Got to test drive a 2012 CGT with Mulliner specs this afternoon, and man, it is NICE.

I'll write more on the experience shortly, but there are a lot of differences. The main one is the superior handling, light and tight on the corners, brilliant improvement! The ride is slightly more bumpy than my 06, but mine has 19" wheels against the new 21".

The exhaust noise is less boomy, but on a motorway both models are equally quiet and ride well.

Of course, all the gadgets I'm missing in mine are there... adaptive cruise control (works great!), bluetooth, big screen for reversing, tv etc, power trunk.

I have it overnight, hence the photo of the two in my garage. It's a rare treat to be able to match the old and new side by side, and there are a lot of differences when you take a closer look. The haunches on the new one are quite a bit higher, but the back looks lower because of the way they presented the trunk and rear lights.

The sharp cutlines of the 2012 are sculpturally gorgeous, but it doesn't make mine look old fashioned at all - just different.

Both are very attractive cars, and I'm tempted to buy it, but it's a lot of moohlah for something I only use once or twice a week. But for those times... yess!

And for coincidences, take a look at the last two number plate digits on both! If that isn't the universe telling me something...!

http://www.kensilver.com/2-bentleys.htm (forgotten how to attach photos and the picture insert option isn't working - any help?)

 

Nice!!!!!!!!

 

Sweet! Do it Ken! Upgrade to a 2012. Riding on 21" is ruff. 22" are worst. 20" are perfect. End numbers 98, the stars are aligning.

 

It was quite pronounced and choppy at low speeds and potholes when I first got in, but I discovered it was on comfort setting 2. Made a difference when I dropped it back to 1, but the 21's still took the bumps more firmly than I expected. Not enough to worry about though - it's still a heavy car and that makes the ride smoother too.

Yeah, the 98 numbers are saying something!

 

Ken drive the car more often and it will be more worth it. Not every garage gets a double even for a short time.

 

Love the new body style as a drop top, yet as a hardtop still prefer the previous version. Of couse all the new tech must be reeeeeeally sweet!

 

When my wife first saw this one in the driveway last night, she immediately said wow. I've never heard her comment on a car in that way - even on our own CGT. There's something about it that makes it stand out.

As a standalone, my 2006 still looks great, but old and new side by side is a different experience.

I agree the squared styling really suits the new GTC, especially the rear.

Yup. Real disappointed to return it to the dealers this morning and missing all the tech stuff already. Still tossing up between ragtop and hardtop so the decision on a new one is a little further on in the future.

 

As a home worker I'm limited to where I can go. We live only a few minutes from the center of our city, so being too close to everything is a disadvantage for getting around!

While I also like to drive for pleasure, there's always an issue with other drivers and this taints the experience.

For example, a couple of days ago I was pulling into my lane around a bus at the lights, and the car in the next lane thought I was going to muscle in, so they beeped me long and hard. I just ignored them and hoped that they saw the error of their ways as I completed the (correct) maneuver.

But jerks like this one take the fun out of life. And there's nowhere you can hide from them. Deserted roads are for car ads only.

And yeah, I should harden up. Or maybe not get so annoyed at being beeped in an obviously expensive car when I was in the right

 

I wouldn't let it stress you out too much Ken. I live in LA County, and we are always in bumper to bumper traffic at work hours. Too many cars and people out here. Lots of uninsured motorists, so our insurance is really high. I try not to let it take the fun out of driving for me.

 

Ken believe it or not I am a little overly sensitive to the "beep" and it bothers me too. I will just give in to the morons fearing the paint scrape. If I'm doing the bump and run i'll get the truck.

I live close to my office in town also and understand the low milage commute and I do not really like to drive a car for a couple miles, shut her down and repeat after it cools off, not really great for motors.

When Brooke and i go out for a sport drive we can expect to travel forty or fifty miles before we hit the feature road with the proper traffic and twisties. This is where the convertible really shines. When the whole point is to enjoy weather, road and motor top down is the only way to go. You have driven the ragtop right? Your are getting spring now correct? Go to the dealer and ask for a day ride in a used model that they are not afraid to allow a few miles on and go for a half day. Worst case scenario is you have to double back and get your hair piece.

 

<Looks around> Hmm... plenty of empty winding mountain/hill roads around here. Long sweepers, tight twisties... all depends on the path you choose. If you enjoy old wooden covered bridges...

Drive like the wind,
Straining the limits of machine and man.
Laughing out loud
With fear and hope, I've got a desperate plan.

At the one-lane bridge
I leave the giants stranded at the riverside.
Race back to the farm, to dream with my uncle at the fireside...

 

the new one looks so good.

I love both of them.
I drove the new one was mesmerized.

if i were you, i would just keep the old one. That's a lot of ca$h to put up if you aren't driving all that much. The incrimental benefit outweights the cost of admission here I would say.

 

Raja it is Kens $ not ours encourage him to spend heftily.

 

 

Yes, that works for me.