SERIOUSLY considering buying a base 992 - Page 3 - 911/Carrera GT - PistonHeads UK

So, ive previously owned M3s, C63s and an M340i but I feel like I now want something a bit more special as a weekend car. We are a family of four, myself, my wife and two growing boys currently aged 12 & 7. We've already been out to the dealership and we all fit fine in the 992 coupe BUT my conundrum is that I wish to keep the car for around 5 years if possible. At that stage my kids would be 17 & 13 therefore my question, from looking at the average heights of kids that age in the UK, would we all be able to fit in a 992 with the following heights: Myself and my eldest child in the front: My eldest at at 5ft9" in the front passanger and myself at 5ft8" driving My wife and youngest in the rear: My wife behind me at exactly 5ft and my youngest behind my eldest at 5ft1" So therefore two passangers in the from at 5ft9" & 5ft8" and then two in the rear at 5ft & 5ft1" IS IT DOABLE??

It’s not a 4 seat car, but as your kids get older you won’t all be going out in it together. Presumably it won’t be an only car, so just use the other one when you all do. It’s worth being mindful that you could buy a v8 f type or Mustang and a macan s for similar money as an 2 car alternative for family duties.

My initial reaction was ‘no’ but then when I read the heights I’d say it probably is. Whether your marriage will last with you sticking your wife in the back at the weekends, I’m not so sure. I don’t feel comfortable with my nearly 7year old in the back. Not because he doesn’t fit, more because if something went wrong, he’s going to face plant the back of the seat in front. It’s just all too close in my opinion.

bennno said: It’s not a 4 seat car, but as your kids get older you won’t all be going out in it together. Presumably it won’t be an only car, so just use the other one when you all do. It’s worth being mindful that you could buy a v8 f type or Mustang and a macan s for similar money as an 2 car alternative for family duties. Yes it wouldn't be our only car, we have another small four seater four door hatch back for daily duties during the week, this would primarily be a weekend fun car BUT I do want all of us to enjoy it at the same time, for short journerys of around an hour max

Stanley Rous said: My initial reaction was ‘no’ but then when I read the heights I’d say it probably is. Whether your marriage will last with you sticking your wife in the back at the weekends, I’m not so sure. I don’t feel comfortable with my nearly 7year old in the back. Not because he doesn’t fit, more because if something went wrong, he’s going to face plant the back of the seat in front. It’s just all too close in my opinion. The wife has said she would be fine to go in the back at that stage as it may only be for a year or so before my eldest gets his own car at that age. Do you think that they could fit in the back without their heads touching the roofline? The only other car I would consider is the Alfa Gulia QV but very scared about the relaiability of that car. Other considerations included the G80 M3 or the G87 M2 but hate the styling on them and they don't seem special enough as just a weekend car.

Try a Mustang GT, kids will fit in better and you’ll make more use of it.

truekumar said: Yes it wouldn't be our only car, we have another small four seater four door hatch back for daily duties during the week, this would primarily be a weekend fun car BUT I do want all of us to enjoy it at the same time, for short journerys of around an hour max Your wife would probably do 1 journey in the back then never again

Buy a FF if you want something fun that can actually take four on decent trips!

bennno said: Try a Mustang GT, kids will fit in better and you’ll make more use of it. The new DarkHorse is a consideration, but I’m guessing the depreciation will be massive on one of them but so will the Alfa as well I guess. Alfa QV Vs Mustang Darkhorse…hmmmm…my dream is the 992 but probably not the most practical in comparison to these two. Decisions, decisions….

stuthe said: Buy a FF if you want something fun that can actually take four on decent trips! Would love one, but outside of my budget of around £85k max

truekumar said: bennno said: Try a Mustang GT, kids will fit in better and you’ll make more use of it. The new DarkHorse is a consideration, but I’m guessing the depreciation will be massive on one of them but so will the Alfa as well I guess. Alfa QV Vs Mustang Darkhorse…hmmmm…my dream is the 992 but probably not the most practical in comparison to these two. Decisions, decisions…. If you lost 40% of a dark horse, it’d only be equivalent to 20% of the 992. Both as likely. If you don’t want depreciation find a 2017 / 17 onward registered GT for £32-£35k and look after it, or a 2010 onwards 997.

