Discussion
Ok so i know what to expect when posting this in a Porsche forum...
I'm looking to buy an earlyish 996 C2, probably a 1998 model. I have a budget of 25k. Now for that money I've been looking around for alternatives... I could probably buy a lowish mileage 2002 M3, which is 4 years younger, comes with Sat Nav, probably in better condition both inside and out... why would an early 996 still be car of choice?? It's been a boyhood dream to own a 911 but I don't want to let my heart rule my head!! I just want to be sure that it's not just over-hype that a 911 is the best driver's car period!!
Cheers.
C2 at that money will be well basic with little options and high mileage
diff car to the M3 and diff expereince.
drive both and see for yourself!
M3 might be slighlty quicker but not really much in it. porker will be more fun and rewarding.
I am going from 911 C2 (99 plate) over to an M3 CSL so I hope I can comment!
diff car to the M3 and diff expereince.
drive both and see for yourself!
M3 might be slighlty quicker but not really much in it. porker will be more fun and rewarding.
I am going from 911 C2 (99 plate) over to an M3 CSL so I hope I can comment!
Edited by DasChin on Thursday 31st August 23:39
If you drive a 911 and then an M3 in anger or on a track you will soon find out which is more rewarding to drive fast. The 911 talks to you, tells you everything. In the end there is little in it point to point but the 911 will leave you wanting more, but the M3, well you can take it or leave it. As an allrounder and continent crushing road car seating four, the M3 is miles ahead, but it all depends what you want it for. Personally for £25k I would buy a late 993.
Is it rewarding on the road? It's unlikely I will be taking it to a track... more likely A roads and B roads but mostly the motorway.
The 996 i'm looking at does come with good range of options for it's year and the all important OPC-warranty! Down side is high mileage but warranty gives peace of mind. A 993 unfortunately is now out of warranty coverage so as much as i'd love some of the air-coolness, it's a no-no.
I'm looking for a car which is rewarding and gives good driver feedback... hence 911.
The 996 i'm looking at does come with good range of options for it's year and the all important OPC-warranty! Down side is high mileage but warranty gives peace of mind. A 993 unfortunately is now out of warranty coverage so as much as i'd love some of the air-coolness, it's a no-no.
I'm looking for a car which is rewarding and gives good driver feedback... hence 911.
Edited by type-r on Thursday 31st August 16:11
It all depends on what you want - I personally considered a M3 until i realised i could get a 996 for similar money, cheaper insurance, and similar running costs.
There was no competition in my mind - but you trade off on the practiciality.
You need to decide what you want - and what you'll use the car for...
There was no competition in my mind - but you trade off on the practiciality.
You need to decide what you want - and what you'll use the car for...
Oh, and if anyone tells you to buy Carrera2's ignore them, its rubbish honest..
oh okay, its not, from the sounds of things its great, but I want it...
oh okay, its not, from the sounds of things its great, but I want it...
DasChin said:
C2 at that money will be well basic with little options and high mileage
No, there are plenty of good ones around for this price. Basic high mileage 996s can be had for £20k.
There are currently 29 996s on Autotrader between £20k and £25k.
Edited by deutscher on Thursday 31st August 16:39
type-r said:
Is it rewarding on the road? It's unlikely I will be taking it to a track... more likely A roads and B roads but mostly the motorway.
The 996 i'm looking at does come with good range of options for it's year and the all important OPC-warranty! Down side is high mileage but warranty gives peace of mind. A 993 unfortunately is now out of warranty coverage so as much as i'd love some of the air-coolness, it's a no-no.
I'm looking for a car which is rewarding and gives good driver feedback... hence 911.
Get an M3,better car than an early n/a 996 ..imo of course.The 996 i'm looking at does come with good range of options for it's year and the all important OPC-warranty! Down side is high mileage but warranty gives peace of mind. A 993 unfortunately is now out of warranty coverage so as much as i'd love some of the air-coolness, it's a no-no.
I'm looking for a car which is rewarding and gives good driver feedback... hence 911.
Edited by type-r on Thursday 31st August 16:11
type-r said:
Is it rewarding on the road? It's unlikely I will be taking it to a track... more likely A roads and B roads but mostly the motorway.
The 996 i'm looking at does come with good range of options for it's year and the all important OPC-warranty! Down side is high mileage but warranty gives peace of mind. A 993 unfortunately is now out of warranty coverage so as much as i'd love some of the air-coolness, it's a no-no.
I'm looking for a car which is rewarding and gives good driver feedback... hence 911.
