Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I always pop back into the forum to read the latest news on all things Porsche. So, I've owned 2 911s in the past. A 997 and a 993. I sold the 993 back in 2017 and moved to an R8. I loved every moment of 911 ownership and there is a thread about my sale somewhere on here.
Owning the R8 was fun; a totally different experience from the 993 obviously. Not let out of junctions as often! A few hand gestures once in a while. However, the car itself was impeccable. Hats off to the John Holland Car Sales team in Sheffield. I can't recommend them enough. The prep they did to the car and the overall service was flawless. They were just a great bunch of people to deal with.
The car was in Daytona Grey, V8 R-Tronic. The ownership was virtually trouble free. I had a fantastic warranty for the car that JH supplied, and any niggles were dealt with quite easily. I kept the warranty up for the entire ownership of the car.
I had the servicing carried out by an independent Audi indie (AUDI VWSC) who were very enthusiastic about cars and delivered a perfect service.
The biggest mechanical issue for the job was a gearbox issue that I had a few years into ownership. So glad I had the warranty as this was an engine out job and it was all covered apart from the diagnostics.
I used the R8 as my daily. It was so easily to drive that my mum used to use it. In comfort mode it potters about like a VW Golf but in sports mode it does shift. It was a great handling car and the quattro system was sublime. The potholes around London did catch the suspension out when in sports mode.
Long distance driving was a breeze. I took it on multiple road trips including the South of France and Tuscany. It just ate up those miles and I felt that the capabilities of the car completely outstripped mine!
I thought I would only keep it for one year and come back to Porsche ownership, but one quickly turned into the and 30 000 miles later! I moved to Vancouver for 18 months for work so the R8 had to go. I sold it privately. It was only on the market for 10 days and the first person to see it bought it just below the asking price.
I got back from Vancouver early this year. I kept an eye out for suitable replacements. I actually even thought about getting back into a 993 or even a 992 but I wanted to see what else was out there. I did come close to pulling the trigger on a nice 993S Tip. I was looking for a Tip and you don't usually find 'S" models with an auto box. In the end I think a lot of it was down to nostalgia and the private seller couldn't provide enough corroborating service history for the car given the price, so I decided against it.
I decided to stick to a more modern car and non-Porsche (I know I keep saying this, but I know I'm coming back one day!). I narrowed it down to 1. Aston Martin Vantage 2. Aston Martin DB11 (V12) 3. Audi R8 V10 Plus 4. McLaren 540 and 5. Mercedes AMG GTS
The DB11 was ruled out as I just didn't like it from some angles and something about the rear wheel arch. Also, I decided if I wanted a 2+2 the 911 would've been perfect and I don't need the extra seats. The Audi V10 plus was superb to drive but I didn't like the newer looks either. The engine is fantastic but as I had just come out of an Audi, I thought I should try something else.
For me it came down to the AMG and the McLaren. I found 2 cars that were amazing value for money. The car needed to have the potential to be used as a daily driver. I have a 2015 Audi S5 currently with the fiancée, but she doesn't need it for work at the moment. I have to say the choice came down to the test drives and looks.
The Mclaren was amazing in lots of ways, but I just couldn't see myself using it as a daily driver. The test drive was phenomenal. Power delivery was instantaneous, but the exhaust (stock) wasn't as throaty as I would've liked. When I test drove the AMG it just felt and looked right. I loved the lines and the sound. The handling in every single mode was fantastic. In race mode it was an absolute beast. I was torn between the two cars and in a twist of fate one of my close friends went for the McLaren and I put in an offer for the AMG.
As a stroke of luck John Holland had the exact spec I wanted. The car I test drove was in an Oxford MD and their service was woeful. The car was said to have been prepped but it stank of old cigarettes in the cabin. They put the price up after I took it for a test drive and said they don't negotiate on price. I smiled and thanked them for their time and never returned.
John Holland on the other hand were an absolute dream to deal with again. Such a great bunch of guys. I've had the car for 10 months now, driven to the South of France and few other trips. The handling is superb, the bi turbo sound always turns heads as well as the looks. Its only had one small niggle with the rear spoiler that is being addressed under warranty. I've just had a service at a MB main dealer, and it cost me £238!