truekumar said: Stanley Rous said: My initial reaction was ‘no’ but then when I read the heights I’d say it probably is. Whether your marriage will last with you sticking your wife in the back at the weekends, I’m not so sure. I don’t feel comfortable with my nearly 7year old in the back. Not because he doesn’t fit, more because if something went wrong, he’s going to face plant the back of the seat in front. It’s just all too close in my opinion. The wife has said she would be fine to go in the back at that stage as it may only be for a year or so before my eldest gets his own car at that age. Do you think that they could fit in the back without their heads touching the roofline? The only other car I would consider is the Alfa Gulia QV but very scared about the relaiability of that car. Other considerations included the G80 M3 or the G87 M2 but hate the styling on them and they don't seem special enough as just a weekend car. A G80 or G82 M3 with the Ultimate pack would be a lovely thing. If you want to special it up more, get an individual colour.

What’s your motive here, are you on the wind up? You have had an extensive discussion with multiple owners on the other thread 991.2v 992 where I commented- Stupot123 said: This is subjective, but I’d be in the don’t put people in there camp. The back seats in the 992 are horrible, bolt upright and hard as a brick. Super uncomfortable and very claustrophobic. At best I’d class it as a 3 seater with the passenger seat quite far forward. I’m not that tall but do like the seat quite far back, there is no one getting behind me, the other side is doable but at 5ft8 my head is touching the roof, and the fact they don’t fit 911’s with actual suspension you are bouncing off it over every stone. If rear seats are even remotely important get an M4. As I said just my opinion. Stupot123 said: I genuinely don’t understand, there must be some sort of psychology at play here, I take it the want is strong? You have had a fair few owners try and help by telling you that in their opinion this is a non starter, yet you have come to the conclusion it’s all fine. Even supposing you overlook whether it’s actually physically possible and then overlook the comfort/claustrophobic aspect, is it safe? Best case your kids knees are touching the back of the front seat with their head touching the roof and their back against the bulked with the engine behind it. 911’s are not even close to being genuine 4 seaters. Please try it first, only you and the family can decide if it works.

I’d say your lads are too old / tall for it already unless it is for the odd occasional short trip. I had a 911 pre kids, first time I met the future mother in law, she had a lift in the back of the 911 to go to a restaurant, she’s never liked me since! As a child, my sister and I were ferried about in the back of a Jaguar E-Type. It was probably more comfortable than a 911 with its relatively soft suspension. When we were getting too big, dad sold it and got a two seater E-Type.

I’m 5’10’’ and have just tried sitting in the rear seat behind my seating position. My chin is almost on my chest and my knees have to go either side of the seat in front. I have to put my elbow on the centre rest and lean my head forwards towards the middle of the two front seats. This doesn’t seem like much fun for me and I’m imagining that it would be incredibly unsafe in a crash. We’re all different, but these are my thoughts if it helps.

Might as well get a Cayman/boxster or other 2 seater if you can’t sit in the rear of a 911 due to immediate death from being rear ended lol.

I had my 7 year old in the back once, and then though the better of it. I do not understand why they put seats in the back instead of a properly thought out storage solution.

There is one PHer who can answer your question better than anybody elese: politeperson https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?h=... Have a look at his posts, he recently answered your question in an other thread. IIRC the 992 S/T one.

My initial reaction was ‘no’ but then when I read the heights I’d say it probably is. Whether your marriage will last with you sticking your wife in the back at the weekends, I’m not so sure. I don’t feel comfortable with my nearly 7year old in the back. Not because he doesn’t fit, more because if something went wrong, he’s going to face plant the back of the seat in front. It’s just all too close in my opinion.

Its not just the height, its the leg room and pinned in claustrophobic feeling. I think its a miserable place to be unless you are a 5 year old. Your kids will probably like the buzz of but I am sure your wife is wise enough to question 'what the hell am I doing this for?' and never want back in there.

