m3 smg or 993 porsche

[iaiin]

Got 26k to spend on a week end/ occasional outing car, cant make my mind up. I have 3 kids so would need to fit them in but only the odd time as we have a 7 seater when we all go out together!
But when i am on my own ,or with 2 of the kids, like to have something a bit nice.Anyone had both these cars & any advice??

[gpa]

Obviously the BMW is the more practical choice, but for diving utopia its got to be the 993 ... Drive both on the same day if you can. One will just feel right for you.

[lordk]

993 everytime. If you have the opporunity to get a 993 it's something you mustn't pass up. At the end of the day, the M3 will always be a compromise (albeit a very good compromise) and the SMG 'box is snatchy and bad (why chose that when the BMW manual is soooo slick?). Try a 993 and you'll forget you ever had a shortlist.

[dougt]

Just for the record, the E46 M3 manual isn't very slick at all. Everyone has problems getting 2nd when it's cold, most people say you have to treat it a bit carefully to avoid crunches etc. It's not a disaster, easier to use than say a 70's ferrari, but IMHO it's the worst thing about the car.

In your situation I'd go for the 993 everytime. The M3 is a great all rounder, brilliant if like me you can only have one car, but it hasn't got the 'specialness' of a 911. Financially you'll be better with a 993 too, it'll hold it's value much better.