E46 M3 or Porsche 996 C2

[wickedone]

Need some quick advice. I have been on the waiting list for an E46 M3 since last September. The dealerships were not giving me straight answers. My dad took his 740iL in to the dealership for some work and talked to the manager. The manager said I will give u this month's allocation spot and you will get the car in March. However, someone had told my dad to maybe think about getting a Porsche instead of the M3. So we went to the dealership and they had one coming in March, 996 C2 with a few options. Oh and I am paying for most of the car (all of it if M3 otherwise about 60 grand). Please give advice (I know this is a BMW forum)...

[Charlie]

AAAH! Tough one...

I honestly can't decide. Test drives first?

[wickedone]

I've driven both and I enjoyed both tremendously. I have had my heart set on the M3 but I never really thought about the Porsche till two weeks ago (as it was out of my price range until my dad said he would cover the difference of the porsche and m3).

[Nick]

My dad is thinking of the same deal. I have driven both... and to tell you the truth, I HONESTLY cannot decide between the two. They are both so much fun in different ways... I wish I had to make these tough decisions

[wickedone]

It is such a tough decision I don't know which one to make. I am so confused. Everyone is saying Porsche because it is a Porsche. I have to try and decide by 7pm PST and it is 4:30pm already.

[umnitza]

I would not get either.
I would look at the Z06...best bang for the buck - save the remaining 20K for making sure the car is reliable and faster

[Nick]

The Porsche is a Porsche, and it is beautiful... but as far as driving pleasure goes, I think they're about identical. The things the Porsche has going for it are the exterior and interior looks, the engine sound, and the mystique of the marque. It costs quite a bit more than the M3, but if it is not a big deal to you, then it just all comes down to what you want.

I think, all things considered, I'd still probably pick the 911.

[racecar]

M3 hands down, i've driven both.

[Nick]

Originally posted by umnitza
I would not get either.
I would look at the Z06...best bang for the buck - save the remaining 20K for making sure the car is reliable and faster

Have you driven one? And I thought they were 50k, thats not a lot of difference. A friend of mine with a BMW drove one and he said it felt like it was going to fall apart, yeah it was fast but it was very crude.

[umnitza]

one more thing, why not look at a 996TT used?
The Porsche will retain better value...but you probably don't care about that too much.

[umnitza]

Originally posted by Nick


Have you driven one? And I thought they were 50k, thats not a lot of difference. A friend of mine with a BMW drove one and he said it felt like it was going to fall apart, yeah it was fast but it was very crude.

I've driven the regular C5 Vette...sure it's a GM car...yeah it feels somewhat flimsy...but then, you could save 10-30K...hmmmm

[Chase265]

The M3 is sweet as hell, but I would not hesitate and get the Porsche.
That car is shit..

[Nick]

Originally posted by umnitza
one more thing, why not look at a 996TT used?
The Porsche will retain better value...but you probably don't care about that too much.

Because 996TTs used are still over $100k.

Hell, it's hard to get a 993TT for under $90k.

[umnitza]

Originally posted by Nick



Because 996TTs used are still over $100k.

Hell, it's hard to get a 993TT for under $90k.

typo..I meant 993.
and I've seen a few for mid 80K.

[993 4S]

New 996 with 320 horespower The m3 may be more luxurious than the porsche, but i guess that all depends on what you want. Personally, I could care less and I would take the porsche because I like the more "raw" and "race car" feeling.