Advice - 911 997.2 Carrera or F80 M3 Competition Pack
Discussion
Some thoughts from fellow petrol heads.
I've had the 2011 911 997 for 8-10 months now had some fun with it mainly as a weekend car as up until recently I had a bmw 330d as a daily.
Pro's are: It's a 911 the end.
Con's are: Obvious practicality as a daily, doesnt have sports exhaust so could use a little mod there.
In my head I have two options mod the exhaust with a sharkwerks kit to get a proper old school 911 noise and then buy something cheap as a daily probably an E46 bm since I'm a long term bmw guy.
or
Go the F80 M3 route, chop the 911 in and get something that ticks all boxes?
I've never owned an M car plenty of 330's clubsport an Alpina so big engine saloon but the M is something I will need to do next time out regardless. Should I stay with ownership of the 911 or go with the F80 M?
Just looking for some pro's and cons for both cars and what is generally concieved as the better car both different beasts from different time periods i know and have their own merits just looking for some opinions.
I've had the 2011 911 997 for 8-10 months now had some fun with it mainly as a weekend car as up until recently I had a bmw 330d as a daily.
Pro's are: It's a 911 the end.
Con's are: Obvious practicality as a daily, doesnt have sports exhaust so could use a little mod there.
In my head I have two options mod the exhaust with a sharkwerks kit to get a proper old school 911 noise and then buy something cheap as a daily probably an E46 bm since I'm a long term bmw guy.
or
Go the F80 M3 route, chop the 911 in and get something that ticks all boxes?
I've never owned an M car plenty of 330's clubsport an Alpina so big engine saloon but the M is something I will need to do next time out regardless. Should I stay with ownership of the 911 or go with the F80 M?
Just looking for some pro's and cons for both cars and what is generally concieved as the better car both different beasts from different time periods i know and have their own merits just looking for some opinions.
I've been down this road before (as I'm sure many other have too)!
I've tried the single expensive 'do it all car':
BMW E46 M3
BMW E92 M3
Porsche Cayman S
Audi S1
I've also tried the two car trick a few times including :
BMW E92 335i with Lotus Elise
among other combinations.
I've either gone expensive single daily car or cheap daily and expensive toy.
The expensive single daily car always ends up being 'just-a-car' when run day-to-day, you don't appreciate it and begin to resent the fuel economy, running costs and depreciation. It's also generally compromised when out for a hoon.
The cheap daily / expensive toy combo always results in your mind thinking I've got £X sat in the garage doing nothing whilst I run around in this s**T heap. You're always in the wrong car on the wrong road.
In my experience it depends on how much you'll get to use the 'fun' car, if it's a little and often I'd say it's a viable option but I'd make sure my 'fun' car was very usable with the partner and for length decent trips away. A 911 is prefect in this respect.
If I were in your shoes I'd keep the 911 and push the boat out for a half-decent daily.
I've tried the single expensive 'do it all car':
BMW E46 M3
BMW E92 M3
Porsche Cayman S
Audi S1
I've also tried the two car trick a few times including :
BMW E92 335i with Lotus Elise
among other combinations.
I've either gone expensive single daily car or cheap daily and expensive toy.
The expensive single daily car always ends up being 'just-a-car' when run day-to-day, you don't appreciate it and begin to resent the fuel economy, running costs and depreciation. It's also generally compromised when out for a hoon.
The cheap daily / expensive toy combo always results in your mind thinking I've got £X sat in the garage doing nothing whilst I run around in this s**T heap. You're always in the wrong car on the wrong road.
In my experience it depends on how much you'll get to use the 'fun' car, if it's a little and often I'd say it's a viable option but I'd make sure my 'fun' car was very usable with the partner and for length decent trips away. A 911 is prefect in this respect.
If I were in your shoes I'd keep the 911 and push the boat out for a half-decent daily.
John Laverick said:
I've either gone expensive single daily car or cheap daily and expensive toy.
The expensive single daily car always ends up being 'just-a-car' when run day-to-day, you don't appreciate it and begin to resent the fuel economy, running costs and depreciation. It's also generally compromised when out for a hoon.