The 996 i'm looking at does come with good range of options for it's year and the all important OPC-warranty! Down side is high mileage but warranty gives peace of mind. A 993 unfortunately is now out of warranty coverage so as much as i'd love some of the air-coolness, it's a no-no.
I'm looking for a car which is rewarding and gives good driver feedback... hence 911.
Edited by type-r on Thursday 31st August 16:11
if you are ruling out a 993 due to warranty, have you seen the cost of a M3 warranty
For motorways M3 is a great choice, but if your one or two up I still prefer 911. To say which is the better car is impossible to answer, depends what you want. If you ask on a Porsche forum like this the majority will say porsche, same as BMW forum will say M3. In the end you need to decide what you want. My friend drove our 993 at bedford and I drove his M3. I couldnt wait to give back the M3 and he didnt want to give back the 993. His M3 was 2002 with SMG, I hated the SMG.
magic torch said:
911 was a boyhood dream of mine, and as I've said before owning one hasn't sullied that dream.
This sums it up for me.
This sums it up for me.
Lol that kid got more attention than i did last time I went to an OPC
As far as an M3 v 911 is concerned I doubt you'll find many 911 owners saying they'd prefer an M3. Most of the M3 owners who say the M3 is better probably haven't driven a 911 - that's why they're still driving an M3 and not a 911.
Everyone should own a 911 at some point and if it's been a boy hood dream that you are ibn a posistion to realise you'd be daft not to.
My car history is very simple and quite relevant: Three M3s followed by two 911s (both 997s).
Fact is most M3 drivers secretly wish they had a 911. I'd be surprised if many 911 drivers wish they had an M3 instead...!! After my two 911s will am I tempted by the new M3... Erm.. No!
Doesn't matter which model, the 911 is a legend and the one car you have to own at some point! Buy it, drive it, love it.
Fact is most M3 drivers secretly wish they had a 911. I'd be surprised if many 911 drivers wish they had an M3 instead...!! After my two 911s will am I tempted by the new M3... Erm.. No!
Doesn't matter which model, the 911 is a legend and the one car you have to own at some point! Buy it, drive it, love it.
kayc said:
type-r said:
Is it rewarding on the road? It's unlikely I will be taking it to a track... more likely A roads and B roads but mostly the motorway.
The 996 i'm looking at does come with good range of options for it's year and the all important OPC-warranty! Down side is high mileage but warranty gives peace of mind. A 993 unfortunately is now out of warranty coverage so as much as i'd love some of the air-coolness, it's a no-no.
I'm looking for a car which is rewarding and gives good driver feedback... hence 911.
Get an M3,better car than an early n/a 996 ..imo of course.The 996 i'm looking at does come with good range of options for it's year and the all important OPC-warranty! Down side is high mileage but warranty gives peace of mind. A 993 unfortunately is now out of warranty coverage so as much as i'd love some of the air-coolness, it's a no-no.
I'm looking for a car which is rewarding and gives good driver feedback... hence 911.
Edited by type-r on Thursday 31st August 16:11
Im going with kayc on this, if your not tracking and mostly A/B roads and motorway then id take the m3. The model of M3 you would get is the same car as if you bought a new one 6 months ago(am i right here)?
magic torch said:
911 was a boyhood dream of mine, and as I've said before owning one hasn't sullied that dream.
This sums it up for me.
This sums it up for me.
SOLD!
The difficult decision now is... silver or blue?
You know deep down, i've always wanted a 911... might aswell live the dream a not look back on my life with any regrets!
Edited by type-r on Thursday 31st August 19:19
type-r said:
magic torch said:
911 was a boyhood dream of mine, and as I've said before owning one hasn't sullied that dream.
This sums it up for me.
This sums it up for me.
SOLD!
The difficult decision now is... silver or blue?
You know deep down, i've always wanted a 911... might aswell live the dream a not look back on my life with any regrets!
You won't be disappointed.
I know of a nice Silver one coming up for sale very soon.
r5gttgaz said:
magic torch said:
2WD normally aspirated is the best of the range, IMO of course.
Thats the only layout the M3 comes in
.Good point, and this one.
Personally if I was thinking of getting an M3 I'd wait and see what the V8 one does to prices.
Edited by magic torch on Thursday 31st August 19:32
From experience of shopping for 996's at a similar budget - if you'd be prepared to go for a silver one, you seem to get a lot more for your money, and have a lot more choice...
I personally wanted a darker colour, with a dark interior, and either im really bad at this car shopping lark, or its a lot harder than it sounds...
I personally wanted a darker colour, with a dark interior, and either im really bad at this car shopping lark, or its a lot harder than it sounds...
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff