When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
for all its bulk, the Panamera was blindingly fast and composed, it came to hand without effort. Porsche makes so many variations of the automobile, why no true GT with space for luggage and a couple of sets of golf clubs like a 928?
Too each his own, for my part I've never appreciated the Panamera. I'll admit Porsche have improved the looks over the years but it still isn't a 928. Imagine, for a moment, Tom Cruz and Rebecca De Mornay escaping the clutches of Guido The Killer Pimp in a Panamera? It just doesn't work for me.
PS: FWIW, I've never been a big fan of the Testarossa either so I may have inherited some mutant aesthetic.
Your comment makes the point of the last sentence that you quoted from my post.
"Porsche makes so many variations of the automobile, why no true GT with space for luggage and a couple of sets of golf clubs like a 928?"
This thread explores where we - as 928 enthusiasts - go in our search for a modern automobile that replaces the unique characteristics of the 928. In my assessment, there is nothing on the market that does it all.
The 928 offered supercar performance in a coupe with practical use of space! I search and search and have not found the overall performance and practical qualities of the 928 in any modern automobile. Yet!
I thought you post was very informative myself and you seem very thorough in your evaluations of both the Porsche and Ferrari offerings. Are you thinking about reviewing the AMG at some point? So far the only review I've read was Mark Anderson's comparison of the Jag and AMG, but he didn't really say much other than he had some problems with the Jag and didn't care for visibility on either.
I'd like to hear from someone with 928 experience who's driven the AMG. Maybe Mark will expand his review? I did check my area and couldn't find an AMG GT R within a 2000 mile radius so I'm not likely to do one myself.
I thought you post was very informative myself and you seem very thorough in your evaluations of both the Porsche and Ferrari offerings. Are you thinking about reviewing the AMG at some point? So far the only review I've read was Mark Anderson's comparison of the Jag and AMG, but he didn't really say much other than he had some problems with the Jag and didn't care for visibility on either.
I'd like to hear from someone with 928 experience who's driven the AMG. Maybe Mark will expand his review? I did check my area and couldn't find an AMG GT R within a 2000 mile radius so I'm not likely to do one myself.
Scott,
See post 631 for photos of the AMG GT that I tested. While having fantastic looks, build quality and performance, the cabin was claustrophobic. The A & B/C pillars are huge and the outward visibility and the seating position did not work at all for my body type. Space wise, I could squeeze two golf bags into the car, but if traveling to a weekend golf tournament with my wife, have no visibility from the B pillar back.
The problem with replacing a 928 is that they are so incredibly versatile. 928's are fast, comfortable, beautiful and reliable with great handling as a bonus!
After my experience with Jaguar's in the past, I will NEVER EVER buy that brand again.
Perhaps the solution is to keep driving the 928's - I know of a few well sorted examples with high miles... Hmmmmm...
So far the only review I've read was Mark Anderson's comparison of the Jag and AMG, but he didn't really say much other than he had some problems with the Jag and didn't care for visibility on either.
I'd like to hear from someone with 928 experience who's driven the AMG. Maybe Mark will expand his review?.
To be clear I never owned a Jag, I just test drove one. I was dissapointed in the interior materials although it was considerably less money that cars I was comparing it to so maybe not fair. Any yes the visibility was not as good as I'm use to and the AMG GT has the same visibility issues to me but I never drove it. I love the look of the *** end but I don't love the front. A car needs to hit on lots of areas for me to be a hit. I had a friend recently ask me why I don't just drive a Tesla 3 as it is faster than both of my cars with the the option battery pack. I don't care of they can do a 0-60 in 3 sec flat. The interior is boring, the looks are blaa and there is no sound. This is not a slam against the car. I'm sure most people will love it. I'm just not one of them.
Now I'm going to go start my cars just because i like the way they sound. These fossil fuel days may be numbered
Perhaps the solution is to keep driving the 928's - I know of a few well sorted examples with high miles... Hmmmmm...
Perhaps it is, I've been telling myself that for 30 odd years now so it isn't an unfamiliar idea . Lately I've been thinking of just a bit more umph in the engine bay which is why the AMG caught my attention, but it's also why I'm planning to install Ken's chip set soon since my S3 qualifies. I've finished putting in the new fuel lines and upgraded FPR, haven't put in 24lb injectors yet. Maybe that will curb my 7 year itch until the perfect replacement comes along.
WRT the photo of the Porsche in post 660 - from that view, that car looks so generic I thought at first it was an infinity. Ugh.
A sub 30,000 mile 612 Ferrari should not feel worn out unless it was thrashed. Something just isn't right with the car.
If you are going to buy a used Ferrari, you need to have a good relationship with a local indy wrench. You'll pay less than the dealer, and probably get better service.
"The problem with replacing a 928 is that they are so incredibly versatile."
The Truth!
I drove this today, up into the mountains of Colorado! it is not quite as fast as my S3 - the car requires more use of the gearbox to keep it on boost, but it pulls very strong. The handling defines divine. The 4 doors make it a little easier to acces for back seat passengers. The brakes are great, though not 928 great. Like the 928, it is an old car, so not a modern replacement.
