Daily Driver: 08 997TT cab vs. 03 360 spyder?

This forum has been very helpful to me, following my first post "brand newbie: 360 or 430?". I appreciate your comments, and really have enjoyed this forum that I discovered only two weeks ago.

I had another thought last night: I have previously owned more than one car, and do not prefer this situation. Whenever I am in my least favorite car, I wish I was driving the other. The car that replaces my 997C2S will also be my daily driver. I do have a short 7 mile commute each way to the hospital, and park in a secure garage. Per annum, I drive around 5500 miles. While I am financially secure and am blessed to receive a high income, I am not one of the multi-million dollar per year earners.

I really enjoy the open air feel of a convertible, and would likely use this feature much of the year, even in the hot Houston summer season as I do have some reptilian traits.

If I make a move to a 997TT cab, do you think that I will regret not buying an F-car? Part of me feels terminally bit by the F-bug, and I may not easily get over this desire.

Thanks to everyone for your informed thoughts!

 

Owning several PCars and FCars, I can comfortably say that for a daily driver you would be far better off with the 997tt cab. Firstly, for a daily driver, newer is better. Secondly, while I love all my cars equally, the Fcars are more prone to niggling problems. In particular, my 360 spider has had issues with the convertible top on three occaisions, among other issues. While this is not problematic for a non daily driver, it would be a real pain if your top stopped working on your way to work if it suddenly started to spinkle. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my Fcars, but for a daily driver between the choices you're looking at, it's hands down the 997tt cab. Enjoy whichever one you choose. Good luck!

 

well put!

If it's a daily driver you're looking for buy a Porsche (or a 599 GTB).

 

It sounds like you have the Fbug and the only way to cure that is to buy the Fcar! "I gotta fever baby and it can only be cured with more cowbell!!". Sounds like you have done the Pcar, give the 360 a try.

I tend to agree with the previous post, as a daily and only driving 7 miles, you might be better off with the Pcar. Hell, 7 miles isn't really enough for the Ferrari to even warm up, oh wait you are in Texas.

Damn the torpedos, full steam ahead!! Get the Ferrari and be done with the questions.


Robert

 

For a DD I would go with the Porsche. Its newer, more reliable, its going to attract less attention. Do you want all that comes with the F car - each and every day as you commute to work. Its a great car, fast etc. Much quicker than the 360. It wont be as special as the Ferrari though for various reasons discussed ad nauseum on these forums.

However, if your looking at spending $160K, why not get a 997 convertible for the commute. For 7 miles its fast fun and quick enough. Then get a 360 or 355 for the weekend (coupe). Probably all in you could do that for $200K. Only $40K more. I know you dont want 2 cars but thats what I would do. I wouldnt want to "deal" with the 360 everyday. And if it needs to be in the shop etc. you dont have a backup. I do know what you mean about having multiple cars. I have 4 and when I drive the sh!tty one, I do wish I was in the better ones.

Good luck.

 

I am not much of a Porsche fan but would agree that the 997TTCab is a wiser daily choice. However, have you considered other options?

Since your commute is only 7 miles why pay over $160,000 for a daily driving car? Buy something relatively inexpensive to driver back and forth and have the Ferrari or any other car as your weekend fun car/sancutuary. If you choose to drive it to work periodically, so much the better.

 

I own a '04 360 spider. Love the car. Would NEVER drive it everyday. Plenty comfortable but just attracts WAY TOO much attention for a daily. 997 TT Cab is awesome. Tremendous power but docile enough in traffic. Not in your face and can take a few potholes and an automatic car wash. Save the Ferrari for the weekend car

 

Short answer.... YES!

 

Hell, buy what you really want and call a cab on the days the Ferrari is broken. Or rent a car. I wouldn't do a Ferrari as my only car unless that's really what I wanted I could not have something else.

 

I drive a ferrari every day and have a turbo that sits at home. go with your heart!

 

I completely disagree because the later model Ferrari's that have the least amout of problems are those that are driven, and driven hard, fast and far. Everyone, including myself who I know that puts a ton of miles on their 360's and 430's have ZERO problems.

 

+1

 

I've owned several Porsches and they are fantastic cars and are built to be bullet-proof. For less trouble and tinkering, get the Porsche. For the weekends, NOTHING beats the Ferrari, nothing.

