Nearly a year of 997 and now time for a change...

[Guest]

Apart from a couple of trips thrashing around some mountain roads, my 997 has done the daily 3 miles to/from the station, and then sat in the garage all wknd. ...so i'm selling it due to lack of use, and getting a boring E class Merc saloon... except for it's got a V8 supercharged engine and gets to 60 in 4.5 and 100 in about 10, and unrestricted, good for >200mph. And it's got 5 seats and a large boot! It's the AMG version, and completely insane.. but in comfort mode, it's docile and super-smooth. It's got variable suspension settings and other gyzmos, so it's not bad along the twisty bits (tho the 911's much better), but doubless i will be bored of it... and very probably back in a 911 by this time next year!

For those that are interested in the depreciation curve, the 997, with low miles, PCM and various other goodies, was about 77k new in May 05, i bought it for 71k in Jan this year, and the current bid is about 56-59k (tho i part/x'd at 60.5, but paid the sticker price on my new car). I expect it will be in one of the OPC's very shortly, with a sticker price around 65/66k. I would also add that i bought it from Bournemouth OPC, and to cut a very very long story, their "service" was utterly deplorable. I felt like i was buying it from Arthur Daley (for example, it had almost no oil it in when i checked after i got home from picking it up. I was told to check the dip stick, yes, i know it hasn;t got one, and go and buy some oil ! And there were a number of other similar problems).
I change my cars very frequently, so depn is the cost of fun.. But i was gojng to get a new Bentley continental gt early last year, and at 120k new, i reckon it'd be more like 75/80 on the bid side currently.... now THAT'S depreciation!

For those thinking of changing the family car, i would highly recommend the Merc E class estate. I just bought my wife a new one, 320 cdi sport. about £50k, but they've really got it sorted, with huge space in the back, lots of thoughtful touches, great spec, and sports seats which are terrific and exceptionally comfortable. The diesel engine is at least as quiet as the petrol at all speeds, gets to 60 in 7.3 and top 150, with 7 speed auto. It's as smooth as any limo i've been in (oh, and gets >50 mpg on a run). It's really amazing, and the sports suspension acutally makes a difference too. Mind you.... they also do an AMG version of it.... hmmm... i might have to have a word with the Mrs... []

Final word of thanks to Rob. Not only is he exceptionally pleasant and very helpful at all times, but he also does a great job and puts a lot of effort into organising the register trips and events.

 

[Alex L]

Why why why would you not take it out for a proper spin at the weekends? I'm so confused.

I personally start getting really agitated and irate if I don't go for a spirited drive in mine at least once every 2 or 3 days. If I go for more than a week then I am just impossible to live with (just ask my other half!)

"¦I feel really sad (for the owner AND the car) when I hear of a 911 not being used as it should. I'm sorry the addictive nature of your 911 didn't rub off on you. The only car I'd change my 911 for would be another 911...

 

[Guest]

Ah... there's a very simple and obvious answer to your question. I dont have time. My kids are 9 and 12, and i see little of them during the week (leave the house at 6am, back at 6-8pm), and devote almost all of my weekends to them. You dont get a 2nd chance... and before you know it... they're all grown up.

In life, most people look back and regret what they didn't do, not what they did. I can buy another 911 anytime...

 

[Delbox]

I've done the same! 997C4S Coupe bought new in Mar 06; sold for a great loss - as expected, and on sale at an OPC for significantly more - as expected. I used the car on a Sunday evening to drive to my weekday workplace where it sat securely in the open until Friday when it took me home again; at weekend, the only time I get with the family, we used my wife's Mini Cooper or daughter's Grande Punto to move the 3 of us around.

Now driving a new (but 8% off) BMW 320 Cd M-Sport Convertible - bought for less than half the price of the 997 and getting twice as many miles to the tankful with a much lower insurance premium! I enjoyed the 997 - but I'll be buying a Jaguar XK Convertible in due course - and it won't be new!

Like Nick, many thanks to Rob for running the Register; his enthusiasm and efforts are appreciated. However, given the ongoing debacle within the Club, I can't say that I'll be sorry not to be a part of it in the future. To those that choose to stay members, I wish you all well and hope that the Club returns to its roots and leaves the (necessary) business aspects to lie in the shadows.

