What should be my next car?........

[LarThaL]

So next year I will be 50. I always said that at 50, I will buy my ultimate car, and, thank the stars, I am on track to be able to do that. So what should it be? It can be a pure toy, but doesn't have to be. I want both objective capability as well as subjective appeal...it has to look good, makes all the right sounds, have a proper interior, etc. It does have to street drivable without beating me up.

Also, it has to have value. Up to my budget limit, absolute cost isn't an issue, but I do not want to get way out on the limb of diminishing returns. For example, a Bugatti Veyron is not worth 10x the cost of a 911 Turbo S, if you know what I mean. This is just me. In that sense, it also has to be "worth it" over my e92.

My budget limit is $150k +/-. New, used, doesn't matter. I do want reasonable reliability. I have no patience or tolerance for my car being in the shop 50% of the time. One could also say something like "get a GTR and spend $20k to upgrade the interior", etc.

Cars I am currently thinking about (some new, some used)

AM V12 Vantage
AMG GT
Audi R8
Jag F-type R
911 GTS
911 turbo
Cayman GTS
Z06 Vette
Viper GTS
Gallardo
Shelby GT350...with an "Eleanor" conversion. (Yes, really)



All options are open. Any other suggestions? What would you go with and why? It is also okay to say that nothing is really worth it over the e92 to really justify the expense.

[rsr552]

The 2nd gen Acura NSX... Hopefully it'll be a mini 918 because of its power train. Also Honda reliability.

[AlpineE92M3]

If I were to upgrade, and I were in your position to be able to spend 150k+, I would get a Porsche 911 GT3, or the new Cayman GT4. Porsche's are holding their inflated value like crazy. The GT3 is the pinnacle of an affordable ultimate drivers car for me.

[Ezio]

From the cars in that list. I would pick the V12 vantage. I saw one at local vantage dealership while a friend of mine was buying a V8 vantage.

The car is art work, i could look at it all day. although It might be a car i would rather look at than drive.

[ridin135]

Gt3 if you want a driver's car. If you want an exotic I would go 458 but gallardo is a good pick as well.

[BrewRifle]

Any particular reason the 991 GT3 isn't on the list or the Cayman GT4, especially over the GTS'? Tough call on the ones in your list though.

[dbyrd]

Originally Posted by AlpineE92M3

If I were to upgrade, and I were in your position to be able to spend 150k+, I would get a Porsche 911 GT3, or the new Cayman GT4. Porsche's are holding their inflated value like crazy. The GT3 is the pinnacle of an affordable ultimate drivers car for me.

This

...McLaren's have come down in price, too.

[Longboarder]

I think you would be really happy with the R8 v10. The new one with 610hp may be priced a little high but there are many pristine 2013/2014's out there.

[clar]

My heart says the Vantage V12, but that damn gearbox...991 GT3 it is then!

[sgrinavi]

991 GT3 would be my choice at that price point, I have a friend that DD's one (more or less) and has no issues with comfort or reliability.

[imserious]

911 GT3 or 458.

I would prefer a cayman GT4, but I don't think it is generally recognizable as an ultimate car. It is going to be an incredible drivers car though.

[Billj747]

458

[Leonardo629]

I think you are stuck and worthwhile choices are really limited, I'm in the same boat. I demand exclusivity, a driver's car, some luxury, and excitement in ownership that won't wear off as soon as something newer pops up in the market.

I'm turning 34 this year, single, there's no better time for me to splurge a little. I heard marriages will change things. I have around $170K~$200K to play with.

I've narrowed it down to the following, for the money I'm willing to spend, the motor of the car better sit behind me.

new 991 GT3 $150K~$160K
new 991 GTS $140K
new NSX $160K
new R8 $180K~$200K
used 458 Italia at least $200k

I currently have a '13 Accord as my DD, my '13 M3 I'm keeping for the long haul, and I really want a third toy for track and other shenanigans.

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by Ezio

From the cars in that list. I would pick the V12 vantage. I saw one at local vantage dealership while a friend of mine was buying a V8 vantage.

The car is art work, i could look at it all day. although It might be a car i would rather look at than drive.

and yet you're still recommending it? lol doubt op just wants a car to look at based on his list.

i think amg gt and f-type are great options. it's what i would have suggested originally. i would say gt3 seems to be a great choice but not sure about the part about maintenance and not beating you up on the roads. other than that it sounds like it could fit the bill for you.

