Falling back in love with a car…
Discussion
Anyone else had this?
Starting to look at my next goal to aim for and have been researching into 997 911s; really like the idea of one but no real experience.
It’ll mean selling my current car when i do though, which i barely use anymore. It sits on my drive for weeks on end undriven.
Washed it and took for a short drive the other day and it reminded me it’s actually become fairly special and a bit sought after over the years. If i were to put a little cash into it it would be really special.
I’m now wondering if i want the 911 or just like the idea of a change for the sake of it.
Anyone else had a similar experience and if so, did you sell or keep your existing car? How did you feel after?
Starting to look at my next goal to aim for and have been researching into 997 911s; really like the idea of one but no real experience.
It’ll mean selling my current car when i do though, which i barely use anymore. It sits on my drive for weeks on end undriven.
Washed it and took for a short drive the other day and it reminded me it’s actually become fairly special and a bit sought after over the years. If i were to put a little cash into it it would be really special.
I’m now wondering if i want the 911 or just like the idea of a change for the sake of it.
Anyone else had a similar experience and if so, did you sell or keep your existing car? How did you feel after?
Keep it for another year. I was in a similar situation as you last year. I sold up to fund and make space for another car. Regret it now. Sometimes a car doesn’t have to be driven much to appreciate it. Just knowing it’s yours can be good enough. As I said, keep it for another year and imagine what life would be like without it in that time.
V1nce Fox said:
I’ve owned it so long i hadnt noticed how bloody rare they’ve become!
Yes they certainly are a rare sight now. Much more exclusive than a 997.Assuming its currently a very nice example, this is one of those moments in life where you might look back in a few years time and seriously regret getting rid. Values seem to be going one way only.
997s are no doubt excellent cars, but are they special? I don't think so, unfortunately they are too common for a start.
If they was anyway you could store the M3 and have a 997 for a time that would be my route.
I've had this before too, but then I've driven the car I want and realised how much better they are and not looked back!
Maybe try a 997 if you can and it might help you make your mind up?
Personally I've had a 997 (C2S) and found it a very nice all rounder but as a true sports I didn't think that much to it...
Maybe try a 997 if you can and it might help you make your mind up?
Personally I've had a 997 (C2S) and found it a very nice all rounder but as a true sports I didn't think that much to it...
I don't get this "goals to aim for". The reality is the car world is joyous and value has little to do with fun or what you get from a car.
I run a number of cars including a modded 996 C2 and a tweaked E36 328. I love both but they drive very differently so would not want to be without either.
I love the easy oversteer of the BMW and the challenge of the 911. In terms of feel, they are very similar so can't say either is more communicative at road speeds.
My Elise blows them both apart for interactivity but they are both truly superbly judged road cars.
I am getting a GR86 and am having doubt about whether I can replace the E36 with it as no doubt the BMW will show the Toyota up in certain areas of on road dynamics.
I run a number of cars including a modded 996 C2 and a tweaked E36 328. I love both but they drive very differently so would not want to be without either.
I love the easy oversteer of the BMW and the challenge of the 911. In terms of feel, they are very similar so can't say either is more communicative at road speeds.
My Elise blows them both apart for interactivity but they are both truly superbly judged road cars.
I am getting a GR86 and am having doubt about whether I can replace the E36 with it as no doubt the BMW will show the Toyota up in certain areas of on road dynamics.
rotaryjam said:
I've had this before too, but then I've driven the car I want and realised how much better they are and not looked back!
Maybe try a 997 if you can and it might help you make your mind up?
Personally I've had a 997 (C2S) and found it a very nice all rounder but as a true sports I didn't think that much to it...
The standard car is a blank canvas...Maybe try a 997 if you can and it might help you make your mind up?
Personally I've had a 997 (C2S) and found it a very nice all rounder but as a true sports I didn't think that much to it...
I think a few things have dawned on me...