Regards to all,

Del

 

[RichardLW]

If you really have only driven the car to the station and back on a daily basis and it is only three miles each way you ought to be ashamed of yourself for two reasons; all the short runs doing the longevity of the motor no good at all and the extra pollution emitted in that kind of use. You would do far better getting a very economical car for that journey or, IMHO, a bike.

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: RichardLW

If you really have only driven the car to the station and back on a daily basis and it is only three miles each way you ought to be ashamed of yourself for two reasons; all the short runs doing the longevity of the motor no good at all and the extra pollution emitted in that kind of use. You would do far better getting a very economical car for that journey or, IMHO, a bike.

"Ashamed" of myself ??? Doh! I've never heard such b*ll*cks. If i harm the motor in any way, that's my problem, no-one elses. You may not have noticed, but we don't live in a police state (yet)..... you're not related to Ken Livingstone by any chance are you?

And come on.... how can u preach about pollution, when u run a porsche?

Save the insults for the playground, i this is a site for grown-ups.

 

[Guest]

Anyone remember the good old days, when in defence of their cars Porsche claimed that the air coming out of the exhaust of a 911 Turbo in Trafalgar Square would be cleaner than the air going into the engine?

Now that's when we had proper air polution !

[:'(]

 

[oceancarrera]

ORIGINAL: bluffield

Ah... there's a very simple and obvious answer to your question. I dont have time. My kids are 9 and 12, and i see little of them during the week (leave the house at 6am, back at 6-8pm), and devote almost all of my weekends to them. You dont get a 2nd chance... and before you know it... they're all grown up.

In life, most people look back and regret what they didn't do, not what they did. I can buy another 911 anytime...

Well done on making the right choice [] our 911s are always compromises when it comes to kids, and you're right in that we only ever get one chance with them. It sounds like the E-Class will suit your needs a bit better with the extra space for the family etc. OTOH, did you consider a Cayenne? In Turbo guise, certainly as capable as an AMG although not as outright fast!

 

[Guest]

Yes. When we were thinking of changing my wife's ML, it was the first car i looked at. I was very very impressed with the way it drove. But neither my wife nor i could convince ourselves that it was nice to look at! And in terms of convenience, i can imagine taking a trip to the petrol station every other day. At least with the Eclass diesel, she only has to bother filling it up every now and again.

When the kids are older, i'm going to be very tempted by the GT3. I've driven a Supercup GT3 (only once... and very badly). Simply the most awesome car i've ever known.

 

[oceancarrera]

ORIGINAL: bluffield
And in terms of convenience, i can imagine taking a trip to the petrol station every other day.

Good luck getting better mileage out of the AMG! And yes, GT3s really are king! [8D]

 

[Rob Edwards]

Hi
Sorry to hear you're not getting the 'hit' you need with your 911 - I use mine every day and have no plans to change it just yet (buying a boat which is even scarier!) and I love it to bits. Most complete sports car I have ever owned and pretty frugal and flexible in comparison to many of it's peers.
Fully appreciate the reasons for you swapping ( children are everything, cars just metal after all) and good luck with the merc. I rather like the 'lazy' sybaritic nature of the E55 and they are fine for pootling or ripping up the tarmac (plus they make an excellent Q-Car!), so I'm sure it will tick all the right boxes.
Merc seem to have corrected the quality problems of late, so I'm sure it will be 12 months or so of painless ownership - sounds like Bournemouth are one to avoid - if thats indicative of their customer care, then they deserve to lose customers like yourself.
I bet you'll have pangs when you're sat behind a Carrera at full chat though - Hope you return to Porsche sometime in the future[]
Happy motoring!!
Rob

 

[jason]

ORIGINAL: bluffield

Ah... there's a very simple and obvious answer to your question. I dont have time. My kids are 9 and 12, and i see little of them during the week (leave the house at 6am, back at 6-8pm), and devote almost all of my weekends to them. You dont get a 2nd chance... and before you know it... they're all grown up.

In life, most people look back and regret what they didn't do, not what they did. I can buy another 911 anytime...

