Ok.. I'm officially buying a car - wanna help?

L-M · 19-01-2009 6:02pm

steve06 wrote: »

CLK63? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/844361.htm

+1000

My god, yummmm

Rowley Birkin QC · 19-01-2009 6:03pm

Would a GT-R float your boat MarkN? I'm guessing not but just putting it out there.

Don't know how much the VRT would put on it but theres ones available on pistonheads.co.uk for £59,995 before any bargaining.

Ferris · 19-01-2009 6:04pm

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

Am I the only one that find posts like this unsavoury? People are loosing their jobs daily and we have someone looking for advice on how best to blow €80K. Good for you but I am sure there are people here who don't need to hear about your dilemma. I also find it hard to believe that with your budget and stated wishlist (so you obviously know your cars) that you don't already have a pretty clear idea of what car you want to buy. I doubt suggestions here are going to influence your spend.

This is not a personal attack, I simply feel that posts like this leave a bad taste at the moment.

Again not a personnal attack but I think its attitiudes like the one you have that are part of the problem we have. The car industry is in strife because people like MarkN aren't spending big money on cars, who knows, he might save a dealership from going under, saving a good few people from the dole. Either way your post is OT (as is mine so i'm gonna stop).

MarkN · 19-01-2009 6:07pm

That CLK is bloody gorgeous. :pac:

I'm not blowing 80k, I've equity in my BMW so the cost of change is what I'm blowing. Depending on the price tag and the deal I can hammer out, that's about the cost of a new VW Scirocco or a Ford Focus with all the trimmings.

I'd also draw your attention to something - yes the situation in places is bad but banks are still very much lending money to people with good credit history.

Also Stevie - yes in an ideal world a 911 is what I'd love but I'm just seeing what others hold up there as something special.

Rowley Birkin QC · 19-01-2009 6:07pm

It might just try to kill you but... http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/788809.htm

Biro · 19-01-2009 6:08pm

I doubt €80k will get you a 997 yet. The one in the above post isn't VRT'd. The Aston is a nice suggestion.
If you could get one then I would get a 997 Carerra S. GTR probably doesn't interest you, also probably over budget. You'll have to drop years to go Italian or British, don't think you'll do that either. So that leaves German really. An AMG of sorts maybe? What are you thinking? We need more to go on!

Victor_M · 19-01-2009 6:12pm

Good jesus it's almost impossible to keep a thread on track around here.

Mark you have been sniffing around 911 and an M3 for a while now, the S5 is probably the only other car that you will seriously consider based on your previous wish lists. If I was spending 80K it would be an XKR without doubt

FWIW If it was my money and I was choosing only between the Porker, Audi and M3, I'd go for the M3, like the E46 it's a very capable all rounder, might not be different enough from your own one though.

The 911 is a cracking car not as flexible at the M3 or the S5 in terms of practicality and ability to leave parked around the place relatively anonymously.

Edit: Actually just a though, would an SL appeal to you at all, a beautiful car that seems to be plummeting in value?

ronnie3585 · 19-01-2009 6:14pm

For me it would be without question a 997C2S. I think you could get a decent one landed for around the €80k mark. Failing that a 993TT /drool.

unkel · 19-01-2009 6:22pm

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

Am I the only one that find posts like this unsavoury?

No more off topic, folks. Final warning...

MarkN · 19-01-2009 6:23pm

Biro wrote: »

I doubt €80k will get you a 997 yet. The one in the above post isn't VRT'd. The Aston is a nice suggestion.
If you could get one then I would get a 997 Carerra S. GTR probably doesn't interest you, also probably over budget. You'll have to drop years to go Italian or British, don't think you'll do that either. So that leaves German really. An AMG of sorts maybe? What are you thinking? We need more to go on!

Richford have a 06 997 for low 80s (I could get them down a bit I'm sure) but it's a bit of a high miler.

unkel · 19-01-2009 6:23pm

997 or perhaps Cayman S?

MarkN · 19-01-2009 6:34pm

unkel wrote: »

997 or perhaps Cayman S?

Unkel I've been trying to do a deal with a dealer who has a gorgeous black Cayman S - 07. It's missing xenons and sat nav but that's about all. It's too rich at 78k, I've watched the car since the middle of summer and it's had a few grand knocked off but that's it. Offered the same money that I was offered in Duffy's against the M3 though.

Belgard have better specced Caymans with the horrible wheels for close on 20k less than the black Cayman I looked it - put it that way.

Anan1 · 19-01-2009 6:37pm

Ferris wrote: »

Again not a personnal attack but I think its attitiudes like the one you have that are part of the problem we have. The car industry is in strife because people like MarkN aren't spending big money on cars, who knows, he might save a dealership from going under, saving a good few people from the dole. Either way your post is OT (as is mine so i'm gonna stop).

I'm all on for MarkN spending his own money on a car he likes. As justifications for dropping €80k go, though, saving an Irish dealership would be fairly well down my list.:)

Here's a very low mileage 997 for close to budget, if a cabriolet would be a runner?

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1252295

Anan1 · 19-01-2009 6:38pm

A Cayman has no back seats at all - you'd be surprised how useful the back seats in a 911 are when compared with nothing.

copacetic · 19-01-2009 6:43pm

Has to be an M3 with smg for me Mark, personally think you have to go to the UK. There is incredibly value there.