In light of the comments in here, I may instead have to consider the G87 M2 or the Gulia QV instead. I’m not a massive fan of the nostrils on the G80 M3

Maserati Grantourismo is a proper 2+2 that has a good sense of 'occasion'.

truekumar said: In light of the comments in here, I may instead have to consider the G87 M2 or the Gulia QV instead. I’m not a massive fan of the nostrils on the G80 M3 Just buy a bloody 911! There's no need for it to be a 5 year commitment. Go buy a car privately with warranty - there are plenty on autotrader. Get a private plate if you're worried about showing the age of the car. Drive it. If/when your family don't like it or have grown out of it, sell it. Less (over)thinking, more doing.

Why not take your family to the showroom

Adrian-9iafn said: Why not take your family to the showroom Been there done that. We all fit into it fine right now, I’m just contemplating for the future as the kids grow as I always keep my cars for around 5 years.

braddo said: truekumar said: In light of the comments in here, I may instead have to consider the G87 M2 or the Gulia QV instead. I’m not a massive fan of the nostrils on the G80 M3 Just buy a bloody 911! There's no need for it to be a 5 year commitment. Go buy a car privately with warranty - there are plenty on autotrader. Get a private plate if you're worried about showing the age of the car. Drive it. If/when your family don't like it or have grown out of it, sell it. Less (over)thinking, more doing. You are probably right.

truekumar said: In light of the comments in here, I may instead have to consider the G87 M2 or the Gulia QV instead. I’m not a massive fan of the nostrils on the G80 M3 M5, E63 or Panamera?

In a few years when your kids are taller they can put you in the back and then you’ll see how fekin miserable it is. You’ve got a family, they will only grow, get something suitable. If it has toe be Porsche, the answer is probably Macan. Which you can enjoy as a family.

Get in the back yourself ?!

Buy the 992 and then when the kids are too big to comfortably fit in the back either sell it and buy something else or keep it, buy a Golf (to use when required) and enjoy the Porsche at the weekend without them moaning in the back! Buying the 992, keeping it for years and using it as intended also keeps the depreciation doom mongers at bay - you’ll lose money but it won’t feel as bad!

Trufit said: Buy the 992 and then when the kids are too big to comfortably fit in the back either sell it and buy something else or keep it, buy a Golf (to use when required) and enjoy the Porsche at the weekend without them moaning in the back! Buying the 992, keeping it for years and using it as intended also keeps the depreciation doom mongers at bay - you’ll lose money but it won’t feel as bad! Kids are already too big, he has to put his wife in the back ffs

I have a 997 which we use as a family of 3 (me+wife+2 y.o.) for a weekend away (max. 200 miles/3h one way). It's doable, but the wife would much rather take one of the other cars we have. I love the 911 for this and I know the 991 and 992 over much better rear space. But as the only car for a family like yours, it is not suited. Doable, but if it gives you grieve, you will not be able to enjoy this tremendous car. Go buy the 992, fall in love with it but realize you need something else and buy a cheap B8 Audi S4 for instance as a second car! We will reduce the family fleet of 5 cars by next year to the 911 and a Macan or an Audi S/RS4. Other popular choices are a 911 + Golf or 911 + Range Rover. A 911 is the perfect allrounder for singles or couples, and if there are more than 2 people, it becomes the perfect sports car for the pleasurable drive out with the whole family, but as a single car it takes commitment and puts stress on what could be an easy drive in an other car with the whole family.

braddo said: truekumar said: In light of the comments in here, I may instead have to consider the G87 M2 or the Gulia QV instead. I’m not a massive fan of the nostrils on the G80 M3 Just buy a bloody 911! There's no need for it to be a 5 year commitment. Go buy a car privately with warranty - there are plenty on autotrader. Get a private plate if you're worried about showing the age of the car. Drive it. If/when your family don't like it or have grown out of it, sell it. Less (over)thinking, more doing. All of this. Seriously, if you can afford it just do it. These aren't going to be the big decisions that define us. Also, test drive a QV. The reliability is no worse than its German equivalents, it looks the nuts in Etna red or that Montreal green, and it's meant to be a hoot to drive. Get a 2020 onwards one (easy way to spot it is the all leather gear shifter vs the plastic looking one) and there are barely used examples for like £65k, so already taken a £15k bath. It's also an Alfa super saloon - orders of magnitude cooler than a 911, especially if you go and get it in grey or some other non colour. Edited by rawenghey on Thursday 5th October 09:27

Buy the 992 and then when the kids are too big to comfortably fit in the back either sell it and buy something else or keep it, buy a Golf (to use when required) and enjoy the Porsche at the weekend without them moaning in the back! Buying the 992, keeping it for years and using it as intended also keeps the depreciation doom mongers at bay - you’ll lose money but it won’t feel as bad!

