The S3 lease goes back in a few months and I've just finished a quad-test of the following preferred replacements:
- Velar
GLC 43
X3 3.0d (in place of the M40i)
Macan GTS
Velar was a nice place to be. Looks nice. Drives nice. Interior feels.... questionable. The tech screen overload does not overcome some of the cheap-feel plastics and creaky finish.
GLC43 was entertaining. Good size and lovely in and out. The one we tested was a 'Premium Plus' model so came with a few nice additional features.
We're looking at the X3 M40i but the showrooms don't get the models in until later November so we took out a 3.0d on M Sports suspension and 21" just to see how it felt. Quick and fun to drive. Great looking interior and an airy cabin - especially with the panoramic roof. Gesture control and 360 degree positioning are all fun gimmicks that work just fine but aren't really practical.
Macan GTS - blown away by how poised it is. Initially went out with a salesperson who had obviously enjoyed some advanced driving classes in a past and demonstrated just how well the Macan handles around corners. Fit and finish is superb compared to the competition and the ride feels perfect even in sports setup - especially after the Audi's harsh ride for two years. I'm sold.
Which leads me to ask for some advice. My budget extends to a level that is a little lower than some of the 2 year old GTS models on the market at the moment. I would like to get some advice from you seasoned Porsche owners. How much discount off the asking price do you think is achievable from a dealer? I don't want to go in looking like a noobie fool but if there's any chance I can achieve a GTS model, then I would like to try.
Cheers in advance.