Josh lives in Virginia, and his recent acquisition of a 911 Turbo has reignited his need for speed. He wants another high-performance model, this time with four doors so the family can go for a ride as well. With a budget hovering around six figures, what car should he buy?
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Here is the scenario.
I’m looking for another weekend warrior. I recently purchased a 2006 Porsche 911 Turbo as a weekend warrior and I love it. The problem is I forgot how much fun it is to go fast. So much fun that I want to buy another fun car to enjoy as well. I’m looking for something V-8 powered and preferably with 4 doors for weekend fun with the family. I’d prefer something less run of the mill that you see everyday on the streets. I can spend up to $120,000.
Quick Facts:
Budget: up to $120,000
Location: Virginia
Daily Driver: Not really
Wants: Four doors, fast, a bit different
Doesn’t want: A truck or SUV
Expert 1- Tom McParland: There Is A Replacement For Displacement
A 2006 911 Turbo is a fantastic machine, and I get that you are thinking “If six-cylinders is this fun, more cylinders must be better.” And while you would be generally correct, I’m going to offer a different solution.
You already have your “analog” sports car, something old-school that connects with the driver. You can feel the steering inputs, and hear the engine wind up. Why not pair that with the opposite? A tech laden rocketship. You can keep adding up all the cylinders and turbos you want, but you aren’t going to achieve the same level of acceleration compared to what is possible with electric motors. The Lucid Air is one of the quickest production cars on the market. It also looks different in a sea of AMG and ///M-badged performance machines. The Grand Touring trim was clocked to 60 mph in under three seconds. It has exceptional build quality for a luxury car costing over $100,000. And you don’t even need to blow your whole budget, used examples like this one can be had for under $80,000.
Expert 2: Owen Bellwood - Less Doors, More Cylinders
Josh, what an exciting position to be in - it’s always great when you get to inject a little more fun into your week! I’m happy to help you pick out your next ride, and have a few excellent ideas to send your way.
You want fun, you want fast and you want something different, so my first suggestion was going to be this excellent Aston Martin Rapide, as it ticks all those boxes and is truly one of the best-looking four-door cars ever made. Plus, at $55,000 it comes in well under budget. But if you really want a weekend warrior that can beat a Porsche 911 Turbo in performance and practicality, there really is only one option: a Ferrari FF.
Sure, Ferrari may not normally scream “practical family fun,” but the FF really does. It’s a four-seat, four-wheel-drive monster that has a real trunk for all your kids’ stuff, usable back seats so you can take the whole family on an adventure and an absolute unit of a V12 engine that’s been crafted by the artists over in Maranello. There are a couple that come in under your $120,000 budget and I think the FF is the true weekend warrior that’s going to stand out from the crowd and put endless smiles on your family’s faces. Josh, it’s time to become a Ferrari owner.
Expert 3: Collin Woodard - Do You Love America Or Not, Josh?
Well, well, well, what do you know? Once again, Tom has the correct answer right out of the gate, leaving the rest of us scrambling to come up with something almost as good. In theory, I like where Owen’s head is at, but as quickly as things are escalating, do you really want to be behind the wheel of a Ferrari when things finally break, and people start looking for obvious symbols of excessive wealth they can take out their frustrations on?
No, if you’re going to go with a gas car, you probably want something a little less, “I am definitely on the side of the oligarchs.”
On the other hand, has anyone ever hated a Cadillac on sight? OK, yeah, the XLR was ugly as hell, but even then, did anybody hate the XLR? Of course not. Which is why you need to walk down to your local Cadillac dealer to order a brand-new CT5-V Blackwing. The manual starts at about $97,000, leaving you room to add a few options and pick out a really good color.
Oh, and did I mention the part where it’s also one of the best super sedans for sale in 2025? No? Well, I probably should have mentioned that part, too. Buy the Cadillac, Josh. You know it’s the right choice.
Expert 4: Amber DaSilva -A Stand Out Choice
Josh, I understand the position you’re in. The Porsche is a great car, a fantastic way to reinvigorate your interest in performance, but it just doesn’t stand out in a crowd. The 911 is such a subtle body design, I see why you want something different for your family hauler. Here’s my proposition: Rather than differentiating by getting something less reliable (cough, Owen), why not just get the brightest color you can get your hands on?
This Lexus IS 500 F-Sport is bright yellow. You want “less run of the mill,” I give you bright yellow. It’s eye-catching, it plays with light off the car’s curves and angles, it’ll draw attention in a way that most 911s simply don’t. It’s also a V8-powered rear-wheel-drive sedan with 472 horsepower — it may not have all the get-up-and-go of a Lucid, but it ought to be enough to push you back in your seat.
Dark blue? Black? Josh, my friend, these are boring colors for boring people. You are not a boring person. Join me in the world of yellow vehicles, and never look back. It’s better over here.