sdg1871

You are right. My bad.

I belong to the Driving Force Club which is heavily Lambo with some Ferraris and Porsches sprinkled in. If the OP is not interested in a 911 Turbo S, I sure do love the Ferrari 458. I have tracked that car before (as well as the Huracan, 991 Turbo and GTR) and it is amazing. incredible engine sound and super responsive handling. Feels so connected to the road. And now with the 458 Speciale out and the 488 just around the corner, the prices on used 458s have tumbled. You can now get one for low 200s. Downside: Ferrari reliability is not great and maintenance and repair codes are high. And little ground clearance. Really not a DD but am awesome and beautiful track toy and weekend car meet car. I am not big on Lambos. Not into their looks and I have not enjoyed their driving characteristics (did not like the Huracan on the track--fast but not as tosssble or connected to the road as the 458) as much as Ferrari. But if you want a real attention getter Lambo is the way to go.

Of course my lap times were fastest in the 991 Turbo.

SolidGranite

What about a Jaguar F-type R?

Without question probably the best "sounding" car on the market and is completely different from what you're used to. I also think the wife might like how it looks and feels.

RossN

I don't post much, but here is my suggestion, add the Corvette ZR1 (2013-2014) to your short list and if you can find the time, schedule a test drive. If you don't mind waiting a bit, you could always order a new C7 Z07 with Z07 package which is staggering in performance for the cost. Only problem with newer Corvettes is that is usually impossible to get test drives on new models.

Sounds like you like the V8 music like I do which is much of the experience, you will not be disappointed with sound on the vette. Also, it has Magnetic selectable shocks which are quite comfy in Touring mode from what I read, and owner articles can frequently be found of couples doing cross country trips in vettes all the time, so that says something about useability and comfort. Tuning options are plenty if you want to go that route as well.

Good luck and I feel for your addition to Car Hunting on AutoTrader...!

SheriffDep

Also I believer the OP mentioned he wanted a "Sense of Occasion" also. Nothing out there says Class and a Sense of Occasion like a Aston Martin. IF you want a cruiser then get a 2006-and on DB9/DBS pending what you want to spend or a 2009+ V8Vantage. Either will provide all the power you want and not cost you as much as most of the other cars mentioned in repairs. Most AM's cost less than $1500 a year to own repair wise and are much more reliable than any Italian. A Ferrari can show up and steal the show, but a Aston Martin exudes prominence no matter the company. You can pick up a very nice low mileage AM for less than 70K.

NOLA E63S

ZR1

cnolke

What a lot of answers

I've been researching the same thing, getting out and driving as many things as I can. Here are some impressions.

Q: Are you interested in a convertible? I have a pretty heavy interest in a convertible. If so, it changes the calculus slightly.

Q: How important is sound to you?

Q: How important is high interior quality?

Q: Are you likely to ever track it? If so, how often?

So far, I've looked at the Jag F-type V8R, Cayman GTS/GT4, Boxter GTS/Spyder, 991 GTS, 997 Turbo S, 991 Turbo/Turbo S, Z06/Z07, AM Vantage v12, R8 GT, GT-R, Viper, and others.

The Jag F-type is really really loud. It sounds good but wow... thats loud and I have a vette with pipes. The 2015 with RWD is low on grip in any direction. Kind of fun, but unrefined. The 2016 (in dealerships now) is AWD and has better *forward* grip. Agile for a Jag, but... Also, who wants the first year of a Jag's depreciation?

The Boxster/Cayman handle better IMHO than the 911. That translates to more sublime agility with a softer ride. I just wish they had more than the 375hp you can get in the GT4/Spyder. Also, they sound... ok. Flat 6's sound bad unless they are wide open in my opinion.

The 911 is a great car, but ultimately its a *very* german, refined experience. In many ways, it matches your E63. Are you really looking for another smooth, refined, "blend-in" car? I'm looking for something a little more alive. The 991T is admittedly "holy shiiiiiiiiiiiiit" fast, but its all so sanitized. When you find "unsanitized" in a 991T, you are going to die or to jail.

The Z06/Z07 is shockingly capable. Whoa. You can tell it isnt quite as fast as the 991T, but its more fun, makes better (much better) sounds, and actually rides really well, similarly to only the 991T. Everything other than the Z06 and the 991T was pretty punishing. The 997 TT was really really stiff and much less comfortable than the 991 or the Z06. Downsides are the looks (it *really* stands out) and the interior quality. I know its complimented in magazines, but it reminds me of the previous gen CTS-V. Its really nice, but it's certainly nothing like a well-appointed Porsche interior. My Corvette experience (3 cars) has been very good reliability. Much more positive than any German car I've had. Corvettes are cheap to own long term, too.

