SOLD

[geoff lane]

As most of you know I have been looking for a GT4 or if not a Boxster Spyder to release some cash for the mortgage.
Last Friday when speaking to a colleague who deals in cars I asked about one of the above having been unsuccessful in many conversations with OPC's and Specialists the best and only real option was list plus £25k which would not release enough cash.
Again I was told any of the early released cars would likely be + £20K however did I want to sell the GT3 ?
With over 50 up for sale on P/Heads I was a little surprised at this question however my spec was about what a buyer my colleague knew was looking for and he had been let down by an OPC. If I was prepared to let the car go quickly he could sell it. How quickly I asked ?
Tomorrow or Monday at the latest as the buyer wanted it for a track day on Tuesday. Well Saturday was Althorp so that was not possible but possibly Monday if the price was right, anyway an hour later price agreed subject to money in the bank. Monday came and by 10 am the car was gone. The buyer had it on a trailer ready for Tuesday subject to changing the pads. The buyer turns out to own a Carrera GT, a 918 with a 991RS coming plus quite a few more desirable cars.
So now without a Porsche and little chance of a GT4 or Spyder in the near future but a healthy bank balance.
Watch this space

Bye bye lovely car what have I done ?

 

[garyw]

Nice timing Geoff, always nice to have the cash ready to react if something does come your way. []

 

[tscaptain]

997 GTS and pay off the mortgage[]

 

[stokey]

What have you done Geoff?? !.but seriously I know your motives from the chats we have had,
nice to have the cash free and are sure it will not be long before something desirable comes
along.
John and Lyn??

 

[lowndes]

I think that was a shrewd move and well timed.
Give it a few months and some dark winter days, a hike in interest rates to let a bit froth out of the market and you can come back and join Andy and me with our cooking GT3's and still pay off the mortgage..
Cheers
Nick

 

[geoff lane]

I have been looking at options as you would expect when I accepted a GT4 and a Spyder were unlikely unless a substantial premium was paid. Away from Porsche the F type was ruled out as I just didn't like it, much to Jaguar. The Exige is a fantastic drive similar to a 997 GT3 but the cabin when compared to the GT3 is like stepping back in time so as a track car yes but for the 2 of us for weekends etc no thanks, which left an Evora 400 shortly to be available (which has a much nicer cabin than the Exige) or an older 911 but I did like the 991 GT3 cabin. So Porsche or Lotus (the Evora 400 is about as close as you can get to a GT4 equivalent) let me see.
ps When enquiring about the next gen GT3 one OPC already has 40 Letters of intent. Where is this all going ?

 

[SteveJC]

As much as you liked the 7RS and the GT3, you have sold it for the right reasons and hopfully at the best time, especially with prices all over the place at the moment.
Hope you find what you are looking for, with the right badge of course.
SteveJC

 

[bobfair]

Cayman R could be a good buy. Great drivers car and sensible money unlike current GT cars

 

[geoff lane]

Bob

Not driven a Cayman R maybe should try one but I think Caroline would prefer a Boxster Spyder for the open air motoring.
Both have good reviews thanks for the suggestion.

Geoff

 

[markiii]

Good timing Geoff

be be interested to see if you miss it more or less than the RS

couple of thought on your musings

Evora - not driven the 400 but unless they have drastically improved the gear change its not a patch on the Porsches. Feels like you sit a little high up, but incredibly adjustable and lite on its feet.

Cayman R - beautifully balanced and flows really well

boxster Spyder - not tried the 981 but the 987 is a fantastic driving machine, as balanced as the Cayman R and really like a grown up Elise. I was so close to buying one. However as a weekend car great, as a tourer less so, it's noisey with the roof up and shouldn't be driven at high speed that way.

 

[geoff lane]

Mark

The RS is the best car I have owned its not as quick as the GT3 and the GT3 is easier to drive fast but the RS had more character.
The GT3 has a really stylish cabin it is a lovely place to be in and that I will miss.
I have gained the cash I wanted (it happened a bit by chance) and will be spending some of it but unfortunatly it won't be on a GT car.
What is your new steed like are you happy with it ?

