I debated between turbo and carrera but my experience of owning e36 M3 which is more or less a 996 of the M3 generations. It is by far the most affordable and fun car I've owned. I have a much faster car but it is hard to appreciate it on the road whereas the M3 can be wrung out without going way too fast. While I think the turbo would be a fast, effortless cruiser that can also become a decent sports car (in stock form) and a perfect daily driver, I felt that a non turbo 996 would be the one to have fun with given its depreciation and aftermarket and community support. I ended up with an 02 C4S with a 3.8 rebuilt engine that also had front drive disconnected. I have a fair amount of work to get it to where I want it to be but it has good bones and it isn't a pristine car that I would be afraid to drive.

With that said, I'd love to own a turbo at some point.