Car Suggestions — "Go Bonkers" Edition

"LeadfootYT" (leadfootyt) 10/12/2014 at 18:15 • Filed to: None

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So yesterday, a client of mine asked me for some advice in the car front. He's in his 70s, and has had a history of very interesting cars, and he's looking to replace one of them (a 996 Porsche 911 Turbo X50 Cabriolet) with another interesting convertible. And that's the key — he's a man who has interesting cars, the models that only a car guy would really know, and be amazed by. Here's his current fleet (that I know of):

-Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Wagon

-Ruf RGT Cabriolet (996, 6-speed, one of two RGT Cabs)

-Audi A6 wagon

-Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet X50 (6-speed)

He also used to own an RS4, and has had experience with all manner of luxury automobiles throughout his life. He also may very well have many more cars than this at the moment, as I only learned about the X50 Cab yesterday.

He's looking for something that's unique for his California house to replace the 911 Turbo, and is chiefly looking for something that has the special factor of so many of his cars. The special factor is the thing that we see as enthusiasts — people who know cars come up to him and appreciate how special and rare they are, but the cars themselves are not extremely flashy.

It's also worth mentioning that he can put anything on/in his Porsche or Ruf. He has custom bike racks, and has fit various fountains and lawn fitments in both by sticking them out the roof. Plus, he has a wagon on hand at each house to handle any actual equipment moves.

Cars that are ineligible include the F-Type R (my first suggestion, but he feels Jag lost their way after the E-Type and can't shake the fact that "all they make are sedans") and XKR-S, both of which I think he would like. He's also mainly looking for a convertible, and something brand new (he did look at various wagons when he was searching for the E63, and tried a CTS-V wagon with a six speed, but found the visibility too lacking in the rear). He was also thinking about the RS5, but feels it's too similar to a "real estate agent's car". BMWs are out too, because "everyone in [the city where he lives in CA] has five of them". Maybe an i8, but he's also "not looking for a sports car". I also suggested the Mercedes AMG GT, but he didn't seem to into it. He'd also prefer an automatic, as it would handle a lot of city driving.

Some of my suggestions were the Aston Martin V8 Vantage N420, possibly the Audi R8 Spyder, and possibly a Maserati Granturismo Convertible. But those are tentative.

So, those are the details. Comment with your own suggestions.

AM3R > LeadfootYT 10/12/2014 at 19:31

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audi TTRS? Don't think its available as a vert though.

Frenchlicker > LeadfootYT 10/12/2014 at 20:47

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He's clearly insane, tell him to have a custom Model S convt made.

WhereAreMyPants > LeadfootYT 10/13/2014 at 11:17

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Ferrari California?

It's not the most jalop, but it's smooth, special, folding hard-top, and automatic.

LeadfootYT > WhereAreMyPants 10/13/2014 at 12:50

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The thought occurred to me, but he doesn't seem like a Ferrari kind of guy. I think the Maserati is as close as I'll get him to that haha. Although my personal favorite recommendation is the Alfa Romeo 4C, although it's a bit of a wildcard. His philosophies are similar to that of the Prince of Monaco's in that Jeremy Clarkson special from a while back; it doesn't matter how little (or much) it costs, as long as it's rare.

WhereAreMyPants > LeadfootYT 10/13/2014 at 15:46

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INot that I've driven one, but, from what I understand, the 4C is pretty hardcore if he's not looking for a sports car.

Maybe he could find an 8C? S65?

LeadfootYT > WhereAreMyPants 10/13/2014 at 17:30

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CL65 is an option I was thinking about. An 8C would be cool, but he likes to use his cars more than I think an 8C should take.

WhereAreMyPants > LeadfootYT 10/13/2014 at 19:01

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If he wants rarity, and has no budget limit, what about a Rolls? A Wraith, or a Phantom Drophead, are as rare as you're going to get, and they're sure not sports cars.