A real GT car for GTing

[fred cook]

Several years ago, my wife decided that she wanted us to have a convertible. Something with lots of "class" and head turning ability. After much thought and looking, I bought a 1994 Jaguar XJS 2+2 convertible. The only large expense was for a new convertible top and a brake rebuild. Since then it has been quite reliable. It is one of the 4.0 six cylinder models. British racing green with tan leather interior. A picture (with old top):

[oldE]

Measure the height of the dog standing. Depending upon the breed, you are looking at about 36 inches. You should be looking for that much "head room "for your canine companion.
I think an AMG wagon should check the boxes.

Best
Les

[Ducman]

Originally Posted by rusnak

60 lb dog is not a good GT passenger.

I got the GF a fully loaded Macan S, which is absolutely surprisingly fast on the freeway. Also due to the automatic whatever transmission (yawn) very very capable on the street. We drove it around (I drove it, she was too stressed out) in downtown San Francisco. I was totally impressed and would not hesitate to drive it on weekend jaunts to the coast, or Tahoe, or Palm Springs.

Isn’t that the problem though? They’re all quite fast and capable but also boring. I have an X5, it’s my wife’s car. It is what we take on family trips, what we take to get groceries, lumber, a Christmas tree, or any other misc utility. Since my kids will be off to college, wife and I will have more opportunity to just go for a few days as we please and want something more exciting. In the end I think it’s the dog that breaks the deal on most options

[slow&rusty]

I own a 928 S4 and a BMW E24 (but not the M6) and I wouldn't put a dog in the back.

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

I own a 928 S4 and a BMW E24 (but not the M6) and I wouldn't put a dog in the back.

The requirement for dog accommodations is the core issue. My dogs would not do well without some big windows. Although a questionable practice, dogs love pickup beds for a reason.

[David]

Sounds like a Macan GTS would fit the bill. The only issue may be the folded rear seats not sitting flat. The sport rear seats in my Cayenne don’t fold flat but I think the normal seats do.

[Tervuren]

When driving my Z06 most of what I see is split between the pavement and looking for what might intersect the pavement I want to be traveling on next.

However, when I'm driving in my Jaguar I see the world.


That is the difference between a sports car and a GT.

[nvr2mny]

We too have an XJS Conv. It’s an ‘89 w/ the 12cyl. I love the looks and feel BUT wouldn’t trust it more than 100 miles from home. It’s given me more trouble than ANY other car I’ve owned X 100. My wife has the GTS Macan and LOVES it. It accommodates our 2 80lb dogs just fine. It’s no sports car but is quite the capable hauler. That FF looks very nice but I’d be afraid to own any F-car out of warranty.

[MRM]

It depends on what you consider a GT car. I think of a GT car as something that has good to superior everyday performance but is meant to eat up highway miles with speed and in comfort.

Mercedes' S class is a wonderful GT car. If it wasn't for the size and dealing with downtown parking, I think I would prefer an S class. Instead we have mid-sized cars and love them, even though they're not quite as big and luxurious as an S class. Every time we take my wife's E class on a long trip we comment on how well it devours the miles and makes the trip pleasant. To us it's almost the perfect car. My BMW 5 series is similar. A six hour jaunt down the highway and back the next day is like a romp in the park for it. You can get either with fold down rear seats. The rear seats are probably comfortable enough for a medium sized dog without needing to be folded down. An E550, E55 AMG or the newer E400 or E450 would be good mid-sized options if you need higher performance. A BMW 540 or 550 would be similar, and perhaps feel a bit more sporty.

For a full sized car, I strongly prefer the S class to the 7 series. The 7 series is excellent, but I find the rear seats too small and confining. The front seats are great, but with the big console in the middle I'm not sure a dog would be comfortable back there either.

Other than that, I think you're looking at SUVs. I friend has a Macan and has had Cayennes and said they eat up the miles too. I think Porsche's mid to full size product is better than BMWs and is certainly more interesting than Mercedes' SUVs.

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Lexus...with a rear window so the dog can stick his head out. Plenty fast, comfortable, and dead reliable.

^^ This, or maybe a Macan.

[gwood]

Hennessey VelociRaptor with a shell.

[SiberianDVM]

Love my E36 M3, although I'm not sure it meets the definition of a GT. I picked up a stray Lab mix once and he rode fine in the back, right up until he puked up about 10 pounds of raw chicken onto the leather seats (this was while I was working at the chicken plant). The 2 Shelties rode fine back there.

[RWebb]

3 series wagon - fully Dinanized

[tdw28210]

Originally Posted by RWebb

3 series wagon - fully Dinanized

Why not a 5 series? Wifey drove one for years. I wasn't a GREAT car, but it was pretty solid.

[Ducman]

Originally Posted by tdw28210

Why not a 5 series? Wifey drove one for years. I wasn't a GREAT car, but it was pretty solid.

I drove a Dinan e39 M5 as my daily when that car was current. In hindsight I wish I had kept it. With a 5 speed and at that time unheard of power it was truly fun. I drove it through multiple big snow winters.

Maybe I’m looking for something that doesn’t really exist anymore. The above M5 was something unusual in its day. It felt special on the road. My current daily RS5 has a wonderful V8, double clutch, more powerful and faster than that M5 and is absolutely unflappable at any sane but illegal public road speed. But it doesn’t feel special. The old 911 still always feels special.

Or maybe it’s just that because I dd these cars I get used to them. In which case I should just shut up and be thankful for my “problems”

[tdw28210]

Originally Posted by Ducman

I drove a Dinan e39 M5 as my daily when that car was current. In hindsight I wish I had kept it. With a 5 speed and at that time unheard of power it was truly fun. I drove it through multiple big snow winters.

Maybe I’m looking for something that doesn’t really exist anymore. The above M5 was something unusual in its day. It felt special on the road. My current daily RS5 has a wonderful V8, double clutch, more powerful and faster than that M5 and is absolutely unflappable at any sane but illegal public road speed. But it doesn’t feel special. The old 911 still always feels special.

Or maybe it’s just that because I dd these cars I get used to them. In which case I should just shut up and be thankful for my “problems”

I drove an e39 M-Tech for years and I too regret selling it. Not an M5, but it was tuned and improved to the point that REALLY enjoyed it. The e39 with the m5 parallel wheels STILL looks great to my eye. There is a really nice lady-driven white E39 wagon in my neighborhood. I want it.

[tdw28210]

Originally Posted by Ducman

I drove a Dinan e39 M5 as my daily when that car was current. In hindsight I wish I had kept it. With a 5 speed and at that time unheard of power it was truly fun. I drove it through multiple big snow winters.

Maybe I’m looking for something that doesn’t really exist anymore. The above M5 was something unusual in its day. It felt special on the road. My current daily RS5 has a wonderful V8, double clutch, more powerful and faster than that M5 and is absolutely unflappable at any sane but illegal public road speed. But it doesn’t feel special. The old 911 still always feels special.

Or maybe it’s just that because I dd these cars I get used to them. In which case I should just shut up and be thankful for my “problems”

And look what I just found. A BMW unicorn wagon. Last year E39 Mtech 540 wagon with "low" miles for a 2003. I want this one too. Full Dinan package with an upgraded radiator, new Mpar wheels and you are all set.

https://bit.ly/357iuE8

[jorian]

Man, if you could make a Ferrari FF work...

That car is the only modern F-car I like. Fantastic machine.

[MRM]

Also consider the Audi RS7. Other than being an Audi with Ferrari-like maintenance expense, it would seem to fit your criteria.