Oppolock Opinions?

"rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S" (rb1971)
11/02/2016 at 13:47 • Filed to: None

Oppos- I’ve been lucky to own a lot of cool cars (ok, and worked my ass off). However I’m doing some Thoreau-like simplifying and I’d like to get down to a max of 4 vehicles. Plus I live in downtown SF and parking especially for the Lincoln is getting complicated.

In the next 6 months I will sell the Lincoln and the Z3M, and the i8 and M6 will come up for replacement not to long after that. I’m keeping the E9 since it’s my baby, as well as the LX450 which costs peanuts to own, and the bike.

What would Opponauts buy?

The idea is to have 1 car that is an awesome super-sedan or super-wagon (I would consider a super-SUV if it looked cool, which I realize is some undermined subjective rating but think LM002 but more reliable) the I can use to run back and forth from SF to LA in comfort, and also loan out to friends when they are in town. This would be leased for 2-3 years if new or purchased CPO if not new. Needs to have a warranty (Carmax ok). Probably not more than 4-5 years old.

Current contenders : Alpina B6 (but that’s pretty similar to what I have), E63 sedan or wagon (too boring too look at? but very capable), Alfa Giulia sedan or (here’s hoping!) wagon, go back in time and get a CTS-V wagon, new Panamera in wagon form.

Then have another “fun” car. But just one at a time, and keep them for 18-24 months. I am pretty wide open on this one.

Current contenders : Morgan 3-wheeler (preferably painted like a fighter plane), Maser Alfieri if it ever comes out and doesn’t suck, M2, F355, AMG GT-S, last of the 911 Turbo 6-speeds (not a 911 guy but it would be cool to have one before they get too old).

Total budget is probably around $200k for both but I am flexible.

DISCUSSION (38)

For Sweden > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
11/02/2016 at 13:50

A house in Marin County with a garage

crowmolly > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
11/02/2016 at 13:51

RS7 and some other beatbox

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > For Sweden
11/02/2016 at 13:52

Not quite old enough to go to key parties yet...

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > crowmolly
11/02/2016 at 13:52

I like the M6 GC and new Panamera better. Doesn’t mean I don’t like the RS7, it’s awesome, but I can’t see getting one given the other 2.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
11/02/2016 at 13:53

I think I’d go with the new Panamera GTS (available soon, I’d guess) and a Caterham/Atom Ariel (unless you want to use this car more often). How terrible are the roads in SF? If bad, Ariel Nomad! =)

RallyWrench > For Sweden
11/02/2016 at 13:54

That would be several times the budget. For a shed with a carport.

Tripper > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
11/02/2016 at 13:55

I vote Alfa for the sedan.

I am a 911 guy, at least I want to be so that would be my fun choice. Since you’re not I like the Ferrari 355 (on my bucket list as well).

If for any reason you go with 911 turbo and hate it, you know where to find me.

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/02/2016 at 13:55

GTS over Turbo? Wagon or sedan?

Roads are pretty bad but I live only a couple of blocks from the bay bridge so the fun car doesn’t get driven in SF much.

For Sweden > RallyWrench
11/02/2016 at 13:56

Then he should work harder!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
11/02/2016 at 13:58

GTS just seems like the sweet spot, but if you can afford the Turbo, hell... Wagon, for sure.

I think if it’s a purely fun car, you owe it to yourself and OPPO to get a Morgan 3-Wheeler/Caterham/Atom/BAC Mono.

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/02/2016 at 14:01

Why do I like the Morgan best when it’s almost certainly the worst performer of the bunch?

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
11/02/2016 at 14:02

S63 AMG maybe an option? And CarMax Warranty for maximum Doug DeMuro

https://www.carmax.com/cars/mercedes-benz/s63-amg/2012/13538934

PatBateman > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
11/02/2016 at 14:02

CTS-V wagon with a Manuel, then a Campagna T-Rex.