The cheap daily / expensive toy combo always results in your mind thinking I've got £X sat in the garage doing nothing whilst I run around in this s**T heap. You're always in the wrong car on the wrong road.
lol glad its not just meThe expensive single daily car always ends up being 'just-a-car' when run day-to-day, you don't appreciate it and begin to resent the fuel economy, running costs and depreciation. It's also generally compromised when out for a hoon.
The cheap daily / expensive toy combo always results in your mind thinking I've got £X sat in the garage doing nothing whilst I run around in this s**T heap. You're always in the wrong car on the wrong road.
John Laverick said:
I've been down this road before (as I'm sure many other have too)!
I've tried the single expensive 'do it all car':
BMW E46 M3
BMW E92 M3
Porsche Cayman S
Audi S1
I've also tried the two car trick a few times including :
BMW E92 335i with Lotus Elise
among other combinations.
I've either gone expensive single daily car or cheap daily and expensive toy.
The expensive single daily car always ends up being 'just-a-car' when run day-to-day, you don't appreciate it and begin to resent the fuel economy, running costs and depreciation. It's also generally compromised when out for a hoon.
The cheap daily / expensive toy combo always results in your mind thinking I've got £X sat in the garage doing nothing whilst I run around in this s**T heap. You're always in the wrong car on the wrong road.
In my experience it depends on how much you'll get to use the 'fun' car, if it's a little and often I'd say it's a viable option but I'd make sure my 'fun' car was very usable with the partner and for length decent trips away. A 911 is prefect in this respect.
If I were in your shoes I'd keep the 911 and push the boat out for a half-decent daily.
My only issue would be I don't really get lot of time to drive for fun at the weekend and I have an 8 year old son so things are pointing towards an M car I feel. I understand all that you have posted it's what's ran through my mind 100 times and whatever way you look at it you somehow always wind up wanting the opposite situation lol.I've tried the single expensive 'do it all car':
BMW E46 M3
BMW E92 M3
Porsche Cayman S
Audi S1
I've also tried the two car trick a few times including :
BMW E92 335i with Lotus Elise
among other combinations.
I've either gone expensive single daily car or cheap daily and expensive toy.
The expensive single daily car always ends up being 'just-a-car' when run day-to-day, you don't appreciate it and begin to resent the fuel economy, running costs and depreciation. It's also generally compromised when out for a hoon.
The cheap daily / expensive toy combo always results in your mind thinking I've got £X sat in the garage doing nothing whilst I run around in this s**T heap. You're always in the wrong car on the wrong road.
In my experience it depends on how much you'll get to use the 'fun' car, if it's a little and often I'd say it's a viable option but I'd make sure my 'fun' car was very usable with the partner and for length decent trips away. A 911 is prefect in this respect.
If I were in your shoes I'd keep the 911 and push the boat out for a half-decent daily.
I have been through this as well.
Long story short
For me the opportunities to "drive" are so few that the cost of two cars, insurance, VED and storing them doesn't make sense any more. I am currently in an S5, which does not provide enough "fun" when I get chance, but I will be back in an M3 next. That will tick my boxes.
Long story short
For me the opportunities to "drive" are so few that the cost of two cars, insurance, VED and storing them doesn't make sense any more. I am currently in an S5, which does not provide enough "fun" when I get chance, but I will be back in an M3 next. That will tick my boxes.
dufflecoat said:
I have been through this as well.
Long story short
For me the opportunities to "drive" are so few that the cost of two cars, insurance, VED and storing them doesn't make sense any more. I am currently in an S5, which does not provide enough "fun" when I get chance, but I will be back in an M3 next. That will tick my boxes.
I think for me cos I can't drive the 911 as a daily and I don't have as much time to just take it out and tank it the M car probably does win so yeah maybe answered my own question here but nice to hear I'm not the only halfwit who does things like this Long story short
For me the opportunities to "drive" are so few that the cost of two cars, insurance, VED and storing them doesn't make sense any more. I am currently in an S5, which does not provide enough "fun" when I get chance, but I will be back in an M3 next. That will tick my boxes.
