himself

I JUST went through this EXACT thing. I was about to buy my first real sports car. I just couldn't decide what to do. I tossed and turned, and researched and test drove and researched more, and drove some more.

The final contenders: Contender 1: 2004 M3, 20K miles, $43,500. Contender 2, 2000 996, 38K miles, $38,900. Contender 3: 2005 Benz C55 AMG, 10K miles, $50,000 + a little (but Mercedes is offering 2.9% financing on these, so it was within my budget...) [I tossed the MB because the sales people were pushy.]

2 things made the decision for me: First, my fiancee said (keep in mind, she's not a car person, she's a speak your mind without a filter person), "making a 3 series into a sports car is just stupid. If you want a sports car, buy a Porsche - don't try to squeeze a round peg into a square hole." Now I'm not knocking the M3, because I know it is a good car and would get respect - but some of the cache might be lost on the average Joe. I knew it would be a great car with BMW behind it (and from experience - I'm on my 3rd BMW as well). But it just wouldn't be the same as a 911 - and I've always REALLY wanted a 911. - besides the interior of the M3 was basically my current Bimmer all over again (2004 330i).

second: check on adding a 4yr / 48,000 mile warranty to your Porsche. I checked, got the price on the best one (exclusionary coverage, bumper to bumper, basically everyting is covered). It only added 3G's to the price. This warranty is not one of those "you pay first, and we'll reimburse you later" plants. The dealer / repair place gets paid directly from them (and I'm only out $100 bucks per deductible). I haggled a bit and got the dealer to come 2G's off the 911. SO, I ended up buying it for $36,900 with the warranty pushing it up to $39,900. That was just 3 DAYS ago (Saturday, April 22).

Let me tell you it was worth it!! I have NO regrets, and don't think I ever will. The 911 is SOOOO sweet. It drives awesome and looks unbelievable. The M3 is an awesome car, but it just isn't a Porsche. Every M3 and Corvette I pass takes a second look. Not to mention every Mustang GT, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Camaro, and Infinity.

The ONLY down side is -> I always dreamed of having a Porsche, and now I have one, so I need to get a new dream. Woe is me...

-td

Benjamin Choi

hahaha congrats td!

-M3 is not a sports car... it is a GT
-non-aero 996s look worse than stock bodied M3s... M3 to aeroed 911... they both look good, one just is not a 911. so in my case, M3 clearly over a non-aeroed 911 so a non-aeroed 911 is just not an option.
-i come from a supercharged s2000 so... i actually am getting to a more sedated, relaxed car... not as raw, but again, the honda is not a 911

tough call. i guess my goal would be to find a CPOed aero 911. how realistic is this?

fast1

If a 996 fits your life style, i.e., you don't need a useable back seat, go with the 996. If you buy the M3, chances are that you'll regret your decision within a few weeks.

AudiOn19s

This won't make things any easier...but I went through the same decision a year ago...I bought the M3. I just now bought the 996 Aero..I'm not getting rid of the M3 no way no how. As similar as the two cars are...they are also drastically different in their own right.

I love my M3 and will likely be buried with it. I'm sure the 996 will soon grow to the same level on me though...otherwise I wouldn't have purchased it.

Andy

Ucube

If ultimately you value peace of mind over the driving experience, then you should probably opt for the rational choice -- M3. It's by no means a second-class citizen, but it provides an altogether different experience. Someday, just maybe, you might find yourself in regret yearning for the 911, but at least you'll have the consolation there won't be any potential out-of-pocket repair expenses with the M3 from now to 2008.

vove

10 GT3

I am not sure if I agree with the comments about non-aero 911's. The non-aero cars look more classy. The MY02+ body styling without aero or even side skirts has really grown on me, especially when lowered. They are instantly recognizeable on the road. I would feel a little less of the older cars (99-01) because they had the front end from the Boxster and hence blend in like a Boxster only when you see the front end. I could see a point in wanting an aero car to differetiate it.

