Ive read a lot of good things about the Macan, especially the GTS. But we don’t need 2 SUV’s in the family. As good as the Macan is I have a hard time thinking it drives better than the M3.

 

Nice color! And you went with regular wheels. Looks great to me.

 

I've been driving a F80 M3 for the last 6 yrs and just got my 992 S last week. The M3 comes w/ free maintenance for 3 yrs (used to be 4) so it is cheaper to maintain than a porsche. The M3 (I'm sure this will hold for the G80 as well as my F80) is noticeably more useful and roomy than a 911. The M3 feels like a very sporty sedan... but still a sedan. The 911 feels very low slung and like a pure bred sports car... which it is. The M3 is not the best in any category but is good in all categories. It really is a great all-a-rounder. The 911 is great at being a sports car and mediocre to poor at being a family car.

I wouldn't worry about depreciation. WIth the way the world is going, it's hard to predict if used car prices will stay abnormally high or not. Besides... why are you focusing on selling the car now instead of focusing on enjoying whatever car you get? I don't buy a car for resale value. I buy it for enjoyment and utility for my needs. But if you must know, 911s have lower depreciation than M3s. You can insulate yourself from this by leasing the M3. BMWs traditionally lease extremely well with high residuals and low money factors. 911 leases are not that great. The interest rates are a lot higher and residuals are a lot lower.

From what I can glean in your post, price is a big deal and you could definitely use a real backseat for the family. Get the M3. It is much cheaper to maintain and to buy - particuarly if you lease it and particuarly since you are worried about resale (means you probably won't keep it for the long run). The 911 is more of a passion buy and is definitely not a practical decision. I'm keeping my M3 in addition to my new 992 S because I don't see how I can just have the 911. It's too impractical.

 

992 is the answer.
And look at your screen name, Porsched, it says it all

 

Hit the nail on the head there! That was my thought as well. How many times have we heard his opinion on exhaust repeated in the same threads.

 

For my 80K I would get the M2 and save 20K. My other choice in this general price range would be an LC500.

 

I had a F80 for 3 years and traded it in last fall for a base C2, which I received this February. I thought the M3 was a great car and the right car for me at the time, but after several years I decided I was able to afford the car I always longed for, as my kids both graduated from college. I am glad I had the M3, but after awhile it didn’t feel special anymore and the suspension tuning did not suit me; it was somewhat harsh.

The 992 C2 is next level in comparison, although the M3 was the prior gen and I am still enjoying the honeymoon phase with the 992, so I will just leave it at that. I think if My kids were younger, requiring me to think about the usable second row, I would have kept the BMW. It was a great car. In your case, it would seem an M3 or possibly a Macan as someone suggested, may be a better overall fit at this time. I think Porsche ownership decisions often involve more than just logic. I expect to enjoy my Porsche for many years.

 

I assume you drove both? Usually all the questions are gone after that...

If you really need back seats and it's your only car - 992 is basically a two seater, you can't throw anybody other then dwarf kids into the back seats.

If you like sports cars - 992 is your car. If price is a concern - get a 991... They are still absolutely fantastic. Also check 718s if you really want to buy new. No useless back seats and fantastic balance and steering. Surprisingly huge amount of luggage space with two trunks.

Personally, I didn't drive latest M3, but drove the others... and always rent BMW for family vacations in Europe... They are fun, considering circumstances, but after you used to driving Porsche - it's never even close comparison. Too heavy, steering is too empty, made for soccer moms with cellphone in one hand... you just feel it all the time. All the time. Lots of power in M3, but there are other cars with power...

 

Funny to see this post pop-up and the active discussion around it.

I currently own a 992 and my wife drives a Macan S. These are our only two cars, but with the recent edition of our first kiddo, I'm potentially adding another car (in addition to the 992 + Macan) to the stable and the M3 seems like it may be a nice all around daily for me when toting the kid around if the wife is away. I have actually never owned an M car before but am curious to hear what others think about my situation or if I should be cross shopping another car in a similar price/performance class as the M. I do not want to drive an SUV or a wagon unless it's the RS6 or AMG E, but those are impossible to come by in the Bay Area.

 

You're not in a minority of one. I agree.

Porsched - If you’ve got an SUV in the family already and one child; this is totally workable. The M3 is nothing like the 911. Have your cake and eat it. While the eating is still good.

 

How would you compare the G80 to your other M3’s? I had a long test drive in an M4CS last year and it was loud and kind of rough. I then tried a 992 and it felt a lot more comfortable around town and somehow precise and more controllable on twisty roads. I would choose the 992 over that M4CS and pay the extra money. That doesn’t mean the M4CS was not a great car. More like I’m a crappy driver.. and felt the 992 was easier for me to handle.

 

Isn’t the 992 great with a small child? Not that I would dissuade you from getting another fun car.

 

LOL. Very good point.

 

Get the 992. Your wife already has a SUV and the M3 will never be a 911. With the M3, you'll live your life filled with regrets, so take the leap of faith. If money is an issue, just wait a few years to buy the 992. A "base" is not really going to base after you option it out. Prepare for that. This is basically buying a rolex vs very nice seiko. I have lots of seikos including the grand seikos, but it'll never be rolex.

 

I was looking for 2+2 coupe with manual and considered M2 and the 992 (didn't really like the m4). Almost got the M2 as it was almost half the cost, but my wife convinced me to get the 992. Why spend all that money for something that I wasn't 100% happy with and would still secretly lust for the Porsche? My DD is a RS3 and my wife drives a Mazda CX-5 haha