Lately I have been looking at 300zx TT’s. Always liked them and they are dirt cheap.
I like the looks of the 370Z Alcanteras (NISMO?), mostly the LE dark grey color they offer in that trim (maybe you recognize a theme here), but I've never driven one and the reviews aren't too favorable. I think of it more as a competitor for the 944S2 than the 928 since the power side of the performance specs aren't that different and it's really power that would be the reason I'd think about a newer car. 325hp vs. what I can reasonably expect to get out of a well tuned 30 y/o 928S3 isn't compelling.
Now, if the 370Z were offered in a bi-turbo that equation could change, but I haven't seen that. Maybe there are aftermarket mods available? I haven't looked into them deeply enough to know myself.
Last edited by Otto Mechanic; 01-16-2019 at 10:49 PM.
Interesting search... Over the past few days I've been on one car filled adventure after another.
Last Friday en route to Atlanta (928 #1's induction to the PCNA Museum) I spent four plus hours getting to know the players at our local Ferrari dealership while my winter Cayenne was getting its 60k service.. Made appointment and arranged meetings with sales and service managers etc. I figured that if I was going to get serious regarding the purchase of a 612 Scaglietti or a 599 Fiorino that I'd be well served by building a relationship with the dealer first and drive as many cars as possible to get a feel for what is a reasonable Ferrari GT to drive during the summers.
What an eye opener! Like race or show horses, the true cost of Ferrari's prancing horse is not found in the purchase price, the real cost is in maintenance.
Roads were clear and dry without any winter salt crust so I drove a 28,000 mile 612 Scaglietti. It felt a bit tired, nothing like a 28k 928. Beautiful, but tired.
Really did not enjoy the early 2005 F1 gearbox, it is clunky and awkward. I am not alone in my observations and have ruled out all 612's or 599's older than 2007.
The dealership and it's staff were awesome! The design of the dealership and its cleanliness were spectacular and eye candy was everywhere! I will be making more trips to test other cars...
Then on to the Porsche Experience Center to await the delivery of 928 #1. True to form Porsche did not disappoint while I waited for drooman to arrive. After setting up a driving class in a 2019 911 Turbo S, I was invited to drive the new Panamera Turbo S Hybrid. Wow, what an outrageous hammer it is! 600+hp and incredible creature comfort.
Heading out onto the track...
As extraordinary as Ferrari was, Porsche eclipsed Ferrari's presentation by a substantial margin (national headquarters with test track vs one dealer) so that part was expected. But the Turbo S was so easy to drive, for all its bulk, the Panamera was blindingly fast and composed, it came to hand without effort. Porsche makes so many variations of the automobile, why no true GT with space for luggage and a couple of sets of golf clubs like a 928?
Next test? The Ferrari FF, It is a 12 cylinder AWD, V12, Shooting Brake... Gotta love these first world questions...
.
Sorry your 612 experience was not pleasant. You need to drive one with the HGT2 package or if you can find an OTO drive that. The Ferrari maintenance isn't terrible, as far as I've experienced for a 400k car.
I own both an OTO and an Aston DB9 V12, they will run away and hide from my 928 GTS manual everyday of the week.
The 599 is a fabulous car, and I like it better than the F12, which I've driven over 200mph.
If you really want something special, get a 599 GTO. Runner up would be a 599 HGTE.
By the way, I've looked at and driven a Panamera spiritedly, I just can't stomach the way it looks. It's very capable, but I cannot bring myself to have one.
the reasons for your searches for newer better cars I went through in 2009 and decided to get the stroker itb set up and the 928 gts is faster and more comfortable than all others I considered as a replacement, though if the visibility of the amg gt were better I would have jumped at that car long ago, just a cool look and feel ...!!
Sorry your 612 experience was not pleasant. You need to drive one with the HGT2 package or if you can find an OTO drive that. The Ferrari maintenance isn't terrible, as far as I've experienced for a 400k car.
I own both an OTO and an Aston DB9 V12, they will run away and hide from my 928 GTS manual everyday of the week.
The 599 is a fabulous car, and I like it better than the F12, which I've driven over 200mph.
If you really want something special, get a 599 GTO. Runner up would be a 599 HGTE.
By the way, I've looked at and driven a Panamera spiritedly, I just can't stomach the way it looks. It's very capable, but I cannot bring myself to have one.
Good luck
The search is all part of an educational process and I did look at a choice 599 GTO, it was already sold. My reading agrees with your 612 HGT2 or OTO and the 599 with the HTGE package sounds like a bomber car with fantastic looks and a strong chance for some real price appreciation in the future if I can keep it perfect...
01-15-2019, 08:46 AM
. Lately I've been thinking of just a bit more umph in the engine bay which is why the AMG caught my attention, but it's also why I'm planning to install Ken's chip set soon since my S3 qualifies. I've finished putting in the new fuel lines and upgraded FPR, haven't put in 24lb injectors yet. Maybe that will curb my 7 year itch until the perfect replacement comes along.
