For guys who own the Bentley GT

I would not compare a GT to a 599. A 599 is a special car and one I would like to have if it were not more than I prefer to spend on a car. I am of the school "why spend $400k on an exotic, when you can get 2 for that price." I am hanging on to my GT until I see what Bentley does next. The only other car on my radar from that perspective is the Rolls Ghost.

In terms of downgrading cars. There are lots of great cars for under $30k floating around. If I had to get rid of my toys and go to that, it would be just fine. When I went to grad school, I went from a Mercedes 2.3 16-v to a used Ford Escort I bought for $500. I drove that thing for the next 5 years and went from it to a new Benz and a year later, my first Ferrari. Heck, my 9 yr old BMW S54 M Roadster is my favorite car and can be had for under $35k now. It is more rare than either my 360 or Bentley as only 1,500 were ever made, only 200 in my color. My favorite car of all time is the W208 CLK55 and you can get one for under $25k these days. No they are not exotics nor of the caliber of exotics, but they are great cars. I don't ever plan to sell my S54.

 

I have owned 3 M3's so know those cars, but why did you keep the C63 for such a short time? They seem like great cars and have a great engine note.

 

Although my S54 has the same engine as the M3 prior to the current model, it has 315hp due to shorter exhaust routing. It is easy to get the rear to kick out and predictable and very much fun as well. It is nimble and quick (0-60 in 4.7) and you sit on top of the car, rather than in it, like a 360 or Boxter.

When I bought my RS4, I drove and was considering an E63. I agree with you fully, it was too soft. The RS4 was an animal. I hear the C63 is even more so because it does not have AWD like an RS4 and much higher torque, which means less midcorner traction. I actually witnessed this once. A C63 was tailgating me out of a single lane road onto a double lane that went back to one lane. When he got next to me, we both went for first into the single lane and he won on speed, but then his traction control had a convulsion as I passed underneith. Still, he was damn fast, though not very stable in the corner. The RS4 was absolutely planted and in the rain, nothing could stay with it.

My CLK55 was also poor on traction and spun the wheels on take off and was horrible in the rain. But, I still loved it unlike any car I have ever owned.

The GT has AWD as well, but it is not as good as Audi's systems. The S54 slides in the rain like a bad ice scater (as did my Aston Martin).

 

Ballpark, sure, give or take. What's a $1000 among friends.

 

You do realize that the Bentley CGT is basically a VW Phaeton? It's as German as they come ...

 

If you want luxury, it's probably best to buy a new car. Old Bentleys are ridiculously outdated in just about every way other than leather and wood paneling. You're paying a lot of coin to own a 2006 car that is outclassed by even a mid-range Audi in just about every quantifiable metric.

If I were you, I'd go new luxury car rather than old exotic car. Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, etc.

 

Sorry, but I disagree completely. A Bentley is a special automobile and you feel like it when driving one. Depreciation on a new merc/Audi/jag/ bmw is stupid dumb and the interior feels like mass produced overpriced garbage with fake leather textured rubber parts. Anyone buying a brand new one of those loves throwing money down the drain just so they can have the newest. You can argue my point of view is to just have an exotic at a discounted price....I will agree all day long. No comparison

 

Guess we'll agree to disagree.

I'd take a used 2014 S-Class over a Bentley any day and twice on Sunday. Remember, the LWB S-Class is a Maybach, and well, a SWB Maybach is an S-Class. They are very high-end cars with very high quality materials.

There is a reason that a used 2006 Bentley is worth less than a new Audi A5...

 

+1

 

For perspective, the OP's first post was from 2010, and he was looking at the 04-06 model years for the Bentley GT.

2005 Aston Martin DB9 vs. Bentley Continental GT, Ferrari 612 Scaglietti F1, M-B CL600 - Comparison Tests

 

Many people are talking up the Bentley GT when I speak of real 4 seaters. I regard Bentley as an old men's car but I understand that is a cliche that I have a hard time to shake even as I try. I guess the clear wood is what gets me. I like black piano for wood in a car or carbon fiber. Leave clear wood to a boat.
I see that discussion being a bit obsolete may be as newinfo on reliability and aging are coming up. I heared of "deflating" suspensions..(air system failures)?
I also see many below $50K from 05 to 07 with little miles which is amazing. The used one dont seem to move much. Anyone up to date on these? Just curious.

 

Wood is part of the classic British look. It's one of the things I like most about the interiors of my Astons. Not a fan of Piano Black or carbon fiber. Looks cheap and often dirty to me. Much like black kitchen appliances. Who ever thought that one up?