Originally Posted By mr_tony
At the risk of diverting this thread massively ....!

I've been testing pretty heavily various options that are going to be viable as a real 'do it all ' car. One that will entertain me, be viable 24-7 365 days a year, take 2 adults and 2 kids in comfort and have enough luggage space to spend a week in France, but be a serious fun car for a weekend joining in the Scottish highlands. And sound amazing....

So far I 've tested...,

Rapide - great car , interior isn't great though, the rear seats are cramped and fitting child seats leaves children very little room in there. The luggage space is limited too. It sounds awesome, and as a drivers car is better than most things , but it doesn't really allow you to actually take the family too, its just a bit compromised...

Rapide S - as above but sounds better and goes faster! Great fun, but still flawed . Auto box is ok but shifts ain't quick...

Bentley Continental SS - its a tank. A nice tank , but a tank. And the satnsv is from the. 70s ... Interior is beautiful though. Bootspace is ok. Rear space is ok too. Not a fan of the exterior shape though..

Maserati Quattroportte - good space, interior nice Bootspace not massive and its rather underpowered in this company . Does sound nice though.

Maserati Granturismo - as above but better looking. Sounds even better. Not big fan if the interior here though.

Ferrari FF - insane 660bhp engine, massive rear space , big boot with hatch. Definitely fulfils the brief, handles and goes like a car half its weight. Gearbox is a revelation. Expensive though...

Porsche. 997 Turbo S - real world all weather pace to beat all comers. Interior is ok, rear space massively compromised, hardly any luggage space. Would work as transport for family day trips just , but no use for a week in France, just too small...

Overall the maser GT or the FF acquit themselves well, Rapide as is flawed but would be viable ...

Better sell the max and have a chat with the finance director wink

At the risk of carrying on the diversion, interesting comments Rich. I tested some of these cars when looking to replace the Aero SuperSport and my take was as follows:

AM Rapide/DB7: Both felt old-fashioned, but not in a positive way. Also most friends who have bought them have had some major fettling to do to sort them. I didn't want to go down that route again for now.

Maserati Granturismo: We owned one of these and did not like it. Too low, graunched itself on every sleeping policeman in the area and there's plenty! Trim fell off, engine too peaky with too much avoirdupois for daily driver. You have to rev the nuts of it to keep up with the traffic! Sold after 6-months with horrendous depreciation...

Ferrari California: Nice, but too compromised for continental touring and you can't put mileage on them for resale reasons. Did not try FF as outside my price bracket new, though affordable used. Not sure it's a practical solution for same reasons? confused2

Porsche Turbo: Like all 911's these days so competent, but you already have one and you do need some character in your special car...
wink

Bentley Continental GTC V8: Handling much more balanced than W12, due to 60:40 power split and lighter engine. 40% more economical too, not that that really matters in these circumstances! coffee

Now they have the V8S, which in GT form must be the answer to your needs. You can borrow my GTC for a few days and see what you think as a driving experience, I'm sure you'll be sold on one. flag

Cheers
Brian

Brian

1970 Morgan Plus 8 - Moss Box (Indigo Blue)
2014 Morgan SP1 (Rocket Red)
2015 Morgan Plus 8 (Rocket Blue)