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
11/02/2016 at 14:03

Definitely on the list. I’d probably rather an E than an S just due to size, but if a good S comes up at the relevant time I’m happy to have “more car”.

crowmolly > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
11/02/2016 at 14:03

Kind of comes down to personal preference I guess. I’ve never been able to get over the Panamera’s styling, even updated. RS7 looks better to me. Both drive great though.

I’ve got no experience with the M6 though. Looks like a beast on paper!

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
11/02/2016 at 14:07

Oh yeah. Forgot about the downtown SF parking part of your requirements. I just started looking at CarMax.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
11/02/2016 at 14:07

Because it’s the most ridiculous and you can paint it to look like a fighter plane, clearly! Watch this and you might change your mind:

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
11/02/2016 at 14:07

200 combined or each ?

Benjamin Rolland > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
11/02/2016 at 14:08

My vote goes to Giulia or Panamera

deprecated account > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
11/02/2016 at 14:16

Pick up a CPO V-Wagon. You’d have $125,000-$150,000 left to play with. Here’s a manual one in San Rafael for $70k. With the rest of the money, I’d go for a the AMG GTS, a Cayman GT4, or a C7 GS or Z06.

and 100 more > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
11/02/2016 at 14:20

I can’t even begin to comprehend what it must be like to be you.

Please don’t take that wrong, I begrudge you nothing at all. You’ve worked for what you have, and I admire that. No sarcasm, no snark. A bit of envy, to be sure.

I‘m just trying to put myself in your position, with the call-for-advice that you’ve presented, and honestly can’t.

Best of luck to ya, please let us know what you decide!

RallyWrench > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
11/02/2016 at 14:24

Of the cars you mentioned, I’d have the Panamera over the E63, but I’d also be looking at Chevy SS or Scat Pack Charger just for brute force fun.

For the fun car, the 911 Turbo ( I presume you mean 993? Or 996/7?) is going to run you good money because they’ve gone up massively in the last couple of years, but they’re stabilizing a bit now. For likely less, I’d be shopping Ferrari 308s, maybe early 328s, or if you want to get weird and different, a Lamborghini Jalpa. You’d make money on the Ferraris, at least.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
11/02/2016 at 14:28

Here’s an S65 at Carmax. It’d be my choice. https://www.carmax.com/cars/mercedes-benz/s65-amg/2009/13316426

deprecated account > PatBateman
11/02/2016 at 14:29

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/682704477/overview/ Here’s one need him. I’d spend the rest on a AMG GTS, Cayman GT4, C7 GS or Z06, or the nicest 993 you can find for the money.

PatBateman > deprecated account
11/02/2016 at 14:30

YESSIR. This will be a classic in a few years.

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > and 100 more
11/02/2016 at 14:33

Fair enough. I grew up solidly lower middle class on a dirt road in the country, and never thought I’d be here either. But to put things a bit in perspective: the job I have means I can’t ever take a vacation. Last year there were four days where I didn’t work at least an hour. Not four days except weekends and holidays, four whole days. This is my twentieth year like this, and before that I spent about 8 years in school working my ass off as well.

I should also mention that I love all kinds of cars, not just expensive or high performance ones. I’m open to the idea of some sort of Mustang with a 289 and a little bit of suspension work, just because they are so iconic and I figure a car guy should own one in his or her life.

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > deprecated account
11/02/2016 at 14:35

... and it’s so close too.

What’s with the weird stain on the driver’s seat.

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
11/02/2016 at 14:36

Yeah that might be a winner. Normally I’d say that was buying an expensive series of problems - but, Carmax!

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
11/02/2016 at 14:37

Combined.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
11/02/2016 at 14:48

V12 S classes are like boats. They run solely on money and tears.

and 100 more > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
11/02/2016 at 15:19

Thank you for that bit of perspective. As I said, I don’t hold your success against you in any way; and as the old adage says, we all have our own crosses to bear. All I can offer is, enjoy your time while you have it. I think that applies to all of us, in any position.

