Vader13

its a different car, motors in the wrong spot. I loved and hated my GT3..
The E55 is the best all around car I have ever had..but you need a P car one time in your life for sure..I love the 996GT2

AMGfan

Anybody got a recommendation on a the best year for a 996GT2?

jpohl402

All great choices, skip the AC cobra replica.....
Both previous GT2s and the 997 GT2s are pretty raw and in your face (havent driven 997 GT2 yet). What about 997 GT3RS? Great color schemes w painted wing, mirrors and wheels - naturally aspirated as well, suede and carbon fibre on inside - 997TT is somewhat boring after extended periods......

I would prefer a 997 something because I think they look better, plus it's the new body style. But if you get any GT2 put a rollbar in her!

F430 is great choice - huge improvement over 360s, but Porsche is def. more reliable/daily driveable. You said money was no object - 599 GTB ?? If you want an attention getter, go LP640, though not incredibly comfortable - on any of the Italian cars would you get 6spd gearbox of F1? I would go 6spd.....

It seems you are interested in a sporty car, but looking close to you over in Crewe, the new bentley brooklands looks to be a fantastic cruiser, way better than continental GT.....
But fu** it, how about Carrera GT?
As hard of a decision it is, lucky you to be in that situation!

vixapphire

i can't get over the overstyled interior on the 996's; all that swoopy nonsense is too much. the 997 is much more tastefully executed. too bad, given some of the deals on 996's nowadays.

stevebez

Hehehe ... I said "IF" money was no object!!! and if so the 997GT2 ... but its a mad price with mega depreciation ... not worth ~$70k over a 997TT - think 996GT2 is the way to go..

Victor you have a beauty!!!

Thanks for all the advice guys... I am just having a load of trouble find a decent second hand 996GT2 here...

alroumi

Well I think the best car for you might be a CLK DTM cabriolet because it has an S/C and seats 4 people nicely.

If you are between the GT2, turbo and the F430 I would definatley put the GT2 and the F430 on my priorety since they feel much raw. The GT2 doesnt have rear seats from what I can remember and the clubsport comes with bucket seats and a roll bar.

stevebez

Well found a good example 2004 13k miles silver with black, comfort version with half cage, PCCB's (think they were OEM on the GT2).

Apparently perfect condition and £73k... thats around $145kUS ... but we cannot do these US-UK comparisons...

Reckon E55 worth around £55k with my options here. So have to pay in lets say £20k ($40k) for a car 2 years older and ~150hp less powerfull, with 2 seats... hmmm.

A few others around, older with more miliage for mbe max £10k less, so think better to pay up for latest lowest miliage unit.

Which economics professor said we should assume people are rational investors ??? Its a rediculous notion. When it comes to peoples' passions it all goes out the window!!!

W210

I also have two young girls, 3 and 4 and enjoy the fact that I can take them out for a spin on the weekend if I want to.

It rains a lot where I live and I really appreciate the added traction of the 997TT over the E55, and of course, the handling. However, I do miss the comfort of the AMG.

stevebez

I think thats just it - a third car should be an occasion to drive. It should stir the soul and spirit!!! The E55 is best of both worlds as a DD, but it aint my DD anymore. The car I am after will be w/e car only.

The beast is an occasion but too much sheeps wool over the beast... cruising on a highway I could quite easily be driving a limo.... when you are in a proper sports car cruising on the highway at 70mph it still feels like you are doing 150mph...

CLK DTM Conv is a great looking car... and got the performance to boot - but its allot of moolah!! not so sure about tracking a conv though - chassis often have more flex although dont know about the DTM, but also from safety perspective not a good recipe!

Lets see what deal these guys can do for me on the GT2... I feel stupid paying in cash on this car....

But I still want it!

FYI done some research and a Wetterauer ECU pushes a GT2 to 554HP, 540ftlb from 459ftlb for $3000.... now thats a bargain!

Fikse

that Porsche looks so tame compared to the F430.....

alroumi

Haggle with the price mate, since yours is modified it will attract more customers especially the young who are into Speed.

stevebez

I am actually surprised at the interest I have received in my beast, so mbe wont have to shell out to much to jump off the cliff...

Anyhow back to the options. I am down to 996GT2 vs 997TT. TT is 15-20% premium in second hand market with 100+ to choose from.. GT2 there are about 3-4 possibles and only 1 MKII available.

No PSM on GT2 worries me ... I do some track racing but I aint no pro. I have scary memories of the old 930 tail spin stories which still make brave men quiver... I assume the 996GT2 is more than a step ahead of that but all the reports I have read say it needs to have 100% commitment when pushed a little beyond comfortable limits.

997TT has all the toys, tricks and ponies to compare. But I am not sure I would be up to tracking this car... Dunno why but the limited fuel range on this car would bug the cr*p into me. I had a C280 for 2 weeks before dishing it back - could barely do 175miles on a tank.

997GT2 (now with PSM - and 90L tank) is the answer really but the perfect fit is beyond reach....

