Just got off the phone with my friendly local Porsche dealer to register my interest. Two things I learned:

ATTENTION PORSCHE: If you send this to the US, and it fits in my new garage in SF, I will 100% buy at least the 4S version and probably the Turbo version. Brand new. But I will still say “porsh” because I’m an ugly American.

I don’t know about percentages, but among my friends and colleagues there are many, many robo-manuals. Tons of Porsche, BMW, and Audi flavors, with a smattering of the more exotic cars thrown in as well. However I don’t think the Ferraris, Lambos and the like get used nearly as much.

I think it’s more like saying I’d rather have my iPhone, but if you’re making me choose between a new crappy Chinese smartphone and the BlackBerry I used in 2005 I’d probably take the BB. That’s probably unfair to the DCT stuff as well really but that’s a closer analogy.

I’ve got a 911 loaner for the next couple of weeks so I’ll report back.

I specifically hate the DCT in my M6 GC. It’s terrible - lurching on launches. My BMW shop basically admits this, and says the DCT is for performance driving only. I live in downtown SF with heavy traffic and do a lot of trips to LA - basically worst-case scenario for that car I know, but it should be able to…

The S5 5-door is on my list of potential next cars, especially since I’m going to bet by next year when I’m buying the Alfa is either clearly superior, or has tons of reliability issues and turns out really doesn’t put out 505HP.

Counterpoint: I’ve now owned 2 cars with robotic manuals (F1 in a Maserati, DCT in a BMW), and I much prefer the regular automatic. Even the old one in my S55 was superior to either of those transmissions in any application except maybe track use - which is not something any of those cars excel at anyhow. I’ve heard…

Some cars fill in strange places.

Measured my new garage this morning. 94 inches side to side on the opening. How likely is it to fit?

Hey VB’s in my fridge but I’ve been told by a lot of my Aussie friends it’s considered almost as bad in the homeland as Fosters.

My current australian houseguest confirms that this is, in fact, peak Australia. Or it would be if there was a Crown Lager somewhere.

This story is useless without pics or a link. :p

God that Brera makes me drool every time I see it. I know it’s not a great car, but would I care when it looks so, so good?

Totally right. You could get an M5 touring or an RS6 Avant for 25k pounds.

Because FCA said they would. Just like the 3-pedal Giulia I’m picking up from the dealer this weekend.

Exactly what I was thinking. Factor in the rental use and it seems about right. I also don’t think ACV is meant to be equal to replacement cost, otherwise it would just say replacement cost.

The problem is actually width not length. (I don’t think my i8 is going to work at all due to the way the doors open.) The M6 *just* fits but if I were any larger I wouldn’t be able to get in and out of the driver door. I’d prefer something where I don’t need to keep going to yoga to use my car.

Re First Gear: I just bought a new house in SF (like, an actual house, with a door that opens onto the street). It also has a two-car garage, but like most places in SF the garage space is small, and the M6GC is huge. So there is a problem.

Sounds like you’re doing everything right! (Source: I am also a lawyer.)