That said, your notion of owning of a classic Mustang got me thinking, and were I in your position, I’d probably be hunting down a clean, lightly resto-modded, early-70s Datsun 240z, possibly with an engine swap from a 260z. There are still many good ones left in SoCal, that the rust hasn’t found yet. Maybe worth a look? :)

nermal > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
11/02/2016 at 15:22

How about a Jeep?

Brian Silvestro > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
11/02/2016 at 15:29

GT4 and used Ghost/Phantom/Mulsanne/Rapide done

deprecated account > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
11/02/2016 at 15:52

Looks like pretty normal wear to me.

Audistein > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
11/02/2016 at 16:27

I’m in a similar situation but with 3 cars max and less cash. I’m replacing a car in January so I’ve been shopping around a bit.

Get an Audi S8 Plus; CPO if you can. Epic power, epic comfort. You won’t regret it, especially if you’re driving to LA with any regularity. Make sure it has adaptive cruise control and the B&O stereo. That sound system is mind blowing. You also can’t beat 605+ horsepower and massage seats for long trips, or short trips for that matter. Gets better freeway mpg than anything similar, meaning less stops along the way. The S8 can even destroy a windy backroad and you’ll have fun doing it. I have an A8L (in the city too!) but I’m getting an S8 in January when my warranty runs out. Even the A8 is surprisingly sporty, quite fast, but still does well on uneven pavement. My Audi Dealer (not Audi SF, another one happened to have the A8 I wanted in inventory at the time) even picks up the car from my home or work and drops off another A8 as a loaner when I need service, which is awesome. I love that the S8 is a sleeper both in terms of how luxurious it is as well as how fast it is. Don’t know about loaning it out to visitors, but you can give people the LX. Do you trust them with the keys to an E63 AMG S or Alfa Giulia Q-foglio either?

The E63 AMG S wagon may look a little boring, that’s kind of the point. People don’t really expect a wagon to be that fast or make the noises it does. It’s blisteringly quick off the line, much faster than you would expect. I really don’t like the interior of the W212 E-Class and don’t find it particularly luxurious, but if you don’t mind that then it’s worth trying out.

As for Panamera, the GTS with sport exhaust is the best one. Better than the Turbo. I’ve driven both and the turbo is faster and has more of a torque shove but the GTS is way more satisfying. Probably more reliable too. Has to have the sport exhaust though. You can get a loaded 2016 Panamera GTS new for like $15k-$20k off MSRP if you shop around right now. I haven’t even seen the new generation Panamera in person let alone driven one, but they probably killed the glorious NA V8 from the GTS.

I leased an F15 X5 for errands and going to Tahoe. (Not from BMW SF though. They were super rude to me and tried to blow me off so many times. Thought I wasn’t a serious shopper or something and kept lying to me about their inventory and the lease rates. I’ve never had a bad car buying experience like that before or since. I still go there for service and they’re great with that though.) When I got it I test drove the X5M and that was amazing. It’s hilariously fun to drive and you can chuck it into corners in a way that seems completely impossible. The suspension is surprisingly stiff for what it is but it’s way more practical than a Cayenne because the trunk on the Cayenne is really, really small and the back seats are cramped. The Porsche barely works as an SUV. I prefer the way the X5M looks compared to the X6M and for practicality’s sake, but that may just be me. You can still tackle speed bumps/pot holes with surprising speed, even with the big wheels.

Carmax had a few GL63 AMGs when I checked a while back. I’ve never driven one, but I drove a GL550 sport and even that was hilarious. The idea of a GL with that big, turbo AMG V8 is pretty great.

You could also probably get a CPO Bentley Flying Spur V8 for $95k-$130k. I’ve looked at them but I’m not a fan of the aesthetics and it’s definitely more comfort oriented. Amazing presence and a unique driving experience though. My favorite Bentley is the Continental GTC V8 S and it’s a hoot but those are still really expensive and it’s kind of in limbo between sporty and pure luxury. On a side note, there’s somehow an LM002 for sale at the SF Bentley/Lambo dealer on Van Ness.