GT-R. I was excited to drive it. Nope. Got out early. It beat the crap out of me on what I *thought* were smooth roads. That interior is made for a different generation than mine. It feels huge to drive around in traffic. Nope nope nope.

AM v12 Vantage. Drove a friend's. OH what a sound. Gah. This thing might be one of the best sounding engines ever. Other than that, its way too old tech. The transmission seems slow, the ride is too harsh for the grip, there are (way) too few features for that expensive of a car, and while the key is... interesting?... the rest of the interior is even sort of old-tech. Now its possible to ignore that for awhile as long as the engine is pulling.

Viper: Its finally getting more and more refined and drivable. Its still a rough-riding car, but it's way better than the Gen1 and 2's I have driven over the years. I don't actually like the engine sound, strangely. I cant place it. Lastly, I can't find anything I like about it that isn't done for less (with a better sound) than the Z06/Z07.

Audi R8 GT: I like the GT a lot, don't really like any of the other R8s. The GT is fun, but hard to find for an even slightly reasonable price and not in a convertible. The GT is everything I like about the R8 without hardly any of the downsides. Now where is the GT spyder?

Good luck! I can't figure it out either!

cnolke

Oh, forgot the SLS. My dad has an SLS and I've put most of the miles on it.

Fun car, beautiful interior, the transmission is fun on the road but "quirky" in traffic. Sounds great. Only downside is the performance. If you want to fly low or make it across 3 states in record time, this is your car. If you want to have fun on a coastal road or on the track, this is much too much a GT car for that. I don't mind the gullwings, but I'm 6'3". My wife cant reach them at all. FOr the money, there are just nicer and faster cars out there.

I have a feeling the AMG GTs is a really really nice car with a LOT of the things I want. If they make it in a vert, I'm in -for sure-. I hear its way more agile than the SLS was, even the SLS Black Series.

jakee63

Another viewpoint on the GT3...

I have a 2007 GT3 that gets to the track regularly. If you get serious about the track, the GT3 is one of the ultimate track weapons. Its limits are incredibly high, far beyond what 99% of us could ever use. On the other hand, it's rather compromised as a street car.

The GT3 is loud, stiff, and very visceral. The engine is race-bred and needs to be revved hard to make power, but in the power band, it screams like a F1 car. However, it can be quite uncomfortable on the street. The ride is jarring over bumpy roads and there is not much front-end clearance. It will scrape over speed bumps and steep driveways or ramps. The engine and road noise can be tiresome on a long trip.

It's been said that the GT3 is track car that can be driven on the street, while the 911 Turbo is a street car that can be driven on a track. That sums it up pretty well. For street use only, the Turbo is the better choice for most people.

cnolke

I actually think the 997 Turbo S is too stiff of a car to daily drive. I'm barely over 40, but the Corvettes and the E63 has spoiled me on a more "compliant" ride. The newer 991 Turbos have significantly more luxurious ride in non-sport mode.

Davidkuo0330

Another thing to keep in mind if you got the money to burn.

Is your dream car can be a 2 seater because all suggested cars are mostly 2 seater rockets.

I don't see myself driving a 2 seater simply because we only have a 8 year old princess and the wife and the family go everywhere together so a 2 seater is out of question for me.

Once I start to feel the E63 getting slow. Tuning it is the only I would go especially for a daily driver. A simple tune like what I'm gona get is the Renntech ECU tune and a sport exhaust also from Renntech will get the lack of throttle responds at start off fix. Other than that, where the heck are we going to go ( except for the track ) to get it up to 186mph.

Good luck in your endeavors.

absent

CGT

Patric

I have been thinking of a drop top for a second car as well. Considering a new SL550 or Z06 convertible. Already have the E63S with tune so I'm not interested in an SL63 or 65. The SL550 is a GT and does well for fit, finish and general cruising but the new Z06 with 650HP and 650TQ would probably be more fun for me having sold my Lingenfelter 427TT Z06 a couple years ago. The 2016 SL550 should start production soon and the power will be up from 429 to 449HP.

PeterUbers

I think an amg gts would be perfect

unagi1

I was thinking along the same lines as that, but truth be told, the comparos out there are with the 911gts, not even GT3 or Turbo. That's a bit disappointing, as the AMG GTS Black will most definitely be in the "stupid money" range...