1. I've come to realise my actual car is still pretty special. The fact they're getting rarer and that it is a true RWD, no driver aids, mechanical vehicle has become more unusual. It's started to become a car people look at and on occasion want to talk to me about. I never envisaged this when I bought the car years ago. I just wanted something fast, manual, normally aspirated and rwd with 2 doors. It was the only car in the price range for me.
2. As others have said, I need to test a 997.1 manual. Purely on research it looks like there isn't much of a performance gain over my current car, but surely that can't be right in the real world?
3. There are a couple of very minor performance upgrades I can do to the M3 to complete it as a really solid performer. If I put a much smaller amount into it than the porsche would cost, I could have it running to a very high standard.
4. I really, REALLY can't be arsed with the hassle of selling it. The tidal wave of idiots when you try to sell anything these days is pretty off putting.
First world problems, etc.
1. I've come to realise my actual car is still pretty special. The fact they're getting rarer and that it is a true RWD, no driver aids, mechanical vehicle has become more unusual. It's started to become a car people look at and on occasion want to talk to me about. I never envisaged this when I bought the car years ago. I just wanted something fast, manual, normally aspirated and rwd with 2 doors. It was the only car in the price range for me.
2. As others have said, I need to test a 997.1 manual. Purely on research it looks like there isn't much of a performance gain over my current car, but surely that can't be right in the real world?
3. There are a couple of very minor performance upgrades I can do to the M3 to complete it as a really solid performer. If I put a much smaller amount into it than the porsche would cost, I could have it running to a very high standard.
4. I really, REALLY can't be arsed with the hassle of selling it. The tidal wave of idiots when you try to sell anything these days is pretty off putting.
First world problems, etc.
Keep it! I am in the same position as you regarding my E36. I have a short ratio diff (3.7 and LSD) and it's joy. My 996 has a 3.9 Hartech motor so has loads more torque than the BMW and is quicker.
But that's only half the story as I can drive the BMW very hard on road and still be this side of illegal speeds. As a result, it is probably the more enjoyable road car from a performance perspective for the type of driver I am.
A quick test drive in a 997 won't tell much I don't think. These cars need to be very fit and likely upgraded to show you what they can do.
The first thing I did with my 996 was to take it to Centre Gravity and bin the M030 sports suspension as I thought it was crap on road. The changes cost a bit of money but now it flows down the road with superb ride and handling...
They are inherently different cars - depends how you like to drive and what dynamics you enjoy..
You need both.
But that's only half the story as I can drive the BMW very hard on road and still be this side of illegal speeds. As a result, it is probably the more enjoyable road car from a performance perspective for the type of driver I am.
A quick test drive in a 997 won't tell much I don't think. These cars need to be very fit and likely upgraded to show you what they can do.
The first thing I did with my 996 was to take it to Centre Gravity and bin the M030 sports suspension as I thought it was crap on road. The changes cost a bit of money but now it flows down the road with superb ride and handling...
They are inherently different cars - depends how you like to drive and what dynamics you enjoy..
You need both.
As someone who hangs on to cars for a long time (for similar reasons to the OP), I would nevertheless suggest that the OP goes ahead and moves on to a 911. And then on again to the next car, etc, etc.
I have found that as I have aged, my tolerance to the niggles and inconvenience of running ‘enthusiast’ cars has dropped somewhat. To the extent that I jump in the daily 99% of the time nowadays.
So it’s now unlikely that I’ll have my boyhood dreams of a Ferrari or an Aston, etc because I burnt up all my enthusiasm on lower end stuff I got attached to.
I have found that as I have aged, my tolerance to the niggles and inconvenience of running ‘enthusiast’ cars has dropped somewhat. To the extent that I jump in the daily 99% of the time nowadays.
So it’s now unlikely that I’ll have my boyhood dreams of a Ferrari or an Aston, etc because I burnt up all my enthusiasm on lower end stuff I got attached to.
V1nce Fox said:
I think a few things have dawned on me...