[BrewRifle]

Originally Posted by Leonardo629

I think you are stuck and worthwhile choices are really limited, I'm in the same boat. I demand exclusivity, a driver's car, some luxury, and excitement in ownership that won't wear off as soon as something newer pops up in the market.

I'm turning 34 this year, single, there's no better time for me to splurge a little. I heard marriages will change things. I have around $170K~$200K to play with.

I've narrowed it down to the following, for the money I'm willing to spend, the motor of the car better sit behind me.

new 991 GT3 $150K~$160K
new 991 GTS $140K
new NSX $160K
new R8 $180K~$200K
used 458 Italia at least $200k

I currently have a '13 Accord as my DD, my '13 M3 I'm keeping for the long haul, and I really want a third toy for track and other shenanigans.

If you're looking for a track toy I'd entertain the 991 GT3 RS. That thing will be a track monster.

[Law]

991 GT3 or if you have the time, i'd start on a hunt for a 997 GT3 or 997 GT3 RS.

Both 991 & 997 generations have their appeal, the former being newer with more modern tech bits, PDK, more "eco" (EPS, DI), etc and in the real world, probably a more comfortable daily driver.

The latter 997 have appeal as being the last manual gearbox GT3, last one with hydraulic steering, and the last of the Mezger engine; a true racing car & engine for the street. Because of the aforementioned qualities, the 997 GT3 & GT3RS sit in a special place in Porsche's timeline. And its used market reflects that, prices of these 997s continue to appreciate.

With your budget, i'd try to find a nice 997 GT3 RS. Definitely something special there.

[BKarktic3]

Exercise the Ferrari demon, then get the 991 GT3 to keep...

Kudos for staying true to your plan.

[Krockit1]

A great list. I assume you are factoring in proper maintenance costs. I always look to that because some of these cars once off warranty are insanely expensive to keep prime. The Gallardo for example is a beautiful ride. But crazy expensive to maintain. You won't like your Aston bill, either. But what a work of art!

Having driven a number of these already, and having owned Porsche and BMW, it's my opinion there's not much better all around exotic than a 911 Turbo S. Shop diligently and you will find a low mileage garage queen with warranty remaining, and even better if it's one with an extended warranty. And a 6MT. It's a rare combination- a sub 3 second car with decent luggage space and a ride that is as comfortable when you arrive in Cali as when you left MA. The fit and finish is world class, the performance is heart stopping and my experience with dealerships on warranty repairs has been excellent. Learn to drive it and you can be a track king. Good luck and let us know what you pull the trigger on!

[kaede]

I'm biased, because I am getting the New NSX (I also have the old one as a collector's peice xD). So, I'll get the NSX.

However, that also comes down to how it is when initial reviews comes out. I'll narrow it down to three myself:

New NSX
458
991/997 GT3 (yes, i am a sucker for the 997 GT3, i'm sure the 991 is much better in most ways, but i like to have the third pedal on my toy, both will be a blast to drive on the track.)

I'll leave out the R8 personally and V12 vantage (the v12 probably gonna spend more time in shop than out on the street and track, also has to most dated design).

Keep in mind if you go for a used gt3 or 458 there will be maintainence cost to consider for a SUPER car, won't be cheap. So given those, my order will be NSX>GT3 (new or used)>458.

Have fun car hunting!

[Kwando]

F430 Scuderia

[LarThaL]

To address some of the points and opinions raised so far.....

Ferrari, from what I have heard, are a nightmare in terms of maintenance and reliability. Also to get into my budget range, I have to go back quite a few years.

The 911 GT3 and Cayman GT4 will likely be too brutal from a ride standpoint for me. The roads in northeast really suck. During the Spring, Summer, Fall, my wife and I take frequent trips to our vacation home in York, Maine...a 2 hour drive or thereabouts, and this car would have to be able to provide me with an enjoyable ride when I choose to take it on those trips. Any car on my list up to the task of some good back road blasts as well the few track days per year that I can get to, so that can be taken out of the equation. Anyway, I am not sure that I will realistically be able to test drive all these cars, so my decision, to a degree, is going to have to come from research, opinions, etc. I may be able to narrow down to 4 or 5 choices and then test drive those.

I will have to see how the NSX prices out. I am thinking it might be closer to $200k.

[Patrón]

Porsche, there is no substitute.