AAD44H said: truekumar said: In light of the comments in here, I may instead have to consider the G87 M2 or the Gulia QV instead. I’m not a massive fan of the nostrils on the G80 M3 M5, E63 or Panamera? I’ve considered both the M5 comp and also the E63 but they don’t look or feel very special. The Panamera is nice but massive and feels like an S class size which is not what I’m looking for. I’ve been thinking about the Gulia QV but apprehensions about reliability.

Filibuster said: I have a 997 which we use as a family of 3 (me+wife+2 y.o.) for a weekend away (max. 200 miles/3h one way). It's doable, but the wife would much rather take one of the other cars we have. I love the 911 for this and I know the 991 and 992 over much better rear space. But as the only car for a family like yours, it is not suited. Doable, but if it gives you grieve, you will not be able to enjoy this tremendous car. Go buy the 992, fall in love with it but realize you need something else and buy a cheap B8 Audi S4 for instance as a second car! We will reduce the family fleet of 5 cars by next year to the 911 and a Macan or an Audi S/RS4. Other popular choices are a 911 + Golf or 911 + Range Rover. A 911 is the perfect allrounder for singles or couples, and if there are more than 2 people, it becomes the perfect sports car for the pleasurable drive out with the whole family, but as a single car it takes commitment and puts stress on what could be an easy drive in an other car with the whole family. I do have another car, a small four door hatchback for weekly school drop off duties.

rawenghey said: All of this. Seriously, if you can afford it just do it. These aren't going to be the big decisions that define us. Also, test drive a QV. The reliability is no worse than its German equivalents, it looks the nuts in Etna red or that Montreal green, and it's meant to be a hoot to drive. Get a 2020 onwards one (easy way to spot it is the all leather gear shifter vs the plastic looking one) and there are barely used examples for like £65k, so already taken a £15k bath. It's also an Alfa super saloon - orders of magnitude cooler than a 911, especially if you go and get it in grey or some other non colour. Edited by rawenghey on Thursday 5th October 09:27 Yes I do reckon that the Gulia QV is quite the bargain even though it is now an extremely old platform. I’ve been looking at both the Etna Red & Montreal Green. I like both colours and if I did get one not sure which colour to choose from the two. I would want a colour that definitely pops! 👍

truekumar said: Filibuster said: I have a 997 which we use as a family of 3 (me+wife+2 y.o.) for a weekend away (max. 200 miles/3h one way). It's doable, but the wife would much rather take one of the other cars we have. I love the 911 for this and I know the 991 and 992 over much better rear space. But as the only car for a family like yours, it is not suited. Doable, but if it gives you grieve, you will not be able to enjoy this tremendous car. Go buy the 992, fall in love with it but realize you need something else and buy a cheap B8 Audi S4 for instance as a second car! We will reduce the family fleet of 5 cars by next year to the 911 and a Macan or an Audi S/RS4. Other popular choices are a 911 + Golf or 911 + Range Rover. A 911 is the perfect allrounder for singles or couples, and if there are more than 2 people, it becomes the perfect sports car for the pleasurable drive out with the whole family, but as a single car it takes commitment and puts stress on what could be an easy drive in an other car with the whole family. I do have another car, a small four door hatchback for weekly school drop off duties. Perfect! Get that bloody 992 bought! You know you want to! When you realize it is too small to do longer trips in the 992, just upgrade the small four door hatchback to a midsize/compact estate, like an Audi A/S/RS4.

