Death of performance ICE Coupes/Convertibles?

[bigbob]

I’ve been looking around for something to replace my GranTurismo with. £50-100k new or used, don’t now need four seats, it’s just an occasional car and not a daily driver.

There’s lots of choice and plenty of people on here have been through this but there seems to be just zero confidence in these sort of cars these days so the likely depreciation could be huge. Talking to mates with fast cars, everyone feels the same. It’s as if we are in limbo, in a phoney war just before there is a deluge of fast, semi affordable BEVs.

A 991.1 for example does not even look rapid against a Golf R, RS3, A35/45AMG and versus the new BEV stuff that is incoming it will very slow. Sure a feel good car does not have to be the fastest out there as that’s not the only point of ownership but with ICE cars likely to be banned from various urban places and people increasingly taking against noisy/high CO2 cars the mighty offers out there on cars as diverse as an M4/SL500/DB11 are there for a reason as these cars are going to tank. I could argue all day long about the positives and negatives of BEVs but that’s the direction of travel so what’s the best place to enjoy a loud feelgood drive? Actually, the nicely depreciated 4.7 GranTurismo that’s sat in my garage.

PS Car Magazine out today says the mid engined Modena Coupé out testing will be £200k....that’s me out!

 

[mjheathcote]

Don't look at performance figures.
My daily BMW M140i is on paper virtually the same as my Maser, but the Maser drives so much better, more planted.
Don't get me wrong I love my 140, a bit wild at times especially this time of year, but they are getting a bit silly with the power outputs.
If a 991.1 ticks your boxes, why not?

 

[keith]

What about the great looking facelifted Jaguar F type. It was just launched this last week.

 

[Nayf]

Try the Lexus LC500. Closest new car to a Maserati GranSport in feel you can buy...

 

[Nayf]

Oh, and it delivers peak power at 7000rpm. In a V8. In 2019. Naturally aspirated too...

 

[Oneball]

Nothing has changed, expensive, fast, uneconomical cars have always depreciated like a stone.

The EV revolution is coming but they aren’t going to be fast. The Tesla stuff is just a party piece. When the Toyota Corolla of the EV world appears it’ll perform about the same as, well, a Toyota Corolla. It’s too expensive, too energy hungry and too heavy for an everyday EV to be supercar fast.

 

[D Walker]

Try the Lexus LC500. Closest new car to a Maserati GranSport in feel you can buy...

I passed one the other day, have to say it took my eye...

 

[philw696]

Lexus certainly looking good for me.

 

[rockits]

I'd still rather have and old manual normally aspirated car. No desire for any of the new stuff at all. An aside that I couldn't afford one anyway.....win win

 

[bigbob]

What about the great looking facelifted Jaguar F type. It was just launched this last week.

A very nice looking car, a bit heavy but attractive nonetheless.

 

[bigbob]

Try the Lexus LC500. Closest new car to a Maserati GranSport in feel you can buy...

I was in Japan before it was launched in the UK and a red one cruised passed me in the street - very impressive if a bit fat.

 

[Andyk]

What about the great looking facelifted Jaguar F type. It was just launched this last week.

Agree, at first glance it's not much different. Shape is the same which isn't a bad thing...Some new front and rear lights and and new grill and bonnet with some very nice vents....but the overall effect works really well and make the older car look well like the older car. The AWD V8 R version with I think 565 bhp is 96k but I would not go there as they have a rear wheel drive V8 with 450bhp for 69k with a few options 75k....That's all you need probably as I bet it's more engaging than the AWD R.....Last time you will probably see this V8 as well as the 2022 car will no doubt not have it.

 

[safrane]

Depreciation is only an issue if you sell.

Get the best NA you can and keep it... buy a EV golf or the like for everyday use.

As you state; the old school sports car will be in the history books soon.

 

[bigbob]

Agree, at first glance it's not much different. Shape is the same which isn't a bad thing...Some new front and rear lights and and new grill and bonnet with some very nice vents....but the overall effect works really well and make the older car look well like the older car. The AWD V8 R version with I think 565 bhp is 96k but I would not go there as they have a rear wheel drive V8 with 450bhp for 69k with a few options 75k....That's all you need probably as I bet it's more engaging than the AWD R.....Last time you will probably see this V8 as well as the 2022 car will no doubt not have it.

Could be the last refuge for many of us. I think I can live with turbos or superchargers but would struggle to give up on a V8 so a good choice.

 

[bigbob]

Depreciation is only an issue if you sell.

Get the best NA you can and keep it... buy a EV golf or the like for everyday use.

As you state; the old school sports car will be in the history books soon.

That’s true but there is always the nagging doubt that you have shelled out a load of ££ for something that you will only be able to use in a reducing range of places.

Still like the idea of that type of mix of cars, not sure whether NA is a must mind. I keep being drawn to these sub £100k McLaren adverts then read the negativity on the forums but wonder how much of that is from non-owners.

 

[Andyk]

I know what you mean about Mclarens....12C starts with a 6 and 570 with an 8..... Such a lot of performance and looks for the money. I would talk to owners if you can as I get not all,have horror stories. The thing with forums is that you mostly hear about issues rather than all is going well.....

 

[Ewan]

Try a 991.2 targa 4S. Fabulous looks, amazing roof design, plus great performance, reliability, etc. Ticks many boxes.

 

[dickygrace]

If you don’t require rear seats buy a 981 Cayman S, GTS or GT4. They’re fantastic and reliable, and should depreciate little as they’re the last of the NA 6’s.

 

[bigbob]

Try a 991.2 targa 4S. Fabulous looks, amazing roof design, plus great performance, reliability, etc. Ticks many boxes.

Good suggestion - really like them. There are two local to me and I always admire them.

In the wider context I was out cycling with a mate today and the subject of how good fast estates and SUVs have become came up to the extent that that is all a lot of people are now buying rather than the two car choices of the past (528 saloon and 360, say). As long as the coupes are made in small volumes then that creates enough brand halo to drive the sales of bigger stuff that takes the family, luggage and is fast enough for the tech controlled roads we now have.

I also wonder whether supercars are now so fast that they will end up being legislated into track day only cars in a decade or so.

 

[empzb]

I'd still rather have and old manual normally aspirated car. No desire for any of the new stuff at all. An aside that I couldn't afford one anyway.....win win

I'm with you on this. Very few bits of metal I would spend money on (even if I had the cash). I'd maybe look at a lambo with that budget or an Cayman r.

Outright speed may be lost in the EV wars, but there is so much more to the experience in ice that you dont get, the interaction, the sound, the smell, the feel.