 'stuff', including groceries, a golf bag, etc.

I know we don't buy these cars for resale value, but when it comes time to unload it, it's tough to decide which will hold its value better. I've read several posts debating that the 997 will be the last true 'Porsche', and there are indeed changes to the new 991 that make me wonder. However, if I were to bet, I doubt that overall Porsche will take a step backward with the new Turbo model once it unveils. I don't believe Audi has any plans to tinker with the R8 until about 2013 or 2014.

Sorry if all the points I've made are obvious, but I hope it sheds some light on your decision. I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on either car in the next week or so- let's keep each other informed. Either way, I don't think we can lose!

 

That was the only other car besides the Turbo S and the R8 that was on my list..

 

The 430 is amazing on the track! Hands down best car I have ever driven (I got to drive the Scuderia). However, these cars scare me. They are in no way designed for daily driving (confirmed by the Ferrari dealership here in town. The avg mileage that the dealership sees put on 430's is less than 4000 per year. I dont want to buy a car that I am afraid to throw mileage on. Also, I know a few people that have had some embarassing issues with their 430's. My favorite is my friend who parked in VIP parking at the New Amway arena to go to a magic game. Pulled in facing the wall. When he came out a bunch of hot girls were checking out his car. He got in the car, went to put it in reverse and NOTHING. He had to push the car out of the spot, and had quite a pricey repair.

So again this car just scares me.

 

I have been finding the test driving an r8 V10 difficult mainly because the dealership here never has them. They wont even buy them to CPO them because they have a rule of not having used cars over 100,000 in cost.

I am most likely going to drive the used one that the local Aston dealership has.