Filibuster said: truekumar said: Filibuster said: I have a 997 which we use as a family of 3 (me+wife+2 y.o.) for a weekend away (max. 200 miles/3h one way). It's doable, but the wife would much rather take one of the other cars we have. I love the 911 for this and I know the 991 and 992 over much better rear space. But as the only car for a family like yours, it is not suited. Doable, but if it gives you grieve, you will not be able to enjoy this tremendous car. Go buy the 992, fall in love with it but realize you need something else and buy a cheap B8 Audi S4 for instance as a second car! We will reduce the family fleet of 5 cars by next year to the 911 and a Macan or an Audi S/RS4. Other popular choices are a 911 + Golf or 911 + Range Rover. A 911 is the perfect allrounder for singles or couples, and if there are more than 2 people, it becomes the perfect sports car for the pleasurable drive out with the whole family, but as a single car it takes commitment and puts stress on what could be an easy drive in an other car with the whole family. I do have another car, a small four door hatchback for weekly school drop off duties. Perfect! Get that bloody 992 bought! You know you want to! When you realize it is too small to do longer trips in the 992, just upgrade the small four door hatchback to a midsize/compact estate, like an Audi A/S/RS4. Yeah I do want to. I’m now caught between the Gulia QV & the 992….very much swaying to the 992 though. Going to have a look at another one this weekend.

The daily duties would be fine as I previously mentioned, I already have a four door hatch back that could be easily upgraded to something else further down the road but I also want to use the 911 as a proper family sports car on the weekend too, so that all four of us can enjoy it for at least 4-5 years before changing it up. Maybe just short 1 hour drives. Obviously I can’t predict how quickly or tall the kids will grow in 5 years, but I’m expecting for them to be around 5ft8 & 4ft10 before I change the car again. And with me and my wife being 5ft9 & 4ft11 respectively, I’m hoping we could make it work until that stage.

truekumar said: The daily duties would be fine as I previously mentioned, I already have a four door hatch back that could be easily upgraded to something else further down the road but I also want to use the 911 as a proper family sports car on the weekend too, so that all four of us can enjoy it for at least 4-5 years before changing it up. Maybe just short 1 hour drives. Obviously I can’t predict how quickly or tall the kids will grow in 5 years, but I’m expecting for them to be around 5ft8 & 4ft10 before I change the car again. And with me and my wife being 5ft9 & 4ft11 respectively, I’m hoping we could make it work until that stage. I spent my early teenage years crammed into the back of a 944 and it was not in any way comfortable. May be you're all adrenaline junkies, but with respect, using it as a 'family sports car' is unlikely. Not many wives are like Mrs Harry's Garage and you will not drive it anywhere near its capabilities with your whole family on board. Get the 992 if you can and enjoy spirited drives it on your own at 5am on a Sunday morning. Anything else four up will just be pottering.

a base 992 isnt special enough for a weekend car imo i'd consider saving and going for an FF, which feels like an event for sure. if you keep a look out on collecting cars some go for good prices: https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2014-ferrari-f...

WCZ said: a base 992 isnt special enough for a weekend car imo i'd consider saving and going for an FF, which feels like an event for sure. if you keep a look out on collecting cars some go for good prices: https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2014-ferrari-f... I beg to differ. Any 911 is certainly special enough to be a "weekend car". Even a base 992 has the seating position and cabin of any other 992 variant and it is most certainly fast enough for any road. Also the base 911 often is lovely to drive in the real world, as you get to use much more of the rev range. And the base models of the past 35 years are fast enough to give even the best driver something to play on public roads. That FF is a lovely car btw! Much want from me!

truekumar said: Do you think that they could fit in the back without their heads touching the roofline? I think my kids were about 5'6" (perhaps an inch or two more) before headroom was an issue. It wasn't the roof their head came in to contact with, but the glass rear window! (in a 964 - but I don't think rear space has reduced since the 964) As has been said above, rear passengers' faces are very close to the back of the front seats, if that bothers you or them, both in the event of a crash but also just the sense of claustrophobia it might create.

Filibuster said: I beg to differ. Any 911 is certainly special enough to be a "weekend car". Even a base 992 has the seating position and cabin of any other 992 variant and it is most certainly fast enough for any road. Also the base 911 often is lovely to drive in the real world, as you get to use much more of the rev range. And the base models of the past 35 years are fast enough to give even the best driver something to play on public roads. That FF is a lovely car btw! Much want from me! just my opinon (i've owned several 911's too)