You would never catch my wife in a station wagon... the new Audi RS6... hmmm.

 

Sleestack
I think you would find the performance of the Modena a let down afteryour CLK, also VERY limited interior room, exhorbitant service/maintenance costs. The Modena is a weekend car, not a daily driver. If this is your bent IMO you would be better off with a Porsche GT2. Faster than Modena, capable of being easily modified, much lower running costs and is a great daily drive car with very good resale.
540i is a nice car, I had a blue one last year, sold it after 3 months. Less leg space than E and the interior doesn't age as well. Resales also suck on BMW's (still). IMO C32 much better car than 540i, but now where as roomy, unless like me you have other family drive cars. Resale on C32 won't be great either IMO. I looked at trading E55 for C32 until W211 E was released. friend at dealership advised that I would probably lose 30% over 12 months, suggested C320 was a better option. i ended up buying SLK.
You may have noticed recurring theme of resales here. I buy, not lease and change cars regularly ( 3 or 4 per year) so am very conscious of resale.

 

Wow - interesting feedback.

Having driven the 360 and every variation of the 996 (except GT2) and the 993 GT2 back to back, I found the 360 much more 'fun' and compared to the non-gt2, the 360 kills it for performance on track and handling. As to the GT2, the 360 is not as stiff and also will have a better resale, and let's not forget - it is a Ferrari! Few people will look at the GT2 and say "wow - a GT2" while everyone looks at the 360 and says "wow a Ferrari." There is a mystique with Ferrari that you cannot fully appreciate till you drive them - the sound, the feel, etc.

I can also tell you that the 360 is one of the best handling car in the world - hands down! I would be surprised if the GT2 really out-handles the 360. I will find out in the next 2 months as a student of mine is brining one to the track soon.

Also, the 360's do not have high maintenance costs. Since the 550 has come out, and even the 355 to an extent, Ferrari has been much better! We have a 996 and a 550 Maranello in the family and I will say that the 996 has been in the shop MUCH more then the 550. Of course the 996 has more miles, but even when you take a ratio of shop time and expense to miles, the 996 is still more expensive to keep running and has more downtime in the shop.



or



They are both amazing cars - but the Ferrari is just special IMHO, while the GT2 is just another 911.

 

The Modena would only be a weekend car so interior room is definitely not a concern. Every article I have read has stated that the GT2 is an absolutely horrible daily driver and really only suited for the track. While I appreciate the power the GT2 has, I have already owned a 911 turbo so Porsches don't get me that excited. As for the Modena, most articles seem to praise it for its street and track driveability. I can't see how the Modena would be a letdown compared to my CLK... sure it doesn't have the power, however the 0-60 and 1/4 mile times on the 360 aren't exactly shabby. This months Road&Track has me sold on the Modena.

As for my wife, we'll probably go with the C32 because the 540 is a little big for her right now. I don't really care about resale value. One car is always leased for tax purposes ( and in this case, it will be my wife's next car).

 

What a horrible position to be in- LOL- decisions, decisions... I have to say that blue would be a phenomenal color for your Modena- I have seen quite a few here in Tampa and every one has been red. The silver is also remarkable- but the blue is less common and really looks incredible with the tan interior. I wish I had your kinda dilemmas, sleestack!!!!!!!!!!! By the way, if you buy the Modena, you could use a straight line depereciation over 5 years to help the tax situation- I buy my vehicles and this has worked very well for me since my CPA introduced it to me. Just a thought- although I will admit that a lease it alot more simple to deduct.

 

otoupalik
I have had porsche, inc 996 for last 10 yrs. Car has only been in shop for regular service and I drive hard, track days etc used to take 964 turbo cup GTP racing. I have friends with 355 and 360 much more reliable than previous, but still sh*t and rediculously expensive to repair. Two have sold and replaced with GT3 and GT2 respectively. From personal experience, GT2 is much more usable than Modena.
Don't get me wrong I love Ferrari, but I like to actually drive my cars and IMO Ferrari doesn't cut it, except as poseur machine.
Yes resale on Ferrari is awesome, but you have to pay well over list to get into one. Average Ferrari does approx 2000 miles year, porsche 10000. Lastly in GTP (grand touring production) racing 360 Modena can't even compete with GT3, let alone GT2, so can't understand why you think Ferrari is faster on track? How does it "perform" better, except in mag stats?
Sleestack if you are serious and a known prestige buyer you should be able to loan a car from the dealer for an extended weekend test drive. I do this all the time, because buying a car is a personal thing and you need to put some miles on a car to really understand it.

 

Great points.

 

Well,

I am the chief instructor for a Ferrari/Porsche school (www.motorsportsclub.com) and as such get to drive pretty much every street and track model of both manufacture. A 360 street car will KILL a 996 turbo or GT3 on the track - PERIOD! A GT2 will likely be a bit faster, but still much more difficult to drive and much stiffer.

For you to state that the Ferrari is a poseur machine is crazy. This tells me you have never driven one - really driven one. They are amazing cars to drive. None of the Porsche's has the down force or ease of use that the Modena has.

The GT2 is for an experienced driver who loves Porsche.

The Ferrari is for anyone who wants to push a car without getting into gobs of trouble and appreciates the artistic merit and heritage of the make.

I can tell you that I really only deal with 360's (all variants, including Challenge) that are driven much more then 2000 miles a year with a ton of track time. These cars are awesome. Yes, some early F1-transmission cars had/have electrical problems, but that is resolved.

No, the Ferrari is not a daily driver for most, but neither is the GT2. I would much rather spend an extended ride in the 360 though then a 996TT or GT3 (dunno about GT2 as I have not driven it yet). The Ferrari is more comfortable IMHO.