 

Ferrari + Honda Civic/Fit/other econobox = wise in my book.

 

Ferrari's are 2nd cars, not first... Anyone who thinks otherwise loves symbol over substance. The Porsche is meant for daily drives, the Ferrari (I feel the flames) is not. That does not mean you can't drive a Ferrari daily, it just not the kind of car to take to the market or leave unattended for long, among many many other reasons. Best

 

While I agree that some Ferraris may not be great for everyday use, many newer ones are. I suspect I will not find too many F50s or Enzos in the Costco parking lot, but why not 355s, 360s, 430s and 599s?

I would not denagrade all the fine people that use Ferraris as daily drivers. I have several friends that do just that. One has a 308 GT4 and one with a 456, I also have seen some very high mileage 355s in the local shop and was told they are daily drivers. I suspect the main problem is that some owners can not really afford to drive the Ferraris for fear of too much mileage depreciation, fear of something breaking or fear of what others may think.

 

I think your 7 mile commute parameter means you should get the Porsche. The Ferrari engine will take about 10-15 minutes before it gets properly warmed up, so you'll have arrived at work before you can take it above 3K to 4K RPM. What's the point of that?

 

Well in New England my DD is a 997TT (coupe) which currently has snow tires fitted, so its truly a daily driver. I've also driven a 360 and a CS as essentially daily drivers over the last 5 years - 16K on my '02 360 and 20K on my '04 CS.

Both will work well as a daily, but the p-car is a car, in alot of ways its like a hopped up BMW, driven slowly it feels very like a 3-series. Nice light clutch, firm but not hard suspension. Easy to drive. Its stinking fast when you get stuck into it, but its "a car".

A 360 will make you feel special every day. It was also attract attention at every gas station and parking lot you go into. So if you want to incongnito in any way don't do DD in the F-car.

All that said, 7 miles is really too short for an F-car, my commute is 25 miles each way, so at least the car gets warmed up. 7 miles will give you 4 or 5 miles of warm up and 2-3 of post-warm up.

Finally on your "least favorite car" issue, I solved that by trying to never buy a boring car. So for example, a 355 and a lotus elise rather than a 360 would give you two very interesting cars and they're different. As would something like a C430 AMG (2 styles old), you could smoke around in that for short money and still buy your 360. There is no reason for a sensible car in my opinion...

 

as a daily definately the porsche without question

 

Nothing wrong with a $65000.00 Z06 for every day

 

Had a 997TT and a 997GT3 this year , now just traded my 08CL63 for a 2004CS and I am using this daily so far for a week...I cant get the smile off my face>

 

Try an SL65. 600hp convertible. Faster on the freeway than a gt3, 360, or 911turbo.

 

The 997 Turbo really is a very fast car. It has a comedy feature of the little triangle to indicate overboost is active when you nail the gas with sport mode on.

Obviously as everyone's read that only last 10 seconds. However, if you are doing 30 mph and depress the gas for 10 seconds you are doing 140. Its really a challenge to get that triangle to appear for any more than a couple of seconds on the road. I'm pretty sure an SL65 isn't going to better the 997s 8.x seconds to 100mph.

 

What he said.

Two thoughts:

1. Dumping six figures on this (admittedly very fast) 911 is bad value, unless you need to hit 190mph+. I think a 997S cab would save you tens of thousands and get you to work pretty much on time. They also look a little better, IMHO - less mid-life crisis-like.
2. A 911 isn't a Ferrari, so you won't have scratched that itch and the next time a Ferrari drives by you'll have the Porsche up for sale at a massive loss. So, yes, you will probably feel as though you've shorted yourself of an experience. And you will be right.

I'd say get a nice but low maintenance daily driver, something that carries groceries and passengers and keeps the rain out, and get a Ferrari convertible (360 Spider, if that's what you like) for weekends and occasional use. I drive a black 328, and the attention that gets can be excessive sometimes. If you get a red or yellow Ferrari, just be forewarned...

 

No way an SL is more fun than any of the three you mentioned. Maybe its fast in a straight line and a comfortable auto cruiser - but thats kinda where it ends. Any of those 3 are fast enough (and then some for a daily 7 mile commute).. And if you want a direct sports car feel, the SL wont give you that. Especially given the weight that it carries.