Nano2nd said:
John Laverick said:
I've either gone expensive single daily car or cheap daily and expensive toy.
The expensive single daily car always ends up being 'just-a-car' when run day-to-day, you don't appreciate it and begin to resent the fuel economy, running costs and depreciation. It's also generally compromised when out for a hoon.
The cheap daily / expensive toy combo always results in your mind thinking I've got £X sat in the garage doing nothing whilst I run around in this s**T heap. You're always in the wrong car on the wrong road.
lol glad its not just meThe expensive single daily car always ends up being 'just-a-car' when run day-to-day, you don't appreciate it and begin to resent the fuel economy, running costs and depreciation. It's also generally compromised when out for a hoon.
The cheap daily / expensive toy combo always results in your mind thinking I've got £X sat in the garage doing nothing whilst I run around in this s**T heap. You're always in the wrong car on the wrong road.
Tried a number of combinations myself and now tend go for the reasonable daily but keep the price down so depreciation not so much a concern (in fact, currently running a T5 camper so no deprecation!) and decent toy in the garage.
Best cure for complaining about £X sat in the garage I've found is to get out and use it!
PS. I guess from my perspective things are almost taken out of my hands as with 3 kids there is limited choice for a 'do it all' car.
Maybe slightly more difficult when you have a wider choice like you do.
However, what would sway me is that the newer M3 route you will lose money in depreciation. I find the cost of running 2 sensibly chosen cars outweighs the cost of depreciation on one expensive daily.
Maybe slightly more difficult when you have a wider choice like you do.
However, what would sway me is that the newer M3 route you will lose money in depreciation. I find the cost of running 2 sensibly chosen cars outweighs the cost of depreciation on one expensive daily.
D7PNY said:
Nano2nd said:
John Laverick said:
I've either gone expensive single daily car or cheap daily and expensive toy.
The expensive single daily car always ends up being 'just-a-car' when run day-to-day, you don't appreciate it and begin to resent the fuel economy, running costs and depreciation. It's also generally compromised when out for a hoon.
The cheap daily / expensive toy combo always results in your mind thinking I've got £X sat in the garage doing nothing whilst I run around in this s**T heap. You're always in the wrong car on the wrong road.
lol glad its not just meThe expensive single daily car always ends up being 'just-a-car' when run day-to-day, you don't appreciate it and begin to resent the fuel economy, running costs and depreciation. It's also generally compromised when out for a hoon.
The cheap daily / expensive toy combo always results in your mind thinking I've got £X sat in the garage doing nothing whilst I run around in this s**T heap. You're always in the wrong car on the wrong road.
Tried a number of combinations myself and now tend go for the reasonable daily but keep the price down so depreciation not so much a concern (in fact, currently running a T5 camper so no deprecation!) and decent toy in the garage.
Best cure for complaining about £X sat in the garage I've found is to get out and use it!
D7PNY said:
PS. I guess from my perspective things are almost taken out of my hands as with 3 kids there is limited choice for a 'do it all' car.
Maybe slightly more difficult when you have a wider choice like you do.
However, what would sway me is that the newer M3 route you will lose money in depreciation. I find the cost of running 2 sensibly chosen cars outweighs the cost of depreciation on one expensive daily.
Fair point mate which is what led me to the rather sensible high residual sports car bargain that is the 997 911.Maybe slightly more difficult when you have a wider choice like you do.
However, what would sway me is that the newer M3 route you will lose money in depreciation. I find the cost of running 2 sensibly chosen cars outweighs the cost of depreciation on one expensive daily.
I was going to get an E92 BM 330d coupe to cheaply replicate the rather costly brand daily that I had a F30 330d but Berry Chiswich BMW screwed up the handover date of that car and left me VT'ing the F30 with nothing to replace my daily.
Since I've been running the 911 as a daily now for 6-8 weeks I find myself hankering after the modern tech & feel of the F30 3 series and it's probably been bit of a knee jerk reaction to that to punt the 911 on and get one car to combine it all which is obviously the M3.
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