Geoff

 

[markiii]

So far I'm loving it, the constant attention takes some getting used to but I've adjusted

compared to my 911 it does everything better, ride quality, handling, and the whole make an event of the drive thing.

luggage space is reduced but could be worse

you can cruise at speed with the roof down and still have a conversation, and it feels like a big go kart which is surprising as its Lardy at 1700kg wet when it was cornerweighted

i wouldn't necessarily say it's better than a gt3 and it's not as sharp, but I doubt I would have enjoyed one more than this

oh and it was less than I could have spent on a gt4, I'd recommend it

 

[geoff lane]

Mark
If you get chance e-mail me a picture.
The Evora gearbox seemed ok to me I have driven my sons both on the road and on track and was impressed but the 400 is not out until end Sept.
Caroline would like a convertible and also something we will use more as she thinks its a waste for it to sit in the garage so much.
With the old register friends all moving away from 997's as was always going to happen we need to find a way of keeping what has been a great social time going as I have mentioned elsewhere. If we can Caroline would like a bit of sunshine while we are doing it.
Are you going to the 997 / 991 christmas do ?

Geoff

 

[markiii]

message me your email address and I'll send some over

 

[geoff lane]

Well having looked around I have decided against the Evora at the minute, I also looked at a R8 V10 following Mark's comments but felt it was a big wide car and not ideal for back road blasts as well as having to be about 4 years old , I also wanted after some thought to stay with the badge so not being able to get a GT4 without paying a hefty premium (2 cars currently over £100K) and with the Spyder still not really around and OPC's holding deposits should more cars become available I have spent some of my healthy bank balance.
This car is very nicely specced and should cover most bases, it is not new but has only covered 600 miles and I am still running it in so as yet cannot comment on its ultimate performance but so far it drives well and comes alive at less insane speeds and is suitable for my type of weekend fun driving as well as the odd track day and hopefully continental road trips.
No girly comments please,






[blockquote][h3]Equipment[/h3]
2-zone automatic air conditioning. 20-inch SportTechno wheel. 6-speed manual transmission. Automatically dimming interior and exterior mirrors with integrated rain sensor. BOSE® Surround Sound System. Bi-Xenon Headlights with PDLS+ with dynamic high beam. Black painted wheels (partially). Carbon centre console trim. Carbon door sill guards. Cruise control. Digital radio. Electric folding outside mirrors. Light design package. Online services. [/LIST]
Painted headlight cleaning system covers. Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB). Porsche Communication Management (PCM) incl navigation module with universal audio interface. Porsche Entry & Drive. Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV). Reversing camera incl. ParkAssist front and rear. Roll-over bar with exterior colour paint finish. Seat heating. Smoking package. Sports Bucket Seats. Sports suspension (20 mm lower). Steering column casing in leather. Telephone module. Wheel Caps. [/LIST]


Hopefully it will give me some fun and it also helps that Caroline is happy to drive it.

Geoff.





[/blockquote]

 

[garyw]

A few people have asked me what I've thought of going to next and looked at me in shock when I've said the Boxster GTS, for something fun and sporty...
So certainly no girly comments from me, apart from excellent choice [] and top colour..

 

[stokey]

Lovely choice Geoff , having driven a GTS at Silverstone was very impressed with the chassis and general
handling, makes a nice sound as well??.
could never see you and Caroline in the R8, too much like a hairdressers special for you ??

 

[Rufus]

Congratulations Geoff and welcome back to the Boxster register. I agree with Gary a great choice.

 

[pwebb]

Great choice Geoff, that'll get the wind in Caroline's hair again - and with plenty of grunt to keep the GT boys honest.

 

[RussellFunnell]

Very nice looking car Geoff.
Once you've run her in you'll have to post up and tell us how she compares to the various 911's you've had, I for one would be very interested.