Great line, really drives the point home. I need to find a way to work this analogy into a conversation.

 

Which model year was the start for the larger engine and well needed upgrades? Is it the 2009 models?

 

I believe it is something like this:

06 (first year NA production)
07-detail changes. seats, led in door handles are what comes to mind. might be a couple others
09-4.7 litre, suspension changes

 

When I first started looking I couldn't really find much online, but what I did find was two blown engines. Of course, online people really complain so who knows. When I drove an almost new one, the mirrors went down when I put it in reverse, and did not come back up. The guy who does the exotic car runs across the country and in Vegas won't buy them despite maybe being British. The original warranty I'm confused by because I was told it was only 2 years, although now I hear it's 3 so not sure if that changed or when. Plus if you look at the cost of an extended warranty, it's very high. I assume they know something I do not. Recently online there was the guy with a new one who pointed out swirl marks the factory left in the paint, which does not fill one with confidence on the work they do on stuff you can not see. Many here have reported trouble free experience with the car though, so while I'm mostly over the reliability issue I personally hesitate buying an out of warranty car.

 

There is a lot online. Most have great experiences with little issues.....on the other side of the pond, there are many examples in the 70k plus mileage with little issues. Do more searches on this site and PistonHeads

Mine is at 29k with no issues other than a sticky fuel cap.

With more research, you will find the car was built under Fords direction and quality control (actually a good thing) and that it is very solid if properly maintained.

 

Early cars had glitches (low-volume, hand-built stuff), but very few serious problems. The later cars seem to be generally quite reliable. The engines, and the mechanicals generally, appear to be extremely strong and long-lived. Several exotic rental/membership clubs in England do have V8Vs in their fleets.

Also, they race these cars -- Nurburgring 24hrs (hugely successful), various race series, etc. -- with the same basic engine that's in the street car. Porsche doesn't do that anymore, unless your street Porsche is a GT3. Once the 911 went water-cooled with the 996, the Carrera line used an engine that was clearly not race-worthy (interested to see if that changes again now that the wonderful Metzger flat-six is no more).

 

from everything I've heard, the vantage is rock-solid, especially in the higher mileage range.

 

Mines been flawless with no issues...I'd say very reliable.

 

GT3 are great cars, I've driven cup cars on track from students who purchased them from the factory and you are right the street and track car are very similar. I've driven the 993 - 997 cup varients, the 993 being one of my most favorites, and the 997 being the fastest, approx 1.5 sec a lap quicker in competition then the previous chassis.

Metzger engine....one of the all time best engines ever made...lucky to have one in my GT2!

From the 996 - 997 Carrera engines were good engines, but they had that IMS issue which was potentially fatal, they did run these engines on track though on the club level, but the GT3, 3RS, Turbo, Turbo S, GT2, and 2RS and Cup varients got the Metzger engines...

you know your cars, nicely played Speedraser

 

High praise coming from a man with such experience

 

I love this line! Well said.