Topic: Depreciation Appreciation: 2003-2011 Bentley Continental GT

[AutoTrader.ca]

Classiest winter rocket on the road for $45,000?
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[DriverJeff]

How can this article not have caused any discussion?     This group is filled with far too much common sense.

[dkaz]

I missed this. I love Bentley Continentals but I’ll wait 8 years for a bit more depreciation.

[Railton]

How can this article not have caused any discussion?     This group is filled with far too much common sense.

Even if a rich old Uncle was to will me his, I think I would pause.
Railton

[Gurgie]

How can this article not have caused any discussion?     This group is filled with far too much common sense.

Because spending $50k on a used 911 is a much more prudent investment 

[johngenx]

Tavarish took over Hoovies basketcase Bentley. It’ll take him two years to tackle it, but should be interesting as it appears to have serious engine issues.

[EV Dan]

The way I see it, if one wants to burn through 50 grand, quickly, it's best to make a charitable donation. It helps ppl, boosts your karma and you even get a tax break. Otherwise what you get is 2 tons of dead metal blocking the driveway. 

[mlin32]

The way I see it, if one wants to burn through 50 grand, quickly, it's best to make a charitable donation. It helps ppl, boosts your karma and you even get a tax break. Otherwise what you get is 2 tons of dead metal blocking the driveway. 

Remember also the cost of ownership, like insurance (probably not cheap on an exotic, even used) and any applicable taxes.

And it's still a Volkswagen. 

[johngenx]

I'd for sure sell one I was given and buy a 996 911 turbo even if meant kicking in some cash. The prices of the 996 turbos are close enough to the Bentley that you get 100x the car for 1.2x the money. Maybe the Bentley has a larger backseat and more luxury touches, but if you want a hella fast all year car, the Porsche is easily the bet way to go.

[Gurgie]

I'd for sure sell one I was given and buy a 996 911 turbo even if meant kicking in some cash. The prices of the 996 turbos are close enough to the Bentley that you get 100x the car for 1.2x the money. Maybe the Bentley has a larger backseat and more luxury touches, but if you want a hella fast all year car, the Porsche is easily the bet way to go.

996 turbo is less than the Bentley, can find them for $50k CDN all day long... here's one on BAT from yesterday https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2002-porsche-911-turbo-44/

[johngenx]

I'd for sure sell one I was given and buy a 996 911 turbo even if meant kicking in some cash. The prices of the 996 turbos are close enough to the Bentley that you get 100x the car for 1.2x the money. Maybe the Bentley has a larger backseat and more luxury touches, but if you want a hella fast all year car, the Porsche is easily the bet way to go.

996 turbo is less than the Bentley, can find them for $50k CDN all day long... here's one on BAT from yesterday https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2002-porsche-911-turbo-44/

There ya go. 100x the car for LESS money.

[Firm]

996 Turbo is a totally different car, it's a proper sports car for those who want to drive it like one. The CGT is just a big luxo rocket...It's all about refinement and power, not ripping around corners and revving the crap out of the engine.
My parents, now retired and in their early 60s, recently shopped these very seriously as a replacement DD (predominately for winter use given their fleet of summer cars) for the aging STS...Usage is basically weekly groceries and a few runs per month into the city to visit my grandmother. Zero interest in anything like a 996 for those purposes, and the Bentley was the front-runner because it was big, comfy and had the best interior of anything they'd looked at.
Ultimately they bought the Quattroporte, mostly because by all reports it's a much more reliable and mechanically simpler comparable. They're about 3 months and a couple thousand kms in, and it's been problem free, and they're very happy with it......A part of my wishes they did the Bentley though. 

[evil_twin]

996 Turbo is a totally different car, it's a proper sports car for those who want to drive it like one. The CGT is just a big luxo rocket...It's all about refinement and power, not ripping around corners and revving the crap out of the engine.

Agreed.  I'd also choose the 996 Turbo.   But something alluring about owning a V12.