Any more thots? Should I just wait until I can sort out a 997GT2?

jpohl402

How many US gallons is 997T tank?

cte430

Steve, I can't believe the GT2 and TT have such differing fuel capacity? I filled up yesterday and I think (you'd think I would know this LOL) it takes 16 gallons.

I was in the same boat you were in. My E55 was no longer my DD and it made no sense to have a 4 dr sedan as my "fun" car. I always wanted a TT so got the 997TT after spending a year w/ a 997S (great car, btw).

for all the rain you see in the UK AWD may be nice to have. I can tell you (which you probably already know) the one fault of the TT is it's not quite as "surgical" as the GT3/2 in the handling dept. I know many TT owners who took delivery of their cars with the alignment way off from even the factory spec. Not sure why but getting a proper alignment helped a lot.

For a very small investment you can get Bilstein coilovers and a GT3 alignment and you will handle with just about anything. I am currently running techart springs, lowered, and GT3 specs and it was a big improvement. I'll be installing coilovers next month and based on what other friends have reported I expect the improvement to be substantial.

If you go for the GT2 make sure you have the PCCB's looked at. The Gen. I PCCB's did have some problems and you would be looking at a very expensive repair right out of the gate. I've heard no problems w/ the Gen II's and I absolutely love mine.

zoink

Your E55 still worth £55k???

I've been browsing autotrader.co.uk and found very few E55 and the prices were around £25-35k... granted the newest one I found was still '04 w/ 20k miles or something.

Any good web sites to search for used cars?

Also, since we're in car buying thread.... do the ad prices usually include taxes, etc. (in other words, OTD/OTR price) or not (just like US)? And what else do you usually need to pay when buying used cars in UK? What the heck is 6-month MOT, 12-month MOT? Prepaid taxes/license fees?

ramosw15

maybe this will help!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_t5di9Insw

stevebez

Looks like I am in for around £40-45K, Ferk! Used '06 E63's are around £45k with similar miliage from dealer, little les privately. 06 E500 with same miliage is £35k... wierd. Man these cars have just collapsed!!!

O boy... might be back to drawing board with that resale picture. Damn I was a complete monkey getting the car new.



So as I am about to throw more dough down the drain how about this combo? The interior is a bit brash, but like it more than the regular dull grey / black interiors? Problem is its bordering on salmon / pink which is a bit of a worry, a light burgundy would have been better perhaps.

No PCCB's, or LSD but everything else...

DFW01E55

Global collapse on AMG's?

I think the interior is great. As you point out, the gray or black interiors can look dull, IMO - cheap. My 996TT had Savannah beige interior and I loved it. It's better to separate yourself from the crowd of bland interiors.

AMGfan

+1...go for it...I always like the contrast of the carrera red interior and black exterior. Good luck!

blueknight

Too much red IMO, it will get old fast.

cte430

I don't mind the red but looks much better if it had deviated carpets.

andy_cyp

Steve long time bro how are ya ???

Dont really want to burst your bubble mate but there is no way youll get £40-45k for an 06 E55, the market at the mo is fkin terrible and with the price increases in fuel here our 55's are dropping big time.

2 examples Friends 05 e55 bought new every option ticked cost £70k new, now 18k miles on the clock perfect condition mb dealer trade in 28k.

2nd example 57 plate "registered 10/07" E63 selling at MB worcester 12k miles fully loaded....... 43k.

Resale market now for gas guzzlers like ours is extremely low, hope you prove me wrong mate.Makes my stomach churn but this is reality.

Andy

DynamicMotoring

Wow, that interior color is... a bit much. Just make sure you can handle it for more than a few hundred miles.

stevebez

Yeah bit too bright... but then it wont be a DD - w/ender etc...

Andy - hey man how you doing?

Its mad... 6mnths ago they were going for £55k, amazing... for £30-35k Ill just keep it... Red Ken getting his way, and dont think Boris will be any better. One thing is for sure - I'll never buy new again in the UK! I should have done the MB finance with the g'teed residual () ... There are just too many taxes built into the prices so once you buy it the fundamental value just evaporates...might be worthwhile exporting her to Aussie or South Africa. Still worth some money there.

In this economic climate may as well put the whole damn idea on the back burner or get a 996TT/GT2. You wont believe the palava I had to go through to remortgage the house. 55% LTV and the number of hoops I had to jump through would make your head spin... and thats nothing too special, base +0.39%.!!!

BTW just to make your head spin more - that TT above sticker is £104k, 2008, 1000 Miles... wtf???? Someone get me outa here!!!!!

E55 RUSS

My freind 997 TT with 700-750 HP package which is pretty realible can do the trick...plus you can put all the power to the ground anytime and from dead stop...

Supercar for everyday and any weather, confortable and driver freindly...Has small rear seat..perfect for kids I have 2 of then as well 3 and 5 tear old...You cant get TipS which is faster then manual and will work good in London traffic...imho...

Dont get F430 it nice weekends car but not for everyday...