As for a fun car, you can’t really go wrong with manual 911, M2, or AMG GT-S. Maybe even a Corvette Gran Sport or Z06? Don’t see to many of those in the city. I drove a friend’s C7 stingray convertible once and it was a bit unrefined and the interior was cheap but overall not bad. The greater models are probably awesome. 997.2 Turbo with a stick is nice, but not quite as refined as the latest Porsches. You can also throw a tune or big turbo kit on one of those. I’ve ridden in a modified big-turbo 997 and it was ridiculous. People seem to fawning over the 991.1 GTS, but I don’t see how it can be that especially different from the 991 Carrera S that I drove. They’re a bit pricy on the used market, but I specially love the 991 Carrera 50th anniversary edition with those houndstooth seats and the power pack. It’s like a lesser 911R before the 911R. Aston Martin DBS Volante or an older McLaren 12C could also be contenders, but I’ve heard maintenance on the 12C can be a pain. You can get McLarens CPO from the dealer in South Bay. Get a convertible of any of those if you can; we really are in the right climate for it and it helps you enjoy the noise more.

I love taking drives in my cheap BMW convertible to Marin/Stinson Beach, Napa/Glen Ellen/Sonoma, East Bay, Hwy 1 to Pescadero, Hwy 35 to Santa Cruz, and others. It’s also the car where I throw they keys to anyone visiting me and they always have a great time. Makes a great beater. On one hand I want to replace it with a 911, F-type, or AMG GT; but on the other hand it’s nice to have a beater around. I could theoretically have both because I don’t park my A8 in the garage even though its empty, but having four new cars with two convertibles feels very irresponsible.

Also you’re in SF and selling an i8? Are you just trading it in or if not how much are you selling for and how many miles on it? What about the 6er GC and how much warranty is left on that?

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > Audistein
11/02/2016 at 18:38

Good stuff!

I wanted an S8 when they had the V10 option (growl!) but they sort of dropped off my radar when that went away. I’ll put it on the list to try.

As much as a like the shape of the new Panamera, I think the old was was really poorly designed especially in the rear. I’d have to get a 2017+.

If I were going Bentley, I’d grab a Turbo R that a work colleague owns. But I wouldn’t really because it costs him $13k/year in maintenance. For that money I’d just get another Maserati GT-S.

I was looking at Vettes as well. I sat in a couple when the new model came out and the interior was subpar, but maybe the higher end ones are better?

With respect to the i8 and M6, all of my brand new cars are leased. Mostly because that forces me to keep them longer than I otherwise would, but also because the lease deals on both of those were outrageous at the time. I think my lease cost on the M6 GC is roughly the same as a friend’s M3 lease. However I’ll post on Oppo before I get rid of either of them - they will both be babied cars with low (<10k each) mileage at the end of the lease. The i8 I think only has like 1800 miles right now.

A somewhat more reasonable option would just be to bring my Z3M out to SF and keep it as the fun car rather than sell it. Convertible, analog driving experience, S54. It’s not a terrible option.

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > Audistein
11/02/2016 at 18:50

Oh I forgot:

“Do you trust them with the keys to an E63 AMG S or Alfa Giulia Q-foglio either?”

Definitely. I guess I could get an old/worse everyday car but then I have to drive it too. :) Plus the cars are new and machines can be replaced.

The best car I ever had for this was a 2003 S55 which was 10-12 years old during my ownership. Awesome highway cruiser, terrible $1k/mo maintenance costs.

B_dol > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
11/03/2016 at 20:36

Did you mean a fun car + super touring duty (i.e. - 2 cars)? While the 911 and GT-S are capable of that, tossing the keys to just anyone would be hard.

If you’re not partial to BMW or AMG, the audi rs7 is a neat study - no real experience beyond lusting after its curves. For me a 991.1 GTS would be best non-hardcore modern Porsche option.

I don’t envy thinning the heard, tossing around the idea of a hybird/electric lease myself as I feel the Z4MC really should not be a DD.