Obviously, I know this thread is useless without pics soooo......
Owning the R8 was fun; a totally different experience from the 993 obviously. Not let out of junctions as often! A few hand gestures once in a while. However, the car itself was impeccable. Hats off to the John Holland Car Sales team in Sheffield. I can't recommend them enough. The prep they did to the car and the overall service was flawless. They were just a great bunch of people to deal with.
The car was in Daytona Grey, V8 R-Tronic. The ownership was virtually trouble free. I had a fantastic warranty for the car that JH supplied, and any niggles were dealt with quite easily. I kept the warranty up for the entire ownership of the car.
I had the servicing carried out by an independent Audi indie (AUDI VWSC) who were very enthusiastic about cars and delivered a perfect service.
The biggest mechanical issue for the job was a gearbox issue that I had a few years into ownership. So glad I had the warranty as this was an engine out job and it was all covered apart from the diagnostics.
I used the R8 as my daily. It was so easily to drive that my mum used to use it. In comfort mode it potters about like a VW Golf but in sports mode it does shift. It was a great handling car and the quattro system was sublime. The potholes around London did catch the suspension out when in sports mode.
Long distance driving was a breeze. I took it on multiple road trips including the South of France and Tuscany. It just ate up those miles and I felt that the capabilities of the car completely outstripped mine!
I thought I would only keep it for one year and come back to Porsche ownership, but one quickly turned into the and 30 000 miles later! I moved to Vancouver for 18 months for work so the R8 had to go. I sold it privately. It was only on the market for 10 days and the first person to see it bought it just below the asking price.
I got back from Vancouver early this year. I kept an eye out for suitable replacements. I actually even thought about getting back into a 993 or even a 992 but I wanted to see what else was out there. I did come close to pulling the trigger on a nice 993S Tip. I was looking for a Tip and you don't usually find 'S" models with an auto box. In the end I think a lot of it was down to nostalgia and the private seller couldn't provide enough corroborating service history for the car given the price, so I decided against it.
I decided to stick to a more modern car and non-Porsche (I know I keep saying this, but I know I'm coming back one day!). I narrowed it down to 1. Aston Martin Vantage 2. Aston Martin DB11 (V12) 3. Audi R8 V10 Plus 4. McLaren 540 and 5. Mercedes AMG GTS
The DB11 was ruled out as I just didn't like it from some angles and something about the rear wheel arch. Also, I decided if I wanted a 2+2 the 911 would've been perfect and I don't need the extra seats. The Audi V10 plus was superb to drive but I didn't like the newer looks either. The engine is fantastic but as I had just come out of an Audi, I thought I should try something else.
For me it came down to the AMG and the McLaren. I found 2 cars that were amazing value for money. The car needed to have the potential to be used as a daily driver. I have a 2015 Audi S5 currently with the fiancée, but she doesn't need it for work at the moment. I have to say the choice came down to the test drives and looks.
The Mclaren was amazing in lots of ways, but I just couldn't see myself using it as a daily driver. The test drive was phenomenal. Power delivery was instantaneous, but the exhaust (stock) wasn't as throaty as I would've liked. When I test drove the AMG it just felt and looked right. I loved the lines and the sound. The handling in every single mode was fantastic. In race mode it was an absolute beast. I was torn between the two cars and in a twist of fate one of my close friends went for the McLaren and I put in an offer for the AMG.
As a stroke of luck John Holland had the exact spec I wanted. The car I test drove was in an Oxford MD and their service was woeful. The car was said to have been prepped but it stank of old cigarettes in the cabin. They put the price up after I took it for a test drive and said they don't negotiate on price. I smiled and thanked them for their time and never returned.
John Holland on the other hand were an absolute dream to deal with again. Such a great bunch of guys. I've had the car for 10 months now, driven to the South of France and few other trips. The handling is superb, the bi turbo sound always turns heads as well as the looks. Its only had one small niggle with the rear spoiler that is being addressed under warranty. I've just had a service at a MB main dealer, and it cost me £238!
Obviously, I know this thread is useless without pics soooo......
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