Why don't you take the kids out in it at the weekends then? If I was 9/12 and my dad had owned a spanking new 911 then I'd have wanted to go out in it every weekend, without excuse![]

 

[bobfair]

Sorry to hear that Bluffield had a bad expeience at the OPC in Bournemouth. I have to say that has not been my experience there which always has been good. I am about to take delivery of my third 911 from them. I have always found them very helpful but of course always expensive around trade in time. However what main car dealer isnt. I have yet to find the secret of buying new cars and not loosing money. The OPC in Bourenmouth is very supportive of the club. For example when we had our Sunseeker day they sent along a new 997 Turbo and they take part in many local events with the club. Brian Deeks the principal or Marco Tomat would be horrified to hear your story. I stress I have no involvement with them other than as a customer. Interestingly my experience with the local Mercedes garage is appalling. I have an E class and my wife an SL and they still treat me like Sh*t

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: bobfair

Sorry to hear that Bluffield had a bad expeience at the OPC in Bournemouth. I have to say that has not been my experience there which always has been good. I am about to take delivery of my third 911 from them. I have always found them very helpful but of course always expensive around trade in time. However what main car dealer isnt. I have yet to find the secret of buying new cars and not loosing money. The OPC in Bourenmouth is very supportive of the club. For example when we had our Sunseeker day they sent along a new 997 Turbo and they take part in many local events with the club. Brian Deeks the principal or Marco Tomat would be horrified to hear your story. I stress I have no involvement with them other than as a customer. Interestingly my experience with the local Mercedes garage is appalling. I have an E class and my wife an SL and they still treat me like Sh*t

I have found most dealerships rather poor, whatever franchise, but i have used Lancasters in Cambridge for my 911's to sort out any problems, servicing etc, and their service was 1st class. Agree that MBenz have a terrible reputation , but luckily our local dealer is the exception. Bourenmouth OPC was a bad experience, esp as i bought and paid for it over the phone without even seeing it, so it was a hassle-free sale for them. However, it didn;t detract from the car, which unlike any other spoorts car, can do it all; crawl thru traffic, cruise like a GT, or be chucked round the corners or tracked. But i've just been out in the AMG, and i have to say, it's simply unbelievable. I'm probably going to miss the 911 at some point.... but i think that's going to be a long way off!

Nick.

 

[philippe]

I agree with Nick regarding OPC cambridge, they seam to be intrested in the Marque, they have some intresting cars there and seam to be involved in the Club, 2 years of service with them so far so good.

Good luck with the Mercedes, i am sure it will be a good fast work horse.

Phil

 

[robert997]

Nick and Del, I'm sorry to see you leave the register. Thanks for your comments and thanks for supporting our register trips this year. Wish you both the best in your new German sportsters, but now you've been bitten by the 997 bug I'm sure it won't be so long before the temptation comes around again...[][][]

 

[huw dolphin]

ORIGINAL: bluffield

ORIGINAL: RichardLW

If you really have only driven the car to the station and back on a daily basis and it is only three miles each way you ought to be ashamed of yourself for two reasons; all the short runs doing the longevity of the motor no good at all and the extra pollution emitted in that kind of use. You would do far better getting a very economical car for that journey or, IMHO, a bike.

"Ashamed" of myself ??? Doh! I've never heard such b*ll*cks. If i harm the motor in any way, that's my problem, no-one elses. You may not have noticed, but we don't live in a police state (yet)..... you're not related to Ken Livingstone by any chance are you?

And come on.... how can u preach about pollution, when u run a porsche?

Save the insults for the playground, i this is a site for grown-ups.

Agreed Bluffield - some people have to get their priorities right. I love driving my 997 but only normally manage it once a fortnight. Work and kids at the weekend do for me the rest of the time, rather like you. I love my kids more than my 997 which I think is probably the right way round... Good luck with the Merc.

 

[Guest]

Many thanks Huw. The other 911s i've had as 3rd cars, and used them even less, hence the idea of the 997 as a station car + weekend use, but that hasn't worked very well in practise either. I've done a few trips to the Scottish highlands, or Brecon beacons in the 911s and there's no better car for that sort of thing.

Maybe the new 4 seater Porsche are bringing out will be the perfect solution. Is it the "Panamerica"?? Due 2009?? (or the Aston Rapide []