Bentley Continental GT

Ecstatic! We're talking like a kid at Christmas here! These are the feelings I had when I was given the opportunity to drive my first Bentley, my first 12-cyl, my first car to break the 550HP mark, and my first car breaking the $200,000 mark…a LOT of firsts for me here.

So I was up visiting my dad in Centerville, UT. The last several times I drove up there, off the frontage road I saw a Bentley Conti GT parked at the Land Rover dealership. I never had time to drop by until yesterday.

I introduced myself to Bill, the salesman, and he showed me around the other Bentley models in the showroom (including an '09 Brooklands Coupe of which there are only 16 made, and this being the only one on the continent.) I was also super excited to sit in the Continental GT Speed, a car that I have had a lot of respect for since it debuted.

Bill took me out to the '05 Conti GT they had parked out front. He started it up and that beautiful W-12 hit a note that no choir has ever attempted. I did, however, shed a tear for the GT as I had to wipe the frost off of her windows. How many $200,000 cars do you know that sit in the elements? We hopped in and immediately I noticed the gorgeous woods and leathers inside. Bill told me that any Bentley technician can tell just by looking at the stitching on the steering wheel which of the technicians hand sewed that particular vehicle. We headed for the freeway, and he hit 100 on I-15, and not seeing the speedometer, I assumed it was close to 80. MAN this car is smooth! We turned around at the next exit, and we switched seats…This was my time to shine!

I immediately switched to paddle-shifter mode to bring it as close to a manual as possible. Right off the bat, I noticed how solid the Bentley drove. When you shut a door, it feels like you just shut a bank vault, and there were absolutely no squeaks or rattles. Next I noticed how quiet it was when driving down the highway I dropped into 3^rd to hear the Conti GT's motor rumble, and the sound in the cockpit didn't change the slightest! Then, when I floored it, we were enveloped in gorgeous resonation! Bentley took extra care to make sure the Continental was comfortable first, but fun when you want it to be. Finally, I noticed how heavy the steering is. It was like the wheel asking you, "Do you really want to turn here?" Arriving back at the dealership I was shining like the house of that neighbor who goes overboard every Christmas on his lights.

While speaking with Bill, he told me the most exciting thing I have ever heard. I asked why there was no signage out front of the Land Rover dealership to denote that they are also a Bentley dealer. He said that they are opening a new dealership down on about 11400 S off I-15 for … drumroll please … Bentley and ASTON MARTIN! That is dangerous to put an Aston dealer in the same state as me, but I am very appreciative.

The dealership that sponsored my test drive of the Conti GT is the Hadley Auto-owned Land Rover of Centerville, UT. They are located right off the Centerville exit of the I-15. That being said, if you are looking to pick up a Land Rover, this dealership is absolutely awesome. The reason they got awarded the Aston Martin dealership status is because of their superior customer service. If you are looking for an Aston Martin or a Bentley this summer, look for the new dealership in Sandy. Talk to Bill Fagergren – unlike many salesmen that are just working a sales job, Bill is a true enthusiast. He will chat with you about the Ferraris and Maseratis he has driven.