[JohnnyMac]

Why is everyone saying they'd buy a 911 over this thing?  Honestly if I wanted a car like this and only had $50K I'm buy the nicest Lexus LS I could find. 

If I was in the market for something that a 911 offers I wouldn't be shopping for a Bentley, maybe a Jag, but not a Bentley.

[Gurgie]

996 Turbo is a totally different car, it's a proper sports car for those who want to drive it like one. The CGT is just a big luxo rocket...It's all about refinement and power, not ripping around corners and revving the crap out of the engine.
My parents, now retired and in their early 60s, recently shopped these very seriously as a replacement DD (predominately for winter use given their fleet of summer cars) for the aging STS...Usage is basically weekly groceries and a few runs per month into the city to visit my grandmother. Zero interest in anything like a 996 for those purposes, and the Bentley was the front-runner because it was big, comfy and had the best interior of anything they'd looked at.
Ultimately they bought the Quattroporte, mostly because by all reports it's a much more reliable and mechanically simpler comparable. They're about 3 months and a couple thousand kms in, and it's been problem free, and they're very happy with it......A part of my wishes they did the Bentley though. 

I was wondering how the Quattroporte was doing for them, pretty cool that it's held up well for them 

[ChaosphereIX]

How can this article not have caused any discussion?     This group is filled with far too much common sense.

I agree.

But if you reviewed the new Golf, 911, Mazda CX-5, or perhaps a Lexus RX, or an Acura MDX...47 pages in 6 minutes guaranteed.

Oh, and I TOLD YOU GUYS the Maserati QP (post 2007) was reliable. Hope Firm's parents continue to enjoy that luxo-barge 4-door Ferrari.

[Railton]

996 Turbo is a totally different car, it's a proper sports car for those who want to drive it like one. The CGT is just a big luxo rocket...It's all about refinement and power, not ripping around corners and revving the crap out of the engine.
My parents, now retired and in their early 60s, recently shopped these very seriously as a replacement DD (predominately for winter use given their fleet of summer cars) for the aging STS...Usage is basically weekly groceries and a few runs per month into the city to visit my grandmother. Zero interest in anything like a 996 for those purposes, and the Bentley was the front-runner because it was big, comfy and had the best interior of anything they'd looked at.
Ultimately they bought the Quattroporte, mostly because by all reports it's a much more reliable and mechanically simpler comparable. They're about 3 months and a couple thousand kms in, and it's been problem free, and they're very happy with it......A part of my wishes they did the Bentley though. 

Is it a GTS? They sound incredible....for a sedan.
Railton

[dkaz]

Why is everyone saying they'd buy a 911 over this thing?  Honestly if I wanted a car like this and only had $50K I'm buy the nicest Lexus LS I could find. 

If I was in the market for something that a 911 offers I wouldn't be shopping for a Bentley, maybe a Jag, but not a Bentley.

Agreed, no one cross shops a luxo-barge and a sports car.

[Arthur Dent]

The best way to enjoy these is to borrow someone else's.

[Firm]

996 Turbo is a totally different car, it's a proper sports car for those who want to drive it like one. The CGT is just a big luxo rocket...It's all about refinement and power, not ripping around corners and revving the crap out of the engine.
My parents, now retired and in their early 60s, recently shopped these very seriously as a replacement DD (predominately for winter use given their fleet of summer cars) for the aging STS...Usage is basically weekly groceries and a few runs per month into the city to visit my grandmother. Zero interest in anything like a 996 for those purposes, and the Bentley was the front-runner because it was big, comfy and had the best interior of anything they'd looked at.
Ultimately they bought the Quattroporte, mostly because by all reports it's a much more reliable and mechanically simpler comparable. They're about 3 months and a couple thousand kms in, and it's been problem free, and they're very happy with it......A part of my wishes they did the Bentley though. 

Is it a GTS? They sound incredible....for a sedan.
Railton

Good question, I am not sure what trim level it is.  It does sound amazing, but it's not as loud as some of the others I've heard on the street, so I suspect it's not a GTS.