Further, comparing racing GTP/GT3/GT2 cars is ridiculous. These versions are no where near the street cars. Yes, a GT3RS (which I have driven in anger) will kill a 360 Street or Challenge. A 993 GT2 is even a bit faster. So what - that is not what he is looking at. Also, I can tell you that a 360 Challenge is about 100K less to run a season with as it does not break nearly as much as the GT3RS or require the same level of maintenance.
Thanks

Brad

 

Brad just saw ur website its nice how did u get into that bussiness?

 

Sungulent,

I got into the business by spending way too much time at the track! I literally spend about 75 days at the track each year (excpet this one - too busy). Racing, instructing and coaching keeps me busy and on track. I am also managing our race team this year. I also used to be a COO for a driving school/driving event company here in SoCal.

Thanks

Brad

 

ever consider advertising on television?

let me know got major hook ups

 

Let's chat - maybe a little barter action!

Let's talk seriosuly about getting you out to the track and about this crazy sh*t we do to our cars!

b.

 

Sleestack, do you want the Modena spyder or the coupe?

 

I don't know about being a known prestige buyer, but I do know that I am serious about buying a great weekend/track car. I'm definitely taking a drive before I buy... but I'm also going in with my checkbook halfway open. While I don't believe everything I read in magazines, the general consensus seems overwhelmingly positive when it comes to the Modena. As for Otoupalik, his opinions have been golden thus far and having been a passenger with him on the track, I know he can drive the hell out of a car.

 

Definitely coupe. Even if I bought a convertible like the SL, I would never put the top down. I'm too ugly for all the attention and for open air thrills, I'd rather get a motorcycle. I'm just not a big fan of the way convertibles look. I know some of you will say that attention is unavoidable in a Modena, however, it's more about the stealth driving experience for me. I always tint my windows and rarely roll my window down... except when the cops are tapping on it.

 

THANKS SLEESTACK!

You rock! Wait till I take you out in a 360! It will make that CLK seem like your E320! lol!

b.

 

sleestack....
lets put this dilemma to rest shall we?

buy the modena, and a toyota echoe or something to bash around. Then with the money you have left over ( that you saved by buying the toyota).. take your wifey on a cruise holiday mannnn!!!!!

enjoy!

 

ahmed is right take to athens greece



im going in august

 

right on sungulent.... hey... you got taste my bro!!!!

YOU GOT TASTE!!! my man!

 

lol my grandma was from grece i wanna go see her hometown her husband (grandpa) lebanese


my other grandma was russian i been there and lived in moscow for 4 yrs her husband armenian

both my parents were born in armenia

i was born in armenia

been in moscow st petersburg formerly know leningrad, republic of czech, and alost all 15 former republics of former ussr

been in canada montreal
then to los angeles at age 13
been many states in usa lately vegas whole lott

well my bio
sorry got carried away

 

JESUS CHRIST MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN..

WHAT ARE YOU... UNITED NATIONS!!!!

 

My CLK is for bashing (as history has proven) around. My wife will get whatever she wants. As for travelling, I'm too busy with the house and the cars right now. My next vacation will definitely involve driving on the Autobahn.

 

of those two... 360 no question about it.

But if you're as loaded as you sound, get the Murcielago

Of all the cars my Road&Track employed neighbor has brought home, the 360 was the one he was most excited about. He wasn't exactly complaining about the GT2 either, but lack of PSM and traction control makes it a lot easier to get into some big trouble. Love those brakes!

Also the new Elise was described as F U N, if you can stand the look of it...

And if you get your wife the RS6 I'll be mighty upset!


[Insert HUGE image here]
13 tv's, 3 woofers and 40" wheels

 

Otoupalik
I appreciate your experience and your opinion, but in Aust GTP, 355 challenge and 360 and VT Diablo etc compete against GT3, not GT3RS and do not win PERIOD. This is not club racing/track days or training, this is for the Aust championship. I admit my experience with 355 and 360 is limited and coloured by idiots that can't drive on track days who get in the way all the time.
Contrary to your comment I have two friends with GT2's that use them as daily drive cars which are no less comfortable/usable than GT3 which is a great daily driver.
There is a big difference between having a yahoo day at the track or racing and owning it as your daily transport. I too have experience racing both cars and GP bikes, competing in the Shell ARRC, (Aust Road Race Championships)

How many of these cars have you ACTUALLY "lived" with?
You have stated that 360 is better than GT2 (993 GT2 does not count as they are completely different animals), yet concede you have NEVER even driven one. I have passed on my opinion and experiences from those that have. These are from owners who live with these cars on a daily basis.

As to scoffing at my suggestion that many ferrari's are purchased for investment/pose value, I think your involvement with racing may be coloured by the people who you deal with who are more "hard core", the sort of people who SHOULD own these cars. Reality however is that most Ferrari owners buy as investments/pose value, not for performance. At any ferrari/porsche club day, who is fastest, PORSCHE by a MILE. How many of the Ferrari drivers are even competent on the track?? Most importantly how many Ferrari owners actually turn up? They are all at the show and shine day instead!

Apologies Otoupalik, just realised I have made the mistake I have accused you of. Porsche people I know are "hard core" not "tip cab" poofs. Plenty of Porsche drivers fit my description of Ferrari drivers too. A lot more actually because Porsche are so common comapartively.

I still prefer the GT2 to 360 though!

 

Sleestack
Sorry for getting off track, this thread is about your decision, not me trying to prove a point. However do yourself a favour if you are thinking about the Modena and test drive the 996 GT2. There is no similarity between the 993GT2 that Otoupalik refers to and the new car.