If someone else has mentioned this my bad but 997TT? Not really a better daily than that IMO.

Some great responses here and very informative. Really impressed with all the advice and it has altered my thinking a bit. So, let me respond to some of the automotive suggestions.

997TT: Would absolutely love to own one but can't swing the cost of new or CPO and maintenance on an older model is frightening.

SL 65: Another one I'd love to own but again, maintenance is a huge issue. Know a guy that has one and got clipped for almost 8 grand for plugs, wires, filters, etc.

Aston's: Again, can't afford new and I MUST have a warranty to be comfortable. One georgeous car though.

Vetts: Had several and just not a fan. Performance bang for the buck is unbeatable but performance is only one aspect of what I'm looking for. I don't have to have the fastest car on the street.

Jag: After hearing some of the bad news here I'm a little nervous about owning one despite the appeal. Had an XK8 that was a nightmare but was thinking Jag has changed since being owned by Ford and now Tata.

New M4: The two door replacement for the M3 which I'm going to drive today. Almost makes me feel like a traitor for even looking at BMW but the dealer is two miles from my house and the only auto dealer in town. Saw the car on the lot yesterday and it looks great. Never driven one before.

Also, where I live there are no "twisties" to play on. The nearest twisty road is the ramp onto the freeway so sports cars can never get a work out here. A sporty coupe or seday with lots of motor is what works here and where my E55 really shines.

So, the Jag is still high on the list but needs more research. Another TT E class is starting to look pretty good as well. The Carrera S is a possibility but they have no torque and like I said before, there are no twisty roads available. The M4? Will have to see how that feels.

That jag is pretty and unique since they aren't selling many. With a warranty I'd do it and sell if it there were issues.

Here's a low mileage 997TT that you could easily get an extended warranty for and come in under ~90k. They're out there. Maybe not local.
http://www.autotrader.com/ATCarID/AT-15F1DDAB?LNX=IOSEMLVDP&dealer_id=68888617&car_id=3 68172459

TT E63 with a tune would be a war hammer

No kidding! I drove my buddy's ZR1 and that car has some *****!!!

My choice would be a 2014 E63S. Beautiful interior, muscular/corporate looks and perfect performance for your on-ramps!



Nice time and big trap speed!

I checked out a 2014 E TT at the dealer last time I was there. Msrp was 144k and it was painted in matt silver that IMO looked like crap. Can't argue with the performance though.

Car & Driver tested the E TT against the Audi rs7 and the 1/4 mile et's were quicker than they should have been based on reported hp. So they put them both on the dyno at K & N and both made almost 100 hp more then claimed AT THE WHEELS that's some seriously conservative numbers the factory is claiming.

Not to mention with just a tune they gain even more power. Just pick up a used one... you can find them in the low 90s and they're still under factory warranty and everything.

Concur.. Used one with warranty put some down pipes on with a tune and you will be able to Kill most anything out there.. Go for the CLS... Good luck and happy hunting..

Here is a link to maintenance from a guy who is looking or was looking at Astons. Gives you an idea of what to expect. Minimal and low cost , but take a look. Understand if it would worry you too much, but I bet they are cheaper to maintain and less problems than a Merc AMG.

http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/a...liability.html

After selling my W210 E55, I will get 2010-2012 Jaguar XK-R. It's beautiful car with aluminum body and 510hp. New => $100K now about $45K.
They handle pretty well for a such large car and damn good looking.
It's not as good as handle as 911 but I don't race in corners. It's a nice daily cruiser.

I love the new F-type - wish I had more $$$ to get the wife one, she's still looking for that one special SLK55 - but I'm sure the F-type Convertible would convert her over

The M4s look nice and sound mean! I saw one a couple weeks back with an exhaust on it. Looked pretty fast and sounded amazing! My vote is still for a TT E though...

Sounded amazing from the inside or outside. BMW can shove their fake engine noise up their ***!!! Pretty lame to have to roll down your windows so others can hear you exhaust sound cool...

From the outside... It was next to me when we were pulling on the freeway.

Dam you guys, I got the itch again due to all this talk about various purchasing. I WILL follow my advice though to the OP.

05' DB9 with 15k on the clock. The Two known issues with the early years were fixed and updated to the new parts, so it won't ever happen again. Full service history through AM, got the build sheet and spec also. Issues found without it on a lift---- rock nicks lower pass rocker panel, soft top peeling away from glass window in the middle (known issue, typical and not bad), slight corrosion on aluminum hood latch bolts (Florida car). Other than that its pretty perfect and ran straight and smooth. Price is somewhat in line where it should be also.

Catch------------ Comes with a 1 yr AM FULL Bumper to bumper warranty unlimited miles good at any AM dealer. Covers everything period, no catches. Exactly the same as a new vehicle. ($3k) Included in the price of the car. 2yr is 5k. They have to pass a 140 point AM inspection (their version of Certified) and even a 05 can do it. Good to know. Everyone knows for the most part, you drive the car its hardest and the most miles within the first year, so that coverage is probably good. Should be normal maintenance after that.

Maintenance----- Every 10k miles or once a year (most exotics) change oil, inspect items........... (same on all Astons)
Vantage------ about 800 or so
DB series---- about 1200
If you are inclined to DIY, then would cost 250.00. Might not be bad every 3 years or so to pay for them so things can be inspected, I do that on the Merc if they have a deal.

After that, there really are no problems with them, very dependable, and many are daily drivers. Vantage a lot of people get 50k or so out of the clutch if a 6 speed. Only 2k for replacement if done by AM. Overall quite possibly cheaper to own than a high maintenance Merc.

I agree with just about everything in this post. Except for the 991 part. I've driven several and they are not that special. The electric steering and PDK are making current Porsches not that different from everything else on the market.

Maintenance is quite cheap actually. Oil changes are a breeze. Brake flush is easy (separate circuit). everything pretty much is bolt-on and accessible. The only thing that's a PITA are the spark plugs (every 30K miles). Engines are bullet-proof (google "Mezger engine", unlike what's in the newer cars. Hell, Porsche won at Le Mans with that motor.

I think a 997 GT3 has a high probability of being next in my garage.

OT

Compelling case for the 991GT3