1. I've come to realise my actual car is still pretty special. The fact they're getting rarer and that it is a true RWD, no driver aids, mechanical vehicle has become more unusual. It's started to become a car people look at and on occasion want to talk to me about. I never envisaged this when I bought the car years ago. I just wanted something fast, manual, normally aspirated and rwd with 2 doors. It was the only car in the price range for me.
2. As others have said, I need to test a 997.1 manual. Purely on research it looks like there isn't much of a performance gain over my current car, but surely that can't be right in the real world?
3. There are a couple of very minor performance upgrades I can do to the M3 to complete it as a really solid performer. If I put a much smaller amount into it than the porsche would cost, I could have it running to a very high standard.
4. I really, REALLY can't be arsed with the hassle of selling it. The tidal wave of idiots when you try to sell anything these days is pretty off putting.
First world problems, etc.
To the extent it helps my approach in buying cars is that there's a variety of car owning experiences available, and a finite amount of time in which to have them, both because life is short, we're busy, and because cars you want (in my case at least) become unattainable or impossible to justify because prices have shot up. So I say if you want the 911 after test driving it then sell the M3 and make your peace with it - price rises for the M3 and depreciation of the Porsche have basically made a 997 a far smaller jump than it would have been even 2-3 years ago, so you've been fortunate in that sense. 1. I've come to realise my actual car is still pretty special. The fact they're getting rarer and that it is a true RWD, no driver aids, mechanical vehicle has become more unusual. It's started to become a car people look at and on occasion want to talk to me about. I never envisaged this when I bought the car years ago. I just wanted something fast, manual, normally aspirated and rwd with 2 doors. It was the only car in the price range for me.
2. As others have said, I need to test a 997.1 manual. Purely on research it looks like there isn't much of a performance gain over my current car, but surely that can't be right in the real world?
3. There are a couple of very minor performance upgrades I can do to the M3 to complete it as a really solid performer. If I put a much smaller amount into it than the porsche would cost, I could have it running to a very high standard.
4. I really, REALLY can't be arsed with the hassle of selling it. The tidal wave of idiots when you try to sell anything these days is pretty off putting.
First world problems, etc.
I loved my M3 Evo coupe (possibly my favourite from the cars I've owned) but I needed a four-door saloon when our first child arrived. I also couldn't justify buying one now because prices are so high - so I've experienced a great car (and then other great cars after I made that sale) so no regrets.
On the sale front I suspect you'll have "modern classic" dealers keen either to buy it or do sale or return - that may be a good option to avoid hassle of a private sale.
OP, your current car is a true modern classic.
The Porsche will no doubt be a 'better' car, but that doesn't mean preferred.
In real terms, I'm sure the 997 will be a faster car too, in most situations at least, but does that even matter?
Beware of the potential bork factor with a 997.1 too, plenty of horror stories regarding bore scoring etc..
The Porsche will no doubt be a 'better' car, but that doesn't mean preferred.
In real terms, I'm sure the 997 will be a faster car too, in most situations at least, but does that even matter?
Beware of the potential bork factor with a 997.1 too, plenty of horror stories regarding bore scoring etc..
Bill said:
_Neal_ said:
Doesn't seem to me that the OP has time to drive another car as well as keep the M3, but I could be wrong.
OTOH the OP has a unicorn car that's appreciating so swapping for something relatively common that's still depreciating seems daft.That's the decision that needs to be made really - does the ownership of a rare car and the fact that it's appreciating (if kept in good condition) justify keeping it over a car that you use more and enjoy driving more (which may or may not be a 911)?
I'd answer that question with a "no" on the basis that I've always thought of cars as an expensive hobby where I'm not going to make money from them (just hopefully not lose very much) rather than owning investment pieces. If I'd have been focused on avoiding depreciation rather than experiencing a variety of cars that I've wanted since I was young, I would have missed out on owning quite a few of them. And would not be able to fix that situation now because prices have moved.
I do however have a track record of selling cars at the bottom of their depreciation curves (including an E36 M3 Evo in a very rare colour) so that influences my viewpoint, I'm sure
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