I am being a little self serving here and looking for some ideas or people that have had experience with some of the cars I am about to list.
This conversation started with a friend over a drink or two.
I have a lease coming due in 2012 and thinking of trading 911 for something new.

Just Some Options trying to stick with on awd car for winter and practicality.

*Buy New CTS-V Sedan and Lease Audi S5

*Buy New Nissan GTR and Lease another Audi S4

*Buy 2007-08 997 Turbo low mileage and Lease 550ixdrive, S4, or E550...

*Buy 991 4S and maybe a cheap lease car

*Buy New 997 Turbo and lease nothing put snows on and drive year round. - Least Practical and most expensive but I like it...

 

Buy a used 997GT3 and a Cayenne GTS

 

Buy a pre-owned GT3 and lease a cayenne or a 550ix.

 

There are so many other variables that come into play I think. Or maybe just for me.
Are you married?
Do you have kids?
Do you participate in any sports (skiing, hockey, wakeboarding, etc.)

For me I honestly for much enjoy what I have in my garage:
997
Cadillac Escalade ESV

I can do just about anything with the combination of those vehicles.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

 

No kids not a real big SUV fan so looking for a competent sedan.
Combos are endless when it comes to two cars for my needs.

 

+1! The best of both worlds and weather conditions.

 

I have a full size prior gen Mercedes S600 to comlement my C2S. It is a bit large, and I would have preferred an AMG E class. CTS V is also on top of my list for sedans, as well as XF-R. You have to check out the XF-R and drive one, used they can be had for a steal and they are amazing cars. A 911 and one of those 3 sedans is a perfect combo. I am also not a big fan of SUVs even though my mother drives a Cayenne TT which is an amazing SUV.

I wouldn't get a new 997TT for everyday driving as an only car for obvious reasons; milage, passanger seating, cargo space and convenience. Fast sedan for weekdays and 911 for weekends is the way to go IMHO.

P.S. After all this talk about the GT-R in the last few days here, it also has me interested since it would not be my DD.

 

Disagree with having a new 997 turbo as your only car cause you will lose appreciation for it if it is driven daily, believe it or not. Get something with insane performance with a sacrifice of practicality along with a nice AWD sedan with practicality.
I would also get a preowned 997.2 GT3 and then a A6, 550ix or E550 4matic. The new A6 has the same engine as the S4 but with much more amenities and more room in the interior. The A6 is also more nimble than the benz or bmw. No other car has such an advanced infotainment system as the new A6, 7 or 8. They just lease for too high a payment for what it is.

The CTS-V is very fast and is fun in a straight line but that would get old after a while and the build quality would start to bother me. The GTR is a great performer but too computerized for me, the sitting position is too high, and is very disconnected. Then the built quality would start to bother me.
'
Another awd option is a used Bently cgt, they go for 80k preowned. You get a V12TT engine with looks and luxury.

The whole process is a lot of fun.

 

Agree don't think a new Turbo as a DD is practical. I would be too uptight parking it in certain situations. Most likely go with a CPO Turbo and A6 is nice it is actually a detuned version of S4 Supercharged 6. 550 will be looked at. E550 is standard with 4 matic and a sweet V8 with a nice exhaust note which you don't get with BMW or Audi. CLS550 rips 4.2 to 60 so with E550 having same engine will be interesting to see A6, E550, 550ix, GS comparo. CTS-V just intrigues me such a beast for the money 2 year lease is pretty good, but not AWD so would have to put snows on and hope for the best. I'm sure it would be a blast.

As for GT-R I agree that it may be disconnected and not the most attractive car at least in photos little better in person, but it is insanely quick and by all accounts an astounding machine. Also has impressive resale value. I hear maintenance is a nightmare and taking it into a Nissan dealer for service doesn't float my boat. Went through that with my Z06.. Chevy service dept.
GT3 is an option never driven one if price was right would have to consider, but I am not a track guy and might prefer the comfort of a Turbo.

 

I vote for the 550ix with M package and winter tires for the cold months.

 

I think about this a lot, I'm in a condo I bought when I was much younger with one parking spot. I want a 3 car garage, which is an entirely different conversation, but with 2 spots I would definitely still have my 997.2 C4S and add a used base Cayenne. Or maybe a Jeep instead. Third spot would go to a 993 cab or a 944 couple.

 

throwing all logic and common sense to the wind, I own:
-a 2004 Maserati Spyder - awesome car to drive, expensive to maintain and absolutely no use in the snow or bad weather regardless of tires (or what any one else says)
- a 2009 CS - impressively engineered and incredible to drive. no experience in the snow yet as I have only owned it for a few month but don't expect it will ever see a flake of snow on it.... I will only drive it during the winter when the weather is acceptable - rain, yes; snow, no.
- a 2008 Mercedes E350 - even though mine does not have the 4 matic trasmission, it does OK in snow whith all season tires. My wife has an MB ML350 which does have the 4matic and no issues at all driving it in the bad weather even with all-season tires. Very safe and lots of room. She has 125,000 miles on her car with no issues - I want her to buy a new one but she says she has bonded with her ML and is going to drive it until it dies.

But you know.... I just have to smile every time I open my garage doors. And if I have to take a day of "liberal leave" (as they call it here in the DC area) when the weather turns bad... that's the way it will be!

Bottom line... buy what amuses you and love every minute of it!

 

We have the best of both, in my opinion, a Cayenne S and a Carrera S cab, so I vote go exclusive with Porsche.

 

I'll have to agree with the Cayenne and 911 combo.

 

in my sig