Either that or a Cayman S from the UK also. Imo you could prob let your car go for 45k and still save 10-15k going to the UK. Might even get an 09 and will come with new version of idrive etc.

Biro · 19-01-2009 6:44pm

MarkN wrote: »

Richford have a 06 997 for low 80s (I could get them down a bit I'm sure) but it's a bit of a high miler.

The Cayman is a better handling car, but that doesn't mean squat to the public. Therefore you'll be asked why you "couldn't afford" a 911!! Now that wouldn't bother me, but the fact that just because the Cayman might be a tidier handling car doesn't mean the 911 is a poor handling car! The 997 is excellent, and it has that character of being rear engined that you can feel when driving that makes it stand out from the crowd when driving it. Also your wallet will thank you when you trade it in, cause it should depreciate a lot less quickly than many others in this group, meaning that you'll go farther next time you change!
I'd do it. Get a 997. If not, then an AMG or the M6.

ronnie3585 · 19-01-2009 7:27pm

Two nice examples here;

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/761821.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/761654.htm

£40,000 = €44,063.28
VRT - approx €33,000

Noice!

TheBazman · 19-01-2009 7:53pm

Well Mark its good to see someone giving the old two fingers to the credit crunch.

My choice with your criteria would be the S5 however given you have a 335i I think you are probably gonna want something with a little step up in power. In that case I think an M3 is the only choice really (and in white!!)

I know you want a coupe but I do feel that this rules out a lot of decent motors - I know there was a C63 AMG in Ballsbridge motors for around your budget and for me it would be hard to look past that

VolvoMan · 19-01-2009 8:06pm

It mightn't be your thing as it's probably too old by your standards but here goes: http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1270681

You could save yourself the 25k left over and invest it wisely. I'd also say that price is very much negotiable. The only thing is I can't tell if it has a 'D' reg or not.

macshadow · 19-01-2009 8:18pm

Not in the same league as some cars mentioned but my choice would be bmw z4 or a audi tts.

peasant · 19-01-2009 8:20pm

How about something a bit LOUD (also a bit lhd, I'm afraid)

http://www.autoscout24.de/AllImages.aspx?id=vof1wvamiiyb&position=4

No?

A LHD roadster probably would also be out of the question?
http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/showDetails.html?lang=en&id=98639167&pageNumber=1&__lp=3&scopeId=C&sortOption.sortBy=price.consumerGrossEuro&sortOption.sortOrder=ASCENDING&makeModelVariant1.makeId=25650&makeModelVariant1.searchInFreetext=false&makeModelVariant2.searchInFreetext=false&makeModelVariant3.searchInFreetext=false&vehicleCategory=Car&segment=Car&siteId=GERMANY&negativeFeatures=EXPORT&damageUnrepaired=NO_DAMAGE_UNREPAIRED&export=NO_EXPORT&customerIdsAsString=&tabNumber=2

L-M · 19-01-2009 8:26pm

There is a black Mustang going around Limerick to that style. Some car.

MarkN · 19-01-2009 9:18pm

ronnie3585 wrote: »

Two nice examples here;

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/761821.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/761654.htm

£40,000 = €44,063.28
VRT - approx €33,000

Noice!

Can't really argue with that. Mint.

Volvoman - actually like the Jag but I'd feel a bit young driving it.

Cayman S is best all rounder in my view, I drove one on Sat and while it wasn't my first time in one the way they handle is just superb. If you cast your mind back to Sat is was a horrible wet day and the Cayman was just glued to the road.

notahappycamper · 19-01-2009 9:39pm

How about this Cayman S http://www.carzone.ie/search/Porsche/Cayman/S/200847190970569/advert

MarkN · 19-01-2009 10:07pm

Never called me back and it's about 10k dearer than the exact same car in Porsche Dublin.

Healyc · 19-01-2009 10:18pm

TheBazman wrote: »

I know there was a C63 AMG in Ballsbridge motors for around your budget and for me it would be hard to look past that

AFAIK its still there. Fantastic car wit a Personal Reg :eek:

cashmni1 · 19-01-2009 10:19pm

ronnie3585 wrote: »

Two nice examples here;

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/761821.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/761654.htm

£40,000 = €44,063.28
VRT - approx €33,000

Noice!

+1
The value is unreal in the uk. Those 2 cars are just beautiful. The black one would be my choice. Well finished and all the trimmings.
A mate has a Cayman, 2.7 entry level (in black also) and I had the pleasure of driving it before x-mas. It was a truly, deeply impressive car. The S would be even better.
I have never driven a modern 997, so I cannot compare. I know Mark, it would be your preference and you would have to drive both.
For me, 997 all the way. As you said, get a specialist to trade for you. :cool:

Biro · 19-01-2009 10:44pm

MarkN wrote: »

Can't really argue with that. Mint.

Volvoman - actually like the Jag but I'd feel a bit young driving it.

Cayman S is best all rounder in my view, I drove one on Sat and while it wasn't my first time in one the way they handle is just superb. If you cast your mind back to Sat is was a horrible wet day and the Cayman was just glued to the road.

I'm telling ya... I drove the Carerra S in chronic conditions on crappy roads, and it didn't even blink at it. Test drive one!! Then think about the Cayman and compare.