I think you will miss the power of the M3. I would keep looking for a well sorted S
Jim

 

...get the 'S'. I was looking at a '15 Base then drove a '13 911S (PDK with all the Sports goodies). You see in my sig what ended up in my garage...

 

Many passionate view points here.

I cross shopped the 991 (S and non-S ) against the F80 M3, as many others have.

The M3 has two extra doors, a generous back seat, and great torque from the I6. It also responds very well to mods given the fact that it's turbo. I've had a V8 powered E90 M3, and was really hoping the F80 would sing to me like that car did, but it didn't elicit the emotional response that my old one did.

I also drove a 7spd Carrera S and thought it was a fantastic car, as everyone here already knows.

Still, the most fun car for me to drive was the 3.4 991. Yes, it's a little down on power, and torque compared to the S, but not enough for me care. It does drive like a much more playful car, and more amusing to wind through the gears. I have no regrets about getting the 3.4 versus the 3.8 car or the F80 M3. Why didn't I care about a 50 hp difference between the cars? I came out of a 2013 Viper with 600 lb-ft of torque... nothing I do to a 3.4, 3.8, will put it on the same playing field. So, I'd rather have the slower car that likes to have the snot revved out of it.

You can't go wrong with any car, as long as it's a 911.

 

Yeah coming from a much faster vehicle really does put things into perspective. My other ride is a 1000cc sport bike, so 0-60 in about 2 seconds. Outside of something like a Veyron or a heavily modded GTR/911TT nothing can come close, and neither do I really want a car that fast. A C2 is just a perfect car that is 'fast enough' but has the best feel outside of exotics.

 

OP thank you for posting this. I am in the exact same position you are in, well almost. I currently have my 2016 YMB F80 up for sale. If I were to get a P car it would definitely be an "S" or "4s". That being said, this would also be my first P car. My biggest dilemma is this (and someone else also said it)

• I can get a brand new F80 comp pack with an individual color (Grigio Telesto) for about the same price as a used 13 S.
  
• The F80 responds to mods much better and would definitely be quicker in a straight line. Also more bells/whistles (head up display is awesome).
  
• Resale value would be better on the F80 since I am the first owner. I presume I would take a massive hit on depreciation being the 2nd owner of any P car. (Correct me if I'm wrong).

With all of that being said, there is something about the idea of owning a Porsche that keeps reeling me in!! Good luck with your search OP and I am right there with you!

 

Funny - I was also shopping F80 M3 comp pack in Telesto (along w/ M2 and GT350). I'm a BMW fan, have been for a long time, and will likely never love a car as much as I loved my 2002 M Coupe. The M3 is a great car, has monster torque, and is more usable for people like me (small kids). I test drove a few and found it to be incredibly competent as an all-rounder (I even liked the exhaust note).

My decision came down to realizing that any car I bought that was not a 911, would just be the car I bought before buying a 911. I have wanted a 911 ever since I was a kid, like so many others here, in particular after the epic chase scene in the so-bad-its-good Disney classic, . In the years that have passed, I've become a bit of a car nerd and track enthusiast, which makes the 911 even more desirable. Not to mention, I happen to like my family, and the idea that I can do something that is both selfish and inclusive make for easy rationalization. Took my son along for a test drive of a C4S w/ 7MT - had a blast - and then started to hunt for the perfect car (which took another 4 months).

Re: mods - if modifying your car is your top priority then a 991 is not likely the best option.

Re: depreciation - you're much better off letting the first guy take the hit. You'll likely lose less on depreciation in a CPO 991 vs. a new F80 M3.

All that said - cars are incredibly personal decisions - there is no "right" answer. Drive em and decide.

 

If OP likes the car then I say - Go for it! Don't let the elitists sway you from what YOU like. The 3.4 is a great car.

Sport Chrono in my opinion is a pricey option of dubious value. If it is something you really want then hold out but I would not hesitate to buy a car that didn't have it. Ventilated seats on the other hand are a true necessity.

 

'Elitists'??? LOL... not quite. I just drove the cars back-to-back and the S is just that much more car IMHO. The Base 911 does like to rev and is 'playful'--the extra mid range punch and high RPM pull in the S made all the difference. I too came out of a more powerful car--2008 Corvette Z06... I repeat--get the S.

 

Unless you are going to track the car, the base 3.4 is more than enough. Honestly, you can't really even use the power it has on the street as it is....at least not if you want to keep your license.

 

High end RPM pull of the 'S?' Don't think so. The 3.4 revs faster in the high RPM range compared to the 3.8. Mid range torque comes with displacement but fast revving comes with lighter pistons like the 3.4 has. The 3.4 pull is much edgier and downright scary compared to the more composed and luxurious 3.8 at high RPM. Most reviewers essentially said the same when the 991 came out. To each his own, I'm also one of the few to have sold a 997.2 GT3 for the crazier and faster revving 997.1 GT3. Smaller displacement is always faster revving.

 

??? I guarantee my S will pull away from your Base car on the top end. Hands down faster at any RPM. You guys have 'S' envy... To the OP--just go drive the cars back to back and form your own opinions. I'm out...

 

Absolutely get the Sport Chrono and PSE--if you're going to drive it like a Camry don't bother--otherwise definitely get both. You will not regret it...

 

Right I have 'S' envy. Perhaps you should check my post history before making an aśś out of yourself.

 

Don't forget the 911 is 500lbs lighter.


Road and track tested 991S at 3.5s 0-60 and 1/4 mi in 11.8: http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars...911-carrera-s/


Car & Driver tested F80 M3 at 4.1s 0-60 and 1/4 mi 12.4: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...ed-test-review


Also the first owner takes the biggest hit on depreciation... as the car goes from "new" to "used". Expect a new car to sell for around 2/3 of the original price after only two years. Depreciation is much gentler after that.

 

I currently own a 911-50 and a M3 F80 Azurit. The 991 is refined and the M3 is all about torque. Both are great and top notch toys... If I had to choose one? My kid's dream... Porsche.