But if looks are what you are after, why get an M3? I don't see that many 996's on the road and I easily spot them. M3's look like other 3 series, which are everywhere. You have to see the side vents or the 4 exhaust tips to tell it is an M3. There are a lot of 3-series cars out there, so I don't notice them. Are you more concerned about what you are looking at when you open your garage door or what other people see when you are driving? For me I care most about the look and feel in the driver's seat.

DGuida

M3's hood, quarter panels, tires and rear are also different, much more agressive stance.

fast1

What you post is true, but I believe the point is that everyone immediately recognizes a 911, whereas lots of people will cofuse an M3 with a 3 series.

10 GT3

Is the hood, quarter panels or tires different? Never noticed, but I'll take your word for it. Personally, I don't belive the 1/4 panels are different since it is built on the regular 3 series frame. Since 18"s were a standalone option on the regular 3 series as well as included in the Sport Option with the lowered stance, they aren't a dead givaway. The Sport Option cars even got the M3's front bumper and side skirts. Of course there is that little "M" logo on the trunk, but I am sure you could just buy one of those too. There are a couple of options that could make the Bimmer stand out: a vintage M1 or a Z8.

On the other hand, I just took a look at the current resale on these cars. Thank God, I didn't buy one last year. I would have lost $5K on a used one in less than 6 months. Resale is already dropping hard. 01'-02' are going for under $30K, 03's for under $35K. Given this, I don't think I would pay over $40K for an 04'. But with their falling resale, they are becoming a good bang for the buck. The question is, how close are they to hitting rock bottom? I suspect they will drop they are still going to drop a lot with the next M3 coming out soon, but they are a good alternative to someone contemplating with trying to afford a 996.

eurotrashed

Howabout both? M3 and 996?

fast1

01'-02' are going for under $30K, 03's for under $35K. Given this, I don't think I would pay over $40K for an 04'. But with their falling resale, they are becoming a good bang for the buck. The question is, how close are they to hitting rock bottom? I suspect they will drop they are still going to drop a lot with the next M3 coming out soon, but they are a good alternative to someone contemplating with trying to afford a 996.

I wonder if the decline is because of the new M3 or rapidly increasing gas prices. If you can afford to pay $60K+ for a car, the price of gas probably isn't a concern, but how about the guy who has to stretch his budget to afford a $40K car. I averaged around 18 MPG in my '02 M3, so there wasn't a lot of time between fillups. Also, who's to say that the price of gas won't continue to climb to $4 or $5 a gallon or higher. If Iran or Venezuela cuts its production, who knows how high the price will climb. So in this kind of environment, it's not surprising that the market for isn't strong for used poor mileage cars.

DGuida

Yes, front panels are flarred wider than the other 3 series, it allows room forwider front tires, 235 or245 front (I think) 265 rear, 18" standard, 19" optional for the m3 only. Even with these differences, I agree, they still do look like the normal 3 series in passing. There also seems to be a lot more M3s on the road compared to 996s (or any other 911). 996 stick out in a crowd , I think, more than an M3. If passengers (kids) weren't a consideration, I would opt for the 996. The most attractive thing going for the M3 is the SMG on the track. It's a little jerky on the street. Performance is very close, driver would probalby make the difference

10 GT3

I would bet hard money is isn't the price of gas. Just look at the recent increases in resale on older 911's, especially 964's. I have a colleage that is looking for an older 911 (a 3.0L S/C or a 3.2L Carrera). He is starting to get sticker shock at looking at ones with less than 100K miles. 930's are pushing back in the $40's. Even low mileage S/C's are now up the $20's. These cars defintely aren't fuel misers. Although 04' 996's have finally started moving down, the rest of the 996's haven't budged. Some of the older Ferraris, including 308 QV's, have come up too. Plus have you seen what a gas guzzling vintage big block hemi is going for? An original hemi Cuda recently went for over $400K at the Barrett Jackson auction.

FYI, Iran isn't as much of a source as you think. Most of our oil comes from Iraq. In fact, we consume 80% of their distribution annually. Wonder why Bush was in such a hurry to get in there...

Crazy Canuck

The top suppliers to the 'mericans:
- Canada (alberta tar sands anyone?)
- Mexico
- Venezuela