911 Alternative

I am trying to sell my 996 and thinking ahead I always end up with another 911: gallardo- clutch issues ferarri 360- too much to drive every day Maserati- My brother has one and drinks fuel like a pig Jag XKR- Ford in Aston clothing Aston- Bling in ford clothing Corvette Z06- too American Mercedes- for old men M6- Ugly *** m5- Looks boring M3- already own a 330 ci Audi R8- Yes, I would like one but I am stingy and do not like new cars Did I miss any?

Panoz - looks like a 911 Ruf - 911 in Ruf clothing Cayman S - 911 little brother BMW 6 series Viper -td

Forgot the Bentley GT. Would like one of them. I saw the Spyder version in Berlin and fell in love. Dead sexy. I would take a zonda, Carrera GT but would hate to pay for it.

Noble

Those are all tough choices, cant wait to see your new 9!!!!

I did some tire kicking at a Lotus dealer the other day. Those Exige are really something else......

I have never been in a sports car that has the outward visibility of a 911. Sit in the Lotus and try to look to the rear.

I sporting alternative would be the Ariel Atom. That would be my pick, though it's the least practical on the list.

350Z for the stingy. Besides, it kinda looks like a 911.

There IS no substitute for a 911, c'mon...

I almost got stuck in the lotus and had to call someone for help to get me out- neat car but very uncomfortable for me.

Way too many of these on the road, just be another one that blends in like the rest...boring, and no it does not look like a 911

how about a 997?? looks like a 996 but better in some ways.

If this is for old men, sign me up.......... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...spagenameZWDVW

That's for old men who like to overpay for their cars. (And I think that particular model looks very dated, at just six years old.)

that guy on ebay is an idiot...you can get these older models for about 25K...the new models 2003 go for about 40K+ (look it up on cars.com)

Huh??? The 350Z isn't a bad car for the money, but I don't think it looks anything like a 911.

You guys obviously missed the part about the Brabus engine putting out 585 HP....the original owner put $225,000 into the car and it now has 4,000 miles. I don't think you'll find too many on cars.com for $25,000.

Spyker C12 Zagato Spyder or Spyker C8 Spyder http://www.spykercars.com/

I personally am not a huge fan of the old benzes. Not for my 9. Maybe a newer AMG, but otherwise I would definitely rather roll a 997 or a TT or both.....

I also really like the AMG cars. I was looking at a 03 CL55 last week that was a salvage. I was shocked to find that the front fenders were PLASTIC! I know it sure wasn't to save weight. From what I have read, the 02 SLs were the last of the handbuilt cars. The engine in this car is a work of art. I guess I'm getting old, because I think this is one of the most beautiful convertibles ever built.

The Mercedes V12 out of the 02 SL does look a little better in one of these....

Here is a car that I would consider trading my 911 for....hopefully they start seriously depreciating.

Gentlemen, just remember...there is no substitute.

Triode, you are absolutely right. It's fun to dream, but with three kids...my 911 fits my needs and desires perfectly.

Sorry, have to say Ferrari 360. Most reliable affordable Ferrari ever built. Unless you like them old school baby Testarossa side grills on a 348.

Ferrari 360, GT3, or TT are my absolute next cars....

I sat next to the CEO of this company on a plane last week: http://www.marcos-eng.com/ Supposedly a blast to drive... It's got a Z06 engine in a far lighter chassis.

Cayman with a 997 3.8 x51 engine and lsd. Would kill any 911.

Subjectivity is all. I think that's the low point for M-B convertibles. The previous generation evoked the timeless SL, from the pagodas on. The subsequent generation was another car entirely, a transition to the SLR-styled jets they sell today. But the one you like -the one you've posted- looks to me like a boring brick, not-quite-euro headlights on a flat slab of steel. I wouldn't pay a thousand dollars for it, 585 hp or no. But if you love it and want it, I hope you buy it low and drive it happily. Happy Motoring. CP

CP, It's my wife's dream car....so I bought her a low mile 01 SL600. She loves it. I enjoy driving it occasionally. With 420 ft/lbs of torque, it's a rocket in a straight line. Around corners, it wallows like a pig. I agree with you on the pagoda SLs...they are gorgeous (not to mention the Gullwing SLs). I have become a die-hard Porsche fanatic. I enjoy a car that goes around corners and stops as well as it accelerates. I really gained an appreciation for the quality of engineering that goes into our cars when I rebuilt mine. I will proably always own a Porsche. Here is my real dream car...unfortunately it isn't in the family budget right now. http://www.pca.org/mart/classifieds....uery=retrieval

Mark, How do you like the EVO intake?

Mfletch, you and I share another thing in common. The GT3 also is my "future" car....... Good eye for beauty...

Ray, I absolutely love the EVO intake. I think it is the best modification that I have done to my car. Between the mufflers, headers, EVO CAI, and RSS plenum.....I reduced my 0-60 time from 6.0 to 4.76 (mine is a tiptronic). The sound from the EVO at redline is fantastic. Michael, I really love the look of the mk1 GT3. I didn't know there were any imported into the US. I told Chuck Jones about this one, he may have bought it by now. It looks great in iris blue.