2012 merc amg

Nobody mentioned anything about muscle cars, here's one of my other cars, a 1968 Pontiac, it's sweet with a 502 ci chevy motor and dual 650 quads on a Wieland highrise. The cars a blast to drive and I take it to car shows and have won a bunch of trophies with the car, it's got Dupont absolute Purpleen Paint that changes color with the light.

2012 merc amg

Although this is a dream car of mine, but I don't think I'll ever get one.

Davisjrjr

Oh really now?! Most vipers are a nuisance on tracks, blasting down the straights, plowing thru corners, I always had trouble at lime rock getting them to let my s14 4cyl M3 get by - but then again maybe it was just the driver, it usually is - just couldn't let that go

Btw - you need more than one back up to an e63 - but GT3 is the perfect hard edged complement

Hammer Down

Keep it in the family and go with a CLK Black Series. Good looks, you can take it anywhere, it sounds great and there are only a few hundred left/made

2012 merc amg

Maybe you ought to test drive one of the new BMW M4 convertibles? They look different than the M3, have more horsepower now even though it's a inline 6 again because of the twin turbo's quite the car and fun to whip around.

bbirdwell

Come on! Think outside the box. There are more than just European car manufacturers.


-Flyin' Miata's V8 conversion Mazda Miata.




http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cult...a-v8-nc-miata/


https://www.flyinmiata.com/V8/

MPR

I barely drive my V8 miata and after I have an E63 I dont think I'll have time to drive the miata Dont think it compliments an E63.

GTR, GT3RS, C7 Z06, 991 turbo, AMG GTS, 458 compliments the E63. But Im abit biased GTR >

sighting

My wife and I went through the same boat recently, I got a 2015 e63s to replace my Brabus C63 / B63s, Lease was up on her 2012 M3.

We looked at them all:
This was her list.
1. Bentley GT
2. Aston Martin DB9
3. Maserati Granturismo MC Straddle (my brothers car, he travels allot and never drives it)
4. Shelby Cobra - don't ask it was at the dealer that had the Bentley and she loved it.

We spent about 2 weeks test-driving hashing the numbers.
To note these were all used - but under 25k on them

Car 1: Called up my USAA agent and he goes -- hmm DB9 will be 3x over my e63s . Apparently its the most expensive car in the US to insure per cost.

Car 2: Continental GT has no parts. as in 90% of it can't be found on cross parts charts.

Car 3. The Maserati was to slow for her, (/quote its a GrandTourer with too small an engine. Something this pretty should not be this slow. It does sound amazing though)

Car 4. Changed her mind when it started to rain on a test-drive. /quote I could live without the roof but not without the traction

So it all came to a halt.
A week later we went to go buy/help negotiate a new Lexus with a friend when she calls me over.
She said i want this one. we left the showroom with a used 2013 Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

Go figure...

Moral of the story - woman + cars = enigma

happy searching and can't wait to see what you .. hmm she ends up with

Chocofishez

What a great thread! Sadly you guys have been no help at all... No consensus!

I think it's interesting as with such a great do it all car we are all so different in terms of what we'd like as an alternative.

A couple days ago I pulled up beside a guy in a yellow 360 spider. He was late 30s and loving life. His car sounded great, looked great and seemed as though he could care less that I could have showed him my tail at a whim.

I'm not a Porsche guy. There are just so many of them out there. I love the premise of the gt3 but just can't get into the car.

I never really considered North American muscle cars. viper or vette... Never really my thing but I might have to go drive them. Price point wise I could get a lot of power and sound for not a lot of dough, but I don't think they are exclusive enough to get me off.

Personally I keep coming back to the SLS or a Lamborghini. I think I need to drive a lambo to see what the deal is, so I'm going to Vegas and will drive a couple there.

But then today I took the E out for a hard run and it was great. Summer tires, m mode, sport mode, sport plus suspension side bolsters as tight as they would go... Got me wondering what is all the fuss for as I can't stay pedal to the floor for more than five seconds before I'm on someone's a$$, so what am I hoping to accomplish.

Hammer Down

How about the AMG GT-S

robl45

You said it right here, You need something exclusive to show off in, buy the Lamborghini with the flip up doors and be done with it. Ferrari's don't have that wow factor. Don't waste your time with the muscle cars, you want to show off, there is nothing wrong with that, you have the money to do it, and the muscle car is not going to do that.