My RS2 for sale - au revoir all

[RS2_Russ]

Guys,
I hate to tell you, but I have sold my RS2. It has been bought by AllAudi of Bristol if you are interested.
Like all of us here on this forum, I loved my car. I have spent a lot on it the last few years (new konis and blue mounts, recon wheels, new radiator, new turbo pump, new door trims, washed wekkly, zymol-ed monthly, new brake discs and pads recently,etc,etc...!!) and it gave me tremendous enjoyment and satisfaction, never letting me down; I miss it and I shall miss the camaraderie of the exclusive club that is the RS2-owner.
The ONLY reason I sold is that a true supercar came within my financial grasp and unfortunately my wife and I only have 2 no-claims' bonuses and she has her own car (and would not sell it). 3 cars would have been too extravagant.
When I say true supercar I do not in any way denigrate the RS2, which is also a supercar; but I have changed to a sports car, which is a subtle difference. Most of the time the RS2 would be just as capable, lots of the time it would be more capable/practical; but it is not a sportscar, I am sure you'll agree.
I wish you all (including the next owner of my former RS2) well. I MAY come back into the fold once my sportscar thing has run its course, you never know. Until then have safe, fast, FUN driving!
Cheers all,
Russ

[PhilT]

So Russ... What have you bought, and why did you buy it?

[Cobstar]

Hope you enjoy your new car. Come on spill the beans and tell us what it is. And at least you've owned and driven an RS2 - something few people can say and I'm sure you'll have some memories you'll never forget.

My RS2 has started us on the three car route. The diesel run around came with a year's free insurance courtesy of the manufacturer and for the second year they've matched the no claims bonus on one of the other cars. Trouble is once you start down that route, then it's not beyond the realms of possibility to consider another - just to broaden the mix even further

[agorringe]

Yes the next thing you know you've got 5 and RS2 is the sensible one that the family will almost fit in to !

Dangerous don't do it .............

[RS2_Russ]

Phil, Cobstar, Agorringe, and all
As I alluded in my post, there are few cars that can tug the heartstrings like the RS2 and I honestly had made up my mind to keep my cherished one for years and years, so happy with it I was.
However, on a trip to the Midlands I ran across a car with an equally petrol-headed friend which promised a little more performance and a bit more steering feel (a slight weak point on the RS, I'm sure you'll agree). That car was a Porsche (now we all have the taste for Posrches ) 993 Turbo.
It's a tiny car inside, VERY rapid, VERY communicative, BUT by god was it agricultural, over-reactive and OLD-feeling after stepping out of the same-age RS2 !!! So, no thanks to the 993 Turbo.
So my friend suggested another Porsche specialist (no main dealers for me thanks) nearby to see what they had. A great little aladdin's cave of cars called Shirleys Garage in Meriden was what we found, with cars from 3k 924s up to a 996 Turbo at a tad more....
Friend and I are just saying hello to the friendly proprietors and admiring the cars in stock, but almost immediately my other half starts bouncing up and down in front of the as-new, gleaming, low, BEAUTIFUL 996 Turbo, going "This one, this one" Needless to say, I ignored her for a while for being ridiculous, but when I did get around to it I was deeply impressed and moved by its fantastic condition, striking non-standard alloys, full carbon interior pack (a 3k option!),FPSH, 17k miles only, Sat Nav, phone, sports seats and many, many other goodies.. The price wasn't as silly as I'd expected, either.javascript:emoticon(':o')
Surprised
I admitted to the owners why we were here (993, etc) and they said the 996 was a vastly different car ( I wont say better for fear of flamers, plus I can see the appeal of the 993 to hardcore guys) and OFFERED a test drive in it.
javascript:emoticon(':shock:')
ShockedI dont think the adjective "vastly"(different/better) covered it; it was hugely, amazingly, unbelievably diffferent. Lighter controls all round, bang up-to-date feel, much more comfortablemuch bigger inside(I have 2 daughters and a dog), much quieter, far less fidgety/nervous, just as communicative and felt even quicker!!! The performance really is in another league from the RS, despite the RS being amazingly good.
The clincher was the price: for 20k over the price of the 993 Turbo (which was in Ocean Red, not good) I am now the very happy, slightly shell-shocked owner of a 7-year younger, much improved, better-coloured (black - beautiful), amazing 996 Turbo. Thank goodness for Porsche specialists,eh? As one of the car magazines' "The Knowledge" charts says of owning a 911: "If you can, you must". Madness I know, but you only live once and coffins dont have pockets, do they?
Why did I do it? Mainly, more speed. We all love speed, otherwise we would have 1.9TDi avants, not RS2s. Other reasons: the sportscar connection with the steering, the rifle-bolt gearbox, the improved handling and braking. Also, I have always desired a 911 (we all like Porsche here, dont we?) and I needed a car with slightly longer range (I could barely make 180 miles on my thrice-monthly thrash to Heathrow on A-road/dual carriageways). The 911 is actually more economical, due to its Variocam-plus system. We all know what cams do for an engine, dont we?javascript:emoticon('')
Wink
As you say, I would have loved to keep the old girl, but I just could not justify holding onto her and rarely using her. Better for the car to be used regularly, too.
I do have a couple of pictures of the RS and the 911 together. I could post them if you want (and tell me how !)
For your info, the RS2 seats are MUCH better than either of the 911s, it is obviously more practical and clearly attracts FAR less attention (although I am happy to report that the 996 is a grin-inducing car in others as well as me).
Again, all the best guys; enjoy yourselves in your fantastic cars and if you see some nutter in a black 996 Turbo pulling up next to you with a big grin and thumb up, it's me! javascript:emoticon(':lol:')
Laughing
Russ

[PhilT]

YHM - javascript:emoticon(':lol:')

[Cobstar]

Hi Russ

Wow 996 Turbo sounds fab - particularly in black. OK - we'll forgive you for leaving the RS2 fold for now. But we want to see the pictures of the RS2 and the 996 Turbo together.

There's a great review in one of the car magazines around the time the RS2 was launched comparing the RS2 to the 911 of the day.

Enjoy your new toy! A 911 is on my list of cars I must have one day, so I'll know where to come for advice. You and your partner have great taste!

[RS2_Russ]

Thanks for understanding guys and gals.

Piccies are in the Gallery Page 7, "RS2_"Russ".

All the best to you all. As I said, I may come back to the great RS2 one day, and I will continue to browse the forum. I will also check out trackdayheroes too.

Cheers, Russ

[TWH]

Nice 996TT,

I considered a 993 turbo before getting the 4, and a 911 is still on my list of things to do. And black is a great colour on that car!