Mark, I met up with Chuck on Sunday in Isleton and he said he was going to take a look at that GT3. I heard it was 1 of 4 in the country but the price was really high even though I know Chuck is partial to the blue. Probably can get an 04 or 05 GT3 for less.

Hi Steve, you are right, 77 grand is pretty high. It would be nice to own one of only 3 or 4 in the US. I love that taco tail...I'm sure you can understand. From what I have read, each generation got better. Some of the magazines are predicting the MK1 will be the most collectable. Your's looks every bit as good for probably about half the money.

Yes it would be nice to own it but then there is a lot of other cars I would love to own but cannot, and yes I love the MKI GT3 aero kit too. Thanks for the kind words about mine and yes I paid less than half the amount of that GT3. Let me know if you hear from Chuck if he bought it or not. As for this thread...someone has already said this...but there is no alternative to a 911 and now that I am an owner of one I agree

If I were in the market for a coupe I'd consider the following groups 996 C4S BMW M5 Jaguar XKR Coupe and my Favorite coupe: Gran Sport

I can definitely without a doubt say that I will always own a 911, Real Mk1 is my fav, but as you have stated when it comes time to write that check, I can put my seat into something that will exceed any expectation I need it to for far less..... Mark, isnt the evoms intake sensational, that sound at full throttle, like a jet about to leave a carrier IMO.

I remember this brand back when I was a kid in the 70s. I didn't realize they were still around.

Michael, I would consider the EVO CAI and a good set of performance mufflers the two "must do" modifications to our cars. They really change our cars. I look for opportunities to drive my car. When I drive it, (as soon as it is warmed up) I constantly shift it at redline just to hear the sound. I look forward to driving under bridges or tunnels and next to cement walls. I drove a buddies stock 996tt and was very disappointed with the lack of sound ( the acceleration; however, was far from disappointing). I couldn't be happier with my 996. I bought new MB Quart speakers for my 996 several months ago and I still haven't bothered installing them....I'm too busy listening to the wonderful engine sounds to really care about the stereo.

Mark, you're absolutely right with your assessment! I've the K&N CAI and GHL mufflers and the sound of the car is now just addictive! Being infected with the mods bug, I do further believe you need to do the RSS Plenum, the B&M SSK, change the suspension, ... BTW a friend of mine currently puts GT3 sway bars in my car and I'll do the clutch spring mod later this weekend ... Isn't having a Porsche a nice hobby? Hmmm - looking on what I just wrote, I might have to correct to: Isn't a Porsche out of the box just an unfinished product?

Hwk72, you and I are in 100% agreement. I have the RSS plenum, Billy boat headers & mufflers and the EVO CAI. I could not be happier. My suspension is next (ROW M030). The SSK is out...mine is a tip; otherwise, it would be a must. We all have different ideas of what the ideal mods are. I think most of us agree on the need for mods. It personalizes the car, makes it faster, sound better, and look better. I agree with you about the "unfinished product"...it's like a blank canvas. Isn't the plenum great from 5,000 to 7,000?

Mark, Plenum, CAI and Mufflers are 100% addictive between 4000 RPM and Redline (I wonder if the headers add even more to this symphony)! Don't tell me about the headers - please, otherwise I'll need some. Cheers & happy Friday, Harold

Enjoy your weekend Harold...but, I'm afraid they do. I found mine used on ebay for $700. Good ones are worth waiting for.

Mark, you were correct in "its like a blank canvas" but its a blank perfectly engineered canvas with incredible paints (custom parts) available. It is hard to do wrong (but is possible see GT3RS fake on ebay) but is at owners preference. Surely these beautys are money pits, as I take the opportunity to warn Newbs once they join...........

Eh, you know, since joining the Rennlist community, I keep hearing comments like your "money pit" one and just have to disagree. Sure, you can make mods to a 996, but you can also drive it just like it came out of the box, like my '99 C4. I've done nothing to it--I trust the Porsche engineers more than most (any?) of the aftermarket companies--and I can't say that I plan to. It drives great in stock form, and having graduated from a Miata (no laughs--it's a pretty great car in its own right), I was pleasantly surprised to find that the maintenance is incredibly simple and inexpensive. I just don't like thinking that someone might avoid a 996 because of comments suggesting that it's a money pit; it's actually an incredibly inexpensive way to own a late model P-car, provided you do minimal homework before signing the check. It's also hard to match the level of its performance, especially if you count the allure of owning a Porsche in the first place.

I 100% agree with you tooloud10. The 996 is such a good street and track car "as is" there is no need to plow money into it.

+1 I also ignored anyone that said 'oh you shouldn't buy a yellow or red car'. Other threads have shown that avoiding a colour just because of what people think will happen is just BS.